MEF IS - Key Persons
Dr. Constance Bahn is the Secondary Academic Dean of MEF International School in Istanbul. She has lived in Turkey for four years. She has a B.A. in Secondary Humanities and is a certified Secondary Biology and Middle School Sciences teacher from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, a M.A. degree in Education in Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Evaluation (CIAE) from Walden University, and a Ph.D. in Education in CIAE. Dr. Bahn has worked in education for 17 years, four of which have been at MEF IS. In past years, she has taught Earth Science, Humanities, Language Arts, PE, Physics, Middle school general science, Biology, Chemistry, IBDP Biology, IBDP Environmental Systems, and Societies, as well as served as the PBIS committee leader, Technology Leadership Team and science department head in her last school. Dr. Bahn is a firm believer that when you involve students in their learning, making decisions about how they learn, and answering their own queries, all students are capable of deep learning and engagement in the process of learning. She also believes MEF IS has an incredibly diverse community that engages in learning, supporting each other, and building and supporting all persons for success. Dr. Bahn's Ph.D. focused on the implementation of inquiry-based learning strategies. Dr. Bahn has been interested in democracy in education, student and learner-centered teaching philosophies, and progressive education. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, listening to and practicing music, and exploring different parts of Türkiye and the world.
Born in 1941 in the village of Salur in the province of Yozgat, Dr. Ibrahim ARIKAN was accepted on the basis of an examination into the Mimar Sinan Elementary School Teachers School, pursuing his goal to become an elementary school teacher. Following his academic success, he was selected to attend Ankara Teachers College. He graduated from the Faculty of Science, Department of Physics and Mathematics at Ankara Teachers College in 1968. Over the period 1968-1971, Ibrahim ARIKAN worked as an assistant in the Physics Department of Yıldız Technical University.
In 1972, he founded the MEF (Modern Eğitim Fen / Modern Education & Science) Tutoring School. In 1982, ARIKAN established Turkey's first cargo company, Yurtiçi Kargo Inc. and then in 1996, founded MEF Schools, an international educational complex that encompasses pre-school, elementary school and high school levels. On February 11, 1996, ARIKAN collected all of his companies under the umbrella of the holding company, ARIKANLI Holding Inc., ARIKANLI Holding investments focus on the areas of "Education-Communication-Energy", "Transport-Logistics" and "Industry-Construction." As of 2011, the Holding boasted 23 companies.
On May 14, 2011, Ibrahim ARIKAN was awarded an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Business and Science by unanimous vote of the European University of Lefke Senate in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for "his adherence as an educator to the principles and reforms of Atatürk, his contributions to educating 200,000 students, and his entrepreneuring insight and leadership in various industrial and service sectors."
He was presented with a "Leadership Honorary Award" on April 16, 2009 for "the companies he established and their contributions to the business community, the system he has established, and the brands that he has created." He was granted an honorary doctorate in humanities on May 22, 2009 by one of the prestigious universities in the U.S., Roger Williams University, for his successful business career and for making a solid contribution to the world of education with MEF Schools, which he established on the basis of a new vision of education.
Ibrahim ARIKAN is the author of 10 books ( Modern Fizik-Modern Physics; Biz Bize-Just Between Us; Orijinal Fikir Üretme ve Yaratıcılık-Producing Original Ideas and Creativity; Kurum Başarısı İçin-For the Success of the Organization; Yöneticiye Mektup-A Letter to the Manager; Her Durumda Başarmak-Achieving under All Circumstances; Kriz Önce Haber Verir Sonra Kapıyı Çalar-The Crisis First Lets You Know It's Here Before It Knocks on Your Door; Tarih Ekonomiyi, Ekonomi Tarihi Oluşturur-History Shapes Economy While Economy Shapes History; Ya Yenilenirsin Ya da Yenilirsin-Renovate or Evaporate; Öğreten Öğretmen Öğrenen Öğrenci-Teaching Teacher, Learning Student and has written many articles published in various magazines and newspapers. He also devotes time to working on social and cultural content.
Dr. İbrahim Arıkan passed away on February 2, 2016. He was the father of three children, named Ümit, Ebru and Eda.
