Greetings, and welcome to the 2022-23 school year! Thank you for choosing ISB and trusting all of us with your child’s education and wellbeing. You and your child are about to embark on another memorable year at ISB!
The start of a school year is a new beginning for everyone: starting a new grade, meeting new teachers and friends, and for many, a new school and a new country. We are sensitive to the many challenges involved in adjusting to these changes, and we will work in partnership with you to help make this transition a healthy, happy and successful one. Together, we will work to ensure that the Elementary School is a place where every child feels safe, and experiences the joy of learning and growing.
On behalf of all of the entire ISB Elementary School faculty and staff, we welcome you and look forward to a wonderful school year together.
Sincerely,
Michael Allen, Elementary Principal
Honey Tondre, Elementary Vice Principal
Farah Thaxton, Elementary Vice Principal
More About the 2022-23 ES Principals:
HONEY TONDRE, ES Vice Principal: Early Childhood Specialist
- New to ISB.
- Was most recently and since 2016 the Head of Early Years (ages 3-7) at The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Educational Consultant and Academic Trainer for AIM Middle East located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates since 2018.
- Head of Faculty / Special Education Coach of a KG School (Ages 3-6) at Abu Dhabi Education Council, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Early Years Teacher and PreK Program Coordinator at schools in the USA from 2005-2013.
- Certificate in Early Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education; Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University; MA Science of Reading from University of Texas Austin.
- Joining the ISB community with her husband, Abel.
FARAH THAXTON, ES Vice Principal
- New to ISB.
- Was most recently and since 2010 Principal of schools in Washington state, including West Woodland Elementary School & Emerson Elementary School.
- Seattle Public Schools Art Leadership Coach since 2013.
- Administrator/Title I Coordinator, Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School, Victory Schools (2007- 2009).
- Curriculum & Instruction Specialist, Victory Schools EMO, Philadelphia School District (2006-2007).
- Principal Certification (Washington, Delaware, Pennsylvania)
- MA. Ed, Education Leadership-Principal Certification, University of Delaware, Newark DE.
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology/Elementary Education, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle WA.
- Joining the ISB community with her MS daughter.
MICHAEL ALLEN, ES Principal
- Joined ISB as ES Principal in July 2020.
- Prior to ISB was past ES Principal at Shanghai American School in China (2013-20), International School Nido de Aguilas in Chile (2005-13), International School San Roberto in Mexico (2002-2005).
- ES Teacher in Mexico (2000-02), Canada (1997-2000), and Korea (1996-97).
- Principal Certification (Principals Training Center, USA).
- Ed.D, Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University, USA.
- MA. Ed, International Education, Framingham State University, USA.
- Bachelor of Arts Degrees, Psychology & Elementary Education, University of Regina, Canada.
- Twin son and daughter are HS students at ISB, and wife (Caty) is Director of Teaching and Learning at MYIS Bangkok.