Our Leadership
Rebecca Juras has led VIS through two renovation projects, authorization as an IB World School, Cambridge Interantional centre approval, and accreditation by the Council of International Schools. During her tenure at VIS, the student body grew from 25 to almost 500 students and the staff from 8 to almost 90. Dr. Asta Balkutė returned to Lithuania after 10 years at Purdue University in Indiana where she completed a Ph.D in Social Studies Education. While at Purdue University she actively worked with pre-service teachers. Before joining VIS she served as a chair for the youth services and affairs at Vilnius City Administration. Her broad experience includes promoting youth empowerment through student-led civics projects, developing teacher competencies and leading international research projects. She has a passion for children’s literature, especially picture books which inspire her to view the world through the eyes of a young learner.
"Dee Jennings has taught Cambridge AS/A Level Physics and served for many years as the MYP Coordinator at VIS. This year Dee has assumed the role of the Cambridge International Exams Coordinator, where she will administer and organise the exam sessions for grade 11 and 12. Dee will also continue as an MYP sciences and MYP design teacher. Before coming to VIS, Dee worked in international schools in Tanzania and Kuwait."Meet our Primary School Principal/ PYP Coordinator - Jemma Thomas
Jemma Thomas has served as a classroom teacher, grade leader, instructional coach, subject coordinator and Assistant Principal in schools in Sydney, Australia and Inclusion Coordinator at VIS. Jemma holds a Master’s degree in Primary Education. She is passionate about finding new and innovative ways to engage students in the inquiry process and is committed to promoting teacher collaboration. Jemma serves as the PYP Coordinator and Primary School Principal at VIS.
Meet our Student Support Coordinator - Ryan Garrigan
Ryan began his teaching career as a Special Education teacher in New York City, where he worked for two years before moving to Saudi Arabia to continue his work in the same field. Ryan came to Vilnius in 2018 and has been a homeroom teacher for grade 4 and Grade 5. He holds a Master’s degree in Childhood and Childhood Special Education from Pace University in New York. Throughout his career, Ryan has been dedicated to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of his students.
The MYP (Middle Years Programme) Coordinator serves as a member of the pedagogical leadership team. Responsible for the effective implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme, the coordinator collaborates with our teaching staff to ensure curriculum delivery, facilitate teacher professional development, and maintain program standards. This role encompasses overseeing assessments, monitoring student advancement, and cultivating and nurturing an educational environment aligned with the IB philosophy.
Meet our MYP Coordinator - Thibault De Smet
Thibault has been teaching MYP Sciences, Design, and Mathematics as well as Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics here at Vilnius International School. He believes that building strong and meaningful connections with students is the key to a successful learning environment and always tries to instill a sense of wonder in his students. Thibault hails from a small town in Belgium and has been living in Vilnius since September 2016.
Contacts
Vilnius International School / VšĮ Vilniaus tarptautinė mokyklaAddress: Rusų g. 3, LT-01125 Vilnius, Lithuania
Telephone: +370 5 276 1564
Mobile: +370 698 83 918
E-mail: info@vischool.lt
