The team
Welcome! The OSA office is made up of four class deans, one for each class, who travel with their class from Grade 9 through to graduation. In addition there are four university advisors, who begin to work with students at the beginning of Grade 11. Our administrative assistant also serves as the director of external testing (AP's, ACT, SAT, and UK university entrance tests) and our registrar handles all matters pertaining to grades and transcripts.
 Kara Anderson Kara Anderson joined ASL in 2022 as a high school science teacher and took on the role of dean in 2026. Before moving to London, she spent ten years at the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, where she taught science, co-chaired the science department, and served as an advisor. Kara studied biology as an undergraduate and later earned a master’s degree in secondary education. A lifelong learner and lover of the natural world, Kara has participated in four Earthwatch expeditions as a volunteer field researcher, contributing to conservation research in Kenya and climate change research in the Andorran Pyrenees. Outside of school, Kara enjoys traveling, having adventures, and spending time with her family. You will often find her biking to school or exploring London’s coffee shops, one flat white at a time. |
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 Melanie Brennand Hamre Melanie Brennand Hamre joined the American School in London in July 2026, having previously served as the director of college counseling at Taipei American School in Taiwan, as well as dean of admissions and college counseling at United World College-USA in her home state of New Mexico. Prior to those roles, Melanie led recruitment and admissions for City Year in Boston, Massachusetts, and served as a senior admissions and financial aid officer at Harvard College, where she focused primarily on international applicants—including ASL students! Melanie is an active member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling, having presented on multiple panels at their annual and regional conferences, as well as the East Asia Regional Council of Schools conferences. She is also a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Melanie earned her master’s degree in higher education administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard College. She is excited to explore London’s myriad history-filled museums, parks, streets, and squares! |
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 Simon Lewis Simon joined the Office of Student Advising at ASL in 2023. Previously he was Head of International University Advising at Latymer Upper School and co-founded UES Education in 2013, working there as Head of College Counseling until July 2024. Prior to 2013, Simon worked in project management in the non-profit sector and founded a social enterprise. Simon is a longstanding member of International Association for College Admission Counseling and is a mentor and reader for the Sutton Trust US Programme, supporting High Achieving Low Income students. He regularly works with schools across the U.K. to improve their capacity for and policies on international applications. Simon received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2003 and is currently completing a postgraduate certificate in college counseling with UCLA Extension. Outside of work he enjoys the performing and visual arts, cycling, and watching Arsenal, England cricket, and the Welsh rugby team. |
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 Terri Okpoyo Terri Okpoyo joined the team as an Administrative Assistant in August 2019 and transitioned into the role of Registrar in July of 2026. Originally from Minnesota, she relocated to Cork, Ireland, in 2013 before moving to England with her family in 2018. Prior to joining ASL, Terri served as an administrative assistant in the Special Education Department at Beacon Academy. She holds a BA in Individualized Studies, which allows her to boast that she knows a little bit in a lot of areas. |
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 Duncan Pringle Duncan Pringle took on the role of Grade 9 dean from fall 2019, having joined ASL in 2016. He has taught in the high school social studies department, and also served as a Grade 9 advisor. Fluent in Italian, Duncan taught in international schools in Rome, Italy, for 19 years, prior to joining ASL. Duncan holds a BA in economics from the University of East London, and an MA in economics from London Guildhall. |
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 Joanna Shearer Joanna joined ASL in 2020, an interesting year to be a new staff member! Joanna previously held the role of Director of University Counselling and Careers at Halcyon London International School and, prior to that, she was a College Counselor at ACS Cobham International School. From 2009-16 she sat on the other side of the admissions desk as the Head of Student Recruitment at Imperial College London. Joanna has also worked in a variety of academic-related roles at the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, CAPA International Education and Boston University. She has been a regular presenter at the UCAS International Advisers’ conference as well as International ACAC, the British Council, NAFSA and many others. Joanna received her BA in French Language and Literature and her MAT in Teaching Modern Foreign Languages from Boston University (USA), her MPhil In European Literature from the University of Cambridge (UK) and her Doctorate in French History from Oxford Brookes University (UK). Joanna enjoys going out to the theatre in London, music festivals (usually in the rain!) and cycling with her two daughters. |
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 Nicole Thompson Nicole Thompson joined the ASL team in 2016. Ms. Thompson brings nearly 30 years of experience in the fields of admissions and college counseling. Prior to coming to ASL, she was associate director of college counseling at Sage Hill School in southern California. At Sage Hill, Ms. Thompson wore many hats, from academic advisor to diversity committee member to club advisor. Prior to Sage Hill, Ms. Thompson worked for a decade in college admissions, at the City University of New York, Fordham University, and most recently, at Columbia University. Ms. Thompson is a member of National and International Associations for College Admission Counseling (NACAC and IACAC), the Council of International Schools (CIS), the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) and the Association of Black Admissions & Financial Aid Officers of the Ivy League & Sister Schools. She has been an adjunct application reader for UCLA and a presenter at the CIS Global Forum on Int'l Admission & Guidance. At ASL, she is a grade-level advisor and serves as the athletics liaison for the University Advising team. Ms. Thompson earned a BA in sociology/political science from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College. A self-professed “college nerd,” she has visited more than 170 colleges/universities across the U.S., UK, Canada, Europe and the UAE, and is passionate about helping young people find campus communities where they will thrive. You can often find her around campus supporting our creative writers at Writers Seminar community readings, enjoying the annual HS musical, celebrating the work of ASL student filmmakers at the annual Film Festival, joining ASL student and faculty performers at ASL's student-run open mic space, Late Café, or sitting on the high school's Senior Passion Project Committee. |
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 Laurel Waterhouse Laurel came to ASL from LEAF Academy in Bratislava, Slovakia where she served as Assistant Head of School and Dean of Character and helped to guide the development of the Academy through its first four years of operation. After completing a BA in International Affairs at Lafayette College, Laurel began her independent school career as a Teaching Fellow at the Taft School in Connecticut before moving on to Choate Rosemary Hall, where she taught history and political science, coached varsity rowing and basketball, and served as an advisor, dormitory head, and class dean. After nearly a decade working in education, Laurel returned to graduate school to pursue her passion for studying history and political science. In 2016, she graduated with a dual MA/MSc degree from Columbia University in New York and The London School of Economics, earning a prize for her work in human rights history. |
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 Rodney Yeoh Rodney Yeoh came to ASL in August 2015 as Grade 9 dean and a HS history teacher. Rodney grew up in Malaysia and went to the Mahindra United World College in India to complete high school. He studied biochemistry and religious studies at Colby College before earning a master’s in theological studies at Harvard Divinity School. Before ASL, he worked at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, MA, from 2007 to 2015, during which he served in a variety of roles, including history teacher, grade 10 dean and associate director of Beaver's Hiatt Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement. These days, Rodney enjoys spending time with his two young daughters. He also enjoys reading, cooking and biking. |