Assistant General Manager – Ms. Elvan Tongal

Elvan Tongal is the Assistant General Manager of MEF Schools. She has 31 years of professional experience, including 16 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 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.

Principal – Mr. Malcolm Ringo

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.

Deputy Principal – Ms. Katherine Coban

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.