Sixth Grade

Ana Helena Vannier, Portuguese 6, Portuguese for Foreigners Beginning and Intermediate Levels, 6th Grade Team Advisor

Ana Helena Vannier was born in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For most of her life she lived in Brazil, but spent one semester in Providence studying at Brown University. The years that she lived in Brazil, she studied at UFRJ and PUC-Rio. She has a postgraduate and a master’s degree. Before coming to Escola Americana she was teaching Portuguese for Foreigners at PUC-Rio. She spent 1 year at EARJ as a substitute teacher and now is a full-time Portuguese teacher.

She has a passion for literature, and that is why she is a Portuguese teacher. Ms. Ana really wants parents and students to know that she works for a balance between fun and responsibility. That means that students can have fun in her classes, but they need to be responsible for their work. She really wants students to give their best in her subject, so she has high expectations for them.

Ms. Ana likes to go to the movies, read books, travel to know new places, and get to know people. She is very happy about her job and she wants parents and students to know that she is here for whatever they need.

Written by Ricardo Buffara and Carol Drummond

E-mail Ms. Ana Helena

Scott McMullan, Science 6 and Communication Arts

Mr. Scott was born in Winnipeg (Canada), and has lived in Brazil since 2003. He went to college at the University of Manitoba, where he received two degrees; one in Physical Education (P.E.), and the other in Education (Science). He says that his educational years were a great opportunity for him to acquire lifelong skills. Before moving to Brazil he was a high school teacher in Canada.

This is his 3rd year teaching at EARJ, and he currently teaches science and communication arts for the 6th grade. He enjoys teaching in the middle school because it allows him a chance to interact with curious students. He encourages students to be responsible learners, and to actively participate in class. Parents and students should know that Mr. Scott’s classes are lots of fun, and his activities try to relate to every day life.

Mr. Scott is an active person and enjoys all sports, especially volleyball and basketball. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, reading books, travelling, and finishing odd jobs around the house.

An interesting thing about him is that he owned a travel company in Rio that worked closely with the Canadian Olympic Committee during the PAN AM Games in 2007.

Written by J.P. Cavalcanti and Maria Daniella Rodrigues

Revised by Scott McMullan
E-mail Mr. Scott

Paula Lenz-Cesar, Math 6 & Honors Math 6

Ms. Paula Lenz Cesar is the 6th grade mathematics teacher at EARJ. She was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, but has lived abroad for three years in places like Boston and Zurich. Ms. Paula earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, her math degree from Santa Úrsula University, and her master’s degree from Boston University. In Boston she worked as a middle school math teacher for one year and participated in a government funded project for gifted and talented students. When she returned to Rio, she taught at both public and private middle and high schools as well as in a University.

This is Ms. Paula’s fifth year teaching at EARJ. Ms. Paula chose math as a subject area because she loves problem solving and logical reasoning. What parents and students should know about her class is that students will be encouraged to think, solve problems, and justify their solutions.

Ms. Paula’s hobbies are watching movies, swimming, cooking and spending time with her husband and three sons. Ms. Paula enjoys teaching and would like you to know that if at anytime you want to share something with her about your child’s performance or make any comments, she will always be glad to listen and help.

Written by Daniel Hernandez

Revised by Paula Lenz–Cesar

E-mail Ms. Paula

Priscila Mancuso, Social Studies 6 and Brazilian Social Studies 7

Ms. Priscila is the 6th grade social studies teacher and the 7th grade Brazilian Social studies teacher as well. She was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and she has lived here all her life. After she finished high school, Ms. Priscila went to a university called PUC, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, where she earned her History bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate. Recently, Ms. Priscila has received her master’s degree in Overseas Education from Framingham State College. Before coming to EARJ, she used to work as a research project assistant in different institutions.

Ms. Priscila’s role is to teach social studies here at EARJ. This is her fourth year teaching social studies to the 6th graders. She used to teach 7th grade social studies for three years, this is her 7th year at school. In her class, students will work hard, have a lot of projects, and at the end of the year the students will have learned a lot. Ms. Priscila also participates in the Bulling Prevention Committee and the REACH Committee, the community service program here at EARJ.

Ms. Priscila’s interests and hobbies are running on the beach, listening to music, playing the piano and definitely hanging out with her friends. She would like you to know that she loves teaching and that she has learned a lot from all her students.

Written by Sigrid Østmo da Costa

E-mail Ms. Priscila

Mark Suderman, English 6 and Americas 7

My name is Mark Sunderman. This year I am teaching 6th-grade English and 7th-grade Social Studies.

I grew up in a small town in Upstate New York and attended Syracuse University where I received a dual Bachelor's degree in History and Television, Radio, and Film. I worked for a time as a writer and editor for a small newspaper chain before moving to Colorado with my future wife, Amanda, who is also teaching at EARJ. Within a year of moving, we were married, and I had decided to pursue a Master's degree in Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

I taught English, World History, and American History in a public school in Colorado before accepting a position at EARJ. My interests range widely, but include traveling, reading, writing, film, hiking, rock climbing, photography, and hopefully soon, scuba diving.

Written by Mark Sunderman

E-mail Mr. Sunderman

September, 2008

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