Nice to meet you!
And so, the 2024-2025 academic year is underway. As we are a growing school, we have several new teachers and staff members joining us this year, all eager to bring out their inner magic! We are very fortunate to have such a talented and multilingual team, we would love to introduce you to our newest members.
By our new Optimist International School team members
Meet Barbara Bosman – Teaching Assistant for Early Years & Milepost 2
My name is Barbara, and I am originally from South Africa, but have been living in the Netherlands for the past two years with my husband and two boys. Teaching has always been my passion, and I have always been deeply committed to helping others learn and grow. With a diverse background I believe that I bring unique perspectives to education, combining the richness of my South- African roots with the opportunities I’ve found here in the Netherlands. I joined the OIS team this year where I am assisting in Milepost 2 and Early years. OIS is a great school with lovely children and excellent teachers!!
Meet Danica Bakker – Teacher for Group 3
My name is Danica, I am 27 years old and I am so honoured to be a part of the Optimist international team. I was born and raised in South-Africa. I am married and do not have any children. I am currently living in the Netherlands for 4 years.
I studied and received my Bachelors degree in teaching and also worked as a primary teacher for four years in South-Africa. I believe that it is very important to build a strong foundation in the early years of development of a child. That’s why I would like to make a difference in each child’s life, so that they can flourish. Children are the seeds of our future. I would like to plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life lessons.
Meet Robyn Schilt-Rolleston – Teacher for Group 5B
Hi everyone, my name is Robyn. I am very excited to be a part of the OIS community. I started substitute teaching at OIS in March 2024 and am now teaching Groep 5 this year. I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, and this is where I met my lovely Dutch husband. I have had the privilege of living and teaching in many places around the world like England, Spain, Qatar, Cape Town, New Zealand and now The Netherlands. I am a mum to 2 sporty boys (12 and 14 years old).
I am a pianist and I enjoy baking, reading and photography. We arrived in Holland in June 2023 and brought our dear 5th member of the family with us – Macy Schilt – a golden Labrador-Retriever…… she has us wrapped around her little paw. Let’s hope we have pet day at some stage, so I can bring her with to school.
I find it a great privilege and honour to be a part of a child’s learning journey. How beautiful and precious it is to nurture and support them, watch them grow and then see them blossom and soar.
Meet Elise Verheggen – Teacher for DEP Group 6
My name is Elise, I was born in the Netherlands and have lived my entire life in the Haarlem area. I’m married and we have 1 daughter. I have worked in Dutch primary education for 20 years and have taught groups 3 to 8. This school year I made the switch to OIS and I work as a DEP Dutch teacher in groups 6 and 7. I love exploring the Dutch language together with the children. I love to travel and have been to more than 25 countries around the world. I also love reading and I really enjoy being in nature.
Meet Ian Thomas – Teacher for Group 7
My name is Ian, and I am the Group 7 International Teacher. I grew up on a small hobby farm in Canada, where my love for the outdoors was only rivaled by my ability to shovel snow—after all, in Canada, winter is just another season to embrace!
I hold a postgraduate degree from Canterbury, New Zealand, and I have had the privilege of living and teaching in Canada, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. I am fully trained in the IPC and IB curricula and up until this year, I had been working at the Amsterdam International Community School since 2007.
I have a Dutch partner and two children: a daughter (13) and a son (11). I love learning new things and can often be found outside of school hours on the river kayaking, reading a great book, or working to improve my artistic skills.
To me, learning is like kayaking a river—it should be fun, relevant, allow for mistakes and connections, be supportive, and encourage you to seek what lies around the next bend.
Together, we shine brighter!