Founder and Owner
I am Anja Traub, founder and headteacher of AIS. I have a BA Hons degree in Music. I studied in Germany, but my chiildhood and schooling up until age 17 was in USA.
Professionally, I played for 18 years as a violinist in the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. After founding the school in 2012, I obtained a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) with merit from the Nottingham University.
I am the proud mother of 2 grown-up children and one grandchild. When I am not working in and around school, I enjoy playing chamber music with my husband, Yaron, and spending time with our pets and in nature.
Deputy Headteacher/Class Teacher Class 10/Subject Teacher for PE
I am José Benavente, deputy headteacher and PE teacher of AIS. I was born in Alicante, Spain, but lived most of my life in Benidorm. I studied Sport Science at the Universidad de Valencia and the Master of Education at the Universidad de Alicante. Life took me to Germany, where I lived for almost three years and where I got my first job as PE teacher at the Waldorfschule werra meissner in Eschwege. This job opened the doors of AIS to me and I came back to start working here in 2016, where I feel home and a strong feeling of belonging. Along with my studies and career, I played basketball for 25 years and I could tell that basketball was my life. I have three furry children, two cats and a dog, which I adore and love to spend time playing with them.
Exams Officer/Head Consultant
Primary Coordinator/Class Teacher Class 5
My name is Atali Bonilla, I am Spanish, but I have lived in the United States and in Germany. The world is very big and there is a lot to discover. I have a degree in Sociology from the Alicante, University , a postgraduate degree in Gender Equality, and a postgraduate degree in management of non-governmental organisations. I also have a degree in early childhood education and in Waldorf education. I have always been very interested in education and in the human being, and in Waldorf pedagogy (Steiner) I found the missing piece to my puzzle. I am the mother of two children who have attended Waldorf schools and have been educated in this pedagogy. I have seen them blossom into complete human beings. And I continue to see and experience this on a daily basis with my students. My adventure at AIS began four years ago, when the school management decided to start the primary stage. A path that we are following, betting on true childhood, seeing the child as a complete being. I started as a class 1 teacher and have been accompanying the same group. I am currently combining my work as a fourth class tutor with my second year as Primary coordinator,
Key Stage 5 Coordinator/Subject Teacher for Spanish
Christianne Setién Fernández is a graduate of the Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático de Murcia. She has acted in and directed plays and started teaching theatre classes to children, teenagers and adults. She has been part of the AIS International School community since 2015 as a mother. After completing a Master's Degree in Teacher Training she has been a teacher of Spanish Language and Literature and Spanish as a Second Language, since the 2016/2017 academic year. She has also been the KS3 coordinator for the last two years and Spanish coordinator. Passionate about literature, film and theatre, she tries to motivate and encourage students' interest in language, culture, history and current affairs, based on proximity, involvement and the development of students' critical thinking.
English Coordinator/Subject Teacher for English
I’m Simon, the English Coordinator and a teacher of English and history to secondary school students at AIS.
This is my third year living in the local Alfaz area and working at AIS with my wife Tessa, who is also a teacher. Before joining AIS, I spent four years teaching English in Castilla y Léon and I have also taught and held pastoral roles in schools in France, Malta, and the UK.
Professionally, I hold an undergraduate degree in Politics and History from the University of Sheffield, a postgraduate teaching certificate (PGCE) in Secondary History from the University of Nottingham, a postgraduate certificate in Teaching English for Academic Purposes from the University of Leicester, and the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) issued by Cambridge English Assessment.
I am not sporty anymore, but I have a keen love of the outdoors and I hope to continue exploring the local countryside and culture this year.
Key Stage 4 Coordinator/Class Teacher Class 8A/Subject Teacher for Science
Class Teacher Class 1
Hi, my name is Keeley Hunter. I am from Wigan, in the North West of England and have lived in this area of Spain for 25 years. I have a BA Hons degree in Early Years Development and a level 5 certificate in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). I started teaching 15 years ago and have worked in international schools here in Spain and an English Language Academy as head of primary studies. This is my second year at AIS and am currently teaching Class 3. I consider teaching as a vocation more than a job. I am the mother of two teenage children and my interests include walking, reading and continual professional development.
Class Teacher Class 2 / Subject Teacher for Music
I worked as a class teacher at a Steiner Waldorf School in the South of England for nearly 20 years and took two classes from Class 1 to Class 8. Each cycle was an incredible journey I feel very grateful and privileged to have shared with my pupils. I also taught various subject lessons to other classes and was involved with aspects of the running/management of the school.
I am from Germany originally and attended Waldorf Schools for most of my own education.
