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Staff

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ST LUCIA
Management

The Teaching and Administrative Team 2024-2025

The International School St Lucia values both local and international teaching expertise. Having a global representation among the staff enables ISSL students to experience a culturally rich and diverse learning environment. Because the curriculum comes from Canada, Canadian teachers are naturally drawn to the school but the administration is committed to hiring the best educators from around the globe. All teachers must hold a university degree as well as a degree in teacher training and having some previous teaching experience is desirable.

Principal 

 Ms Beth Burns has over 30 years of experience in education, more than 20 of those as a school administrator. She has worked in several areas of Ontario and has worked in schools as far North as  Nunavut. She is thrilled to be staying on as part of the team at International School Saint Lucia. She has a Bachelor of Science, as well as a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education, all from the University of Toronto. She believes in ensuring that successful student learning is at the centre of all decision making and that all actions can be done with kindness.  She loves to travel and hike and is excited to get to know the new students, and families of ISSL.

Business Manager

Mrs Danielle de Freitas comes to us with over 25 years experience working in the family business.  She was responsible for all administrative duties, accounts and brokerage departments.  Danielle has a special love for children and over the years have successfully run teen clubs and also clubs to assist young girls to grow with morals and virtues to help them be a positive contribution to society.

About

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ST LUCIA
Elementary Program

Miss Alana Lapointe

Miss Alana Lapointe is a Canadian-certified (NB) teacher who is bilingual – English/French.  She came to Saint Lucia in the Spring of 2024 to complete the practical aspects of her teacher training and loved it so much that she has joined us to teach our grade three/four class for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Ms. Sarah Hyppolite

Ms. Sarah Hyppolite comes to us as a highly qualified professional from teaching elementary French immersion in Canada for 7 years, and she is also St. Lucian.  She returns to us for her second year at ISSL.  She will be teaching our one/two class this year. 

Mrs. Samantha Sweeney (nee Laviolette)

Mrs. Sweeney is a highly qualified Canadian Teacher who is making Saint Lucia her permanent home. She  teaches grades 5 and 6 as well as Business 9. She supports the Student Council as an advisor and is a commited long term staff member. 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ST LUCIA
Secondary Program

Mrs Marifel Michel

Mrs Marifel Michel has nearly 20 years as an educator, Marifel Michel has been privileged to work with students and teachers in a variety of K-12 settings.  She has worked as an Education Specialist for LAUSD’s special education program, a Grades 4-6 classroom teacher, and at ISSL a Grades 7 Language and Geography teacher, and Grades 11/12 History/Media/Digital Productions teacher. Mrs Michel obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from UCLA and her teaching credential from the California State University at Northridge. Currently, she teaches and learns with the exceptional students and colleagues at International School Saint Lucia (ISSL).  Her goal is to create academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and kindness. 

Ms. Maggie McCarthy

Ms. McCarthy is returning to ISSL after a 2 year break.  

Ms Julitta Alexandre

Ms Julitta Alexandre is a qualified teacher who spent most of her teaching years at St Mary’s college where she worked up to 2016. She received a Diploma in French, l’Universite de Clermont Ferrand, France, a Bachelor of Education( B.Ed ) from the University of Alberta and a Masters degree M. Ed from the University of Montreal. She leads a very popular French club every week after school.

Mr. James R Stephenson II 

Mr. Stephenson is thrilled to be back at ISSL for another year. He received his teaching certification in the USA and hails over 10 years of experience as an educator. Mr. Stephenson holds masters’ degrees in Teaching and Education (Relay GSE), Environmental Management (Yale FES), and Fisheries Science (Texas A&M); he also has a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Biology (University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff). Mr. Stephenson is an unconventional naturalist and he looks to continue to build energy and creativity to the teaching of secondary science at ISSL.

Mrs. Emily Burton

Emily Burton comes from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She completed her arts and education degree and obtained a TESL certification at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. She is currently completing a Professional Masters of Education in Equity, Diversity and Social Justice at Western University. Emily has been teaching for four years in Canada’s High Arctic in a community called Igloolik, in Nunavut. In Igloolik, she took on the role of a classroom teacher and an instructional coach, focusing on support in mathematics.

Mr Miguel Louisy

Mr Miguel Louisy was born and raised in Saint Lucia and attended the University of Waterloo (Canada) Bachelor’s of Arts (honours) degree in Political Science with a specialization in international relations, a minor in peace and conflict studies and a certificate in experiential education. He interned at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States before going off to do his Master’s at the University of the West Indies (Cavehill Campus), for a Master’s of Science (with Distinction) in Regional Integration. He was the project assistant for the RePLAST-OECS plastic recycling project. He teaches Environmental Science 12, Civics/Careers 10, and Physical Education and Arts to grades 3 to 6. Fun Fact: He has a passion for music and have played steel pan since the age of 11.

Ms. Gemma Weekes 

Ms. Gemma Weekes is joined ISSL in the Spring of 2023.  as the the teacher of English Grades 8 to 11 and Drama/Arts Grades 7 to 10. She has an Honours degree from Brunel University (England). She is also a published author and poet as well as trained at the Actor’s Door Studio, London (England). She leads the Writing Club after school and is excited to explore musical theatre with ISSL this coming year. 

Miss Melanie Wilson

Melanie Wilson joined ISSL in the fall of 2023 and has over a decade of teaching experience.  Her qualifications are in Mathematics, Physics with Computer Science from the University of the West Indies.  She is a hardworking individual who appreciates a safe and comfortable environment where everyone can thrive.  While working at ISSL last year she completed the final stages of a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and is eager to implement all that she has learnt.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ST LUCIA
Other Staff

Education Assistant

Mrs. Alissa Tugwell joined ISSL in the Fall of 2024.  She is a highly qualified and experience Educational assistant. 

Receptionist 

Miss Sophia Joseph has just joined the office staff of ISSL and we look forward to utilizing her many management and clerical skills.  She will be the welcoming face you first see. 

In the Halls

Nadjh Flavius – full time custodian and lunch supervisor.
Ancillia Flavius – part time custodian

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