Dr. Rekha Sachdej Daniel Joseph Pihlblad Elementary Principal Senior Kindergarten Teacher I was born in Bangkok Thailand, but grew My name is Daniel Pihlblad, and I am excited up in Kobe, Japan for 18 years where I at- to be joining the CIS community. I am cur- tended and graduated from an international rently teaching kindergarten in Shenzhen, school. I obtained a degree in Sociology and China, where I have lived the past six years. Elementary Education from Brandeis Univer- I began my teaching career in Pittsburgh, sity (Waltham, MA - USA), and completed my Pennsylvania where I received my Master of M.Ed from Framingham University (Framing- Arts in Teaching degree from the University ham, MA - USA) while teaching at an interna- of Pittsburgh. I then spent five years teaching tional school in Bangkok. For over a decade I in Portland, Oregon, where I also received my have taught at various grade levels within the ESL (English as a Second Language) certifi- international elementary school context, and cation. My international career began in New experienced several curriculums and edu- Delhi, India, where I taught for three years. It cational philosophies such as Reggio Emilia, is also where I met my wife, Punam. We now PYP, inquiry based learning, and the Common have two children, Suhaani (4 years old) and Core. I have been an elementary school prin- Aadyant (almost 2 years old). It means a lot to cipal for the past six years, during this time be able to give our children the experience of I was also able to obtain an Ed.D in Instruc- living in India. tional Leadership through Nova Southeast- I have found that some of my best teachers ern University (Fort Lauderdale, FL - USA). I have been the students in my classroom, and have joined the CIS family with my husband I hope that they learn as much from me as I and two children this year, and we look for- do from them! I hope to to inspire them to be ward to growing and learning with everyone. life-long learners both in and out of the class- room. Some of my interests include music, travel, theatre, art, snowboarding, camping, and hiking. I look forward to exploring Ban- galore and meeting all of you! HANNAH LOUISE WHITE BENJAMIN JOHN HARRIS GRADE 1B Homeroom GRADE 1C Homeroom Hi, my name is Hannah. I am originally from My name is Ben Harris, and I am delighted to the UK, but I have lived in two other coun- be teaching first grade for the upcoming ac- tries. The first move I made internationally ademic year at CIS Bangalore. I have been an was to Uganda in 2010. In addition to working educator since 2010, teaching in South Ko- in The International School of Uganda, I also rea, Canada and Taiwan. I like my classroom ran and owned a family based, community to be student-centered, with a focus on pos- orientated restaurant. This was a good out- itivity, empathy and teamwork. I encourage let for my love of baking which I am excited my students to take responsibility for their about continuing and developing with new In- own learning, and to help each other achieve dian flavours! After seven incredible years in their goals. Uganda, I decided to make the move to Cam- bodia, South East Asia where I have been for My wife and I are thrilled to be moving to In- the last two years. I have loved being able to dia, and we look forward to becoming part of experience and explore South East Asia as the vibrant community at CIS Bangalore! well as calling it home and am excited to do the same in India. After working in the special needs depart- ment in Uganda and then teaching Kinder- garten in Cambodia I am excited to make the move to teach grade one at CIS. I am a keen reader and look forward to seeing this pas- sion grow with my students. I really look for- ward to becoming a part of such a welcoming and diverse community and cannot wait to start my next adventure with all of you! ABIRA MUKHERJEE MARIA DE REGLA HERNANDEZ GRADE 2A Homeroom GRADE 2B Homeroom It is indeed my good fortune that my teach- I am originally from New Jersey, and I have ing career spanning 16 years of elementary lived in Asia for 7 years. This is my first year school teaching, has exposed and enriched me teaching at Canadian International School with the values, perspectives, and ways of life Bangalore. I have lived and taught in Amer- of cultures across the world. My educational ica, Korea, Singapore, and Japan. I attended qualifications include a Masters Degree in Bi- Kean University and majored in Elementary