Theresa Eno, Director

Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: 18 years
Teaching Experience: 15+ years
Degree: MA, Education
Theresa Eno is one of the founders of TLC International School (TLC). Previous to opening TLC, Ms. Eno worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nouadhibou, Mauritania for two years. Following her work in Peace Corps she worked for five years as an International Trade Analyst for the International Executives Service Corps based out of Washington, D.C. Since opening TLC in September of 2006, Ms. Eno has worked as a classroom teacher for kindergarten and second grade during five school years as well as being the Assistant/Co-Director for eight years, a High School instructor, and Director for seven years. Ms. Eno has a BA in Economics and International Business and an MA in Education with a special focus on Curriculum Development.

Nick Porras Assistant Director

Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: Seventh year
Teaching Experience: 10 years
Degree: MA Education
Nick is originally from Southern California in the United States. Prior to teaching, Mr. Porras served as a Peace Corps volunteer for three years in The Gambia. Aside from living and working in Mauritania, Mr. Porras has also taught in Louisiana and the Dominican Republic.  Mr. Porras is excited about joining the administration at TLC and is looking forward to another year of continued learning and growth.

Patricia Etim, Preschool Teacher

Country of Origin: Nigeria
Years at TLC: 12 years
Teaching Experience: 14+ years
Degree: BA, Business Administration and Management
Ms. Pat is from Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. She studied Business Administration and Management in western Nigeria. She taught in a nursery school in Nigeria from 1995-1997. She also taught Business Studies, Home Economics, Drama/Theater and Sewing to Middle and High School students in eastern Nigeria during her National Youth Service Corps 2003-2004 and on her own for three more years before relocating to Mauritania. Ms. Pat has been with TLC since 2011. She worked in Kindergarten for 2 years and has been the Preschool teacher since 2013. She loves children and is very passionate about teaching in the early childhood setting. She continually engages the children through play to help enrich their learning and develop key skills they will need later in life. She believes that play is a very important part of the learning process for children. She also likes to teach afterschool sewing, drama, gardening and also volunteers in the Nouakchott community.

Jeannette Njong, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Country of Origin:  Cameroon
Years at TLC:  4 years
Teaching Experience: 4 years
Degree: Master’s Degree

Originally from Cameroon, Jeannette discovered Mauritania at the age of 13 where she obtained a French Baccalaureate, a License in Transport Logistics as well as a Master’s degree. Very happy to be part of the TLC community, she is enthusiastic about the idea of ​​opening up to new opportunities as well as a year of learning and development.

Fatiha Ridal, Kindergarten Teacher

Country of Origin: Morocco
Years at TLC: 18 years
Teaching Experience: 20 years
Degree: BA, English Literature
Ms. Fatiha is from Meknes, Morocco. She has a degree in English Literature. She has been working at TLC International School for the past 16 years. She taught in Morocco for two years and in Tunisia for one year. She also worked in an art school for two years. She believes in hands-on learning for Kindergarten, and she teaches using games and active learning. She absolutely loves teaching and loves children.

Aisha Joumany, Grade 1 Teacher


Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: 8 years
Teaching Experience: 9 years
Degree: AAS in Early Childhood Education

Aicha is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, but has lived in Mauritania with her family for 15 years. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Allen Community College and also holds a certificate in the Foundations of Early Childhood Education. She is currently finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development. Ms. Aicha has worked at TLC International school for 8 years and has been in education for 9 years. She has worked with students of different age ranges and has experience in a variety of subject areas.

Jay Ayco, 2nd Grade Teacher

Country of Origin: Philippines
Years at TLC: First year
Teaching Experience: 10 years
Degree: Bachelor of Secondary Education in Mathematics, MA in Educational Administration (in progress)

Mr. Rosael Jay Armamento Ayco (“Mr. Jay”) holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education in Mathematics from Capitol University in the Philippines and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. With 10 years of teaching experience across Southeast Asia, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his classroom. In addition to his degree, Mr. Jay holds certifications in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and TEFL/TESOL and has earned multiple Cambridge training certifications. His diverse qualifications reflect his dedication to professional growth and his commitment to providing high-quality education. Passionate about fostering the success of young learners, Mr. Jay is devoted to ensuring that his students find both joy and achievement in their academic journey.

Aziza Solomon, 3rd Grade Teacher

Country of origin: South Africa
Years at TLC: 5 years
Teaching Experience: 10 years
Degree: BA, Islamic Studies and Arabic
Ms. Aziza was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. She got her degree from the International Peace College of South Africa. After completing her studies, Ms. Aziza taught different age groups for five consecutive years. In 2013, Ms. Aziza moved to Mauritania with her family. In 2015, she taught Preschool at United Academy in Nouakchott, Mauritania. She worked as a teacher’s assistant for Kindergarten and 3rd grade at TLC in 2016 and 2019. In 2021, she became certified through Cornell University on Teaching and Learning in a Diverse Classroom. This is her third year teaching 3rd grade.

