From left to right, back to front... Alec's hat and nose, Kristin, Amy, Heather, Dan, Michelle, Scott's elbow, Megan, and Lisa.

Alec's the Principal. Very nice guy. Violinist. Co-teachers the 6th grade music appreciation course with me (it's probably more appropriate to say that I co-teach it with him).

Kristin's the Canadian. 2nd grade. New to NJIS. Likes to go partying downtown on the weekends. Taught in Laos for a year or so. 20-something.

Amy's from Georgia. Also new to NJIS. Also 20-something. Teaches upper school (6th-10th grade) English. Also seems to enjoy a night on the town.

Heather's married to Mike (who somehow managed to escape all of these pictures). They're both from South Africa. Both new to NJIS; this their first international teaching gig. Heather's a kindergarten teacher, Mike's upper school English. Mike used to teach at a University in SA, but not now. Both very nice people.

Dan's a riot. He was born in Irian Jaya (very far east Indonesia) and lived there for several years. He's got these beads which he wears any time we go out. From any more than about 2 feet away they look like they're plastic, but in "reality" (or so the sales person said) they're African trading beads. Ask him about it some time, it's bound to take at least 45 minutes for the whole story. He's definitely the most eccentric of the faculty. His mind goes about a mile a second and his voice does too once You get him started. Wonderfully funny. Teaches ESL. Dan's new to NJIS too.

Michelle's another new teacher and recent college graduate. She went to some small music school south of Rochester (Houghten?). She's teaching elementary music, so when she goes out of town I'm the one who gets to sub for her. Yea!!

Scott's elbow usually end up jabbing me in the ribs during basketball on Fridays. After our beer-catered faculty meetings a game usually starts up, and, being as "friendly" as we are, fouls usually start flying a bit more easily than they do when we play on the alcohol-free Tuesdays.

Megan's another new NJIS person. She's from Australia. Also in her 20s. Teaches 1st grade. Cool person all around. She plays Tuesday night basketball and she's got a great jump shot.

Lisa's cool. She's a veteran kindergarten teacher here (this is year 2). She's 20-something too and is married to the guy named Scott.

Amy, Michelle, Scott, Dan, and Lisa.

You've already heard about his elbow. Scott teaches upper school Social Studies and does some soccer coaching. For some weird reason I have yet to identify, he reminds me a lot of (in a good way) Chris (my brother). Scott's a very good guy. Also in his 20s.

Heather, Michaela (short one, Heather's daughter), Christine, Anna, Megan, Luke "The Terror of NJIS", and Shelly.

Michaela's Heather and Mike's daughter. Very cute 2nd grader. Very well behaved too.

Christine's the elementary computer teacher. Somehow she manages to not go crazy with all those kids and computers. Very impressive. Mid 20s. Married to Fritz (who managed to avoid these pictures too). She and Fritz were at TASIS in Athens last year. From California originally. She loves her glue gun and is a fun person to be around (but then again, who with a glue gun isn't!!).

Anna's in administration. She's German, but has lived here for just about ever and is married to an Indonesian. Doesn't hang out with the faculty too much.

Luke's Satan in disguise. No, wait. There's no disguise. He's 2. 'nuff said? I won't even start to talk about his drooling. He's another of Mike and Heather's.

Shelly's Christian. Nice person. Sings, teaches math, and does other stuff too.

Paige, Sarah, Jo, Kristina, Joan, Dave. (Mr. Bojowani is wearing blue behind Dave, he's a student's parent and he lives down the block)

Paige's cool. Early 30s. 1st grade. Taught in Bulgaria for 4 years-- New to NJIS. She's together with grade 2 teacher Erik, who's also awesome, and also not in any of these pictures. I think he and Fritz were playing soccer with the staff. (Fritz was a professional soccer player back in the states and Erik's just an amazing athlete.)

Sarah's yet another one of the awesome people. This is Sarah D, as opposed to Sarah M who teaches PE. Both Sarah's are new to NJIS. Sarah D's an upper school ESL teacher from Australia. Taught in Japan for a year. Also in her 20s. She's also been a fan of the downtown life.

Jo's running near the top of the awesome list as well. She's married to Craig (who isn't here either. Think it's a coincidence that all the married men were not present? Perhaps downing a few beers down at the bars?) Jo and Craig are Kiwis. Jo teaches 5th grade and Craig teaches upper school science. Both are awesome, and both give me beer when I show up at their apartment late at night. (Which do You think came first? The beer or the awesomeocity?) They both were here last year too, and will hopefully be here next. (if I am)

Joan's very cool. Just finished teaching science in Casablanca for 10 years. She and I are kind of co-teaching/coordinating the yearbook thing although she does a lot more with it than I do. Her significant other (but not husband), Peter, also teaches US (upper school) science. He's a Kiwi, and drinks A LOT of beer. And people say the Irish are bad. ;)

Dave's another one on the awesome list. He's in his mid 30s, new to NJIS, and is pretty new to this whole teaching thing. His only other post was in Bulgaria, and he's contemplating whether he likes this whole education thing or not. We have a lot in common. Upper school social studies. Very funny and witty and sarcastic and enjoys a beer or two too. Lives right next door to me (with Dan).

Sarah, Jo, Michael, Joan.

Michael's the Headmaster. Very nice guy. Likes his beer. He's one of the people who actually founded NJIS. He'll always stop and have a drink with us if we're at the outdoor restaurant near the mall. As a headmaster he seems to be great; very open and receptive. Cool guy all around.

Not present or mentioned but still very noteworthy are Alison, Sarah M., Ruth, Brian, Melinda, Doug, and Bill & Ruth Anne. More on them as the pictures come in.