I have a degree in Music, a Masters in Education, a Diploma in Bothmer Movement, QTS and the Waldorf teacher training.
At the moment I am very much enjoying my new tasks as a mum, but am continuing with some part time teaching as well as my voluntary role as the Education Section Coordinator for the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain.
Class Teacher Class 3
I'm Jacqueline from Melbourne, Australia, with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Masters of Education (Primary). I have trained in Waldorf Education at the Michael Centre in Melbourne and Glenaeon Teacher Intensives, Sydney. My teaching background has been in Waldorf education and Special Education in Australia. I enjoy singing, nature walks, Qigong, painting and swimming. My family is Irish, and I love playing Celtic tunes on the harp.
Class Teacher Class 4
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Edwin Helder, I am a Steiner Waldorf Teacher and a very proud father of 4 children.
My main working life so far has been in the Dutch Forces and then as a Registered Osteopath in the UK and practised this, including Medical Acupuncture and Cranial Osteopathy for over 21 years after which I became a Steiner Teacher.
It fills me with great joy and pride to be part of the AIS community and cannot think of anything more relevant for these times than to be a Steiner Waldorf Teacher.
Primary Coordinator/Class Teacher Class 5
My name is Atali Bonilla, I am Spanish, but I have lived in the United States and in Germany. The world is very big and there is a lot to discover. I have a degree in Sociology from the Alicante, University , a postgraduate degree in Gender Equality, and a postgraduate degree in management of non-governmental organisations. I also have a degree in early childhood education and in Waldorf education. I have always been very interested in education and in the human being, and in Waldorf pedagogy (Steiner) I found the missing piece to my puzzle. I am the mother of two children who have attended Waldorf schools and have been educated in this pedagogy. I have seen them blossom into complete human beings. And I continue to see and experience this on a daily basis with my students. My adventure at AIS began four years ago, when the school management decided to start the primary stage. A path that we are following, betting on true childhood, seeing the child as a complete being. I started as a class 1 teacher and have been accompanying the same group.
Subject Teacher for Spanish, Art, Craft, Gardening
Subject Teacher for Spanish and Valenciano
My name is Flor Buffa Figueroa, and I have been teaching Spanish and Valencià at AIS since 2020.
I discovered my passion for teaching in 2004 when I arrived in Spain. Until then, I had studied Fine Arts, Scenography, Theatre, and Dance. When I settled here, I was offered the possibility to organise courses for children, and it was at that moment I discovered my true vocation.
I trained as an expert in Psychomotricity and worked for ten years as a teacher in this field. In the meantime, I was studying to become a teacher in Primary Education and Therapeutic Pedagogy. After graduating, I worked as a teacher in different public schools until I fell in love with this beautiful school."
Subject Teacher for Drama
I am Rachael and have a BA Hons degree in drama and the performing arts.
I previously had my own entertainments company for 20 years in Hong Kong where I worked as a dancer, choreographer, actress, entertainer, singer, songwriter, producer and director.
I have two sons, one of which I homeschooled for 6 years, now both at AIS. I love swimming,cycling, yoga , meditation, dancing and spending lots of time with my family.
Subject Teacher for Music
Subject Teacher for Spanish
Subject Teacher for Gardening
Primary Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant Primary
This is my third year at AIS.
I have been working in education for 20 years, with a BA in English Literature and Educational Studies, a PGCE for both Primary and Secondary, CELTA in English language teaching to adults, an MA in Special and Additional Learning Needs and I am also a qualified yoga instructor, neuro linguistic programming practitioner and have most recently completed a postgraduate course in Integrative Humanistic counselling.
Before moving to the beautiful region of Alicante I was based in Madrid where I worked teaching English as an Additional Language across all age ranges, from toddlers to adults, and later in International Schools as class teacher, learning support and SEND Coordinator. I am passionate about education and supporting learners to fulfil their potential in a rounded, holistic way.
Outside school I enjoy practising yoga, meditation and walking the Camino de Santiago, learning the guitar and ukulele, and going to the beach with my 8 year old and 10 year old children."
Class Teacher Class 6
Class Teacher Class 7A
Subject Teacher for Spanish
Class Teacher Class 7B
Subject Teacher for PE
Class Teacher Class 8A
Key Stage 4 Coordinator
Subject Teacher for Sciences
Class Teacher Class 8B
Subject Teacher for Maths
Hi, my name is Rafael Martins Aguilar. I am from Brazil and I teach Maths to secondary pupils at AIS. I love puzzles, problem solving and I play chess. Iam a futher of two beautifull children Manuella which is 3 years old and Leonardo which is 1 year and a half.
I am part of a Capoeira group Oria Zambi em Alfas de pi and give also Capoeira lessons to young children. I also teach Travel and tourism to A level students.