Adama Diallo, 4th Grade Teacher

Country of origin:  Senegal
Years at TLC:  1 Year
Teaching experience:  10 years
Degree: BA in Humanities
Before coming to Mauritania, she had the privilege of calling Senegal, France and the United States her homes. Her academic journey began at Montgomery College in the vibrant Washington DC area. There, she achieved a remarkable feat in earning three Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Computer Science. Her thirst for knowledge drove her further, leading her to the prestigious University of Maryland, where she pursued and successfully obtained her Bachelor’s degree. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Ms. Adama holds a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Her dedication to professional excellence shines through her numerous certifications, including Elementary and ESOL Teaching Credentials, Microsoft and Network+ Certified Professional, as well as her A+ Certified technician status. With over 25 years of valuable work experience spanning across various continents and diverse business settings, includes an extensive decade-long tenure within the American education system. Ms. Diallo’s passions encompass the world of literature and exploration. She finds solace and inspiration in the pages of books, and her love for travel has taken her to fascinating corners of the globe.

Nicole Brenner, 5th Grade Teacher

Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: 5 years
Teaching Experience: 10 years
Degree:BS International and Community Development; Intercultural Studies

Nicole is originally from Southern California.   She worked in various after-school programs before joining the Peace Corps in 2012, where she served as a Youth Development Volunteer for 2 years in Morocco.  Prior to first coming to TLC in 2017, she taught kindergarten at an international school in Fes, Morocco.  Ms. Nicole has spent the last three years teaching K–4th grade at a small private school in California that focused heavily on outdoor education and project-based learning.  Ms. Nicole is excited to be rejoining the TLC community and is looking forward to teaching 5th grade this year. 

Kristen Smolka, Middle School Humanities Teacher

Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: 9 years
Teaching Experience: 10+ years
Degree: MPA, Masters of Public Administration
Ms. Kristen is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She first came to Mauritania as a Peace Corps volunteer to work in the Health Education sector  in Chinguetti and Nouakchott from 2006 to 2009. After which, she got her Masters Degree in Public Administration and Policy with a focus on Community Development. She was invited back to Mauritania in 2012 to work as a teacher and business manager to various companies based in Nouakchott. She joined TLC in 2014, where she worked as Business Manager, ESL teacher, and currently as the Middle School Humanities teacher.

Lewaa Haidar, Middle School and High School Teacher

Country of Origin: Lebanon
Years at TLC: First year
Teaching Experience:  8 years
Degree: BS in Pure Mathematics, Teaching Diploma

Lewaa is originally from Lebanon and has taught math and science for the past eight years. Before joining TLC International School, he worked as a Math Coordinator and Math & Physics Teacher at The International School of Choueifat – SABIS Iraq. He has experience teaching AP Calculus, AP Physics E&M / Mechanics, IGCSE, and SAT courses while providing teachers professional development. Lewaa holds a Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics and a Teaching Diploma. He is excited to be part of the TLC community and looks forward to fostering a strong learning environment for his students.

 

Eric Higgins, High School Humanities Teacher

Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: First year
Teaching Experience:  5 years
Degree: B.A. in Linguistics

Eric comes from Pennsylvania in the northeastern U.S. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Comoros, working in the education sector. Before coming to Mauritania, Mr. Higgins also worked as a teacher in Iraq, Bahrain, and China. He is excited to begin building a classroom environment of growth, support, and knowledge here at TLC.

Taylor Montgomery, High School Science Teacher

Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: 8 years
Teaching Experience: 9 years
Degree: BS in Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry, Master of Public Health (current student)
Ms. Montgomery is from a small town in the Pacific Northwest. She went to college in Florida and she has been tutoring/teaching biology, chemistry, and physics at the high school and university level since 2014. Before joining the TLC community, she worked at an American Red Cross National Testing Laboratory testing donated blood samples for infectious diseases. In addition to being the high school science teacher at TLC, Ms. Montgomery is also working toward achieving her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is interested in community development, she plays guitar, and she is a big fan of Rosalind Franklin.

Jeremy Warner, High School Math Teacher

Country of Origin: United States
Years at TLC: 4 years
Teaching Experience: 16 years
Degree: BS/MS
Mr. Warner is from Mississippi, USA.  He has taught in schools, colleges and universities in Far East and Southeast Asia and the Middle East.  Mr. Warner is a qualified instructor in mathematics and sciences.  He also has worked in the oil/gas and power industries before returning to education over the past three years.

Steve Hamilton, High School English Teacher

Country of Origin: Scotland
Years at TLC: 1 year
Teaching Experience: 10 years
Degree: BA, English Language & Literature
Steve’s teaching experience includes eight years in China, working in a variety of high schools – international schools, a Chinese government school, and a foundation program preparing students to study at an American or British university.  In the most recent academic year he taught at a secondary school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he developed a project-based learning curriculum for the school, with an emphasis on critical and creative thinking.  Prior to working in education, he was a business journalist and magazine editor for many years, specializing in the automobile industry.

