Name: Steve Crossley
Background: Mr. Crossley joined BBIS in January 2021 as Head of Boarding, having previously worked in boarding schools in the UK, Austria and the US. Steve is a level 3 boarding practitioner and holds the BSA Boarding Management diploma, in addition to a BA in politics and history from Salford University and a PgDip in pastoral care, guidance and pupil support from the University of Aberdeen.
Passions: Steve is married with two daughters, enjoys running, winter sports and travelling. Steve is passionate about residential education and making sure that BBIS is a "home away from home" for all boarding students.

Name: Margit Schmeißer
From: Lower Bavaria (Germany)
Background: Mrs. Schmeißer started working at BBIS Boarding in July 2014. Before then, she worked for industrial companies like Siemens as a team or management assistant.
Passions: Mrs. Schmeißer likes to sing, read, travel and get to know different cultures. She enjoys helping boarding students and their families with all things that come up in daily life at BBIS Boarding.
Send Mrs. Schmeißer an email.

Name: Angelika Heidt
From: Wolfsburg, in northern Germany
Background: Ms. Heidt started working at BBIS Boarding in June 2017. Prior to this, she studied economics and journalism, and worked for consulting companies. She has also lived in Istanbul, Turkey.
Passions: Ms. Heidt is a qualified German teacher and breathing coach. She is passionate about cars and loves to read, bike, travel and walk with her dog.
Send Ms. Heidt an email.

Name: Alayna Allard
From: Winnipeg, Canada
Background: Ms. Allard, who joined BBIS Boarding in autumn 2023, originally hails from a small French-speaking community. After moving to California in 2013 for her studies and working as a full-time nanny, she embarked on an international journey. In 2016, she became an au pair in Basel, Switzerland, followed by a year in Brussels, Belgium. In 2019, she commenced her Biblical Studies degree in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium, completing her Bachelor's in June 2022. Continuing her education, she began graduate studies in Biblical studies that same autumn. Alongside her academic pursuits, Ms. Allard gained experience working at an international daycare and a boarding house in an international school.
Passions: Ms. Allard, one of seven children, embraces a healthy and active lifestyle with a passion for health and wellness. She particularly enjoys playing sports, with beach volleyball topping her list of favorites. Her love for exploration extends to traveling and discovering new places. In her leisure time, Ms. Allard also enjoys reading and engaging in board games.

Name: Boris Fatic
From: Podgorica, Montenegro
Background: Mr. Fatic joined BBIS Boarding as a live-in mentor for the 2018-2019 school year. Before this,he attended the Mediterranean University, Faculty of Foreign Languages. During his fourth year of studies, he worked in human rights for a local NGO. He has also worked as a boarding coordinator for Knightsbridge Schools International, an IB school in Tivat, Porto Montenegro.
Passions: Mr. Fatic enjoys helping young people reach their full potential and teaching them to act with honor, integrity and compassion. Hetakes great pleasure in reading books, watching movies, going to the theater, cooking and playing sports.

Name: Kyle van Hall
From: Northern Virginia, US
Background: Mr. van Hall joined BBIS Boarding as a live-in mentor for the 2014-15 school year. He has lived and traveled throughout the world and, having discovered his passion for Germany as an exchange student, now considers Germany his second home. He has also worked for over 10 years as a teacher in IB and bilingual schools teaching history, geography and English; and was an international youth worker and a wilderness guide.
Passions: In his free time, he canoes on the nearby lakes, bikes through the local forests or experiments with cooking gourmet meals.

Name: Caroline Hanna
From: Toronto, Canada
Background: Ms. Hanna earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Sustainability and History from the University of British Columbia. Currently, she is pursuing teacher certification in secondary education, specializing in humanities and IB Diploma education. Ms. Hanna has two years of experience as a residence advisor at her university. Additionally, she served as a student ambassador, assisting prospective students in navigating university life and understanding admission expectations. Her academic journey includes a research exchange in rural Italy, where she explored small-scale food production and sustainable agriculture in rural communities.
Passions: Ms. Hanna has a passion for skiing, reading books, and history.

