Advisory Board

Assessment, Wellbeing and DEIJB Consultant, The Mona Lisa Effect®

Following 25 years as an educator, leader and Principal both in the UK and international sectors, Matthew’s work now explores the spaces where wellbeing and belonging intersect with diversity, equity and inclusion, through the prism of ‘warm’ and kind, ‘street’ and slow data. Architect of The Mona Lisa Effect®, he works students, staff, parents and board members in international schools worldwide, helping them ensure that every single child, without condition or exception, can “be seen, be heard, be known and belong”. Both of his adult, trans and neurodivergent children are ‘survivors’ of the international education system, and Matthew now lives on the Isle of Skye with his wonderful wife, atypical dog, and occasional wheelchair.

Former Director of International School of Kigali. Inclusion and Leadership Consultant to multiple schools in Africa, and the Ministry of Education in Rwanda while working part-time at 60 minutes featured SOLA school in Kigali.

Lauren Jones is an educational consultant specializing in inclusion and leadership, currently based in Kigali, Rwanda. She is the previous Director of the International School of Kigali where she developed a comprehensive special education program, along with implementing unique programs to promote connection to the local culture and context. Lauren is passionate about supporting schools in developing more equitable and accessible programming and cultures.

ES EAL Coordinator @ Saigon South International School.

Ceci (she.her.ella) is a collaborator, coach and advocate who empowers educators to create equitable learning opportunities for all language learners. Born and raised in Guatemala City, Ceci grew up in a unique bilingual household nurtured by her family who valued languages equally. Inspired by her own upbringing and her extensive experience in international schools, Ceci now leads a support program for multilingual learners based on practices which ensure culturally responsive teaching and equitable access. You can connect with Ceci through her professional portfolio cgomez.mystrikingly.com.

Learning Support AIS Jeddah. Ph.D. in progress on post-secondary options for neurodivergent learners.

Roslyn has two children with Autism and one with Dyslexia. She passionately advocates for the inclusion of neurodivergent learners in international schools. She is a Secondary Life-Centered Education (LCE) instructor at AIS Jeddah. Roslyn combines engaging academics, socialization, executive functioning, and self-determination skills in her teaching approach, emphasizing independence. Over 21 years, she has taught in Kazakhstan, South Korea, UAE, Peru and Saudi Arabia, in roles including elementary teacher, PYP Coordinator, and Secondary Learning Support Coordinator. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Special Education through the University of Northern Colorado, her research focuses on postsecondary transition programs, self-determination, and Universal Design for Learning.

School psychologist in Maryland, founder of SAGE Consulting.

Ms. Smith is a school psychologist, and founder of SAGE Education Consulting. She is based in Maryland, USA. She advocates for students with diverse needs and has assisted in the development of educational programming for hundreds of students with various learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, Autism, ADHD, speech or language impairments, visual impairments, and orthopedic impairments. She has also served as Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Coach and Therapeutic Team Lead. Ms. Smith has extensive knowledge of school-based support teams within multi-tiered support systems and has helped school teams establish a more welcoming environment for students, regardless of disabilities or backgrounds.

Founder and education consultant at Journey 2 Bloom.

Lisa Richer is a certified Neurodiversity Consultant who believes we must first seek to understand the learner to effectively support their unique needs and development goals. She is a sought-after podcast guest and speaker on Neurodiversity and Inclusion. Lisa serves as Neurodiverse Learners Advisory Committee Chair at The Mandala School and is Executive Board Chair for By, With and For Autistic Adults. A parent of 2 neurodivergent boys with over 20 years combined Leadership, Human Resources, Training, Neurodiversity Consulting experience, and years as an Elite level athlete, Lisa leverages her lived experiences and professional training in her consultancy, Journey 2 Bloom.

Learning Support at American International School of Johannesburg, Founder of iLabSchool Online Intervention Clinic

Fi is a dedicated inclusion advocate with over 15 years of experience as a Learning Support Teacher and Reading Specialist in elementary and middle schools in both Asian and African regions. She has a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from the University of the Philippines and is currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She promotes the importance of accommodating diverse learning needs within the mainstream classroom through co-teaching, utilizing a multi-tiered system of support, differentiation and modification tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. Fi firmly believes that education should be a transformative and inclusive experience for every learner. Fi is also the founder of iLabSchool, an online intervention clinic, providing literacy and numeracy intervention support to students across continents who have limited access to outside support services.

Founder and CEO of Northshore Learning

Jessica has worked with schools worldwide as an instructor, a professor of education and classroom management, and as a consultant. She is passionate about helping to equip educators to work with students with varying academic and behavioral needs. Dr. Werner specializes in behavior support, including social and emotional learning, student regulation and self-management, wholistic approaches to student behavior and communication for students in both the general classroom and also students with additional learning needs.

Professor & Curriculum Designer for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners – Relay Graduate School of Education; Inclusion, Curriculum Design & Instructional Consultant

MaryAnn DeRosa, Ed.D is a passionate progressive educator with over 20 years experience working in the classroom as a teacher, special educator, and instructional and SEL/Equity coach. As a teacher-leader and teacher-trainer, she has led professional development on topics including SEL, Equity and Inclusion, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, UDL, and Cultivating Creativity. MaryAnn earned her doctorate from Northeastern University with coursework focused on social justice and equity in education. Always from a change agent lens, her research centers on fostering creativity and designing inclusive, justice-centered engaging learning environments. MaryAnn has spent her career teaching in Washington DC charter and public schools as well as in international schools in China, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Milan, Italy. MaryAnn is a member of AIELOC (Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color) and an ASCD Champions in Education. 

Head of educational partnerships at iCanStudy; former international school teacher and director; consultant who supports school accreditation for a leading accreditation agency.

Leo Thompson is Head of Educational Partnerships for ‘learning to learn’ specialists, iCanStudy. He has nearly 25 years of experience in international education through multiple roles as teacher, school director and contracted accreditation agency consultant. Leo has written and spoken extensively on well-being, inclusion, global citizenship and learning; looking at ways that schools can truly empower individuals to become their best selves; and be happy, safe, connected, and in good mental health. To move the education industry forward, Leo designed the Inclusion Umbrella model that is now widely used and referenced. An IFIP Distinguished Fellow recognised for his work supporting inclusion, Leo is based in Vienna and a proud dad of twins!

Lead Learning Specialist, Keystone Academy in Beijing, China.

Meera Raghu has an unwavering dedication and passion to provide the best possible options for the children, families, and colleagues she works with. As an educator and active member of SENIA, she specializes in language learning, reading and writing difficulties, and the behavioral challenges that often accompany these issues. She has a wealth of experience in the fields of Dyslexia therapy, learning needs, and inclusion at international schools — both established and founding institutions — for over 18 years. She has organized workshops and delivered presentations to inspire and train fellow educators. Meera actively contributes to the pastoral aspects of school life beyond academics, fostering the well-rounded development of students’ emotional and social well-being. Meera’s commitment to students has earned her recognition from school leaders and parents alike. She is a strong proponent of student voice and self-advocacy.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Meera finds joy in spending time with her family, indulging in reading, exploring her culinary skills, and embarking on new travel adventures.