Paul Pallister
Head of School
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor Education - University of Alberta, Canada
Master of Educational Leadership - University of Portland, USA
Hello Berkeley Community. My name is Paul Pallister. I am very humbled to be your Headmaster. I was a school administrator in Canada for 20 years working for students from grade 1 to 12 in a variety of schools. In 2023 I finished two years of school administration in Kuwait. Throughout my career, I have thoroughly enjoyed helping thousands of students realize their potential. Please stop by to say hello and let me know how Berkeley can best support your educational needs.
Lynda Nocera
Secondary Principal
Bachelors of English, Masters in Curriculum- George Mason University, Virginia
Masters in Administration and Supervision- Concordia University, Chicago
Greetings! My name is Lynda Nocera and I have been a middle and high school educator for 25 years in multiple roles, including English Teacher, Instructional Coach, Educational Consultant, and Administrator. I am passionate about learning and believe that teachers, students, and administrators all learn together. So it will come as no surprise that one of my core beliefs is that collaboration allows all stakeholders to have an opportunity to succeed. I am originally from Chicago and spent my childhood living abroad in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. My husband and I came to Bangkok from the DC area and are eager to find joy in our connection to Berkeley and through our exploration of Thailand. (all suggestions are welcome!) I am thrilled to continue my educational journey in Thailand with the Berkeley community.
Carla Chavez
Primary Principal
Bachelor of Education - University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Masters in Education - Framingham State University, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
Hello! My name is Carla Chavez and I am delighted to be part of the Berkeley school community. I am passionate about student centered learning and look forward to being partners in your child´s education. I believe in nurturing a child´s natural curiosity and building on their sense of wonder as they begin to understand the world around them. It is important to foster independent learners who advocate for their own needs and the needs of others. Seeing children find joy in learning is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.
I have been privileged to work in both public schools in Canada and in private international schools in Mexico and South Korea. I have over 28 years of experience in elementary and secondary schools in a variety of roles from classroom teacher, resource teacher, literacy & instructional coach and the last nine years as an administrator. My husband and I, along with our two sons are excited to live in Thailand and explore the wonderful culture and country. I look forward to getting to know your children and meeting the families that comprise the Berkeley school community.
Elizabeth Frantz-Larson
Social & Emotional Counselor
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Arizona State University, USA
Master of Education in International Education - Framingham State University, USA
Hello, I´m Elle and I am so excited to be part of the Berkeley family as the Social and Emotional Counselor. I have lived in Thailand since 2011 with my husband, Eric, and we consider this place our home. I have also worked as a counselor, mentor, educator and yoga teacher in the USA. I have studied mindfulness and yoga since I was 16 and love to share this practice as it has helped me grow in my own life. I love to read, learn and talk with others about life and believe taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally, is very important. My door is always open with an empathic ear and open mind. I am so looking forward to getting to know everyone this year!
Jill Vinson
College Counselor
Hello, and sawadee-ka! My name is Jill and I´m thrilled to be a part of the dynamic team at Berkeley International School. I´m a nomad by nature, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; then I lived in South Carolina after earning my BA and MAT from Clemson University (Go Tigers!). I taught English and Spanish there for three years, and afterwards embarked my journey as an international educator in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where I´ve been living and teaching for the past seven years. I have a passion for travel and believe in seeing as much of the world as possible; learning is a lifelong endeavor and I love to explore new cultures. I firmly believe that every place has something unique to offer and every person has something important to teach. I bring that philosophy to my classroom where I love to give my students opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other. As a teacher of language and literature, I strive to bring real-world relevance of texts out into the light for students to explore. When I´m not in a classroom or boarding an airplane, you´ll either find me in a cozy chair with a book and a cup of coffee or else in the kitchen cooking up something tasty.
Whitney Walker
Primary Curriculum Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies- Seattle University, Seattle, WA, USA
Masters in Elementary Education- University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
As the Curriculum Coordinator at Berkeley, I look forward to supporting students´ and educators´ passion for learning. Together we will strive for an enriched educational experience. With a Master´s degree in education and 20 years of experience in the classroom, I will aim to create an inclusive equity-based environment where every person feels valued.
I have taught in private and public schools throughout America and an international school in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Having taught in grades 1-6 I understand the importance of empowering and engaging learners in relevant activities to cultivate the skills for successful participation in an international and global world.
I am excited to be moving into this new role and another country in Asia where I will again spend time outdoors with my family and dog.
