Introducing Our New 2024-2025 Faculty + Staff!
LAS Journal
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Each year, we are so excited to introduce new staff and faculty to our LAS community. This year's new staff come from all around the world, bringing further depth and diversity to our Global Family! We continuously seek fresh perspectives, varied nationalities, and unique expertise to enrich LAS, and we’re excited for our new team members to integrate into our warm community and experience the breathtaking Swiss Alps. Learn more about our new hires in the post below!
Mari McCarville - ELA & MFL Teacher
Fondue or Raclette? Both!
Summer or Winter? Winter
Skiing or Snowboarding? Skiing
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I love...playing flute and cello, backpacking, and baking.
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
I grew up in Colorado, a state that has four National Parks.
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
I can't wait to connect with new people from all over the world, take French classes, and explore the mountains.
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
Working at a German immersion summer camp in northern Minnesota.
Sholpan Sarbayeva - Math Teacher
Fondue or Raclette? Fondue
Summer or Winter? Summer
Skiing or Snowboarding? Skiing
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I love tennis and traveling. I have lived in three countries and speak three languages.
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
I am from Kazakhstan. One fun fact about Kazakh culture is that people in my country consume enormous amounts of meat and dairy products, it's unbelievable.
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
I am most looking forward to teaching students from all over the world at LAS. The opportunity to engage with diverse cultures is fascinating. And I can't wait to enjoy the beautiful mountains and skiing in Switzerland.
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
I went to Paris to visit Roland Garros '24 and enjoyed the Grand Slam atmosphere!
Daryl Hitchcock - IB Core Department Head
Fondue or Raclette? Raclette
Skiing or Snowboarding? My knees retired from downhill adventures!
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I am one of six adopted children and have more than 100 first cousins. I love to collect interesting World Globes.
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
I grew up in Spokane, Washington (USA) where the local delicacy is the huckleberry, but you might have to fight off the bears if you are out picking them, it is their favorite food as well.
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
Coming back to what feels as much like home as anywhere.
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
For anyone who works in complex organizations, John Kotter's Our Iceberg is Melting is a quick metaphor for how to bring about change.
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
In Brussels
Alexander Demishin - Advancement Associate
Fondue or Raclette? Fondue
Summer or Winter? Winter
Skiing or Snowboarding? Skiing
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I am a massive fan of football (American soccer), I have been living in Switzerland for the past 12 years, and I went to a boarding school on the neighboring mountain myself and absolutely loved that experience (in fact, I then went on and worked at the same school for three and a half years).
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
I am Russian (from Rostov on Don), but have been living in Switzerland since 2012.
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
I am most looking forward to working with students and living on campus, a part of the job I have not had the chance to try before.
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
The Great Gatsby
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
I took some time off work and lived in the Netherlands with my brother.
Matthew Bishop - English Teacher
Fondue or Raclette? Raclette
Summer or Winter? Autumn!
Skiing or Snowboarding? Skiing
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I saw snow for the first time at 21 years old. I'm a coffee snob. I've eaten a still-beating cobra heart.
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
I'm from Alma, a very small, rural town in southern Georgia (USA), and the blueberry capital of the state. We eat lots of grits for breakfast.
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
Experiencing a new culture and having a snowy winter for the first time in my life.
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
Visiting family and friends in Georgia, Virginia, and Louisiana.
James Naegele - Financial Associate
Fondue or Raclette? Fondue
Summer or Winter? Winter
Skiing or Snowboarding? Snowboarding
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I had never been to Europe before moving here, I'm a big fan of cooking delicious meals, and I've been snowboarding on a volcano in New Zealand.
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
The Rocky Mountains of Colorado (USA). Colorado pork green chili is a versatile dish. It can be eaten as a stew, as a dip with tortilla chips, or smothering your favorite burrito.
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
I'm looking forward to the international experience, the connections, and being in the Swiss Alps.
Virginia Morgan - Library Coordinator
Fondue or Raclette? Rösti
Summer or Winter? Summer
Skiing or Snowboarding? Skiing
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I have paddled and portaged over 360 miles of Canadian wilderness lakes, hiked on the Columbia ice field, and climbed Mount Victoria.
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
I’m American, 6th generation Mexican on my maternal side, and a Vermonter (USA). Vermonters are a happy mix of organic farmers and hippies, and rednecks.
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
Seeing old friends and visiting favorite haunts!
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
Overseeing two construction projects
Christopher Watts - Science Department Head
Fondue or Raclette? I would order the croute
Summer or Winter? Both
Skiing or Snowboarding? Piste-ski, Powder-snowboard, Park- back brace or avoid!
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I have two brothers (43 and 38) and two sons (6 and 4). I worked in Hong Kong for 6 years before moving to Switzerland. I love being outdoors.
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
Swindon in the UK, which was a town where the contactless payment card technology (called Mondex) was trialled in the 90s when I was growing up there. People didn't think it would replace cash!
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
Colleagues, chemistry, and outdoor life.
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
Little Kids first big book of Dinosaurs, or if you are grown up, How Not to Be Wrong, The Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
Testing out most of the Swimming pools in Vaud and some DIY
Anita Dore - Marketing and Communications Associate
Fondue or Raclette? Raclette
Summer or Winter? Fall
Skiing or Snowboarding? Skiing
What are some fun facts about yourself?
I'm a painter, and I love cold weather!
Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?
I'm from the Fingerlakes region of New York state (USA). I love super cold water plunging (.5C/33F has been my coldest dip).
What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?
Being part of a tight-knit, international community that shares a passion for learning, growing, and the Swiss outdoor life.
What book should everyone read in their lifetime?
Any book of poems by Mary Oliver and/or Wendell Barry
How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?
Working as a freelance designer, painting, swimming in my home town lake, making pottery, and bartending at my brother's brewery.