ophysics, a teaching degree, and a Diploma in Education and History. I’m currently work- Teaching and Learning from Cambridge. ing towards my Bilingual Education Masters. I have worked in some of the best international This is my fourteenth year as a teacher and I schools in India, with the opportunity to handle know it will be memorable. both IB and the Nation Curriculum of UK. It is my firm belief that the primary role of a teach- I enjoy singing, dancing, painting, graphic de- er is to help develop interdisciplinary skills in sign, and learning languages. Currently, I am young learners, and enable them to engage in, love and respect life-long learning. This being able to speak English, Spanish, and interme- at the heart of my practice as a form teacher, I diate Korean. I love to be creative and open to work continually towards providing a safe, pos- new adventures. I feel the school is a second itive and inclusive classroom environment that home for students to not only learn but grow would ensure the socio-emotional and mor- throughout the year. al development of children. I often go beyond the curriculum to encourage children to foster creativity, develop a depth of character, build self-confidence and hone interpersonal skills to carry them forward in their journey of life and learning. I look forward to being a part of the CIS com- munity, as both an educator and a parent. SHAYLA ANASTACIA CARBALLO CARRIE DUNG VIEN VO GRADE 2c Homeroom GRADE 3b Homeroom I grew up in Texas and graduated with a BA Hi, my name is Carrie Vo. I am a Chinese-Vi- from Texas State University. I’ve lived in the etnamese American from California. San Balkans for the last four years and taught first Diego is where I call home. I have a BA in grade to wonderful international students in History and Religious Studies as well as a both Albania and Kosovo. I learned a lot from Master of Education in Elementary Education my colleagues and genuinely enjoyed work- from the University of California, San Diego. ing with such passionate educators. This is my 8th year of teaching elementary school and 7th year teaching abroad. I am excited to start a new chapter in Ban- galore and join the CIS community! As a My hobbies include riding my bike, hiking, teacher, I enjoy laughing and learning along- pottery and discovering new things. I enjoy side my students and inspiring them to seek reading about science, history and scary sto- knowledge independently. In my free time I ries. I love animals and have a soft spot for love lifting weights, watching movies with my dogs. husband and studying Spanish. I look for- ward to finding opportunities to be involved in the community and I anticipate a wonderful I look forward to becoming part of the CIS school year at CIS! family. KATIE LEIGH KARMAZYN SUPARNA MITRA GRADE 3c Homeroom GRADE 4a Homeroom After an early career in contemporary dance, Hello! I am Suparna Mitra. I have been an el- I spent several years in Asia where I got my ementary school teacher for 8 years. I am a first taste of working at a school in Brunei BA English Honours graduate from the Uni- and immediately fell in love with the profes- versity of Calcutta and completed B.Ed from sion! I went on to become a teacher back in Osmania University. Currently, I am pursuing the UK, my home country. M.Ed from Bangalore University. Becoming a teacher was a chance, not a choice. But even- I’m all about creativity in the classroom and I tually, teaching turned into my passion. I enjoy want my pupils to enjoy learning. I hope they what I do especially surrounded by innocence develop a curiosity about the world that they for the longest part of the day - learning and will carry throughout their lives. laughing together with my children. My love of learning and teaching continues to mo- tivate me to become a better teacher and a lifelong learner. I have been staying in Bangalore since 2015 with my husband and 8 year old daughter. I was born and brought up in Kolkata, widely known as ‘City of Joy’, and just like my city, I am a happy soul who truly believes in spread- ing inherent joy! WILLIAM RICE PECKENHAM HAROLD THEODORE THOMAS GRADE 4c Homeroom GRADE 5b Homeroom Hello everyone! My name is Will Peckenham My name is H. Todd Thomas. I am delighted to be and I’m originally from New York. I have been a new member of the CIS family and look forward to meeting you all, as coming to India has been a teaching elementary classrooms for the past long-time dream.