Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education has never been more important, and our first-rate teachers have risen to the challenge of providing their students with the tools they’ll need to confront the many challenges the world faces. Our science and computer science teachers make use of a world-class facility to deliver a cutting-edge program that emphasizes inquiry- and problem-based learning, make Europe their classroom, and introduce our younger students to coding and robotics while finding opportunities for them to shine on the world stage. And our math teachers draw upon the renowned Singapore Math Program to help our youngest students establish a foundational base that sets them up for success when it’s time to take the most demanding IB and AP classes available.
The Teachers
Faculty excellence remains the core of the TASIS experience, and we love to highlight the remarkable work done by our teachers on our Faculty Features page. With help from our outstanding team of student writers, below we shine a light on 16 of our STEM teachers.
Mr. Alec OgilvieWexler Brodie ’24 interviewed High School Science Department Chair Alec Ogilvie, who teaches IB Chemistry Higher Level and Standard Level and has seen the Science Program grow tremendously since he started at TASIS in 2008. |
Mr. James ShieldsElizaveta Semasheva ’22 interviewed Mr. Shields, who has served as the Hi gh School Math Department Chair for more than 20 years and believes that students shouldn’t be overly reliant on technology as they build a solid foundation in mathematics. |
Dr. Gillian Sawyer-PriceSusanna Campbell ’23 interviewed High School Biology Teacher Gillian Sawyer-Price, who completed a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow and taught pharmacology and anesthesiology at several European and American universities before coming to TASIS in 2011. |
Mr. Laurent CarsanaJane Wilson ’22 interviewed Elementary School Science Teacher Laurent Carsana, who cultivates a love for science in his young students by empowering them, encouraging them to slow down and think deeply about what they’re doing, and building a learning environment defined by honesty and trust. |
Mr. Isaac CareyAlex Gabriel '23 interviewed AP Calculus and AP Computer Science Teacher Isaac Carey, who has worked hard to grow the School’s Computer Science Program since starting at TASIS in 2019. |
Ms. Deborah TompkinsOlivia De Souza Carneiro ’24 interviewed High School Math Teacher Deborah Tompkins, who started at TASIS in 2018 and currently teaches IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches Standard Level and Honors Precalculus. |
Mr. Anthony PanontinMariaurora Rosso ’22 interviewed Anthony Panontin, who started at TASIS in 2019 and currently teaches IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches Higher Level and IB Theory of Knowledge to both juniors and seniors. |
Mr. Daniel DudleyKaterina Smyslova ’24 interviewed High School Math Teacher Daniel Dudley, who has taught both AP and IB Math since coming to TASIS in 2019. |
Mr. Daniel SchwartzJoy Mack '21 interviewed High School Math Teacher Daniel Schwartz, who has taught all levels of IB Mathematics over the course of his 12 years at TASIS. |
Mr. Patrick AlavaJoy Mack '21 interviewed Middle School Math Coordinator Patrick Alava, who began teaching at TASIS in 2011 and was the 2018 recipient of the Khan-Page Master Teacher Award. |
Mr. Tim VenchusLilian Angelone '19 interviewed Pre-K to 8 Learning Technologies Coordinator and Elementary School Math Coordinator Tim Venchus [now Technology Development Director], who has done much to advance the use of technology in the classroom since he started at TASIS in 2010. |
Ms. Amy BloodworthEkaterina Plotnikova '18 interviewed Middle and High School Science Teacher Amy Bloodworth, who has made coding and robotics a key component of the Middle School Science curriculum and was the 2016 recipient of the Khan-Page Master Teacher Award. |
Dr. Brett MerrittAnastasia Kolesnikova '18 interviewed Middle School Science Teacher Brett Merritt, who helped develop an Engineering and Invention unit at TASIS and was the 2014 recipient of the Khan-Page Master Teacher Award. |
Ms. Peg CrockettAnastasia Kolesnikova '18 interviewed High School Science Teacher Pegeen Crockett, who taught for nearly 40 years in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China before coming to TASIS in 2016 and was the 2021 recipient of the Khan-Page Master Teacher Award. |
Mr. Mark AeschlimanShu Ye '18 interviewed Architecture & Design Teacher Mark Aeschliman, who was the 2010 recipient of the Khan-Page Master Teacher Award and has inspired countless TASIS students to pursue degrees in Architecture and Art History over the course of a brilliant 44-year career. |
Ms. Kerry VenchusBryan Soh '18 interviewed High School Math Teacher Kerry Venchus, who helped many students perform extraordinarily well on their exams in her former role as the AP Calculus teacher and was the 2017 recipient of the Khan-Page Master Teacher Award. |
The Results
Great teachers help students produce great results. Learn about recent TASIS graduates who have reached impressive heights in the STEM subjects.
- Exceptional Science and Math Student Headed to Imperial College London
- Top Math Student To Seek Mechanical Engineering Degree
- Bilingual IB Diploma Recipient To Pursue Medical Degree in Switzerland
- 2020 H. Miller Crist Recipient To Study Medicine in Warsaw
- Standout TASIS Student Earns Spot at World-Class Science Program
- Outstanding IB Student To Study Mechanical Engineering at ETH
- Dedicated Scholar To Study Biomedical Science at Edinburgh
- 2019 Valedictorian and Top IB Scorer Heads to Imperial College London
- Service and Science Standout Picks Imperial College London
- Decorated AP Scholar to Pursue Pharmacy Degree at George Washington
- Brilliant Young Scientist to Study Biochemistry at Imperial College London
- Science Achievements of Kolesnikova '18 Standing Out on World Stage
- Top IB Scorer Lands at University College London
- Excellence in Science Award Recipient to Pursue Career in Medicine
- Future Neuroscientist Ready for Top Liberal Arts School
- 2016 Valedictorian Heads to the Ivy League
- Science Excellence Leads to Offer from Imperial College London
- 2015 Valedictorian Seeking Dual Degree at Johns Hopkins
- Science Star Pursuing Medicine Degree in the UK
- Natural Leader Pursuing Computer Science Degree at Tufts
Our students are so much more than their exam scores—as the stories above attest—but it was wonderful to see that the 2021 IB and AP exam sessions continued an upward trajectory for TASIS students on these challenging college-level assessments. Learn more below.
2021 IB Scores
Eight TASIS students scored 40 or more points on their IB exams, and the average score posted by the 44 students who earned an IB Diploma was 35—2 full points above the world average.
Learn more about the 2021 IB results
2021 AP Scores
TASIS students scored a 4 or higher on 64 percent of the 196 Advanced Placement exams they took, and 37 students earned AP Scholar Awards.