A respected teacher devoting his entire life to education, an entrepreneur, environmentalist and scientist, Dr. İbrahim Arıkan succeeded in being a good human under all conditions, and he believed that the world needed goodness more than anything. Dr. İbrahim Arıkan will always be remembered with yearning and respect for the pioneering institutions and organizations he founded in our country, his innovative ideas and the value he gave to education and to humans.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the MEF Educational Institutions Executive Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the MEF Educational Institutions Executive Board
- MEF Schools of Turkey, General Manager
- MEF Schools of Türkiye, General Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the MEF Educational Institutions Executive Board
- CEO of Arikanli Holding
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Ms. Beliz Kearin
Beliz Kearin is the IB Diploma Program and Cambridge Diploma Program Coordinator of MEF Schools of Istanbul. She has 22 years of teaching experience, working with gifted students for 12 years and working as an IB teacher and IB examiner for 16 years and she is an IBEN Program Leader. She also worked as Deputy Principal, IB CAS coordinator, and Foreign Teacher Coordinator in her previous school. Recently, Beliz has been working as the Modern Foreign Languages Department Head at MEF International School, teaching French at both IGCSE and IB levels. Beliz has a French teaching degree from Istanbul University and FLE program from Strasbourg University. She has also received her NT Masters Degree in Learning Sciences from MEF University. As well as this, Beliz is especially interested in differentiated learning, gifted education and how dyslexia affects second language learners. Beliz is the mother of one daughter who also attends MEFIS, which helps her to understand parents' perspectives and points of view for the educational needs of students. She enjoys traveling with her family all around the world where she loves to snorkel, scuba dive, and sample different cuisines.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Primary School Principal
- Principal for MEF International School
Mr. Brett Warfield proudly serves as the Primary School Principal for MEF International School in Istanbul, marking his fourth year with the school. With over a decade of international school leadership experience, including nine years within the context of the International Baccalaureate, Brett remains passionately dedicated to nurturing the academic and personal growth of every student under his care.
A strong proponent of inquiry-based learning, creativity, student agency, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Brett steadfastly believes in fostering an environment in which students are not only challenged academically but are also supported and inspired to realize their unique potentials. His leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration; he actively engages with students, teachers, parents, and fellow leaders to cultivate a positive and effective learning community.
As a testament to his commitment to professional growth and excellence in education, Brett holds a Bachelor of Education from Missouri State University, a Certificate of School Leadership and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and has recently completed his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the prestigious University of Bath.
In his personal time, Brett is an avid lover of nature and travel, valuing the diverse perspectives that these experiences bring. Whether exploring a new country or enjoying a quiet moment outdoors, he finds these activities to be a source of inspiration and renewal. Above all, Brett cherishes the time spent with his friends and family, grounding him in his values and purpose.
MEF International Schools in Izmir and Istanbul have developed into distinguished schools in Turkey and the region. For 15 years, Malcolm Ringo served on the MEF IS Istanbul campus as the IB Diploma Programme and Cambridge Coordinator and as the Secondary Principal for three years. Malcolm has served as the Whole School Principal and IB Diploma Coordinator in Izmir since the 2020-21 academic year. During his career, he has taught History, Geography, English, and Theory of Knowledge. Malcolm has completed two MA degrees, one of which was in History and the second of which was in Teaching English as a Second Language. Malcolm feels a strong connection to Turkish culture and society. Malcolm enjoys fitness, reading literature and history, writing, conversation, table tennis, and chess. As a school leader, Malcolm's primary role is to ensure that education is accessible and challenging for students both inside and outside the classroom, so he works closely with his teaching staff and families to reach this goal. Malcolm believes that it is essential that parents, teachers, and administrators collaborate with children to set meaningful goals that facilitate growth. It is with a shared vision, positivity, and determination that children are able to reach their ‘unique potential' and obtain academic success and well-being, which will allow them to contribute to the global village. It is a privilege for Malcolm to be part of the Izmir school community, and he feels confident that the community will achieve its shared vision this year and in coming years.
