Melanie Swetz has been an IBDP teacher and Language A examiner for over 20 years and is an IBEN member and Programme Leader. She is the Head of English K-12 at the Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory School (BELS), where she currently teaches English A Language & Literature and Literature & Performance, and Theory of Knowledge. She has served in other related capacities, including DP coordinator, CAS advisor and DP librarian. She has presented at IB regional conferences and TIBSA IB Days and has participated in synchronized IB/CIS accreditation/evaluation visits. In addition, she has teaching experience in primary, middle, high schools and as an adjunct instructor for SUNY Buffalo.
James Swetz is the General Director of Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory School (BELS) and has led other IB schools in Turkiye and Croatia. He has taken workshops across the continuum and is an IBEN member, primarily focusing on the DP on school verification and evaluation visits and synchronized visits with the Council of International Schools (CIS). He is a lead educator and PDSV with IBEN. He has presented at conferences for several organizations, including the IB, CEESA, and the Baku Congress. As a former member of the IB Regional Advisory Council he represented Europe, the Middle East and Arfrica. His teaching experiences span nine countries and pre-kindergarten through primary, middle, high school and university graduate courses in educational leadership.