Marcelle is the Primary School Principal at Windhoek International School (WIS). With 26 years of experience in international education, she has worked in a diverse range of international schools across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and now Africa. Marcelle, originally Dutch, was born in the UK and grew up in Singapore, Australia, Oman, and Nigeria.
As the proud mother of two sons, both IB graduates currently attending university, Marcelle's career in international education began as an adventure with her family and turned into a passion and a way of life. Her upbringing in different countries fostered an immediate connection with the multicultural communities found in international schools. However, what truly attracted her to international education was the broader mission of the IB: creating internationally-minded individuals.
With a Bachelor in Education and a Master of Arts in English Language, Marcelle initially focused on teaching English as an Additional Language, multilingualism and literacy in international schools. As a leader in this area, she emphasized language across the curriculum and collaborated with other teachers through team teaching and advisory roles. Her leadership journey involved advocating for multilingual students, advising on best practices, and training other teachers.
Throughout her career, Marcelle has held roles as a classroom teacher, Literacy and Digital Literacy Coordinator, and Curriculum Coordinator in both Secondary and Primary settings. She developed a passion for equity and inclusion, effective instructional practices, and inquiry-based, constructivist approaches to teaching and learning. These values continue to guide her work as the current school principal at Windhoek International School.