ACS Athens: American Community Schools

Mary-Ann Augoustatos, Principal

Mary-Ann Augoustatos is from Manhattan, New York and has returned for her fifth year as the Principal of the ACS Athens Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Manhattan College in New York and a Masters of Arts in Education from the University of La Verne, California (Athens campus). She is a certified International School Administrator and received her certification as a High School Mathematics teacher from the State of New York. She has spent 23 enjoyable years as an educator, most of which was spent at ACS. Currently, she is seeking to enroll in a Doctoral program in Education.

Her teaching experience consists of High School Mathematics courses throughout all academic levels with an emphasis on IB and Honors level courses. She has 19 years of mathematics teaching experience with ACS Athens. In addition to her responsibilities as a teacher and a principal, she has held a variety of professional positions within the ACS Athens community. For 16 years of her instructional career she acted as the JK-12 Mathematics Department Chair at having created the position of Elementary School Math Specialist and the ACS Mathematics Competition as a few of her highlights. Two years prior to becoming principal, she assumed the position of JK-12 Technology Department Chair concurrently.

She also served as a team member on the Committee of Institution-wide Accreditation of the Middle School Association of Colleges and School (MSA). In addition, she was also was invited to attend an MSA Chair training Workshop and shortly after its completion she acted as a Co-Chair and Chair of the MSA. For the academic year 2009-2011 she also held the position of JK-12 Academic Department Chair Council Coordinator. This year she is working on implementing Quantitative Reasoning skills in all disciplines JK-12.

email: augoustatosm@acs.gr

phone: 210. 639. 3200x261

Jenny Kosmas, Administrative Assistant

Ms. Kosmas was born and raised in Athens, Greece.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in “Hotel Management” and a Master’s degree (funded by the EU) in “Innovation Studies” from the University of Huddersfied, UK.

Ms. Kosmas has been working at ACS Athens as an Administrative Assistant since July 2006.

email:kosmasj@acs.gr

Dora Andrikopoulos, Mathematics Teacher - Coordinator for Mathematics

Dora has been teaching at ACS since 1990. She has taught Science and Mathematics at all levels-elementary, middle and academy. She has acted as core leader, team leader and held a math bowl and math club for middle school students. In the elementary school, Dora held after-school Olympiad classes for interested and motivated students. In the academy she held after-school preparatory SAT classes.

Dora has participated in a number of professional development conferences. She has been involved in NESA conferences and in 1998, wrote a paper on “The Art of Teaching Mathematics”.

 In 1999, she presented a successful workshop in Cairo, Egypt on "Brain Research and Cognitive Thinking", and in 2009, she attended another conference in Cairo, involving standards of mathematics-Aero Mathematics-.

In 2010, Dora presented a workshop at the "Learning Differences Conference" at ACS, inviting other teachers to share fun and creative projects that inspire her students.

This year Dora has been appointed mathematics coordinator .

She will be involved in monitoring  the development and implementation of curriculum initiatives .

Dora has also compiled a series of units in mathematics for middle school students to help them consolidate, use and apply concepts.

email: andrikopoulosd@acs.gr

Vicky Akrivou, Language, Arts & Social Studies Teacher

Ms. Akrivou was raised in Chicago, Illinois.  She earned a BA in International Relations with a minor in History from the University of Indianapolis.  She then studied Political and Human Geography at King’s College, University of London, where she received her Master’s degree (MA) in Environmental Politics and Globalization.

She worked for a public relations firm and also worked for various English language institutions. Having also worked for various non-governmental organizations concerned with environmental education, she decided to officially enter into the field of education.  She has been trained in the United States to teach , and is certified by the State of Illinois. She recently completed her Masters degree in teaching at National-Louis University in Chicago. In addition to this, she was chosen to represent ACS Athens at the Spring 2011 NESA conference in Thailand.

She has been working at ACS Athens since 2007 and has been teaching Language Arts and Social Studies. This fall she is co-coaching girls JV Soccer.

email: akrivouv@acs.gr

Heike Arnold, Foreign Language Teacher, German

Christina Bakoyannis, Science Teacher - Coordinator for Science

Ms. Bakoyannis was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, in the field of Biochemistry. She then received a Master of Education, Special Emphasis Degree from La Verne University.

She has been a member of the ACS faculty since 2000 and has taught both in the middle school and high school. She is presently teaching 6th and 7th grade science. She also holds the position of science coordinator and is involved in the development and implementation of curriculum initiatives.

In 2010, Ms. Bakoyannis co-presented a workshop at the ACS 5th Annual Conference on Learning Differences titled “All for One, Science for All”. For the past 3 years, she also holds the position of NESA Virtual Science Fair (NVSF) Coordinator.