Name: Emily Jamieson
From: Adelaide, Australia
Background: Ms. Jamieson joined BBIS in autumn 2023. After graduating from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Media in 2021 she moved to the UK to work and travel. She has six years of experience working within boarding schools in Australia and the UK.
Passions: Ms. Jamieson likes to travel and learn about different cultures. She is passionate about teaching students to become good global citizens by helping them learn more about social justice and equality and supporting them to build their self-confidence.

Name: Niamh Keating
From: Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
Background: Ms. Keating joined BBIS in the summer of 2022 following the completion of her masters in gender and sexuality in culture, having previously gained an BA in English literature and history. She has worked in summer schools in England, France and Italy and is experienced in English as an additional language.
Passions: Ms. Keating enjoys activities related to culture, including reading and exploring her surroundings. She is passionate about equality and justice and supporting our students with their health and wellbeing.

Name: Josh Partridge
From: Adelaide, Australia
Background: Mr. Partridge joined BBIS Boarding at the start of the 2024/25 academic year after spending 18 months in London. During his time at Twickenham School in West London, he taught PE and Maths to secondary students, elevated the school’s football programme, and served as the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Coordinator. Originally from Adelaide, Mr. Partridge holds a Bachelor of Sport, Health, and Physical Education, as well as a double degree in Education and Arts from Flinders University. His passion for football, both as a player and coach, inspired his career in education.
Passions: Mr. Partridge is passionate about sport, especially football. In his free time, he’s often playing, coaching, or watching football. He is also an avid runner and swimmer. Beyond sport, he enjoys cooking and travelling.

Name: Alexis Perez-Lopez
From: Greenville, Texas, United States
Background: Ms. Alexis, a proud Afro-Latina from a small town in East Texas, originally earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2019. However, after working as an educational aide for preschoolers, she shifted her focus to education. Since then, she has gained experience working with diverse populations, including serving as a behavioural therapist for children on the autism spectrum, a substitute teacher in her hometown, and a high school English teacher in Mexico. These varied experiences have deepened her passion for education, cultural exploration, and creativity.
Passions: Ms. Alexis finds solace in the outdoors and draws inspiration from various creative outlets. She loves to travel and explore the unique experiences the world offers. When she is not being active, you’ll find her enjoying movies or working on DIY projects.

Name: Lydia Tuck
From: Berlin & Lake District, United Kingdom
Background: Ms.Tuck is originally from the United Kingdom but has been living in the Berlin area for the past four years. She holds a B.A. in Global Health and Social Medicine and has dedicated time to working with children and teenagers who have experienced trauma or are living with serious illnesses. Following that, Ms.Tuck spent several years on board Carnival Ships in guest entertainment services. Most recently, she has been teaching English in German public schools. Ms. Tuck will continue this work, alongside teaching dance and musical theatre, away from her work at BBIS.
Passions: Ms. Tuck enjoys health and wellbeing, creative arts, and as a former boarding school student, she is passionate about the care and support of boarders.

Name: Erika Crossley
From: Ohio, US
Background: Mrs. Erika Crossley is a registered nurse in the United States with a Masters Degree in Nursing with a focus as a clinical nurse leader. After working at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in oncology and child and adolescent psychiatry, she moved to England and began her career in boarding schools as a school nurse and counsellor, focusing on mental health, wellbeing and adolescent support and completed further professional training in youth counselling and mental health first aid for school.
Passions: She is passionate about health and wellbeing and for the greater part of the last decade designed and delivered a range of programs and interventions to support students in schools in the UK. Erika is also committed to diversity and inclusion and has been involved in a range of projects to raise awareness. Mrs. Erika Crossley has completed two ultra-marathons and continues to enjoy running and exercise, along with spending time with her family.