The Speakers

Lower School

Diana Cisneros

Grade 4 Teacher

Diana Cisneros is a Grade 4 Teacher and Teacher Lead at ASM, now in her sixth year at the school. Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and raised in New York, Diana has a long-standing passion for education—she’s known since she was a child that she wanted to be a teacher. A ballet and salsa dancer in her free time, Diana brings joy, structure, and care to her work with students.

Kimberly Cobos

Lower School Assistant Principal and Instructional Coach

Kimberly has been working at ASM for the past 15 years. She is multilingual and has lived in three different countries. Currently, Kimberly is the assistant principal and instructional coach in the lower school at ASM. Her work experiences include being the lower school Spanish and Specials coach at ASM and a third-grade teacher for eight years. In addition, she was the English Language Coordinator at the International School of Luxembourg and in New York City. Her recent professional development has been focused on Visible Thinking Routines, Student Centered Coaching, and Transformational Coaching. In her free time, she loves reading, running, and traveling with her family.

Daniel Moore

Lower School Assistant Principal and Instructional Coach

Daniel Moore is in his fifth year at ASM, working as an Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal. Originally from Kansas, USA, Daniel has found inspiration in working at international schools as a way to grow and learn. He is passionate about professional reflection and curious about how to measure his impact working with teachers through coaching practices.

Whitney Mercer Okabayashi

Lower School Assistant Principal and Instructional Coach

Whitney Mercer Okabayashi is an Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal for Early Childhood (K1-Grade 1) at ASM. Now in her 9th year at the school, Whitney has a background in early childhood education and a passion for coaching, collaboration, and community building. She loves yoga, live music, and hosting dinner parties—and brings that same spirit of joy and connection to her professional work.

Melanie Doty

Grade 4 Teacher

Originally from Connecticut, USA, Melanie Doty has been part of the ASM community for ten years. She became an educator thanks to her mom, who was a preschool teacher and inspired her love of learning. Melanie is always looking for new ways to grow as a teacher, whether through technology, social-emotional books, or professional courses that strengthen her practice. She enjoys photography, kayaking, and poetry, and often draws creativity from these passions. Melanie believes learning should inspire curiosity, connection, and confidence—helping students develop both their skills and their love for discovery.

Katia Reyes

Lower School Spanish Teacher and Spanish Team Lead

Originally from Lima, Peru, Katia Reyes has been part of the ASM community for four years. After beginning her career with major corporations in Peru, she discovered her passion for teaching while introducing Spanish at her children’s preschool in the United States. That experience led her to pursue nearly a decade in education, including leadership roles at Summit School in North Carolina. Katia's love for language brought her to Madrid to pursue a master's of Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language. She now brings her love of language and culture to ASM, sharing her enthusiasm for reading, Pilates, and cooking while continuing to inspire young learners to connect through communication and curiosity.

Julie Ramirez

Grade 3 Teacher

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Julie Ramirez began her teaching career in Portland, Oregon, before moving to the Mediterranean coast to teach at the American School of Barcelona. Now in her seventh year at ASM, she draws on her U.S. and international experiences to create student-centered, globally minded classrooms. Julie designs learning environments that teach as much as she does—spaces that blend beauty and order, invite inquiry, and promote wellbeing. She is currently exploring AI-powered pedagogy to streamline planning and deepen engagement. Outside of school, she recharges through Pilates and hiking.

Jonathan Hunt

Lower School Music Teacher

An experienced music educator passionate about teaching and creating music, Jonathan Hunt has led a wide range of ensembles, including youth choirs, rock bands, songwriting clubs, and musical theater productions. Believing that learning happens best through action, he designs interdisciplinary curricula that connect music to concepts across the school day. His teaching fosters creativity, confidence, and collaboration, empowering students to explore, perform, and lead. With strengths in curriculum design, program development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Jonathan is dedicated to cultivating lifelong passion and purpose through music.