ACS Athens is one of the largest schools in the NVSF and participates with over 80+ teams each year.

email:  bakoyannisc@acs.gr

Jeff Bear, Art Teacher

An artist, educator and poet, Mr. Bear has taught art, English and journalism at various schools in several countries during his 43 year teaching career. He came to teach photography at ACS in 1990 and now teaches studio art in the Middle School. Time not in classrooms is spent with his artwork, poetry, tennis and reading.

He has advised the production of over 27 school yearbooks and has assisted in photography and publications in all the schools in which he has taught. Some of the positions he has held in the past are Art Department Head, Publications Director, Head House Master, Independent Study Program Director, Newspaper Advisor, Tennis Coach and School Work Program Director.

email: bearj@acs.gr

Carrie Brinkman, Mathematics Teacher (Middle School & Academy)

Ms. Brinkman was raised in a small town in central Minnesota.  She earned a degree in Mathematics from the College of Saint Benedict and moved to Guatemala where she volunteered for two and a half years with a humanitarian organization.  While there, Ms. Brinkman tutored middle school students in English and math and returned to the U.S. to pursue a career in teaching.  

She earned a degree in Mathematics Teaching from St. Cloud State University and a Master of Education from Saint Mary’s University.  She holds a 5-12 Mathematics license, taught secondary mathematics in Minneapolis, Minnesota for six years before coming to Greece.   This is Ms. Brinkman’s second year at ACS and she is teaching Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 at the Academy and Math 7 in the Middle School.

email: brinkmanc@acs.gr

Georgia Exintavelonis, Greek Teacher

Ms. Exintavelonis earned a BA in Philosophy – Education - Psychology from the National Capodistrian University of Athens and a MA in Sociology of Education with Distinction from the Institute of Education, University of London. Upon completion of her postgraduate studies, she worked as a learning support assistant at the City of Westminster College in London, UK. When Ms. Exintavelonis returned to Greece, she joined the Center for Intercultural Education (Κε.Δ.Α.) at the University of Athens, where she developed research programs for the educational and social integration of foreign students and repatriated Greeks. In addition to planning research, she was responsible for designing research-based education programs which addressed the needs of multicultural schools in the field of Greek Language, Literature, and Culture. 

A member of the ACS Athens faculty since 2005, Ms. Exintavelonis teaches Middle School Greek Language Arts. She has also taught Greek in the Elementary School, as well as World Literature in the Academy. 

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has been a member of the ACSTA Executive Council, Forensics Duet Acting Coach, and Advisor of the Middle School Greek Club and National Honor Society. 

email: exintavelonisg@acs.gr

Ann Freeston, Optimal Learning

Ms. Freeston was raised in Rockford, Illinois and completed a bachelor's degree in Education at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Soon after graduating, Ms. Freeston moved to Portland, Oregon to begin her teaching career. Ms. Freeston enjoyed teaching at the elementary, middle and high school levels where she designed and  implemented differentiated instruction to meet the unique abilities of each student. Before moving to Greece, Ms. Freeston completed her Master of Education degree at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

This year Ms. Freeston is providing support to students through the Optimal Learning Program.

email: freestona@acs.gr

Patty Green, English as a Second Language Teacher (E.S.L.)

A member of the ACS faculty since 1984, Pat Green-Wenman teaches ESL and Language Arts. Pat has taught English at the Elementary School, Middle School and High School levels.

She has also trained aspiring ESL teachers, taught Cross-Cultural Awareness courses to educators at the graduate level, and assisted refugee children acculturate to their new lives.

Her terminal degree is a Masters of Arts in Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages (MAT) and her professional interests include curriculum design, reflective practice, and the interface of content subjects and ESL. Her professional website can be viewed at: http://www.eslfolio.com/

Professional Affiliations: TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages), LSA (Linguistic Society of America)

Graduate credits earned: Georgetown University-TESOL Certificate School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont-MAT University of California, Berkeley -Extension

email: greenp@acs.gr

Jeff Kalas, Counselor

Newly arrived to ACS, Mr. Kalas was born and raised in the Chicago area. He earned his MA in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He also holds an MA in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago and a BA in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University, where he was a member of the school's NCAA Collegiate Swim Team.
 
Mr. Kalas has 6 years of counseling experience working primarily with students demonstrating behavior disorders.  He holds Illinois state licenses in School Counseling, School Administration, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. 
 
