Leadership

Carla Marschall is from the USA and was appointed as the Director of DIS in August 2022. She has served most recently as Director of Teaching and Learning at UWC South East Asia, East Campus in Singapore. During her time at UWC South East Asia, she co-authored two books, Concept-Based Inquiry in Action (2018) and Worldwise Learning: A Teacher’s Guide to Shaping a Just, Sustainable Future (2021), which focus on concept-based learning and issues-based learning across the K-12 continuum. Carla has held other international school leadership roles at Zurich International School, Quarry Bay School (English Schools Foundation), and the Berlin Metropolitan School, and served as a classroom teacher both in the United States and Germany. Carla is a multilingual leader, who values and models the importance of language learning. She is fluent in English and German, a bilingual competence of importance in her role as ambassador for DIS in the school community, the city of Dresden, and the wider region.

Andrea Harnisch grew up on the edge of Saxon Switzerland. After completing her vocational training in the field of taxes, she began a course of studies in business administration with a focus on taxes and auditing, graduating as a Diplom-Kauffrau (certified merchant). Afterwards, Mrs Harnisch started her first employment at Arthur Andersen, Steuerberatungs- und Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. In 2002 she joined Ernst & Young, also a tax consulting and auditing company. Andrea Harnisch has been working as a Business Manager at DIS since 2006. She is married and has one son and one daughter. Both children enjoy attending DIS with great pleasure.

Mr. Boreham is a citizen of Australia and was appointed Primary Principal in 2022. He was Primary Principal for seven years at another IB PYP school, the Luanda International School of Angola. Prior to that, he held various leadership and teaching positions in both Australia and an international school in Thailand. In addition to being an experienced school Principal, Chris is also a PYP workshop teacher trainer and has considerable school development experience working with accreditation agencies and school boards.

Ms. Jennifer Tickle is from the United Kingdom and was appointed as the Secondary Principal of DIS in 2019. She holds a Masters Degree in educational leadership from Bath University, UK and is a graduate of the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. Ms. Tickle has worked in international schools for over 25 years, across South East Asia, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and South America and has been an IB workshop leader and Principal Examiner.  Her background is as an arts educator and she is committed to developing leadership, critical thinking and service.

Ms. Aguirre was appointed Primary Years Programme Coordinator for Grades K5-5 in 2020. Kim Aguirre has served in teaching and leadership positions in international schools in the United States, Germany, and Austria. She holds an undergraduate degree in primary education from Frostburg State University, a Masters Degree in Early Childhood from Cameron University, a certificate in leadership from George Washington University, and a certificate in International Education from ECIS and Cambridge University. Ms. Aguirre is passionate about empowering students and teachers to become lifelong learners. Her personal pursuits include traveling, baking, reading, and learning to play the Ukulele.

Ms. Joyce Larson joined DIS in 2006 as PYP Principal, serving for 8 years before becoming Preschool Coordinator. She started her international school experience in 1998, teaching in Kraków, Poland, and eventually moving to become Wroclaw International School’s first Principal. Originally from the United States, Joyce taught in public schools before moving to Europe. She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration. As Preschool Coordinator, you will find Joyce also teaching the sport and library classes at the preschool as well as parenting classes to DIS parents. She believes building relationships is foundational to successful education and strongly advocates for developing a nature component in our preschool curriculum. In a fast-changing world, she views communication and problem solving as vital life skills for the world's future adults.

Flora Mather is the Assistant Principal and MYP Coordinator for Grades 6-10, in addition to teaching English Language and Literature in the MYP and DP. She has worked in IB schools for more than ten years in New Zealand, Hong Kong, the UK, and at DIS. Flora gained her MA and Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) from the University of Auckland. Flora has done additional graduate study in literacy education and worked with educational expert John Hattie, having the work she did at her school in Hong Kong published as a case study in his most recent book. Flora is particularly focused on building a social emotional wellbeing program for MYP students at DIS that builds on student skills in self-management (organizational and affective) and reflection, and further developing empathy and awareness of personal and social issues. She is also working closely with subject teams to refresh and enhance the written and taught curriculum at DIS to develop inquiry, critical and creative thinking as well as ensuring learning at DIS makes conceptually authentic, real-world connections with the world beyond the classroom.