New Staff 2020-2022 Introductions
I've spent my childhood in Czechia, my teenage years in Slovakia, my early adulthood in Ireland and my 30s in Brazil. I'm married to my wife Carla who, like all Brazilians, loves to dance and we have two children ages 8 and 10. We are all very excited to come to Malta! I'm going to work at Verdala as a Secondary Economics and Business Management teacher. I like to stimulate my brain with anything intellectual from philosophy to sciences so I read news and books or I listen to podcasts. I'm a fan of hard sci-fi, big mugs of coffee, and CrossFit.
Hello all! I'm Joe Barker, a Secondary English teacher, originally from Suffolk in the UK but now currently teaching in Abu Dhabi. I worked in North London before then, when I would spend my time cycling (slowly) up the hills near London. Occasionally, I would combine this with a bit of swimming and running and attempt a triathlon. As the Abu Dhabi roads aren't exactly cycling friendly, my time in the UAE is filled by playing football, squash and explaining to my current students how Norwich City are still a good football team, despite being bottom of the Premier League. I have recently been googling the best places to spend time outdoors in Malta but also hope I can benefit from your inside knowledge on where to swim and hike in the country. I look forward to meeting you all in the summer.
I am excited to join the Verdala community, along with my two daughters who will be 11 and 14. We are moving to Malta from Sausalito, California. I have been working as the Head of School at Tilden Preparatory School in California. Previously, I was the School Counselor at Marin Primary and Middle School in California and the Director of the Social Emotional Learning program.
My experience and expertise in SEL and my passion for immersing myself in another culture brought me to the Verdala School. I am passionate about supporting children in understanding themselves socially and emotionally as well as working with the adults around them to develop strong communication and peer negotiation skills.
I lived in Paris and Italy with my family for 10 years before returning to my hometown of San Francisco four years ago with my two daughters. I worked with the international community as a counselor and life coach, focusing on supporting English speaking mothers and students, as well as facilitating retreats and communication building workshops.
I am a travel and outdoor enthusiast. After spending a year traveling to 33 countries, I shifted my counseling practice to focus on coaching clients to fulfill their own dreams. I love hiking and yoga, and often use outdoor movement and mindfulness with my clients.
Martin Kacor
Joe Barker
Tamar Gotlieb