Where have you grown up and spent your life?

I am from the region of Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands. After studying there, I worked as a primary school teacher for several years overseas at Aruba and in Suriname.

What are your fields of specialty and your interests/hobbies?

I am a primary school teacher, and my interests/hobbies are: playing beach tennis, tennis, taekwondo and chess.

What excites you about teaching Dutch after-school at ISB?

ISB is a great place to work, and it’s a good thing that there are so many foreign languages to choose from. As a Dutch teacher, it is my goal to make Dutch lessons worthwhile and bring my enthusiasm to the students. When the students come out of my lesson with a smile on their face, I’ll know they’ve had a good learning experience. 

What are three tips for ISB families trying to maintain their children’s native language

Here are some ways to keep the home language strong (source: presentation at recent Dutch Cultural Society teachers conference).