Bethany Brown
Teacher and Social Programme Coordinator
Hello, I’m Beth, and I'm one of the English Language Teachers and also the Social Programme Coordinator at the school.
I’m originally from Bristol but I lived abroad for many years in Vietnam and southern Spain where I taught English as a foreign language to children and adults. My experiences in these countries were wonderful: the delicious food I tried, the lovely people I met, and the amazing adventures I went on! Now, I’m really happy to be back in my hometown and teaching at IH Bristol.
I absolutely love teaching at the school – meeting people from so many different countries and cultures is fascinating, and helping students to improve their language skills and achieve their goals is very rewarding. I am also the Social Programme Coordinator at the school, and it is my job to organise activities for the students to have fun, learn more about Bristol, and practise speaking in English at the same time.
When I’m not teaching I love to read, paint and run, and I've recently started a ceramics course where I am learning how to make pottery. I also enjoy hiking and camping in the beautiful countryside around the city. I cycle everywhere in Bristol, so you might see me around the city on my bike!
I look forward to meeting you at the school.
Meet the IH Bristol team
Marcel Jansen
Pete Gibson
Val Hennessy
Alexandria Peterson
Hello! I joined IH Bristol in the summer of 2026 as an administrator and exams officer. I’ve recently moved from the United States to join my husband here in Bristol and have absolutely fallen in love with the city. I am originally from a small town near Chicago, Illinois, but have spent many years in Arkansas for my postgraduate studies and teaching. As an immigrant to the UK, I can understand how scary it can be coming to a new part of the world.
Bethany Brown
Hello, I’m Beth, and I'm one of the English Language Teachers and also the Social Programme Coordinator at the school.
Britta Priest
Hello! My name is Britta and I am the office manager at IH Bristol but you can also find me on reception duties. I am originally from Germany and love the international environment at IH Bristol. I have always had a passion for languages and have personally experienced the rewards of being able to speak another language fluently.
Charlie Marshall
Hi, my name is Charlie. I've been a teacher and teacher trainer at International House Bristol since 2003. Recently, I've started teaching on the Cambridge CELTA courses that we are now running.
Cynthia Onyegbado
Hi, I am Cynthia a part of the Exams team where we work together to ensure IH Bristol remains an excellent test centre , giving candidates a smooth experience on their examination days. I am vibrant and often quite colourful with a wide smile. I had part of my education in Newcastle before moving back to Nigeria in 2013 where I worked as an academic and examination staff in colleges and tertiary institutions.
Ike Charles
Hello! My name is Ike and I’m an Administrator and Exams Officer at IH Bristol. I support the team day-to-day with varied tasks as well as contributing to our marketing department.
Joanna Thorpe
I’m a teacher of English and manage one of our young learner centres during the busy summer months. I moved to Bristol about a year ago and have really enjoyed getting to know the city. Before moving back to the UK I taught English in Vietnam for six years, where I gained my Diploma and Young Learners qualifications. As I’m originally from Scotland, I can speak with both an English and Scottish accent, and love doing other accents too.
Luqueney Pearson
Hello, I am the Accommodation and Welfare Officer here at IH Bristol.
I match students with our lovely hosts and ensure that they have a welcoming and safe experience during their time with us. I am here to help!
Mark Pearson
Hi, I’m Mark, the Facilities Manager at IH Bristol. I’m responsible for keeping the buildings running well day-to-day. From maintenance to making sure everything is clean and safe, I work behind the scenes to create a comfortable environment for both staff and students.
What I enjoy most about my role is the satisfaction that comes from keeping everything organised and in good condition—it’s great to see the difference it makes to the overall experience in the school.
Nick Jansen
Hello, my name is Nick. I am a receptionist for IH Bristol for our Junior Program. I greet students coming into the building and manage the day to day running of the building.
Patrick Rushforth
My name is Patrick and I teach English as a Foreign Language to both adult and Junior learners here at IH Bristol. Before teaching in the UK I worked in schools in China and France, teaching a variety of English or Music related classes. I enjoy teaching here because it is always interesting to meet new people and get to know about their countries and cultures. It is always rewarding to help people on their English journey.