Meredith Erker

Grade 4 Teacher

Meredith Erker is a passionate educator who has been part of the ASM community for 17 years, inspiring curiosity and creativity in her 4th-grade classroom. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Meredith grew up in Chicago, studied in Richmond and New York City, and has called Spain home for more than two decades. Her love of teaching is deeply connected to her love of life — time with family and friends, adventures in nature, music, animals, and travel. Meredith believes in nurturing a sense of wonder in every child, helping them discover their unique spark as learners and global citizens.

Emily Murphy

OPAL Coordinator & Curricular Lead

Emily is a passionate child advocate and educator who believes that quality play and the freedom to explore in nature are vital to every child’s well-being. She has spent the past decade teaching in Early Childhood and Primary, holds an M.Ed in International Teaching, and currently leads ASM’s OPAL program where she helped the school earn its second Platinum Award for outstanding play ethos and provision. Originally from a farm in Ireland, Em is a keen vegetable grower, yoga practitioner, and cyclist. She lives in Madrid with her husband and four boys and dreams that all children can enjoy equitable, quality play—without adults interfering!

Camila Reina

Head of Lower School Learning Support

Camila Reina is a Learner Support Teacher at ASM whose work is driven by a vibrant belief that every learner brings unique strengths worth celebrating. With more than a decade of international experience across Colombia, the U.S., China, and Spain, she champions inclusive practices that expand access, belonging, and student agency. Her passion for Universal Design for Learning and emerging tools fuels her mission to make classrooms more adaptable, human-centered, and joyful for all students.

Stefanie Henze

Lower School Learning Support Teacher

Stefanie Henze is a Learning Support Specialist in Lower School, bringing over 20 years of experience in education that began in 2001. Dual-certified with an Ed.M. from Columbia University, her work is anchored in the belief that inclusion is social justice—a philosophy supported by her strong multicultural foundation, developed while growing up in countries like Haiti and Italy. Stefanie specializes in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Orton Gillingham, and the Responsive Classroom approach to help every student thrive. She is passionate about partnering with families to grow students into compassionate citizens of the world. Outside of school, Stefanie loves to travel, spend time with her family, and is currently reading mystery novels.

Katrina Bruening

Lower School Learning Support Teacher

Katrina Bruening is a Lower School Support Teacher at ASM, where she has spent 17 years helping young learners grow with confidence and curiosity. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, she brings a maker’s spirit to everything she does—whether crafting art, food, furniture, or new ways for students to access learning. With two decades in education and a past life in libraries, museums, restaurants, and more, she delights in exploring the relationships between people, ideas, and cultures. Katrina is also a proud ASM parent of four—and caretaker to two beloved turtles.

Middle School

Thy Carber

K-12 Instructional Coach

Thy has been working as an instructional coach at ASM for over three years. Her working experiences include being a teacher training coordinator for a Brussels-based Flemish Association in Vietnam, teaching various graduate courses in technology, research methods, and curriculum at Endicott College, MA, and working as a curriculum specialist at a K-12 STEAM PBL school in Texas. Her educational interests are action research, innovative practice, Transformational Coaching and Assets-Based Community Development (ABCD.) She loses track of time when reading, being in nature and playing magnet tiles with her kids.

Alaina Cotillo

Middle School Dean of Students

Originally from Randolph, Massachusetts, Alaina Cotillo has been part of the ASM community for over fifteen years. Before moving to Spain, she taught Spanish in independent schools and discovered her calling to education through experiences that blended travel, culture, and connection. A 2009 Camino de Santiago grant cemented her love for Spain and led her to ASM. Alaina is passionate about character development, belonging, and helping young people become compassionate, responsible leaders. She values lifelong learning and community, drawing inspiration from her family, nature, and every opportunity to help others grow with confidence and purpose.