While working in the Chicago area school system, Mr. Kalas implemented a proactive school-wide behavior system which resulted in a 61% decrease of office referrals over a 3-year period, as measured by school-wide behavior data. Read more at http://pbisillinois.org/ .

email: kalasj@acs.gr

Vasiliki Klimou, Foreign Language Teacher, French

Ms. Klimou was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in French Literature and Linguistics and a minor in Psychology (2006) at Simon Fraser University.  Ms. Klimou has also earned a TESOL Diploma (2007) at Vancouver Community College.  Ms. Klimou holds a Cambridge Proficiency Certificate (2007) and a Certificate of Attainment in Modern Greek at the Proficiency (D) level (2009).  In the summer of 2010, Ms. Klimou participated in an intensive course in the Nice, France designed for Teachers of French as a Foreign Language.

This is Ms. Klimou’s third year teaching 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade French.  This year, she is also teaching English as a Foreign Language.  Ms. Klimou is also teaching the beginner’s Greek course at the Institute for Innovation and Creativity.  She is involved in many aspects of student life.  She serves as an International Club Advisor and is also in charge of the Media Production Lab Club.  This is Ms. Klimou’s second year coaching the JV Girls Soccer team, and also coaches Elementary soccer in the after-school programs.

email: klimouv@acs.gr

Athanasia Kotsiani, Physical Education Teacher (Middle School and Academy)

Ms. Kotsiani Athanasia was born and raised is Athens, Greece. She holds a Bachelor degree in Physical Education & Sports Science from the the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in Swimming. She has recently completed her Master in Education and Creative Learning.

Ms. Kotsiani is a certified lifeguard and an emergency responder (CPR/First Aid for adult/child/infant).  She has worked as a swimming instructor for several years in various clubs in Athens and since 2005 she is coaching the ACS HS swimming team.

She has been at ACS Athens for the past 6 years, as a PE Middle and High School teacher, and she is in charge of the ACS Aquatics and after school swimming program.

email: kotsiania@acs.gr

Maria Lambrinos, Mathematics Teacher

Ms. Lambrinos earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics - Education from Monmouth University, New Jersey, USA.  She also earned a Master of Education and a Supervisor’s Certificate from Monmouth University.  She has taught middle school math in Middletown, New Jersey, where she also served as a mentor to novice teachers, trained teachers in various technological programs, and was actively involved in student life on campus.

Ms. Lambrinos joined the ACS faculty last year, serving as the Attendance & Discipline Coordinator while teaching Advanced Math 7 and Honors Algebra II and Trigonometry.  This year she is teaching Math 6.

email: lambrinosm@acs.gr

Helen Liakos, Counselor

Ms. Liakos earned her BA in English Literature with a minor in Psychology from the American College of Greece and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University. She holds a Certification in School Counseling K-12 from the State of Maine.

Ms. Liakos has been a teacher and counselor in the ACS Middle School and High School and she currently holds the position of Counseling Psychologist K-12 and co-supervises the internship program at ACS.

email: liakosh@acs.gr

Rannelle McCoy, Social Studies Teacher - Coordinator for Social Studies

Rannelle McCoy received a BA in History from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, an MA in History from The Ohio State University at Columbus, and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Montana State University at Bozeman.

She specializes in European history, World Studies, political science, and religion. Ms. McCoy currently teaches 7^th grade and 8^th grade social studies. She joined the ACS faculty in 2005 and has also taught American Studies and 6^th grade social studies. Previous teaching experience includes graduate teaching of undergraduate history courses at The Ohio State University and teaching English as a foreign language to children and adults.

Ms. McCoy also coaches the Cross-Country team, and is a proud alumna of ACS. Her love of travel has taken her to over 55 countries around the world. She also competes in trail running in her spare time.

email: mccoyr@acs.gr

Lindy McMullin, Drama Teacher

Lindy McMullin earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Africa, majoring in Education Criminology and Psychology. She holds Diplomas in Stress Management, Public Relations and Biotherapy and a Post Graduate Certificate in Western Esotericism from the University of Exeter (UK). She earned a Master of Science in Transpersonal Psychology and Consciousness Studies (Distinction) from the University of Northampton (UK), in 2009.

Lindy's teaching experience began in South Africa where she worked and trained for three years in a home for challenged children. Since her arrival in Greece in 1978, she has taught Key Stage 1 and 2, Art at Key Stage 3 level and Drama in Elementary and Middle School. In the United Kingdom she taught A Level Psychology and has also lectured at Post Graduate level. She has written, directed and produced a number of plays over the years, maintaining that her achievements have always been reflected in the outstanding performance of her students, who have taught her so much over the years. She is founder and president of Synthesis, the Hellenic Association for Transpersonal Psychology & Research and a member of the British Psychological Society.

email: mcmullinl@acs.gr

Irene Metropulos-irene, Attendance and Discipline Aide

Irene Metropulos is from Chicago, IL, where she studied at DePaul University in Chicago and earned her BA in Communication and History along with an MA in Teaching and Learning Social Studies at the Secondary level.  While completing her MA, she worked at St. Patrick's High School, where she taught World Civilizations and Sociology. 

