Meet the Team

Danjela is from Albania and she joined WAT in 2012. She is a certified IB dance teacher and has a Bachelor's degree in Choreography, as well as a Master's degree in Choreography and Education. During her years as a dancer, she trained in many different styles including: ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, acrobatics and contemporary. Danjela is one of the senior teachers at WAT and inspires her students to always feel confident and motivated. She is a firm believer that in order to thrive, it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired at all times and that they be in an environment they feel comfortable in.

Imran is from Scotland in the United Kingdom. He has been working in education for over 10 years, having worked in private schools and universities around the world, both in the classroom and online, before joining WAT in 2022. Imran has a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Languages and Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh. He also minored in history, literature, and philosophy. Shortly after graduation, Imran gained his teaching qualification from the University of Cambridge. As one of our kindergarten teachers, his goal is to create a warm and supportive environment where our students can grow and gain the confidence and skills needed for future years. 

Maria is from the Philippines. She has taught in the IB Primary Years Programme for a decade and joined WAT in 2016. She has a Master's in Advanced Teaching and is proficient in the PYP curriculum. Maria has received many trainings in child development and safety, and is a valuable and long-term team member who has grown professionally with the school. As an educator, Maria is passionate about inquiry and student agency. She always looks forward to supporting our learners, developing their skills and encouraging them to become risk-takers, creative thinkers, and compassionate individuals. Outside of the classroom, she loves travelling and exploring the outdoors.

Jennifer Yaver is originally from California in the United States but has been living and teaching in Albania for over a decade. This is her fifth year at WAT. She looks forward to supporting our WAT scholars as they learn and grow.

Elissa is from the United States and joined WAT in 2018. She studied Classics (Latin and ancient Greek language, literature, and culture) and Art History at Kalamazoo College, Michigan, USA, and is IB certified to teach both MYP and DP Language and Literature. At WAT, alongside her teaching role, she leads our Language and Literature Department, helps to implement the Middle Years Programme at WAT as the Assistant MYP Coordinator, and coordinates meetings and training sessions for her colleagues.

Igli is from Albania. He has a Bachelor's degree in Composition and Music Theory from the Fine Arts Academy of Tirana. Igli has been teaching since 2008 and joined WAT in 2012 as the PYP Music teacher. He holds several IB PYP Certificates and is a senior member of our team. Together with the art colleagues, they organise lots of wonderful musicals with our Primary students.

Anda is from Albania and joined WAT in 2025. She holds two Master’s degrees—one in Mathematics and another in Informatic Economics—both from the University of Tirana. Anda is also IB-certified to teach Mathematics at both the MYP and DP levels.

With over 18 years of teaching experience, she is committed to helping students strengthen their mathematical understanding, build confidence, and develop strong problem-solving skills.

Donika is from Albania. She graduated from the University of Shkodra with a degree in Albanian Language and Literature. She joined the WAT team as an Albanian teacher in 2023. Donika has extensive experience in teaching Albanian and English as a second language. She is highly skilled and has completed many training courses in child development, teaching and learning languages.

Anjeza is from Albania and has been with WAT since 2015. She has a Master's degree in Albanian Language and Literature from the University of Tirana, and a second degree in International and Political Sciences from the University of Genoa, Italy. Anjeza lived and worked in Italy for many years before coming to Albania. She teaches Albanian Language and Literature in both PYP and MYP here at WAT and has attended many IB workshops to gain further experience in teaching. With great pleasure, Anjeza has seen students grow as individuals and become internationally minded. A proud member of the WAT community, studying and living abroad made her a global citizen, and she tries to communicate with her students using the same approach: being local in a global society.

Redina Merkuri is from Permet, Albania and joined WAT in 2013. She loves working with children and contributing to their development. Redina holds a Bachelor's  degree in elementary school teaching and has two Master's degrees in Special Education and Social Pedagogy and Continuous Learning, as well as several IB PYP certificates.

Fjorentina is from Durres, Albania. She is a licensed French Teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Language, Literature and French Civilisation and a Master of Science degree in French Language Teaching to Secondary and Higher Education from the University of Tirana. Fjorentina is IB certified; having completed various trainings, including Making the PYP Happen: Implementing Agency (Cat.1) and has attended a large range of workshops and webinars related to teaching and the learning process. She has 5 years of teaching experience in primary and secondary education. This is her 3rd year at WAT as our PYP French Teacher.

Kristjana is from Albania. She joined IMSA in 2015 and moved to WAT in 2021. Kristjana has a Degree in Physiology and has completed many Montessori and IB trainings in child development and safety.

Karen is from the Philippines, where she started her teaching journey before joining WAT in 2021. She has also taught in Vietnam and another school in Albania, prior to working at WAT. Karen graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Early Years Education and has completed many trainings in child development and safety. She has 9 years of teaching experience as an ESL teacher, Kindergarten and Primary Years Co-teacher.

Florinda is from Albania and joined WAT in 2019. She has a Bachelor's degree in English Language Teaching and has Master's degree as an English language teacher. Florinda has completed many IB trainings in child development and safety. Her first experience in teaching was with Early years in an IB school and she has since gained seven years experience in teaching in an IB programme.

Dilore is from Albania. Prior to joining WAT in 2022, she worked at Montessori Albania. Dilore has a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Law and has completed many trainings in child development and safety. She has very good communication and collaboration skills, is very enthusiastic, patient and dedicated to helping children reach their potential.

Deborah is from Albania. She joined WAT in 2023. Deborah finished her studies in German language and obtained a Master's degree in teaching German. She has also completed IB and child development and safety trainings.

Originally from Albania, Alfred graduated from METU (Middle East Technical University) in Turkey. His career as a teacher started in 2012 and he has worked at various international schools in Albania and has completed a number of professional development courses and trainings. As a teacher, Alfred encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, and his aim is to provide a a broad range of learning opportunities to cater to different learning styles. Alfred teach Science in MYP and Physics in DP here at WAT. He is married to Albanian too, Elena and they have a son aged 9 years old.

Tara is from the USA. She joined WAT in 2025 and she holds a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. She is a

certified Experienced Educator for Preschool through 6th grade, a Reading Specialist for Preschool through 12th grade, and an ESL Teacher certified for Preschool through 12th grade.

Tara has taught students from kindergarten to university level and spent several years as a University Supervisor of student teachers at the College of William and Mary. At the core of her teaching philosophy are community-building, empathy, and self-empowerment.

This is Tara’s third year teaching in Tirana. She is enthusiastic about continuing to grow her practice and foster a strong sense of community as a teacher at WAT.