WHO WE ARE
Teachers, Trainers, Researchers, Builders, Designers
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ELLEN HEYTING
Ellen is a teacher, educational researcher, trainer, peace educator, instructional coach and curriculum development consultant. She is from sunny Melbourne, Australia but grew up in the international schools system and has taught in Melbourne, Beijing, Singapore and Helsinki. Her classroom experience has led her to specialise in embedding community connections and service learning into middle years classrooms as well as incorporating the IBDP CAS programme in the older years. She is currently working on her PhD which focuses on using psychological belonging as a tool to increase the academic success of students from non-elite backgrounds who are attending elite educational institutions. As a member of IBEN and with a background in psychology, Ellen knows the power of personalised and relevant experiences and loves co-teaching, facilitating, writing and planning. She loves everything about learning and believes that education can be a force to unite people for peace and a sustainable future!
RACHAEL THRASH
Rachael Thrash is a master teacher who has spent her career supporting students and teachers facing questions that matter. Rachael believes that student learning is a process that begins with each individual’s perspective. Inciting students to question initial understandings encourages them to broaden their awareness and develop a commitment to thoughtful action.With a Masters from Brown University, Rachael has taught Humanities and English in independent US schools, public community colleges, and international IB schools. She launched a school-wide enrichment department providing co-curricular learning for preK-12 students while developing a mentor program for early career educators.Currently, Rachael teaches MYP English and leads the growing Service as Action program at the International School of Helsinki. In this role, Rachael supports faculty to initiate student-inspired thoughtful action grounded in curricular inquiry.