Jennifer Parker

Middle School Science Teacher and Head of Department

Originally from Canada, Ms. Jen has spent the past 25 years teaching math and science around the world. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming an astronaut, a fashion designer, and a marine biologist—and she still brings that same curiosity and creativity to her classroom today. Her journey has included choreographing fashion shows, selling her own clothing designs, teaching art to children, and working summers with the Canadian Coast Guard and at camps for adults with special needs. These experiences shaped her belief that learning should be hands-on, imaginative, and accessible for all. At ASM, she combines her love of science and design to make complex ideas come alive, inspiring students to explore, experiment, and find joy in discovery.

Douglas Peterson

8th-Grade Science Teacher and Advisor

Originally from Frankfort, Kentucky, Douglas Peterson has spent six years inspiring curiosity and discovery in ASM’s middle school science program. He encourages students to explore the natural world through hands-on learning and problem-solving. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Doug enjoys biking, hiking, and playing disc golf—passions that reflect his belief that science is best learned through exploration, curiosity, and connection with the world around us.

Joshua Chambers

Middle School Counselor

Originally from West Virginia, Joshua Chambers has been part of the ASM community for four years. His undergraduate studies in Dance Education sparked a lasting interest in emotional intelligence and building the emotional literacy of adolescents. After teaching Sean Covey’s 7 Habits to middle school students for three years, he found himself drawn to deeper conversations about their lives and challenges—leading him to pursue school counseling. Joshua now helps students strengthen self-awareness, empathy, and balance as they navigate the middle school years.

Layla Block

World Languages Department Head & French Teacher

Layla Block is a seasoned French teacher and department leader with nine years of experience at the American School of Madrid. With a strong background in Linguistics and Language Acquisition, Layla is also deeply experienced in the International Baccalaureate (IB) as both an online IB teacher and examiner. Originally from Morocco, her international perspective has been shaped by living in Canada, the United States, and the UAE. She holds two master’s degrees from Paris-Sorbonne University in Applied Linguistics and Teaching French. Her passions span language, literature, global politics, and fostering international-mindedness through education.

Mara Hornillos

Middle School Spanish Teacher

Mara Hornillos is a Middle School Spanish teacher with 17 years of experience as an educator and foreign language specialist in the UK, France, California, and Spain. Her professional background extends beyond the classroom to instructional design and curriculum development, having contributed to professional learning courses for educators at the Instituto Cervantes. Mara holds a master’s degree in International Communication, along with degrees in Foreign Language Education from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the University of Kent (UK). Drawing from her own international experience, she is passionate about empowering students with language as a lifelong gift that opens doors to new cultures and perspectives.

Amalia Sandoval

Middle School Spanish Teacher & ASM Summer Camp Coordinator

Amalia Sandoval is a dynamic Spanish educator specializing in Grades 6–8, bringing two decades of global experience to the classroom. A graduate of NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education, she has taught at international institutions including The Hamlin School and the American School of Madrid. A multilingual herself—having studied five languages—Amalia is passionate about inspiring students to view language as a lifelong gift that bridges cultures and opens minds. An ASM alumna whose tenure began in 1991, she has served in a variety of roles across divisions, reflecting her deep commitment to the ASM community and her broad institutional expertise.

Jeff Frantz

Middle School Humanities Department Head

Jeff Frantz is the Head of Middle School Humanities at ASM, where he brings together the best of English and Social Studies with a deep belief that both disciplines illuminate what it means to be human. A champion of close reading, evidence-based writing, and inquiry-driven learning, he leads the Humanities program with a scholar’s curiosity and a teacher’s heart. Jeff's work centers on creating meaningful, integrated learning experiences that help students think like readers, writers, historians, and civic thinkers—connecting human stories to historical contexts and empowering students to engage thoughtfully with the world.

Upper School

Neil Block

Upper School Social Studies Teacher

Neil Block teaches Upper School Economics, TOK, and Social Science. Originally from San Jose, California, Neil has been teaching internationally for over 20 years and is in his 8th year at ASM. A disciple of John Dewey, Neil believes in experiential learning and that democratic principles can guide thoughtful classroom discussion. Outside of school, he enjoys swimming, gardening, cooking, live music, and traveling.

