New Foreign Language Teacher at the Ecole d’Humanité

The Ecole d’Humanité is delighted to welcome back Mel Sampson to our boarding school team here in Switzerland. Mel spent five years at the Ecole d’Humanité as a teacher and boarding school family head, before returning to the UK for a few years to raise her small children. She’s back here on the Hasliberg to teach English and French

Mel is a language teacher, avid outdoors person, and she’s passionate about progressive education. Read on to find out the one thing this experienced hiker will ALWAYS bring on a hike!

Welcome Mel Sampson!

A new teacher joins the Foreign Language Department at the Ecole d’Humanité boarding school program in Switzerland.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m a language teacher, an adventurer, an outdoors lover, and a mother of two small children. My family has moved back to the Ecole after nearly 3 years away. We lived here between 2014 and 2019. Our son Myles was born here in 2018 and we come back with another child, Ella who was born in 2020. It’s great to be back!

Where are you from?

Wales

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Spending time with my family :-)

What’s your favourite occupation?

I really like how rewarding teaching is! Speaking another language is an incredible thing to be able to do! It opens up so many opportunities and feels amazing when you start being able to talk to people in their native language.

What did you do before joining the Ecole?

Before becoming a language teacher in 2013, I was cabin crew for British Airways doing both long haul and short haul flights. It was a great way to see the world!

What will you be doing at the Ecole?

Teaching French and English as a foreign language. I also used to teach mountain biking, climbing and knitting in the afternoons… maybe I’ll do them again this time!

Why did you join the Ecole?

I originally came here because I loved the idea of teaching in a progressive boarding school in a ski resort! And now I come back for those reasons and more, but also it’s a great place to bring up small children. I love how I get to see Myles and Ella throughout the day and not just the evenings and weekends. 

What are you most excited about in your new job?

Being back in the Swiss Alps and using languages every day (Ich lerne auch Deutsch!) 

What goals or objectives do you have for yourself in your new role?

I will lead fun and engaging lessons where students want to learn French. I will enjoy all that the Swiss Alps have to offer, and I will share my love of Switzerland with my children.

What’s your favourite Ecole memory?

Definitely the mountain bike hike in 2017. Such a great group of students and amazing biking in Ticino. I felt like I was on holiday rather than at work!

What is the most important thing you think a young person could gain from an Ecole education?

The ability to take control of their own education and organisation. And the chance to try so many new skills and sports. 

If you were going to deliver a TedTalk, what would the title be? I would probably do some about how changing your perspective on life can make you happy.

If you’re going on a hike, what’s the one non-essential thing that you must bring?

My knitting!