Our team

Joy Otto - Director
I am the director of the Winford Bilingual Primary School Program. I earned my undergraduate degrees in Primary School Education and Special Education (k-18). I have completed post graduate work in Montessori education, Orton-Gillingham Language Speech/Language Therapy, Montessori Teacher Training, Brain Gym Kinesiology and I am a certified PADI divemaster. I have over 22 years of classroom experience as a teacher, therapist and education specialist. I was working at the Smithsonian Institution as the lead docent educator for divergent learners and Primary schools when I realized that I loved the Dutch culture and environment. So, I decided to move to the Netherlands to work and live. When I am not working or walking on the beach, you can find me cycling on my Dutch fiets (bike) or scuba diving anywhere where the water is clear, and the sun is shining.

Milrose Voorhorst
Panda Teacher

I am the English teacher for the Panda class. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I have always wanted to teach minds, touch hearts and transform lives. I graduated with Bachelor in Elementary Education majoring in English at the University of St. La Salle, Philippines. Teaching and working with children is my passion. I have over 9 years of working experience as a teacher working with primary aged school children and international students of differing age levels. I have taught Language, Reading, Mathematics, and MAPE (Music, Arts and Physical Education). I also worked for two years as a co-curricular coordinator where I handled all the activities/lessons of the lower grade students. Currently, I am the English teacher in the Panda classroom. I really enjoy the environment and children of the Winford Bilingual Primary School community. I love coming to work each day.

William Van Hoof
Panda Teacher

I am the Dutch teacher for the Panda classroom. I studied Art History in Amsterdam after finishing my teacher training in Breda. I lived and worked for several years in London and Brussels and gained valuable teaching experience while working at the Educational Department of the British Museum. After working for commercial companies for a couple of years, I started working as a substitute here in The Netherlands. This reignited my passion for teaching and I have found the right place for me at Winford Bilingual Primary School.

Alesi Rooster
Zebra Teacher

I am the English teacher in the Zebra class. I grew up in Essex, England and moved to The Netherlands to be with my Dutch partner. I have a Bachelor's degree in Education and Childhood studies. During my degree, I worked at a local primary school in a number of classes, including special educational needs support classes. I have worked with a range of ages and enjoyed putting my knowledge into practice. I am extremely passionate about working with children and have developed my own knowledge in order to support their development best. Following my degree, I completed a TESOL qualification, in order to teach and understand how children and adults learn English as a foreign language. I enjoy working with children and ensuring they have a safe, stimulating, and creative learning setting in order to support their growth and development. I am excited to be a part of a great learning environment for children and to be part of the great teaching team at WBPS. In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming, and spending quality time with my family and friends.

Maud Arens
Zebra Teacher

I am a Dutch teacher at Winford Bilingual Primary School. I have been living in Amsterdam for over 20 years and I love the international atmosphere of this city. I am happy that I can work with such a diverse and international group of students, parents, and colleagues at this beautiful location. I first completed a Masters in Film and Television Studies at the University of Amsterdam. After, I received my Pabo diploma at the HvA. I have been working as a Primary School teacher for over 10 years and I have a great affinity with Montessori education. In addition to teaching here, I am a self-employed teacher and I have my own company as a Certified Professional Organizer. Winford Bilingual makes it possible to combine my two favourite activities: working with children and organizing. In my free time I like to run, travel, and enjoy Amsterdam with friends and family.

Nancy de Rooij
Zebra Teacher

I am the Dutch teacher in the Zebra class. I grew up in Almere and have lived in Purmerend for 8 years. From an early age, my dream was to work with children. I find nothing more beautiful than helping with their development and seeing them grow in the classroom. I worked in childcare for a while but wanted more of a challenge and I started the PABO course. Before Winford, I worked in special education for 9 years and completed the study "Draw your Conversation" and "Autism Friendly Coach". This has given me even more tools when I teach. In 2019, I worked for Winford on Speerstraat, and for the 2020-2021 school year, I joined the Winford Bilingual Primary School team at Jan Luijkenstraat! The atmosphere, the children, and the team really appealed to me and I really feel at home here.

Elzemieke Rijnders
Giraffe Teacher

I am the Dutch teacher in the Giraffe class. I grew up and went to school in the Netherlands (in the village of Bilthoven). For university, I finished my PABO degree and then my Masters of ‘Special Education and Needs’ (remedial teaching) in Utrecht. I believe in helping students individually by giving them a lot of positive support in a comfortable atmosphere but with challenges around them too. My goal is for my students to love learning and to feel happy but confident during lessons. This can be done through structured and consistent daily work with built in opportunities for discovery and creativity. In my free time, I like to play tennis and hope to set a new long distance running goal. I am very excited to be part of the WBPS teaching team.

Priscilla Ho
Giraffe Teacher

I am the English teacher for the Giraffe class. I completed my Diploma of Children’s Services and Bachelor of Education (birth to 12 years) in Sydney, Australia. Upon graduation, I moved to London and spent 2 years teaching in a variety of independent and state schools. I decided to move to Amsterdam so that I can expand my career in an international school setting. I have always been inspired by the Montessori approach to education and I am very pleased to work at a school that is based on Montessori philosophy. During my free time, I am either reading my kindle (unfortunately, luggage limitations don’t allow me to buy books anymore) or planning my next trip to experience different cultures and cuisines.

Sasja Delahay
Eagle Teacher

I am the new Dutch teacher for the Eagle Class. I was born and raised in the same street as the school (Jan Luijkenstraat), so it feels like coming home, being able to work at this school. After high school, I studied at a French University in Montpellier and graduated from the Amsterdam University in History of Art. After working for a while in that field, I started my own catering company, Peperwortel, at the Overtoom. Twenty years of business owning made me take a sabbatical to travel and broaden my views, then I decided that I wanted to do something that really mattered. For me that meant working with children. I did the fast-lane teacher education and worked with great fulfillment at several schools. Winford Bilingual combines aspects that I can really relate to: international orientated, excellent education, a small close knitted community where the development of children in a safe and challenging surrounding is key.

Lucy Malloch
Eagle Teacher

I am the English teacher for the Eagle class. I moved to Amsterdam in early July 2019 to join my partner who moved here in February. Before moving to Amsterdam, I was teaching Spanish in Boston, Massachusetts in the US. While teaching the last two years, I was also studying for my Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum. I am really interested in language acquisition and how students best acquire and learn languages. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors - training for marathons and playing tennis mostly! I also love to travel and learn about different cultures and places.

Anna Mullis
Cook

I am originally from the north of England but have now lived in the Netherlands for nearly 15 years. I am the mother of two grown-up children and live with my husband, in the lovely village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. Cooking has been a life-long passion of mine, particularly baking, and I currently run my
own small business making custom cakes. I have several years of experience working in catering in the UK, including running a vegetarian cafe. I am very excited to be joining the staff at Winford
and looking forward to providing the children with delicious, healthy food!

Jenni Iyoyo
Marketing and Admissions Manager

I have worked for 23 years in international schools taking care of admissions, public relations and marketing. I love working in a school environment and connecting with new people. I am delighted to join Winford Bilingual on their exciting journey. In my spare time I go to yoga and circuit training classes, volunteer in two committees, and sing in a gospel choir.

I look forward to seeing you at Winford Bilingual.