Zander Lyvers

Upper School Social Studies Teacher

Zander Lyvers is in his seventh year at ASM, where he teaches Integrated Social Studies in Grades 9 and 10. He hails from Columbia, South Carolina, and enjoys reading, writing, and trying to keep up with his toddler. Zander is passionate about empowering students to create work that feels meaningful—work that has an authentic audience and real purpose. His approach challenges traditional structures and encourages student ownership at every level.

Mike Sissons

Middle/Upper School Visual Arts Teacher

Mike Sissons has been at ASM for 18 years, serving as the Visual Arts Teacher Leader for both Middle and Upper School. His teaching journey began in Canada in 1979, and over the decades, he has taught every grade level from kindergarten to Grade 12 across four continents. Mike brings to the classroom a passion for the visual arts—particularly painting, sculpting, and drawing—as well as a musical background that includes playing percussion. He’s driven by the belief that student-centered projects, rooted in authentic problem-solving, can spark both creativity and deep engagement.

Joanne Walker

Head of Upper School Social Studies

Joanne Walker has been at ASM for 7 years and currently serves as the World of Work Coordinator and Head of Upper School Social Studies. Originally from the Sunshine Coast in Australia, Joanne’s background in tourism and customer service informs her commitment to experiential learning. She believes deeply in helping students explore the working world with curiosity, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

Minami Seki

US Economics Teacher, US Math Head of Department, US Math Teacher

Originally from Yokohama, Japan, Minami Seki joined ASM this year and brings a deep commitment to inclusive education. An international school graduate herself, she was inspired by a Montessori teacher who encouraged her to be true to herself—an experience that continues to shape her philosophy today. Minami’s educational career centers on integrating gender and sexuality education into school curricula, both in Japan and internationally. She believes education should empower students to be themselves, express their beliefs, and engage with the world through empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking.

Meghan Perks

US Science and IB Biology Teacher, Head of Science Department

Originally from Massachusetts, Meghan Perks has been part of the American School of Madrid community for eleven years. She brings her background in biology and research into the classroom, where she encourages students to ask questions, think critically, and solve problems like scientists. Meghan is passionate about inspiring excitement for biology and helping students use their curiosity and skills to make a difference in the world. Outside of school, she enjoys running, reading, and baking with her family.

Hunter McCallister

Upper School Technology Teacher

Originally from Alaska, Hunter McCallister has spent eight years at ASM inspiring curiosity and creativity through technology. Known affectionately as ASM’s resident “Technology NERD,” he teaches courses in Computer Science, Engineering, Theory of Knowledge, and Digital Societies—exploring how technology shapes what it means to be human. A lifelong learner, Hunter’s interests span 3D printing, AI, blockchain, and energy systems. His past lives include D1 student-athlete, environmental scientist, home builder, yacht maintenance manager, swim coach, and even commercial fisherman—all fueling his belief that innovation starts with curiosity and courage.

Maribel Gómez

US Native Spanish Teacher & Department Head

For twenty-seven years, Maribel Gómez has been a guiding presence in ASM’s Spanish program, inspiring students to see language as both an art and a mirror of culture. A lifelong educator at heart, her fascination with contrastive linguistics and the craft of reading and writing has shaped her teaching journey. Maribel has studied at Columbia University’s Teachers College, exploring visual techniques to make language and literature come alive. Beyond the classroom, she finds joy in theatre, dancing, reading, and a lively game of padel—always bringing the same rhythm and passion that animate her teaching.

Martina Bree

IBDP Coordinator

Dr. Martina Bree is ASM’s DP Coordinator and has been part of the school community for 13 years. Originally from Sligo, Ireland, she is a teacher at heart who came to education after working as a researcher. She is passionate about Irish traditional music and supporting students in meaningful, inquiry-driven learning.

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