Senior School Teachers

The Head of the Senior School, Tim Roberts, has extensive experience in the international schools circuit and in the UK. Very much a “third culture kid”, Tim lived overseas during his formative years and always desired to work abroad himself. Previously the Head of ICT and Staff training and development at a large school in the Middle East, Tim has been at PBS since 2000 and is the proud father of his young son, Joshua.

Born and raised in the United States, Alex has a Master’s Degree in Geography as well as an MBA, and earned his PGCE from the University of Nottingham in England. His teaching career began in 2004, and he has been at PBS since April 2008. Before becoming a teacher, he worked as a budget planner and financial analyst for British Telecom in Munich, Germany. Alex enjoys travelling (especially beaches!), tennis, and playing the piano. He and his wife, Petra, are proud parents of daughter Sandra, born in October 2008.

Paivi finished her Master’s Degree in Science and Mathematics in the University of Turku (Finland) in 1997. Before joining PBS in 1998 she taught one year in a Finnish senior school. Since moving to Prague she has been on maternity leave twice, during which time she worked part time lecturing at the University of New York in Prague. Paivi regularly enjoys sports, both alone and with her two boys and Swiss husband.

Tom has been teaching German at PBS since 1999. He graduated as a German and music teacher from the Potsdam Pedagogical University and went on to work at the Berlin ‘Kinder-und Jugendsportschule’ for eight years. Following a post in Leipzig, Tom moved to England and worked for eight years at comprehensive schools in London. He moved to Prague in 1999 to join the British School. His interests include music, literature and theatre, and he is regularly involved in the school’s music and theatre productions.

Marian is originally from Slovakia and graduated from Comenius University in Bratislava. After completing his Master’s degree in Physical education and geography in 2002 he accepted a position in Denia, in Spain. In 2005 he moved to London where he gained British qualified teacher status and continued his teaching career at a range of schools including schools with Special Education Needs departments. Marian joined PBS in August 2009. He enjoys all sports, especially handball. He also enjoys travelling and geography in general.

Originally from Nottinghamshire, England, Helen studied BA Hons English and Social Policy at the University of Leeds before completing her PGCE in 2008. Helen joined PBS in 2011 after teaching English Language and Literature at a secondary school in Wakefield, West Yorkshire for three years. In her spare time, Helen enjoys hiking, reading and listening to live music, as well as spending time with friends and family. She is keen to take advantage of all that Prague has to offer in terms of food, culture and the opportunity to travel around other areas of Eastern Europe.

Mark joined us in August 2011, following six years teaching |(the latter three as Head of Art) at a school near Liverpool, his home town. He graduated in Fine Art (sculpture) from the University of Lancaster in 2003 and has since developed an increasing interest in painting and graphic design. He has been involved in several regional and national curricular conferences and workshops over in the UK and enjoys combining and working across subjects. Outside of school he likes running, cycling, reading and (when he gets hold of one) The Guardian’s cryptic crossword.

Matej qualified as a teacher in 2003 with a Grad DipT from Waikato University, New Zealand. He also holds a MSc (Hons) and BSc (Tech). After four years teaching as a Department Head in Waikato, New Zealand he joined another school in Prague before moving to PBS in August 2009. Matej is married to Anita Taylor and has two active children Matej Jr. and William. He enjoys various sports and activities.

Caroline Broderick joined PBS in September 2007 as an ESL teacher and currently teaches both ESL and mathematics. She graduated from DCU, Ireland with a bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering. She worked for a number of years as a project engineer before deciding to move into the field of education. Caroline has worked in both language and international schools in the UAE, Ireland and the Czech Republic. She enjoys craft related hobbies and is struggling to learn the seven cases in the Czech language.

Lucie qualified as a teacher of mathematics and biology in 1992 in the Czech Republic. After working in both Czech state and private schools, she worked in Switzerland and Canada as a teaching assistant and in adult education. Lucie has been with the school since 1999. She was Head of the science department for 5 years. She is mother of six-year-old Eliška, who is her biggest hobby! She is mother of six-year old Eliška, who is her biggest hobby!

Lara-Jane graduated from Keele University in 2008 with a Dual Honours Degree in Music and History. She has since worked as an instrumental woodwind teacher at Solihull Music Service in the UK before joining PBS in August 2011. Aside from playing music, Lara-Jane has a keen interest in medieval history. In her spare time, Lara-Jane enjoys cooking, visiting different countries and is very much looking forward to exploring mainland Europe by train!

Darren graduated from Cardiff University (B.Sc. Hons.) in 1997 and the University of Southampton (PGCE) in 2000. After six years in Southampton in a variety of science roles he moved to Bucharest to work as the IB Biology teacher. After three happy years in Romania he now hopes to have a similarly rewarding experience at PBS. He used to enjoy a variety of interests including bird watching but is now busy enough keeping little baby Adam out of trouble.

John Gossom has a BA in Philosophy, an MA in Comparative Studies and an MS in Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, all from the Ohio State University. He is also completing a dissertation for a Ph.D. in Geography. John is a certified yoga teacher and enjoys electronic music, political debate, afternoons spent in teahouses and walks through Prague with his wife and son.

