Grade 9 – Grade 11

Joel Mowdy – Senior Coordinator – English & Global Perspective (Grade 9 – 11)

Joel holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing which is his passion. He is American, yet in the three years prior to joining Green School he worked in international education in Lithuania, following an early career in tertiary education. He is a published writer. Joel joined Green School in August 2009, and is a Green School parent of a four-year old son. joel@greenschool.org

Brynn Goforth - International Class Teacher of Grade 9 & Senior Biology & Environmental Management

Brynn Goforth is an American raised in Michigan, persuaded by the Rocky Mountains to live in Colorado, now transformed by traveling and inspired to explore the world. She has a Bachelors degree in Earth & Space Sciences & English from Adrian College in Michigan. Brynn completed her student teaching in inner city Chicago then continued her teaching career in Vail, Colorado where she taught Earth Science, Physics, Biology, & Chemistry. Brynn arrived to Greenschool in August 2010 and is thrilled to be teaching Green & Environmental Education as it allows her to explore a subject she is truly passionate about. She is a life long learner and is continuously interested in embracing opportunities to share her own cultural identity with others, and to immerse herself in a new & different world. In addition to her passion for teaching Brynn enjoys hiking, yoga, cooking, music, scuba diving, crafting jewelry, & art. brynn@greenschool.org

Leslie A. Medema – High School Coordinator & Guidance Counselor

Leslie has been heading East (or West depending on your perspective) ever since leaving her home in South Dakota, USA. A graduate from the University of South Dakota 2000 (BA in History and Political Science) and Princeton University 2004 (Master in Public Affairs), she has spent the previous twelve years working as a School Bus Driver (her most difficult job to date) in rural South Dakota; a program assistant with the US Department of Agriculture and then as a Civics teacher in Washington DC; an ESL teacher in rural Vietnam; and as the Director of Programs and Asia Operations for Princeton in Asia, a century old not-for-profit based in the USA that places recent college graduates in service-oriented fellowships throughout Asia. In her role with PiA, she also established PiA’s first field office in Asia in Singapore. After six years with PiA, she took a vacation to Bali and met one of the incredible moms in the Green School network, who introduced her to the GS administration and the rest of the history is to be written. In Asia, she has lived in Vietnam, Singapore, India, China, and now Indonesia. Leslie joined GS in November 2011 to help develop the High School programs, advocate for students’ needs, and implement the foundational piece of our program; a system of Individualized Learning Plans (ILP) with the ultimate goal of teaching students how to set and achieve their own goals and aspirations and to grow into their role as a citizen of the world community. leslie@greenschool.org

Steve Monk – High School Math

Stephen (Steve) comes from Brisbane Australia where he was previously employed as Director of Administration at Nudgee College, a large all boys school. During his ten years there, he taught Philosophy, IT and Maths. He moved here with his wife Sarah and two boys Sam (in Pre K) and toddler Heath. His passion is trying to meet the challenge of providing a balanced holistic education where students leave school with the integrated knowledge to tackle any path they may follow and the skills to make a positive contribution as future leaders of our global society. Major influences are Ken Robinson, Stephen Wolfram, Alan Wagstaff, John Hattie,Martin Seligman and TED. steve.monk@greenschool.org

Linda Benwell – Senior Science

Benny comes from Newcastle, Australia. She has a Bachelor of Education (Science) and a Diploma in Teaching. Benny is also an accredited final examination marker (Biology) for the NSW Board of Studies. She is currently enrolled in a Diploma in Modern Languages -Indonesian. Her passion for education and living in Asia began in 1990 when she completed her teaching practicum in Bangkok. Since then she has been teaching secondary science including biology, chemistry, physics, marine studies, forensic science and environmental science. In 2008 Benny lived in a remote village near Battambang, Cambodia, working as a volunteer at a free English school for 650 students. She was responsible for the day to day running of the school, curriculum development and educating the teaching staff principles of pedagogy and assessment. This was a life changing experience for her and strengthened her desire to live and educate in Asia. Benny is also a founding member of a community garden and worked part time as a kick-boxing instructor at a women’s gym. She is a very keen traveler and enjoys motorbike riding, fishing and surfing. benny@greenschool.org