I love travelling getting to know new people and diferent cultures. On my spare time I enjoy spending quality time with friends an family and playing sports such as football and Capoeira.
Class Teacher Class 9A
Hello! My name is Melissa Malyon I am from South Africa, but I am Native German, I have a Bachelor of Arts (Health Sciences and Social Services) with a mayor in Psychological Counselling with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a TEFL level 5.
At AIS I am the class 9A tutor and teach PSHE, History and Geography to various classes.
I enjoy building relationships with my students and in my free time I love spending time with my husband and daughter.
Class Teacher Class 9B
Subject Teacher for Science
Deputy Headteacher
Class Teacher Class 10
Subject Teacher for PE
I am José Benavente, deputy headteacher and PE teacher of AIS. I was born in Alicante, Spain, but lived most of my life in Benidorm. I studied Sport Science at the Universidad de Valencia and the Master of Education at the Universidad de Alicante. Life took me to Germany, where I lived for almost three years and where I got my first job as PE teacher at the Waldorfschule werra meissner in Eschwege. This job opened the doors of AIS to me and I came back to start working here in 2016, where I feel home and a strong feeling of belonging. Along with my studies and career, I played basketball for 25 years and I could tell that basketball was my life. I have three furry children, two cats and a dog, which I adore and love to spend time playing with them.
Subject Teacher for Drama
I am Rachael and have a BA Hons degree in drama and the performing arts.
I previously had my own entertainments company for 20 years in Hong Kong where I worked as a dancer, choreographer, actress, entertainer, singer, songwriter, producer and director.
I have two sons, one of which I homeschooled for 6 years, now both at AIS. I love swimming,cycling, yoga , meditation, dancing and spending lots of time with my family.
Class Tutor Class 11 / Subject Teacher for Arts
Coordinadora Key Stage 5
Subject Teacher for Spanish
Subject Teacher for German, Gardening
I am Susanna from Germany and have lived in Spain for twenty years, where I worked as a teacher of German as a foreign language in different schools and transnational projects.
I love to be in nature and therefore I work with the children in the school garden where there is always something to discover and above all a lot to do. I also spend most of my free time outdoors. I enjoy rowing, swimming and hiking.
English Coordinator/Subject Teacher for English
I’m Simon, the English Coordinator and a teacher of English and history to secondary school students at AIS.
This is my third year living in the local Alfaz area and working at AIS with my wife Tessa, who is also a teacher. Before joining AIS, I spent four years teaching English in Castilla y Léon and I have also taught and held pastoral roles in schools in France, Malta, and the UK.
Professionally, I hold an undergraduate degree in Politics and History from the University of Sheffield, a postgraduate teaching certificate (PGCE) in Secondary History from the University of Nottingham, a postgraduate certificate in Teaching English for Academic Purposes from the University of Leicester, and the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) issued by Cambridge English Assessment.
I am not sporty anymore, but I have a keen love of the outdoors and I hope to continue exploring the local countryside and culture this year.
Subject Teacher for ICT/Computer Science
Hi, I am Jade Juanita Ward, the new Computer Science and Information Technology teacher here at AIS. I have 25 years experience teaching these subjects, along with digital media and business studies, and have a real passion for teaching and love working with teenagers.
I was educated in the USA and UK, where I have spent most of my adult life. I have recently moved to Altea and feel really privileged to be able to live and work in such a beautiful place. I love the peaceful feel of this school, and am looking forward to learning more about the local culture.
Subject Teacher for Business
Subject Teacher for English
Subject Teacher for Maths
Coordinator Arts Department
Subject Teacher for Fine Arts
Headteacher
Subject Teacher for Music
Subject Teacher for Maths
I am Mark Cullen from the UK. I am a qualified teacher and I have been teaching for 27 years. My degree is in applied mathematics and computing science. Before becoming a teacher, I spent 10 years in the chemical industry.
Subject Teacher for Valenciano
I am Eugenia, a teacher of Valencian, and also a biologist. I am particularly interested in environmental protection and sustainable consumption.
I consider myself a dynamic and hard-working person. I love nature, dancing, music
Soy Eugenia, profesora de Valenciano, también soy bióloga. Me interesan especialmente la protección del medio ambiente y el consumo sostenible.
Me considero una persona dinámica y trabajadora. Me encantan la naturaleza, el baile, la música y la lectura.
Subject Teacher for Psychology
Cami de l'Ermita 12
Alfaz del Pi 03580
Cautivador 18
La Nucia 03530
General Email email: info@altea-international-school.es
Admissions Email email: admissions@altea-international-school.es