Senior Leadership Team
Dominic Liechti,
Managing Director
I was hired by GAIS in December 2008 as an internationally experienced educator — I had studied or worked in Switzerland, Italy and France — as the Director of the Middle School. In two years, I quadrupled the size of the middle school and implemented the new International Middle School and its Middle Years Program (MYP). I was appointed in 2011 as the Managing Director to oversee the three schools.
Before that, in my role as the principal of a junior high school in Zurich, Switzerland, I had gained intensive experience in school development, especially in change management processes, staff development, and education development.
Previously, I had graduated from a private teachers training college in Berne with a degree in education through grade 9. I did my teaching practice as a homeroom teacher for grades 7 through 9 in a junior high school. While teaching very heterogeneous classes, I learned how to foster students by using individualized programs, contracts, and age-appropriate assessment for learning. Moreover, I successfully led my students to continuing schools and educational programs.
In addition, I established a non-profit organization with the objective of fostering economically disadvantaged students. The organization has helped over 1,000 students.
In addition to my teacher’s degree I obtained an M.A in school and education management from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and am also trained as an MYP coordinator on the highest level.
Sally Thorogood,
Elementary School Principal, PYP Coordinator
I was born in England, near London, and studied, lived and worked in several different parts of the country before moving to Munich in 1997 for my husband’s job with BMW.I have been an elementary school educator for more than two decades and have taught children from kindergarten through fifth grade, initially in the English state school system and since 1998 in Munich International School (MIS).
My connection to MIS began with my children joining the school but, as a qualified teacher, I was soon asked to substitute and my MIS career developed from there. After several years of teaching I moved into the role of PYP coordinator and for the last 7 years have been the Assistant Principal. During this time I completed the Certificate of International School Leadership and also trained as a School Visitor for the International Baccalaureate Organisation, leading school authorization and evaluation visits in a variety of international schools since 2006. I am currently in the final stages of completing my Masters in Education through Bath University in England.
My son (James) has graduated from university and has returned to Munich to work and my daughter (Jenni) will stay in Europe after she completes her university studies this summer, so my husband (Mark) and I are the ones ‘leaving the nest’ and looking forward to new opportunities, challenges and experiences in California.
When I am not working I enjoy singing, reading, playing tennis, skiing and walking in the mountains.
Amanda Afshar,
Assistant Principal of International Middle School
¡Hola! I have lived, studied, and taught in the U.S. State of Illinois most of my life. I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University with endorsements in Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, Spanish, Language Arts, and Humanities.
I was a classroom teacher in a Spanish Bilingual Education program for the last 6 years and worked with students from grades 1-6.
At the same time, I continued my studies and completed my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, as well as completed the technology training courses offered by Smart Board, Inc.
I worked as the District Bilingual Program Advisor, the building data/technology training representative, and taught Grade 5 my last 2 years in Illinois. I am excited that my move to the Bay Area has brought me to GAIS.
Heike Schmalstieg,
Preschool Principal
I have been in the Bay Area for the last 20 years and started teaching at GAIS in 1994. I have taken a few breaks from the preschool to stay home with my two children. I am excited to be back full time, taking over the position as preschool director from Carol Ferrieri, who had taken that position 8 years ago, when I was pregnant with my first son.
The preschool has always had a very enthusiastic and dedicated staff and I look forward to working with them again.
I have taught in preschools in Germany and the US and also taught German and English as a second language to children and adults in the US as well as in Japan. I love spending time with the kids. When I get the time I love reading, hiking and skiing.