Leah Bukovcan Gossom has a B.A. in art and literature and M.F.A in Painting and Drawing. She has been teaching university art courses for six years as well as children’s art classes. She has taught also at museums and has had exhibitions in the USA and Europe. Much of her dissertation work has been influenced by Czech art and architecture. She married her husband John Gossom ten years ago in the Czech Republic. They have a wonderful little boy named Mir who keeps them busy outside of school.

Marion qualified as a teacher in 2000 at Sorbonne University, Paris. After five years of teaching English in a Parisian public school and at university, she was ready for a change and settled in Prague, which she finds both beautiful and peaceful. She has been working at PBS since 2005, where she teaches French and English. In June 2008 Marion became the happy mother of a smiling baby girl called Maxine.

Tim began at The Prague British School in September 2010 having previously worked at a school in South West London. In 2006 Tim completed a Literature degree with The Open University and then qualified as an English teacher at Oxford Brookes University. Prior to his teacher training Tim worked for several years teaching English as a foreign language at language schools in Prague, Milan and London. In his free time he enjoys reading, travelling and mountain biking. He came to Prague with his wife, who is from The Czech Republic.

Claire Marsden recently joined the Prague British School after completing three years teaching English and Drama at an international school in Moscow. Prior to that she taught in schools in the north of England for nearly a decade. After graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with a BA (Hons) in English Literature, Claire gained her PGCE in secondary teaching from De Montfort University, Leicester. She enjoys combining her love of reading, theatre and travel and spends much of her free time watching live music.

Silva was born and grew up in Prague. After graduating from a Chemistry High School in Prague in 1989, she spent many years working as a lab technician in a medical, environmental and science research laboratory. After meeting Mark she moved to New Zealand and later to the UK for over 10 years. There, she worked as a part time teaching assistant as well as being an almost full time mother to their 3 boys. When back in Prague Silva completed a TEFL course. In her free time Silva likes to go to dancing classes and meet up with her old scout friends.

Romana was born in the Czech Republic. After completing her master’s degree in Geophysics at Charles University in Prague she had been working for Grada Avicenum Publishing House as a Deputy Editor– in– chief and after that as a marketing specialist for an IT company Inter Informatics. Living in Blackheath, London for almost two years was the most challenging experience for her. Romana’s passion for books brought her to PBS; She joined the school in 2009 and started to work as a primary and senior schools Librarian. Since September 2010 she has been working also as an International Language Center coordinator for Kamýk site. Most of her free time is spent with her three children accompanying them to their tennis and piano lessons.

Adam grew up in the United States in Mankato, Minnesota. He completed his teaching qualifications at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in May 2009. In his final semester of practical work as a student teacher he participated in the Global Student Teaching (GST) program which brought him to the Prague British School. When a job opportunity presented itself to join the science department, Adam didn’t hesitate to extend his stay in Prague. Adam’s main hobbies include sports; most notably basketball which he offers as an extra-curricular activity at PBS.

Jennifer Nelson has lived in Prague for eight years and has taught the English language at Czech gymnaziums, language focused primary schools, and in language schools, in addition to teaching in the U.S. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in English Literature. In her free time, she is active in the visual arts and in literature.

John is originally from Warrington, a town close to Manchester in the north west of England. After completing his education, John worked as a training officer at the local government teaching modern apprentices through to senior members of staff. In 2003, John left the UK to teach at Tongling University in Central China. John came to the Czech Republic in 2005 where he completed his full Trinity CertTESOL teaching certificate. After completion, John taught at a pre-school just outside of Prague, working with children and at a Czech state school teaching teenagers. John's other experiences include taking part in a number of summer teaching and activity programmes, both in the Czech Republic and in France. John is the manager of the Under 18's school football team and also plays for an expat football team in Prague.

Having taught primary music at PBS for two years, Anthony is now working in the Secondary school as Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). Prior to coming to teach in Prague, he was a specialist teacher in Shropshire, working with children diagnosed with neurological disorders and before that, he worked in South Wales in a bilingual (Welsh and English) specialist placement for children with moderate to severe learning difficulties. Over his career, he has taught at both mainstream and specialist schools. He has a lovely wife and three young children who often remind him how lucky he is.

A native Canadian, Robert was educated in Canada and Europe in management, policy development, marketing, accounting, IT and English. He also has a specialist diploma in illiteracy. Amongst other fields, Robert has worked in theatre and charity work. He is married with one child.

Heather came to PBS in 2010. She graduated from Cambridge in Classics and English and then had a long international career in ESL/EFL. She met husband Steve in Japan and they joined the British Council while in Portugal. In 2002 Heather switched careers and got her PGCE in Secondary English in Manchester whilst finishing an MSc in TESOL. She then spent 5 years in Egypt teaching English, drama and history. Heather plays the double bass with an amateur orchestra. She has two lively teenage sons at PBS; the whole family enjoys music and outdoor activities.

