Leadership Team

Director’s Welcome

Welcome and thank you for your interest in ISA. As you explore our website, we hope you discover not only what makes our vibrant community unique, but also how our personalised learning experiences ignite each student’s unique passions from Nursery through Grade 12. At ISA, excellence isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey; we cultivate both the minds and characters of our students (inside and outside the classroom), ensuring they are academically accomplished, authentically themselves, and prepared for whatever future they choose.

What truly sets ISA apart is an approach grounded in three interconnected pillars: Learning Foundations & Academic Excellence, Wellbeing & Personal Growth, and Experiences Beyond the Classroom. Brain-based research is unequivocal on the power of a happy, supportive school environment. By pairing challenging, individualised academics with a culture where every student feels safe, respected, and valued, we create a positive environment where morale is high, learning is maximised, and curiosity thrives naturally.

Together, these pillars define an ISA education: excellent, personal, and holistic. We value open and clear communication, so please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. We would be delighted to share more about how we help every learner become the best version of themselves.

Kind regards,

Dr. Bernadette Carmody

ISA Director

Bernadette Carmody

ISA Director

directors_office@isa.nl

Dr. Bernadette Carmody joined the International School of Amsterdam as Director in July 2019. Formerly, she served in similar roles in Guangzhou, China and Riffa, Bahrain. Additionally, Bernadette has worked as an administrator and/or teacher in Dubai, (Shanghai) China, Venezuela, Norway, and Sri Lanka, as well as in her native Australia.

Sarah Grace

Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing

safeguardingwellbeing_office@isa.nl

Sarah Grace joined ISA in 1998, initially as the Assistant Head of Lower School and serving as the PYP Coordinator for two years. Sarah served as the Head of Lower School from 2007-2017 and then Associate Director for Teaching and Learning from 2017-2023. She obtained her first degree from the Froebel Institute College of the Roehampton Institute with a Bachelor of Education (Hons). Subsequently she has achieved a Masters of Education (Educational Leadership and Management) from the University of Bath. 

Starting her teaching career in an inner city school in Peckham, London, she taught grades 2-4, holding a post of responsibility for Library and Resources and serving as a School Governor. Moving overseas for an international experience, Sarah joined the Yokohama International School in Japan. In Yokohama Sarah taught homeroom in the Elementary and Middle School divisions, English, EAL and Learning Support as well as holding middle-level leadership positions of responsibility.

Since arriving at ISA Sarah has been involved with the IB Primary Years Programme as a workshop leader and school visitor.  She has been an accreditation lead at ISA, seeing the school through complete accreditation cycles and served as an accreditation team member for NEASC. In recent years Sarah assumed the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead, driving the schools development of policies, protocols and practices in safeguarding and child protection.

Primary School Leadership Team:

primary_office@isa.nl

Lief Erickson

Primary School Principal

Joining ISA in August 2025, Lief is an experienced school leader known for his ability to build strong relationships with staff, students, and families. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the school, with past roles including Primary School Principal at the International School of Lausanne and Lower School Principal at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong.

Lief’s educational background includes a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. He has also earned a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School Online and a Certificate in International School Leadership from the Principal’s Training Center.

Carolyn Lacey

Primary School Assistant Principal

Carolyn Lacey is an experienced and committed educational leader with 35 years practice in educational leadership and teaching roles. Carolyn has held the role of Interim Head of Lower School and is currently the Assistant Primary Principal at ISA. Carolyn also holds the roles of a CIS school evaluator, an IB workshop leader and IB school visit team member. Carolyn holds a MSc in Educational Leadership, The Certification of International School Leadership (PTC) and a Bachelor of Arts QTS (Hons.) Carolyn has worked both in Europe and Africa in national, British International and International schools. She holds responsibility for the evaluation of teaching, professional development of staff, implementation of curriculum and the pastoral care of the students Nursery to Grade 3.

Vicki Watson

Primary School Assistant Principal

Vicki Watson is a committed, lifelong educator with 33 years of experience in educational leadership and teaching roles. Vicki has served as an Interim Principal of Primary School and is currently an Assistant Primary Principal at ISA with a focus on students in Grades 4 and 5.  Vicki obtained her first degree from The University of Durham, UK with a Bachelor of Arts in Education QTS (Hons). She is a PYP workshop leader and also holds a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from the Open University, UK, as well as a Masters in International School Leadership with Endicott University International Programmes.  Vicki is passionate about inquiry based teaching and learning as well as promoting inclusive practices and currently holds the whole school role of Inclusion Lead.

Secondary School Leadership Team:

secondary_office@isa.nl

Ruth Clarke

Secondary School Principal
Ruth joined ISA in August 2023 as the Head of Upper School. She was the Secondary Principal in Nanjing International School, China, prior to her arrival in the Netherlands and has also worked in Qatar, Belgium, the UK and Kenya. Ruth gained her Bachelors Degree in History from the University of Birmingham and trained as a teacher at the University of Exeter in the UK. She also has a Masters’ Degree in Education from the University of Bath. Ruth has extensive experience working with the IB both as a teacher in the MYP and DP and as an MYP Coordinator and DP Examiner.
Ruth is a lifelong educator with a passion for learning. She loves to be with students, hearing their voices and supporting them on their learning journeys towards graduation at the end of Grade 12. She is a big believer in balance, and the power of learning outside of the classroom through the extra curricular programme and Service Learning.
Ruth is joined at ISA by her husband, Danny, who teaches IB Diploma Economics, and they have three adult children that live in the UK.

Paul Griffiths

Secondary School Assistant Principal

Paul Griffiths, originally from Oxford, UK, joined ISA in August 2003 having begun his teaching in middle England. He obtained his Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from the University of Southampton, before completing his Post Graduate Certificate of Education from Oxford Brookes University. Subsequently, Paul has achieved a Masters in Education (Educational Leadership and Management) from the University of Bath. Paul has served in a number of roles, and he has been our IB MYP Coordinator here at ISA for the last 4 years. He transitioned to become an Assistant Head of Upper School in August 2020. Paul’s greatest passion’s outside of education include being a father to his two young children, running marathons and playing football.

Amanda Kirkham

Secondary School Assistant Principal

Amanda Kirkham joined ISA as the Associate Head of Upper School in August 2023. She joined ISA from Nayland College in Nelson, Aotearoa, New Zealand, where she was a humanities teacher, ‘Within School’ teacher (Stoke Kahui Ako), Associate Dean, and Teacher in Charge of Travel and Tourism. Amanda has experience working in public and special character schools in New Zealand. In addition to this, Amanda has worked in international schools in India. Most recently, she was the Service Learning Coordinator and Humanities Coordinator at the International School of Hyderabad. 

Amanda gained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Education at the University of Auckland, she did her teaching qualification through the College of Education at UoA. Amanda has her Master’s degree from the University of Auckland and was supervised by Professor Carol Mutch, the Education Commission for UNESCO (New Zealand). Amanda has just completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning through Mindlab (New Zealand) and is currently on a study sabbatical from her Doctor of Education degree. 

Amanda is passionate about restorative practices and Positive Behaviour for learning. Through her research and study, she strongly believes in developing global citizenship education in young people. Amanda was an Education Champion with the Asia New Zealand Foundation.