Meet the team
Dear prospective families,
What is the purpose of your child’s learning journey in the early years? Consider their current lived reality: Do they need to be stuck inside four walls for seven or more hours a day, every day?
We founded Hypha because we reject outdated learning paradigms. We start by giving childhood back to our learners by immersing them in nature and providing the best education based on the latest cognitive science. Our aim is for them to grow to be critical thinkers who ask relevant and compelling questions with empathy. What is the purpose of doing this? Does this align with my values and my needs? What impact does this or my actions have in the world? And we aim for our learners to become creative problem solvers so that one day they can address their compelling questions with confidence.
We hope you join us on this journey. We are looking forward to meeting you and creating a beautiful community together.
With a smile,
Jennifer
Management
Executive Director
Meet Jennifer Nava
As Founder and General Manager of the Hypha, Jennifer brings 10+ years of experience as an engineer working in highly complex mega projects all over the world. Having led cross-functional teams integrating multiple viewpoints to solve intricate problems, she sees a future where a robust academic foundation, innovation, and 21st century competencies are essential.
Spending more time in Nature and living more in line with her values is what brought Jennifer and her family to Portugal. As a child, she spent long days climbing trees and wandering the countryside with her brother, connecting her with the Nature that surrounds us. She believes that all children should have the opportunity to bask in the wonders of the natural world on a regular basis and is passionate about making quality, nature-based holistic education available to children.
Jennifer is a mother of two and strongly believes in the power of blending a holistic approach with evidence-based educational practices, in a natural environment.
Show more +School Principal
Meet Patricia King
Patricia is an accomplished educational leader with over 30 years of experience guiding schools to achieve academic excellence and holistic student development. With a proven track record of managing school operations, curriculum development, and staff performance, she ensures every student thrives in a supportive environment.
Fluent in English and French, and proficient in Spanish, Patricia has led schools to secure international accreditations, implemented robust school development plans and championed collaborative teams.
Patricia holds a Master’s degree in French and Theory of Literature from UCL London. She is a qualified IB PYP Coordinator and an experienced Headteacher, both in the UK and internationally, holding the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) for all-through schools
Show more +Educators & OPERATIONAL staff
Hypha International School ensures a world-class education by hiring excellent and experienced educators, providing them with high-quality training, and by having high expectations from all of our students. Our innovative approach ensures structure, continuity, and personalized learning tailored to each child.
Pre-Primary
Meet Sarah Lippert: Teacher
Sarah brings international experience to the classroom, having worked with children in Portugal, Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain, and Canada. She holds a Master of Global and International Education and a BA in Childhood Studies.
Sarah is also trained in gentle caregiving with a focus on supporting emotional, social, and language development through creativity, nature, and play.
Sarah is fluent in English, Italian, Portuguese, and German (her background is Portuguese and German) and is highly passionate about environmental education. This is her second academic year at Hypha, where parents value her warmth, adaptability, and deep commitment to fostering curiosity, confidence, and joy in every child she works with.
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Meet Carolina Silva: Teacher Assistant
Carolina is a native Portuguese educator, fluent in English, with a degree in Educational Sciences from the University of Lisbon. She has worked as an education assistant at Kairos Montessori School, where she supported children in their learning, guided daily routines, and created activities that fostered growth, independence, and curiosity.
Carolina also has professional experience in customer service, which has strengthened her skills and ability to connect warmly with people. She is dedicated to ensuring a safe, caring, and engaging environment where every child can thrive.
Show more +primary
Meet Rosanna Morley: Teacher
Rosanna Morley is an experienced and passionate early years educator, recently relocated to Lisbon from the UK. She has taught up to Year 2 (first grade), bringing four years of experience in British and international schools. Rosanna specializes in child-centered, play-based learning and project-based approaches, creating stimulating classrooms where children are inspired to explore, discover, and thrive.
She is skilled in supporting children with diverse learning needs, including students with learning differences, and is committed to fostering positive relationships with both children and parents.
Rosanna’s holistic and nurturing approach ensures that every child feels safe, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential. Outside the classroom, she enjoys yoga, mindfulness, nature, hiking, and exploring different cultures.
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Meet Matteo Degregori: Teacher Assistant
Matteo Degregori is a multilingual educator with a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Freshwater Biology and experience as a teaching assistant at St. George’s International School in Luxembourg. He has supported children across primary grades, providing both individual and small-group guidance, and is passionate about creating calm, supportive learning environments.
Fluent in English, Italian, and French, Matteo brings adaptability and a global outlook to the classroom. He has a love of the outdoors and a spirit of exploration evident by his recent 2,500 km self-supported cycling journey through Patagonia.
Matteo brings a caring presence with an ability to connect with children of different backgrounds, and his enthusiasm for helping young learners build both confidence and a sense of wonder.
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Meet Molly Schuster: Teacher
Molly Schuster is an experienced primary educator with a passion for creating joyful, hands-on learning experiences. She holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and a teaching credential from the United States, and has taught in both California and Spain. Molly has been a head teacher for multiple grade levels, including Year 2 and 3, and is skilled at differentiating instruction to support students of all abilities and backgrounds.
She brings expertise in project-based learning, social-emotional development, and literacy instruction, and she loves weaving real-world experiences, such as environmental projects and gardening, into the classroom.
