John Searle has extensive experience in national and international contexts. He began his international teaching career in 1983 in Tokyo at the American School, and from 1991 has worked in International Baccalaureate schools as a teacher and in diverse leadership roles. For the past eleven years he has held Head of School positions in Asia and Europe.

Burkhard Dolata joined BBIS as CFO in January 2004. He holds a degree in General Business Administration and a German Business Diploma (Diplomkaufmann). Previously, he worked as Executive Software Specialist and Finance Director for international computer and technology companies. Until 2003, he was an Executive Board Member of a Residential Building Corporation in Berlin. Burkhard was born and raised in Germany, is married and has four children.

Marika Farrell has a distinguished international education career having worked in Canada, China, the Ukraine, Tanzania and Japan. As an exemplary life long learner, she holds an MEd in International Education, the Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principals Training Centre, and the Certificate in School Management & Leadership from Harvard. Marika has experienced the IB through multiple lenses, from student to parent, as well as educator and is currently the IB’s chief examiner for MYP physical and health education, an IB MYP Programme Evaluation Leader, and a CIS and WASC Accreditation visiting team member. Marika's son is currently studying at University of Toronto, Canada and she lives in Berlin with her partner.

Dan Stiles joined BBIS in January 2015 to work in the Science Department. He studied Biochemistry in Manchester, and has a PGCE in secondary science education. Dan has held a number of positions at BBIS, including Teacher of Biology and Chemistry, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Coordinator and IB MYP Curriculum Coordinator. He is now the Deputy Secondary School Principal with a focus on student wellbeing, behaviour management, and student life. Dan values the importance of building relationships with students, parents and teachers, and will often be found out of his office talking to our students. He is married with a young daughter and dog, and they live in Berlin.

Beth Dressler brings a diverse perspective given her experiences working in independent and international school settings in Thailand, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Germany. For the last twenty years she has worked in International Baccalaureate schools and is a long standing IB Primary Years Programme workshop leader, consultant and visiting team leader. She holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Michigan State University, a Certificate of Educational Technology and Informational Literacy (COETAIL), and holds a certificate in international school leadership from the Principal’s Training Center. Beth is committed to international education in Germany and serves on the Board of AGIS (Association of German International Schools). She lives in Potsdam with her family.

Jonathan Matthews-Hirsch (BA Hons, PGCE, MSc) joined BBIS in 2009 and has a career in education spanning over 20 years with the last 10 dedicated to the area of student support and special educational needs. In that time, Jonathan has taught in a variety of educational establishments ranging from mainstream schooling to special education, from Kindergarten to university level, and in diverse locations including London, Prague, Manila, Brighton and Berlin. In addition to heading the Student Support Services, he serves as Learning Support Coordinator.

Steve Crossley joined BBIS in January 2021 as Head of Boarding, having previously worked in boarding schools in the UK, Austria and the United States. Steve is a level 3 boarding practitioner and holds the BSA Boarding Management diploma, in addition to a BA in politics and history from Salford University and a PgDip in pastoral care, guidance and pupil support from the University of Aberdeen. Steve is married with two daughters.