Lead Coordinator
Current Coordinators: Gilles Collong
Email: gcollong@icsz.ch
School: ICS
Set up and facilitate SGIS Organizing Coordinator meetings and members meetings
Coordinate with other coordinators to support
Provide oversight to the focus and priorities of SGIS Pride Educators Group on an annual basis
Liaise with SGIS as required
Maintain Google Drive and notes
Conference Coordinator
Current Coordinators: Jennifer Baldacci and Adam Herzig
Email:
School: ISB
Organize an annual conference (space, setting up student speakers)
Membership and Communications Coordinator
Current Coordinator: Kaitlyn Somers
Email: ksomers@zis.ch
School: ZIS
Update the website in partnership with the Technology Coordinator
Support ways to network and recruit at conferences -SGIS
Send out a newsletter 4 times a year
Technology Coordinator
Current Coordinator: Alexis Dahl & Stephany Herzog
Email: Alexis.dahl@iszl.ch & stephany.herzog@iszl.ch
School: ISZL
Update the website
Maintain the Padlet
Professional Development Coordinator
Current Coordinator: Daniel Grocott
Email: dgrocott@isl.ch
School: ISL
Organize PD for all Pride Educators
Find training and PD opportunities that can be shared in the newsletter
Promote SGIS Pride Educator to present at conferences
Social/Outreach Coordinators
Current Coordinator: Nick Owlett
Email: nowlett@gmail.com
School: ISB
Organize 2 social events each year
Looking for support with social coordinators and PD if you are interested.
Learn more about our coordinators below!
Who?
Bonjour! I’m originally from Brittany, France, and have lived internationally for 26 years. Four years ago, I moved to Zurich with my husband Patrick, who is also an educator. I’m a French teacher and the supervisor for my school's Pride club Phoenix. I am passionate about advocating for others and working together to create a better world (you may say I’m a dreamer...!).
What?
I have the privilege to be the Lead Coordinator for the SGIS Pride Educator Group.
When I first arrived in Zurich, I was lucky enough to connect with this incredible group of educators. Having come from a country (before Switzerland) where such groups weren’t allowed and where freedom of expression was restricted, it felt incredible to be part of something that supports young people and helps them be their authentic selves. I’ve served as the PD Coordinator for SGIS Pride Educators for the last three years and have now taken over from Stephany as Lead Coordinator. I know I have big shoes to fill, but our group is amazing at supporting one another, so I’m confident we’ll continue doing great work together.
Why?
For the past 13 years as a classroom teacher, I’ve been a proud and out queer educator. I truly believe that paving the way and ensuring queer visibility in schools is crucial for our students. Since I didn’t have a role model growing up, I want to show up for our LGBTQ+ students (and colleagues) and provide the support I couldn’t access when I was younger.
I’m thrilled to be the Lead Coordinator for the SGIS Pride Educators group. They’ve provided the safe space and support I needed in the education world, and I’m so grateful to be part of it. The Pride conference, organised every year, is a testament to the hard work this group puts in to support our students.
I am originally from Wisconsin, USA. After getting married in New York, my wife and I moved from New York City to Switzerland in 2016. We are both educators at Zurich International School and live in the Zurich area with our two wonderful children.
As Communications Coordinator, I help keep our community connected by maintaining our membership list and coordinating our newsletter. I also support our leadership team in connecting interested educators with our WhatsApp community and sharing opportunities to get involved.
I’m grateful for everyone’s help in growing our network. Please continue to share our membership form with educators who may be interested in joining the SGIS Pride Educators community!
I truly believe that we are stronger together. As a queer educator and a mom in a rainbow family, I know firsthand how important it is to feel connected, represented, and supported.
Through the SGIS Pride Educators group, as well as connections with rainbow family organizations across Switzerland, I have found an incredible community. I’m continually learning from the experiences, perspectives, and resources our members share, and those connections help me become a better advocate for my students, colleagues, and family.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a community of educators committed to making our schools places where everyone can feel seen, valued, and supported.
Who?
I am originally from the UK and have worked in education for 18 years, teaching in the UK, Japan, China and Switzerland. I currently teach IB DP Geography and MYP Humanities at the International School of Lausanne (ISL), where I also led the school’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) work for several years.
What?
I have supported the SGIS Pride Educators group in several roles, including as Conference Coordinator when ISL hosted the SGIS Pride Educator’s annual conference in 2025, one of my proudest professional achievements. This year, I am helping to coordinate professional development, creating opportunities for educators across SGIS to learn from and with one another. Our strength is that we are a community for the community, by the community. I’m always keen to hear your professional development needs, ideas or expertise relating to LGBTQIA+ inclusion – please reach out!
Why?
I believe that every student and member of staff should feel that they belong at school and can be themselves without fear of exclusion or discrimination. The SGIS Pride Educators network allows us to learn from one another and respond collectively to the opportunities and challenges we share within our Swiss international school context. Most importantly, I want LGBTQIA+ young people to know there is a community of educators advocating for them and committed to making our schools more inclusive.
I am originally from Virginia, USA. I have also lived in St. Louis, Missouri, USA and Abu Dhabi, UAE before moving to Zug, Switzerland. My husband and I both work at ISZL, where our 6 year old daughter also attends school.
As a Technology Coordinator, I support in keeping the website up to date. I add events going on, newsletters, and fun pages like meet the coordinators. My hope is to also add resources for educators to use to support youth and have a way to display work/learning from our students.
If you have any ideas on how to improve the website, let me know. I want the page to be a landing place that supports our work in schools and helps us all feel connected. Feel free to share our website far and wide!
I have been part of this group for nine years because it represents what I want for our students and our world: belonging, authenticity, and the freedom to be who you are.
As a school counsellor, much of my work is about walking alongside students as they find their voice and grow into strong advocates for themselves. At ISZL, supporting the Middle School Pride Network is my favorite 30 minutes of the week—a space where students can simply show up, be themselves, and feel seen and connected.
This educator group allows us to extend that work beyond our own schools, supporting one another in creating more inclusive communities. The ripple effect matters: when young people know they belong, they thrive.
Who?
I am originally from the US and have worked in education for 20 years, 17 of which have been in Switzerland. I currently teach IB DP Biology and ESS and MYP Biology and Chemistry at the International School of Basel (ISB). I also supervise the Queer Club and Dungeons and Dragons, and I am an award leader for the International Duke of Edinburgh Award.
What?
I was Pride Conference Co-Coordinator when ISB hosted the 2026 SGIS Annual Pride Conference in the spring. We had a wonderful time welcoming students and staff from several Swiss schools to the event. I am looking forward to reprising the role as Conference Co-Coordinator this year and working with our students to host again in May 2027.
Why?
I’ve worked on the Gender Identity Policy Committee at ISB, and I work closely with the Queer Club to help them advocate for themselves at school. I also act as a liaison between the Queer Club and the Wellbeing teachers, where Queer Club members have helped to design and teach Gender and Sexuality lessons in grade 9. I understand how important it is to have trusted adults at school for open and safe conversations, and I am dedicated to providing a safe space where students can be themselves and feel seen.