Outside of academics, Molly’s background as a collegiate soccer player and coach shines through in her enthusiasm for teamwork, outdoor learning, and play.
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Meet Sofia Andrade: Teacher Assistant
Sofia brings a caring and creative spirit to her work with young learners. She has experience supporting children from nursery through secondary school, most recently as a Young Learners Assistant at the British Council and as a Teaching Assistant at Horizonte Sagrada Família. In these roles, she guided students’ daily routines, created engaging educational activities, and provided individualized support to help children thrive.
She holds an Educational Assistant Diploma, along with additional training in English and child-centered learning approaches. Her background also includes experience in creative fields like fashion design, which she enjoys bringing into playful and artistic activities with children.
Since joining Hypha last academic year, she has quickly become a valued part of our team.
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Meet Jill Smithey: Teacher
With over two decades of teaching experience across the United States and internationally, Jill brings both expertise and warmth to the classroom. She has taught in California, Singapore, and Indonesia, working with students from Kindergarten through Grade 4, and has also served in leadership roles such as Learning Support Coordinator and Director of Admissions.
She holds a Master Degree of Education from Pepperdine University and is deeply committed to personalized, inquiry-based learning. Her professional training includes Responsive Classroom, social-emotional learning, structured word inquiry, and literacy instruction through the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.
Passionate about supporting diverse learners, Jill is known for creating safe, nurturing classrooms where every child feels seen and engaged. She has also been actively involved in global education initiatives, from organizing read-a-thons to supporting literacy programs in Africa.
Jill brings a strong balance of academics with a caring, growth-minded approach that helps children flourish both as learners and as individuals.
Show more +Portuguese Teacher
Meet Amarilia Solene Cabacos
Amarília Solene Cabacos is a native Portuguese educator and multilingual language specialist, fluent in English, French, and Portuguese. With over two decades of international experience, she has taught children and adults across Portugal and Angola, from early years to higher education, including courses in English, French, Portuguese, and specialized English for Law and International Relations. She has also led mindfulness clubs, public speaking projects, and reading initiatives, fostering both academic and personal growth in her students.
Most recently, Amarília worked at Escola Internacional de Torres Vedras, where she taught English and Portuguese, supported international pupils, and continued to develop her holistic, project-based approach to learning. In addition to her classroom experience, she has worked as a translator, editor, and instructional designer for corporate, medical, legal, and literary projects.
Beyond her subject expertise, Amarília places great importance on values such as respect, empathy, and responsibility. She not only nurtures academic achievement but also supports her students’ personal growth and wellbeing.
Show more +Physical Education
Meet Afonso Faria de Sousa
Afonso Faria de Sousa is a native Portuguese karate teacher who has been trained by Hypha in Montessori Sports. He has also been teaching karate to children up to 13 years of age for the past three years, gaining valuable experience in working with diverse students, planning physical activities, and fostering self-discipline and confidence through martial arts.
In addition to his martial arts experience, Afonso brings creativity and energy from his background in art and illustration, making his approach to physical education engaging and dynamic.
Music
Meet Joana Magalhães
Joana Magalhães is a native Portuguese music teacher with extensive experience teaching children from infancy to 12 years old. She began her musical studies at the Conservatório de Música de Sintra, where she completed her early music training before pursuing a degree in education. Joana holds a Master of Music Therapy and a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, which allow her to work with children across a variety of contexts.
Her career as a music teacher, which began in 2010, stems from a lifelong passion for both music and education. She is also the founder of LalaBabies, offering music classes and family music sessions, and has taught at multiple schools and conservatories, inspiring young learners through singing, instruments, and creative musical exploration.
Joana joined Hypha last academic year and brings a heartfelt dedication to nurturing children’s musical development and confidence.
Show more +Art
Meet Inês Mota de Barros
Inês Mota de Barros is a native Portuguese art teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching children through creative and hands-on artistic projects. She holds a Master of Communication Design and Art Education from Lisbon University and has trained in various artistic and holistic disciplines, including Qi Gong, macrobiotics, and silkscreen printing.
Growing up her mother directed the first Montessori school in Lisbon and it sparked her love for education ever since. As a teacher, she has taught at Montessori schools and public schools, led workshops, and participated in international art projects and exhibitions, inspiring students to explore their creativity and develop their artistic expression.
Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the therapeutic aspect of Art as a preferred way for the child to learn how to regulate internally and express their emotions. She works with a wide range of techniques and materials, having Nature, outdoor life, and the seasons at the core. This is her second year at Hypha, where she continues to inspire and support children in their creative and emotional development.
Show more +Forest School
Meet Carolina Michaelis de Vasconcelos (Cá)
Cá has a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Forest School facilitator training. She is passionate about fostering a sense of community and caring deeply for Mother Nature and all her human and non-human inhabitants. Cá believes that the natural environment offers limitless opportunities for exploration, both inward and outward, where body, mind, and spirit can unite to realize their fullest potential.
Since joining Hypha last academic year, Cá has inspired our children to thrive through nature-based discovery, guiding them to connect deeply with the world around them while developing curiosity, confidence, and respect for the environment.
COME EXPERIENCE
OUR UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL MODEL
Ages 3 through primary.