She also worked at Glenbrook South High School as a substitute and Social Studies aid, and worked with at- risk students through the Princeton Review.  She has been living in Athens for three years, and is also in the process of earning her TESOL certificate.

email: metropulosi@acs.gr

Vasilis Mikros, Physical Education Teacher

Mr. Mikros was born in New Jersey and raised both in the United States and Greece. He earned a bachelor’s in History from Kean University in Union New Jersey and a Post Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a specialization in Health Education from the same University.

He worked as a substitute Physical Education teacher in public schools in the United States before moving to Greece. He is certified by the State of New Jersey to teach Physical Education and Health. In addition to coaching, Mr. Mikros continues to teach Greek Folk Dances in various clubs and organizations.

He has been a member of the ACS faculty since 2005 and is the coach for both the Junior Varsity Boy’s soccer and Middle School Track & Field Teams.

email: mikrosv@acs.gr

Athina Mitsopoulou, Music Teacher (Middle School and Academy)

Ms. Mitsopoulou is from London, Ontario, Canada, where she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (1997) and a Bachelor of Education (1998) from the University of Western Ontario. Upon their completion she accepted the instrumental music teaching position at London Central Secondary School with the Thames Valley District School Board; a position she held for seven years. During this time she also completed a Master of Music (2002) at the University of Toronto. Each of the aforementioned degrees includes English Literature as a second teachable.

Ms. Mitsopoulou is the Middle School and Academy music teacher. Click here for previously recorded performances conducted by Ms. Mitsopoulou. 

Ontario College of Teachers (OCT): Certificate of Qualification Intermediate/Senior, Active Membership since June 1998.

email: mitsopouloua@acs.gr

Maria Monahogiou, Aide

Ms. Monahogiou was born in New York City and raised in the suburbs of Long Island. She graduated and attained a Bachelor's Degree from S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook. Maria has moved permanently to Athens, after having graduated from the university.

She has worked at two foreign language institutes as an English teacher upon her arrival to Greece. She also owned an English day care and Kindergarten center, where she taught and ran the business in the northern suburbs of Athens.

She has been working at ACS Athens since 1994. She has worked with the ESL Department in both  elementary and the middle schools, where she is currently assisting and teaching.

William Papatassos, English Teacher (Middle School and Academy)

Mr. Papatassos is a teacher and journalist who as a professional, unconsciously completes full circles.  Born and raised in Athens, he acquired a passion for reading and writing at the American Community Schools of Athens. 

At Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, he earned his BA, with a major in English literature and education, and a minor in journalism.  From 1994 to 1995, Papatassos was World News Editor at the Athens News.  As a free lance journalist, Mr. Papatassos has written for the Athens News and Odyssey magazine. 

Since his return to ACS-Athens in September of 1995, Mr. Papatassos has taught American and world literature.  Currently, he teaches Language Arts 8, and the American Literature Honors “Combo” class. 

email: papatassosw@acs.gr

Christina Rocha, Foreign Language Teacher, Spanish (Middle School and Academy)

MS. Rocha earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a minor each in French and Spanish from Chatham College, Pittsburgh, P.A. and an Master of Arts in Education with a special emphasis on Foreign Language Instruction from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

She has also participated in post graduate studies at American University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland in the fields of cultural anthropology and linguistics.

Ms. Rocha has taught both French and Spanish, all levels, including, AP, IB and immersion levels for Baltimore County Schools prior to joining the ACS faculty in 2007. In addition, Ms. Rocha has taught several Continuing Education courses in both French and Spanish and ESOL for the Community Colleges of Baltimore County.

Ms. Rocha has served as Department Chair and has been involved in curriculum development and writing within the Baltimore County School System. She currently teaches Spanish, standard level and IB  for both the Middle School and the Academy students. She has also led her students on trips abroad, and looks forward to such opportunities with the students of ACS.

email: rochac@acs.gr

Lambrini Rontogiannis, Science Teacher (Middle School and Academy)

Ms. Labrini Rontogiannis was born and raised in Montreal, Canada and moved to Athens in 2004. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology at McGill University and a Bachelor of Education, specialization in Science and English Literature, also from McGill. Ms Rontogiannis is very excited to be two courses short of completing a MEd in Educational Technology through an online program at the University of Calgary.

