Meet the ISC teachers and staff

• Louise Baumberg, Student Welfare Officer
• Rachel Bradley, Head of Centre
• Susan Carrington-West, Law Tutor
• Rita Chowdhry, Business Tutor
• Simon Cleary, English Tutor
• Jim Forrest, Chemistry Tutor
• Cecilia Hevia, English Tutor
• Cheryl Hyde, Centre Administrator
• Anita Krishnan, Economics & Accounting Tutor
• Angela McLean, Assistant Head of Centre
• Beryl Monk, Physics Tutor
• Michael Santiago, Politics Tutor
• Pat Warner, Mathematics Tutor

Louise Baumberg

Student Welfare Officer

Qualifications: BA (Hons)

"I love working with people and my role at Surrey ISC includes helping students with all sorts of questions and problems that they may have; visas, accommodation, illness, relationships and anything else you can think of.  I also organise social events for students.  My aim is for all the students to enjoy their time here and also to do the best that they can in their studies so that they can progress to undergraduate studies at the University of Surrey.

I have a degree in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Leeds and experience of working in university administration, youth work and information and advice services for young people.  I enjoy travel with my family, cooking, meditation and reading. 

The best part of my job is getting to know all the students as unique individuals but also finding out about their different countries and cultures.  My job is varied, busy, sometimes frustrating, but always interesting!"

Rachel Bradley

Head of Centre

Qualifications: BSc (Hons), DipTESOL

"Since graduating in 1998, I moved to Germany where I began teaching general and business English Language to a wide range of international students of different nationalities and ages. 

After returning to the UK for a brief period, I packed my bags once again and travelled the world for a year and also worked for a period in Melbourne, Australia at a Higher Education college. This experience introduced me to Foundation Programmes and when I returned to the UK, I continued working in this area.

In June 2007, I came to the International Study Centre at the University of Surrey as Head of Centre and I still teach on the English Language modules for the Foundation and the ELPP programmes.  I live in a little rural village in the Surrey countryside with my husband but I was born in Sheffield,Yorkshire. In my spare time, I enjoy the outdoors. I like hiking, running, skiing and swimming, and from time to time, I play an occasional tune on the organ."

Susan Carrington-West

Law Tutor

"I have always had an interest in the law and having spent most of my working life in the field of education I decided to be a tutor in law and hopefully I can pass on to the students my love of the subject.

Although born and bred in England I have taught in the United States and in Venice, where I taught students whose first language was Italian.

I love fencing, at which I am enthusiastic but hopeless and I also enjoy writing murder mystery games - a few of which have been published.
I have twin daughters, one of whom is a qualified solicitor and the other a plumber. I live in Guildford with my three dogs."
 

Rita Chowdhry

Business Tutor

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education in Business Studies

"I have over 23 years experience teaching Business Studies and Travel and Tourism courses at GCSE, BTEC and ‘A’ Level standard. I also have a Post Graduate diploma in teaching students with specific learning difficulties.

I continue to moderate pupils course-work following external examinations and have worked closely with Heads of Departments at a senior school in Surrey.
 
My outside interests include travelling, interior design, reading and my three children."

Simon Cleary

English Tutor

Jim Forrest

Chemistry Tutor

Qualifications: BA Hons Chemistry, PGCE in Physical Science, MRSC (chartered Chemist), Awarded assessor for OFSTED

"I started my teaching career in a remote Southern African school. Later, after coming to the UK, I taught science in secondary schools in South West London for the next 20 years before moving into advisory work in science and work-related learning.

I now live in Claygate and my main interests are sports and music. I keep fit by running every day and I also enjoy watching cricket and athletics. I also enjoy singing in my local choir."
 

Cecilia Hevia

English Tutor

Qualifications: B.Ed; Cambridge University CELTA & DELTA

"My English teaching career started in my hometown Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1996. I taught students of different ages and levels.

In 2002, I moved to England with my family, and gained a postgraduate Cambridge University certificate and diploma. Before coming to ISC Surrey, I taught IELTS, FCE and ESOL exam preparation as well as general English classes.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching English, and getting to know other people and cultures. I believe that the study of the English language is essential to every person who wishes to become a member of the current global community.

Outside work, I enjoy going to the gym and cycling, especially along the River Wey! I also love cooking for friends and my family during weekends."
  

Cheryl Hyde

Centre Administrator

Qualifications: BA (Hons)

"My role as Centre Administrator at the ISC is an interesting and varied job. I really enjoy working in the centre and getting to know all the students. As the Centre Administrator I have a variety of duties which range from dealing with fees to the running of the exams.

I am based in the ISC Reception with Louise, the Student Welfare Officer, and our window is open all day Monday to Friday to deal with any student query, big or small.

I only moved to Guildford when I started this role in April but I really like the town and the university campus is a great place to work or study."

Anita Krishnan

Economics & Accounting Tutor

Angela McLean

Assistant Head of Centre

Qualifications: BA Hons English, DELTA, MA English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics

"I have been teaching EFL now for about 15 years. In fact, I started teaching English at summer school before I had even finished my degree. I enjoyed it so much I even decided to pursue a career as an EFL teacher.

After graduating, I went to France for a year combining teaching with travelling. Then, I spent three years in Taiwan where I taught all ages ranging from kindergarten to retired adults.  After Taiwan, and after completing both my MA and Delta, I then moved into Higher Education, about 4 years ago, teaching on an Open Language Programme and Pre-sessional courses until I started here at Surrey ISC in June 2007.

In my free time, I enjoy growing vegetables, hill walking, and landscape photography.
 

Beryl Monk

Physics Tutor

Qualifications: BSc, PGCE (FE)

"After graduating with an honours degree in Physics I worked in an industrial research laboratory developing semiconductor materials and devices.  This included both silicon-based and compound semiconductors, and also chalcogenide glasses.

I have taught Mathematics and Physics in a Further Education College for a number of years.  I have also taught evening classes where my students have ranged from 16 to 75 years old.

Teaching at the ISC is both challenging and rewarding for me as the students come from a wide range of backgrounds but share a common desire to study for Engineering and Science based careers."
 

Michael Santiago

Politics Tutor

Pat Warner

Mathematics Tutor

Qualifications: BA, Cert Ed

"I had always been a teacher in state schools, preparing students for the work-place or higher education. My role in the ISC is very different and I am enjoying working with so many different and interesting people. 

I am very active person and enjoy going to the gym in order to keep fit.  I am at the moment doing a class in Stained Glass Window making and I hope to put some into my home.  I enjoy the cinema and gardening.  I speak Italian as I have an Italian mother. I live in Guildford and have done so for three years now."