Omar Abd-el-Kader, Islamic Studies Teacher

Country of Origin: Mauritania
Years at TLC: 7 years
Teaching Experience: 29 years
Degree: DA, Law
Mr. Omar was born and raised in Nouakchott where he studied Law at Nouakchott University. After that, he completed his studies in Morocco. He has taught in Primary schools for 15 years, three years in high school and seven years at Nouakchott University. He is currently teaching Islamic Studies at TLC for elementary and middle school.

Mariem Mamady Diakite, Arabic Teacher

Country of Origin: Mauritania
Years at TLC: 12 years
Teaching Experience:  10+ years
Degree: BA, English
Ms. Mariem is originally from Boutilimit, Mauritania. She graduated from the University of Nouakchott in 2011 and that same year started working at TLC as an assistant. In 2013 she started classes at the École Normale Supérieure to become a certified teacher. Since her graduation from the ENS, she is now teaching at a Public Middle School along with her teaching duties at TLC.

Bacheline Wandije, French Teacher Preschool-Grade 1

Country of Origin: Cameroon
Years at TLC: 5 years
Teaching Experience: 8 years
Degree: Baccalauréat G1 (Secrétariat de Direction) obtenu au Lycée Technique de Bafoussam-Cameroun
Licence en Géographie 3 obtenu à l’Université de Douala-Cameroun

Youssouf Sylla, French Teacher Grade 2-High School

Country of Origin: Mauritania
Years at TLC: 4 years
Teaching experience: 19 years
Degree: BA, French Modern Literature at Tunis University-Tunisia.
Before coming to TLC International School, Youssouf has taught the French language for more than 15 years in various schools and academies in Nouakchott. He has taught elementary, junior high, and high school and even professionals who have wanted to improve a specific communication skill in French. Youssouf graduated in Human Resources Management and has worked as Head of Administration for a Consulting Company (A.FA.COR) in Nouakchott.

Dunia Sadegh, IT Coordinator

Country of Origin: Mauritania
Years at TLC: 7 years
Teaching Experience: 7 years
Degree: Master’s degree in  Business Administration
Ms. Dunia has worked as a teacher’s assistant for Arabic, Grades 2 and 3 at TLC International School. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Nouakchott, Mauritania. She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She holds two technology degrees in Essential Work in Windows Vista, MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint and Graphic Design. Ms. Dunia has volunteered for several organizations including the Bin Bayyah Foundation, Starkey and Vision Care USA, in Nouakchott Mauritania. Ms. Dunia is also certified through Coursera in curriculum from the University of Cambridge. In 2019, she became certified through Coursera on How To Create a Website in a Weekend (Project-Centered Course) from The State University of New York. In 2020, she became certified in Summer Learning Academy provided by the International Society for Technology in Education. In 15 Oct, 2020, she became certified through Coursera on The Teacher and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) by University of Colorado Boulder. In June 21, 2021, she became certified through Coursera on The Pronunciation of American English by University of California, Irvine. In Aug 09, 2021, she became certified through Coursera on Google IT Support by Google.

Loumeime Gueye, ESL Teacher

Country of Origin: Mauritania
Years at TLC: 1 year
Teaching Experience: 2 years
Degree: BA English and MA Geology
Ms. Loumeime is originally from Mauritania. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Geology, and she recently completed her Master’s in Geology at Southern Illinois University. Following her postgraduate studies, Ms. Loumeime gained two years of valuable experience working as a tutor, primarily focused on helping children with their English language skills. This experience allowed her to contribute to the educational development of young learners. Beyond her academic pursuits, she has a keen interest in staying up-to-date with the latest technology, scientific discoveries, and even dabbles in web development. This diverse background fuels her enthusiasm for bridging the gap between geology and the broader world through communication, education, and technological innovation.

Cheikha Didi, ESL Teacher

Country of Origin: Mauritania
Years at TLC: 6 years
Teaching Experience: 12 years
Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Geology from The University of Nouakchott
Cheikha studied English at the British Council in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Before joining TLC, she worked at the New Horizons Language Centre for five years. She also taught at United Academy International School in Nouakchott. She enjoys learning new things, making new friends and discovering new cultures.

Baba Tomy, PE Instructor

Country of Origin: Mauritania
Years at TLC: 1 year
Teaching Experience: 15+ years
Mr. Tomy is a sports teacher (EPS). He was born and raised in Nouakchott and has studied at the National Institute for Youth and Sports Training. Mr. Tomy has done training and internships in Algeria, Egypt and Senegal. Mr. Baba has taught sports for 15 years in high school and college. He has also worked as a General Overseer and Director of studies in the same schools here in Nouakchott.