Ms. Rontogiannis has been teaching at ACS since 2005 and she takes pride in getting involved in all aspects of student life; both in and out of the classroom. She has coached the girls’ volleyball teams and is this year’s Middle School student council advisor. Ms Rontogiannis is teaching Middle School Science and English in the Academy.

email: rontogiannisl@acs.gr

Imad Samad, Foreign Language Teacher, Arabic (Middle School and Academy)

Mr. Samad is the Arabic teacher for both ACS Athens’ high school and middle school. He was born in Ammatour-Lebanon. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic language and literature from the Lebanese University of Beirut (Lebanon).

Mr. Samad worked as Head of the Arabic Department at Campion School in Athens, Greece from 1981 until he joined ACS Athens in 1994. He has been with ACS Athens as an IB faculty member for 17 years. He has also served as the Advisor of the Arabic Club in Middle and High schools.

email: samadi@acs.gr

Natasha Stratoglou, Foreign Language Teacher, Greek

Ms. Stratoglou earned a Bachelor of Arts in French Literature from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

She is currently working on her Master’s Degree at the Hellenic Open University with focus on Managing Cultural Units. Her post graduate work includes studies in Human Development at the University of La Verne, Athens, Writing Across the Curriculum at the University of California –Berkeley (extension), Education at the University of Athens. She is a member of the ACS Athens faculty since 1990.

Ms. Stratoglou has taught French and Greek as a foreign language in the Elementary School, Middle School and the Academy at ACS Athens. She has served as Foreign Language Coordinator in the Middle School, Middle School Yearbook Advisor and French Trip advisor for over ten years, and she has been French Club, Greek club advisor and Cairo Exchange advisor. She has attended many professional development training programs related to teaching and learning.

Ms. Stratoglou has attended an MYP Conference in Istanbul, NESA conference in Athens, Linguistics conference in Montpellier and OM Conferences in Athens.

email: stratogloun@acs.gr

Tamyra Walker, Mathematics Teacher

Tamyra Walker is a dynamic educator who has a passion for mathematics. She received a BA degree in Sociology from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and then went on to Dallas, Texas to pursue a career in education. Her certifications include the following: Early Childhood – 4^th Generalist,  4-8 Generalist, 4-8 Mathematics and ESL. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Mathematics Teaching and Learning at Drexel University.

email: walkert@acs.gr

Yi-Nai Wang, Foreign Language Teacher, Chinese (Middle School and Academy)

Ms. Wang is originally from Taiwan. She obtained her Bachelors Degree from National Taipei Institute of the Arts, where she studied Piano Performance, Violin Performance as well as Chinese Language and Literature. She has won the 2^nd prize in Taiwan Piano competition. Ms. Wang also trained at Luebeck Musikhochschule in Germany, and obtained her Masters Degree in Piano Performance.

Each summer Ms. Wang travels to Taiwan and participates in the seminar “Chinese Language Research”. In the summer of 2009, she obtained a certification following 2 month course “Teaching Chinese as Foreign Language” from Tunghai University.

In Taiwan and Germany, she worked as teacher, teaching Chinese Language and Piano Performance. She has 8 years of experience teaching Chinese and 20 years of experience teaching Piano Performance. This year is Ms Wang’s 4th year teaching Chinese at ACS.

email: wangy@acs.gr

Theresa Weimholt, English Teacher

Ms. Weimholt grew up in Chicago, Illinois and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature/Secondary Education at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.  Upon graduating, Ms. Weimholt ventured to South America to work as a volunteer teacher in rural Ecuador.  She was later promoted to the position of National Field Director of WorldTeach Ecuador through the Center for International Development at Harvard University.  Before coming to ACS, Ms. Weimholt returned to Chicago and taught literature at Edwin G. Foreman High School. 

Currently, she is pursing an Master of Science in Literacy, Language and Culture at the University of Indiana Bloomington.  This is her second year at ACS Athens and she looks forward to learning and growing with her students and co-workers. 

email: weimholtt@acs.gr

Edward Woolbert, Instructional Technology Teacher - Coordinator

Mr. Woolbert is an Instructional Technology Teacher and the Coordinator of Instructional Technology.  Mr. Woolbert was born and raised in Orange County, California. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. Mr. Woolbert holds a M.A in International Education from Framingham State College, Massachusetts. He is credentialed in K-12 Multiple Subjects, Social Science, and Industrial Technology. He is currently working working towards a M.S. Degree in Instructional Technology. Mr. Woolbert has taught at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua, Nicaragua and public schools in Orange County, California. 

This is Mr. Woolbert's second year teaching at ACS Athens.

email: woolberte@acs.gr