Our Leadership Team
AMADEUS International School Vienna
Dr Jeremy G House
Head of School
Nationality: Australian
Background
Dr Jeremy House is an Australian-born educator with a deep belief in the value of international education for a more prosperous and peaceful world. He holds a Bachelor of Education with Honours, a Master of Education, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business, and a Doctorate of Education in the field of Positive Psychology.
He has worked in numerous operational and key strategic leadership positions in boarding schools and has extensive experience in school growth and development. He is dedicated to student-centered learning and maintaining a personal and family-like, high-performance, school culture.
Ms Holly Johnson
Head of Primary
Nationality: Canadian
Background
Dr Karsten Plöger
Head of Secondary School
Nationality: German
Background
Karsten Plöger has held senior leadership positions in international schools in Switzerland and Germany over the past ten years. More recently, he completed a Master of Education in International Education Administration.
He thinks of schools as ‘learning communities’ and enjoys the challenge of creating environments in which deep and meaningful learning takes place. Karsten became a teacher and school leader after his first career as an academic historian. He holds a doctorate in medieval history from the University of Oxford.
Mr Graham Malkin
Head of Boarding
Nationality: British
Background
Graham Malkin has a BA Honors degree and post graduate certificate in education from Exeter University in the UK. Graham joins AMADEUS having spent the past ten years working for a leading International Group of Schools in Dubai where he was the Director of Boarding and Outdoor Education. As a qualified teacher, health and safety expert and mountain leader, Graham combines these skill sets to provide boarders with a balanced range of opportunities and experiences.
He was the founder of a leading international outdoor education company which currently operates in Sri Lanka, the UAE, Georgia, Nepal and Oman.
Graham has led students on a number of expeditions in Nepal, Borneo, Norway, Oman and the Italian Alps.
Mag Alexandra Gruber
Head of Business & Finance
Nationality: Austrian
Background
Alexandra Gruber gained her Master’s degree in Musicology and began her career in Music Libraries and Archives in Austria and England organising exhibitions and publications.
Before receiving her accountancy qualifications she worked for the Niederösterreich Government in music school Management. She, therefore, brings her passion for music education and business to AMADEUS Vienna and leads the Business Office in providing sound management and effective support services.
Ms Karin Obermann
Head of Human Resources
Nationality: Austrian
Background
Mr Ammar Alwazeh
Head of Operations
Nationality: Syrian/Austrian
Background
Ammar Alwazeh holds a Bachelor degree in English Literature and began his career at British Council Damascus/Syria then moved to British council Cairo/Egypt.
After that he moved to Austria and started a new career in the Facility Management with a Facility Manager qualification from TÜV Austria and worked at Webster Vienna Private University as Senior Facility officer then Head of Facility management.
He did many related trainings as Fire officer, Safety trusted person and First Aid.
Dr Samuel De León Páez
Head of Admissions & Marketing
Nationality: Spanish
Background
Doctor in Communication Sciences and Degree in Journalism (Universidad Complutense de Madrid). Activist committed to diversity, feminism, gender policies and promoter of the universalization of culture, education and art. He grows up in El Roque (Santa Cruz de Tenerife). His formation fluctuates between Madrid, Mexico (Monterrey) and New York.
During the period 2015 – 2019, he serves as Councilor in the City of San Miguel de Abona assuming responsibility for areas such as Education, Culture, Equality, Diversity, Tourism and Festivities. During this period he developed cultural projects of important social component such as the International Biennial of Emerging Contemporary Art Eve-Maria Zimmermann (BACOS), the annual Conferences for Equality and Diversity, or the solidarity project “Feeling Alive” for the eradication of social stigma of people living with HIV-AIDS.
Promoter of feminist art, he combined his facet as a councilor with extensive work as Community Manager, graphic designer and social media manager. In July 2019 he moved to Vienna where he began a new vital and professional career.
Founder of the digital platform La Vienísima (2019 – Present), in February 2021 he joined the AMADEUS family as a Marketing Assistant with a focus on the AMADEUS Festival Vienna. Later Marketing Specialist, Marketing Manager and currently Head of Admissions and Marketing.
Ms Alice Greenland
Assistant Head of Secondary (DP)
Nationality: British
Background
Alice Greenland has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a teaching qualification from universities in Bristol, England. As a lifelong learner, Alice is currently studying for a Masters in International Education, recently qualified as a Google Certified Trainer, and has certification from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
She has been teaching for 15 years, in schools around the world, and she aims to develop active learners and internationally-minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of creativity, purpose, and meaning.
Mr Yvan Wever
Assistant Head of Secondary (MYP)
Nationality: South African
Background
Yvan Wever has a degree in Sports Science and earned his teaching qualification through Sunderland University, England. He is trained in Montessori education and has taught in international schools in both primary and secondary. Yvan has also spent the past 12 years involved as a coach educator for World Rugby.
Yvan is passionate about the MYP and its concept-based approach in teaching young people to be critical thinkers and problem-solvers. As a Physical Education teacher, he strongly believes in the positive impact that health, fitness, and an active lifestyle can have on young people’s physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Mr Dustin Byers
Assistant Head of Secondary (MYP)
Nationality: American
Background
Mr Manuel Tauber
University Guidance Counsellor and School Alumni Manager
Nationality: Austrian
Background
Mr Paolo Tornitore
Head of Music Department & IB CP Coordinator
Nationality: Italian
Background
Paolo Tornitore completed his studies at the University of Rome Tor Vergata (BA in Musicology), University of Glasgow (MLitt in Popular Music Studies) and University of Sheffield Hallam (PGCE in Secondary Education). He has taught in England, Poland and Austria. By adopting a student-centred approach to teaching and learning, Paolo is committed to developing curious and motivated lifelong learners who pursue their aspirations with joy and determination.
Mr James Elliot
Assistant Head of Primary (PYP)
Nationality: Canadian
Background
James Elliot has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa in Canada. James is a qualified and experienced special needs educator and looks to build on his international school experience and leadership at AMADEUS having worked in the UK, Venezuela, Germany, Latvia, and Romania. He is passionate about using creative arts to inspire learning and looks to find ways to support social and emotional development at the school while modeling kindness and compassion to bring the AMADUES community closer together.
We welcome the opportunity for prospective students and their families to visit AMADEUS Vienna and learn more about our unique programme and inspiring school environment. Contact our Admissions team to ask your questions or schedule a tour.