Michal is a Czech-born teacher. He graduated from the University of East Bohemia in Hradec Králové, gaining an MA in Biology and Chemistry. He has taught at various grammar schools in the Czech, British and American systems. In 1999 he was awarded a Fulbright Commission Grant. He has been with the school since 2003, teaching biology and chemistry mainly at IB level. Apart from his teaching he has been a supervisor and a member of a number of PBS student rock bands.

Erika qualified as a teacher of English and Russian in 1997 at University Salzburg in Austria. Because of her English husband’s job, she spent the past 15 years in several different countries like Japan, France and Russia, where she enjoyed teaching children from different cultures. She has been living in Prague since April 2009 and is very happy here. Erika is a certified yoga teacher. She has two young sons who keep her busy every minute of the day.

David graduated from the University of Salford in 1996 and qualified as a teacher of History from the University of Leeds in 2002. After gaining experience in the United Kingdom he joined PBS in January 2008. David has a wide range of interests and hobbies including playing the guitar and producing music.

Darren grew up in England. Despite the childhood despair that only a fellow devoted fan of Ipswich Town FC can appreciate, he remained sane enough to graduate in Physics and qualify with a PGCE. Darren started his teaching career in 1993, in Brighton, UK. After six years in Britain, he took the opportunity to live and work overseas. Darren has taught maths and physics in schools in Greece, Spain and Denmark. In 2007, he joined the team at PBS as coordinator of mathematics. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and cycling in the mountains and photographing the beautiful Czech landscape.

Having graduated from Leeds University with a BA Hons. in English, Thomas went on to qualify as a teacher from Southampton University. He has worked in both England and Thailand teaching English, Drama, Literacy, PSHE and Global Perspectives. He also keeps himself busy through theatre, reading, human rights work, attempting to discover his musical talents and indulging his love of Formula 1.

PROFILE TO FOLLOW

Peter spent his first twenty seven years in New Zealand. He gained a Bachelor of Education in 2001 specializing in Physical Education and taught in New Zealand for two years, completing long term relieving spells in various schools around Wellington. This gave him the taste for teaching in differing environments and, having parents of Czech descent, the Prague British School was an obvious choice for a career move in 2007. Peter likes playing all sports from tennis to basketball and he especially loves it when the All Blacks perform as well as they should!

Anita graduated from Auckland University with a BSc in Molecular Biology. She travelled abroad with her Czech husband and worked as an ESL teacher in Taiwan for two years. On return to New Zealand she completed her Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching and worked at her local school in between raising two boys on a lifestyle farm. Recently the family moved to the Czech Republic to get in touch with their Czech heritage, and travel around Europe as much as possible with two pre-school pirates.

Lydie Tumová completed her Masters degree in Czech and PE at Charles University in Prague. Lydie has got a great deal of experience, she taught Czech language and PE at a secondary school in Prague, and has contributed towards several academic publications. At PBS Lydie teaches IB Czech literature, IGCSE Czech as well as language, history and geography as part of the Czech programme. She is interested in current literature, movies, theatre and she also organizes theatre visits and various excursions for students. Lydie loves sport – aerobics, skiing and cycling.

Linda gained her BSc in Applied chemistry from Napier University in Edinburgh and then gained her post grad in Environmental Management. Linda had a varied career as UK operations manager for a chemical company before moving into the construction industry. Linda attained her PGDE from Strathclyde University in 2008 and worked as a chemistry teacher in 2 different schools in Scotland before joining the PBS team to teach science and maths. Linda is the extremely proud mother of 5-year-old Orla who keeps her every spare second filled with outdoor activities including rollerblading and swimming.

Matthew joined the Prague British School in August 2010 after moving here with his wife who is also a teacher. He is looking forward to experiencing the city and the Czech way of life, in particular the football. Matthew completed a degree in Sports Management and worked in the event industry prior to training as a teacher. In his free time, Matthew enjoys all sports and especially the outdoors. His aim is to complete the Prague Marathon.

Carly joined the Prague British School in August 2010 and is very much looking forward to experiencing Czech culture, language and food! Carly completed a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies and trained as a teacher at Central School of Speech and Drama, London. She has a Masters degree in Applied Theatre. In her free time, Carly enjoys theatre, reading, baking and travelling. She has come to Prague with her husband, who is also a teacher.

Anna graduated from Moscow State Pedagogical University, completing her MA in Linguistics in 1994. For 4 years she worked at her home university, while at the same time being a member of a teaching team on an international project “summer schools for gifted and talented children” organised by the University of Cologne, where she acquired a taste for international teaching. She has been with the Prague British School since 2001. Her previous positions included the International School of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Anna enjoys sports, having achieved a black belt level in Tae-Kwon-Do and now actively doing dressage with her horse.

Louise who is originally from Co. Down in Ireland, recently graduated as a Geography teacher after studying Geography as a degree and then a Geography PGCE, both in Aberystwyth University, Wales. Outside of teaching Louise enjoys horse riding, playing and watching rugby, attempting to surf whenever she gets the opportunity and spending quality time with family and friends.