LEARNING DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & COUNSELING TEAM 2022/23
Inclusive education is a core commitment of BIS, with all staff involved in supporting the diverse needs of individual students, and several staff with specific skills and experience in meeting different needs. Leading this approach, we have a dedicated learning diversity, inclusion and counselling team to ensure that needs are met.
Learning Diversity, Inclusion & Counseling Coordinator
Kathryn Ryder
Ms Kathryn graduated in French and German from the University of Exeter in 2001 and taught English abroad until 2004. After a break from teaching to explore other areas, she returned to education in 2010 with an MA in Special Educational Needs/Dyslexia while supporting children who needed extra help during and after school. Ms Kathryn joined BIS in September 2020. She is passionate about giving every child the chance to succeed at whatever they want to do in life and is happy to have found a position at BIS which will enable her to do this.
Learning Diversity and Inclusion Deputy Coordinator
Kyzjibek Tekenova
Ms Kyzjibek graduated from the Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University and has a Diploma in Theory and Practice of Translation. She taught English before joining BIS in August 2017. In August 2018, Ms Kyzjibek joined the Learning Diversity and Inclusion team based on her interest and commitment to this area of work and she is also currently studying a Masters of Education in Special Education Needs and Disability with Middlesex University London.
Learning Diversity and Inclusion Specialist & Spanish Language Teacher
Marc Garreta
Mr Marc graduated as a psychologist in the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain and also holds a master degree in Learning Difficulties and Disorders from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. He has experience teaching experience in Spain, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan. Mr Marc loves teaching his own language as well as working with schools to make them as inclusive as possible. He joined the BIS team in summer 2022.
Primary and Middle School Counselor
Ms Zhibek has a Master degree in Applied Psychology with a Child and Adolescent Counselling Concentration, from the American University in Central Asia. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Biological Science from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea. Prior to her Masters, she worked as an educational consultant. Ms Zhibek enjoys reading and is a founder of an online book club. Ms Zhibek joined the BIS team in summer 2021.
High School Counselor & University Counselor
Valeria Totolina
Ms Valeria graduated from the American University in Central Asia with a Master Degree in Applied Psychology with a special focus on adolescents and adult counselling. Her work experience includes individual and group counselling sessions with adolescents and adults under the Psychological Health Institution, and providing individual career counselling and leading career-oriented lectures and events for adolescents. Ms Valeria joined BIS in June 2020.
One-to-One Learning Support Teacher
Aliia Nurdin kyzy
Ms Aliia graduated from INTI International College Subang (Malaysia) in collaboration with Southern New Hampshire University (USA). She is holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and she plans to advance her studies and obtain a Master’s Degree in Child Psychology. While studying in Malaysia, Ms Aliia frequently volunteered to work with children, including experience working with children with special needs. In her free time, she loves reading, as well as yoga, and stretching. Ms Aliia joined BIS in summer 2022.
One-to-One Learning Support Teacher
Beka Tulingenova
Mr Beka has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the American University in Central Asia, and a minor in Sociology from the same institution. Before BIS, they had experience in working in an international organization. Their interest and passion for education prompted Mr Beka to join BIS in August 2022.