Job Titles:
- Assistant General Manager
- Head of School
- Member of the MEF Educational Institutions Executive Board
- Assistant General Manager of MEF Schools
- MEF International Schools of Türkiye, Head of School
- MEF Schools of Turkey, Assistant General Manager
Elvan Tongal is the Assistant General Manager of MEF Schools and the Head of School of MEF International Schools Istanbul and Izmir. She has 32 years of professional experience, including 17 years of administrative roles. She worked as a History Teacher in many private schools, notably the Founding Director of SEV American College. Specializing in the IB Diploma Program, Ms. Tongal has been the IB Workshop Leader since 2013. She also completed her certification program and was entitled as the IB Evaluation Team member in 2023. She has been working as a part-time instructor at the Teachers' Academy Foundation (ÖRAV) since 2010. She has taken part in important projects such as ‘Sabancı University Alternative History Book Writing', ‘No Teaching Limit' and ‘Digital European Union: Turkish E-Book for High School and Primary School students. A graduate of Marmara University, Department of History, Ms. Tongal holds Sabancı University Alternative History Books and Bahçeşehir University Education Management and Supervision Master's degrees. Elvan Tongal is a digital immigrant and a hopeful traveler on the path to learning.
Job Titles:
- Primary School Deputy Principal
Gillian Davidson is the Primary Deputy Principal of Istanbul MEF International School. She has been working in education for the last 10 years, two of which have been dedicated to MEF IS. Gillian demonstrates a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Originally from Scotland, Gillian moved to Turkey 7 years ago and has made Turkey her home alongside her husband and two dogs. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of East London, and she is currently enrolled in the certificate program for School Leadership and Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Having served as both an English Teacher and a Learning Support Specialist in the past, her educational philosophy revolves around enhancing inclusivity and nurturing independence in students. She firmly believes in the power of reflection and strives to instil strong moral values in students, guiding them towards becoming responsible and compassionate individuals.
In her free time, Gillian enjoys taking leisurely walks, sailing, and spending quality time with her loved ones, Gillian embraces a holistic approach to life that reflects her dedication to both personal well-being and professional growth.
Katherine Coban is the Deputy Principal of MEF International School, Izmir. She has been working in education for 20 years in Australia, England, and Turkey. Katherine holds a Bachelor's degree in Primary Education from the University of Technology, Sydney. She has worked for the past 13 years at MEF as a Primary classroom teacher. She views a successful classroom as a safe and nurturing environment where the students learn through inquiry-based learning. She has served as the Primary School Curriculum Coordinator, where she has supported teachers and students with maximum learning as her goal. She believes that communication creates a strong community where all members can feel valued and supported to achieve a common goal. Through positive relationships, Katherine enjoys supporting the MEF community to make learning challenging and rewarding. In her free time, she enjoys travelling and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Nicole Roman-Incel is the Secondary Principal of MEF International School in Istanbul. She has lived in Turkey for 12 years, and has two sons. She has a B.A. in World History and Education from Loyola University of Chicago and an M.A. degree in TESL and Linguistics from Northeastern University of Chicago. She also has a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Ms. Incel has been working in education for 21 years, twelve of which have been at MEF IS. In past years, she has taught World History, Humanities, Language Arts, and ELL English, as well as served as the Student Support Team leader and Deputy Principal. She is also the accreditation chair of MEF IS for the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Ms. Incel is a firm believer that all students are capable of learning anything with the right tools and strives to support teachers with providing these tools to their students. She also believes MEF IS has a great community who always supports one another. Ms. Incel is interested in educational history, world history and differentiated learning. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and exploring different parts of Türkiye and the world.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MEF Educational Institutions Executive Board
- Rector of MEF University
Victoria Cerdas is the Secondary Deputy Principal of Istanbul MEF International School. She has been working in education for 13 years in Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Türkiye. For six years, she taught Early Childhood at MEFIS and was the ECC Team Leader for two years. This is her eighth year working at MEFIS and her second year as deputy principal. She holds a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education from UNED Costa Rica and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Advanced Teaching program at the University of the People in Pasadena, California. Victoria has an ability in fostering a caring and safe learning environment where students can initiate inquiry. Being a PYP-trained educator, along with her international experience, she is aware of the cultural and social context in which the children live and learn. Besides her teaching skills, she is multilingual. She speaks English and Spanish fluently, and has Elementary proficiency in German and Italian, allowing her to promote international-mindedness. In her free time, Victoria enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, practicing yoga, and walking in the park. She is looking forward to another year with the MEF International School community.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Member of the MEF Educational Institutions Executive Board