Pedagogical Leadership Team
Dr. Mónica Gilbert-Sáez, Head of School and CEO
Dr. Mónica Gilbert-Sáez serves as the Head of School and CEO of the International School of Helsinki. With over 30 years of educational experience across the UK, the Middle East, South America, Asia, and previously as Principal of Rotterdam International Secondary School, Dr. Gilbert-Sáez brings a wealth of global expertise to her leadership and is a passionate advocate for world-class international education.
A lifelong learner herself, she holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham, an MSc, and a BA (Hons) in Education, alongside the prestigious National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). She is also an IBEN Evaluation Leader, CIS Evaluator, and CIS/NEASC Accreditation Coordinator.
Dr. Gilbert-Sáez knows firsthand the power of education to transform lives, regardless of background, and the vital role it plays in expanding opportunities for every young person through inclusion, diversity, and a commitment to equity.
Laura Ohls, Primary Years Programme (PYP) Director of Early Learning (EY-G1).
Laura has been an enthusiastic and longstanding member of the ISH community whose passion for education was sparked by ISH over 20 years ago.
Over the years, she has been a PYP classroom teacher across grade levels, a Learning Support Teacher, and has taken on various PYP leadership roles. Laura believes that developing a strong connection with students and understanding them is the foundation for authentically individualizing learning, promoting student voice and choice, and challenging students as learners.
Laura aims to empower students to feel passionate and care about their learning as well as encourage student driven action to make connections that extend beyond the curriculum.
Laura enjoys skiing, Finland’s many lakes, all things music, and most of all spending time with her two children.
Lydia Jones, Primary Years Programme (PYP) Director of Grades 2-5.
Lydia has worked at ISH since 2014 but began her educational career over 20 years ago in England as a Physical Education teacher, working as a consultant coaching elementary teachers across 14 schools in her region.
Lydia has a passion for international-mindedness and spent time as a volunteer in the townships of Capetown, working with children. She loves to collaborate with students, teachers, parents and the community, empowering people and helping them thrive in all areas of life and leadership. She is motivated to help students discover how even small actions can have global impact.
Her husband, Kevin, works also at the ISH as a grade 3 teacher, they have four children.
Minna Tammivuori-Piraux, Director of Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Minna joined ISH in 2002 after having worked in various Finnish schools as French and German teacher. At ISH Minna has been teaching French in PYP, MYP and DP.
In addition to her teaching role, she has undertaken different leadership roles as Personal Project Coordinator, Language Acquisition Subject Area leader, MYP Coordinator and Occupational Health and Safety Officer. Minna has a keen interest in supporting students’ individual learning process as well as building strategies for their independent learning.
In her spare time, Minna enjoys exercising, reading and spending time with family and friends. Her husband, Olivier, works also at the ISH as French teacher and they have two children.
Liina Luukkonen, Director of Diplomas Programme and Student Achievement.
Before joining ISH, she worked as Assistant IB Coordinator and TOK and Economics Teacher at Lappeenrannan Lyseon lukio.
Liina’s international working and leadership experience includes roles as Assistant Principal and IB Diploma Coordinator in Switzerland, Curriculum Manager at the IBO in the Netherlands, and IB Coordinator at a secondary school in Norway. She studied Economics, Philosophy, and Politics at Oxford University and earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy (Business Ethics) in New Zealand.
Liina lives in Helsinki with her British partner and two children.
Amy Leino, Director of Student Support Services.
Amy believes that high quality education is a human right for all learners. She is passionate about collaborating with individual students, fellow educators and parents to uncover successful pathways for learning.
Originally from Washington State, she holds a masters degree in inclusive education. She currently serves as the Individualized Learning Lead at the International School of Helsinki (ISH). During her 20 years at ISH, she has led the school to become a model in personalized instruction for a wide range of learners. She is eager to further develop ways to unlock every student’s learning potential.
