Student support team - Tartu International School

Maris Vohla

SEN Student Coordinator

I was born in a little town called Kohtla-Järve that is located in the north-east of Estonia, only 50 km from the Russian border. I spent my childhood there until I graduated upper secondary school and moved to Tartu to study to be an Estonian as a foreign language teacher. After graduating, I moved to London to learn English and to travel. I started working at TIS in 2005 and have remained since then. I have also worked teaching adult learners in a Russian school. Working at TIS is positively challenging and there are never two years that are alike. The positive, friendly, and tolerant atmosphere creates an endearing place for both students and teachers.

Maris was Tartu International School’s Teacher of the Year in 2012.

Kersti Türk

School counsellor

My home town is Tartu, but I feel like a very global person who loves travelling and meeting people from different cultures and places. I have experience in nearly every position in the field of education. My favourite discoveries have been related to people and their individual growth, brain research, lifelong-learning opportunities, environments that support learning and mental health. I believe in relationships. I believe that to love someone means to listen. I believe that good relationships are the bases for everyone’s learning, personal development, and well-being. At Tartu International School I work as a school counsellor and social pedagogue – helping both our students and staff to find ways to take care of their well-being, as well as building social skills, learning motivational techniques, methods of stress management, and self-compassion.

Kati Helmeste-Riet

Special Education Pedagogue

Epp Kama

Math Assistant Teacher

Eliise Vahero

Assistant Teacher

Rauno Pakkanen

IT Expert

I was born in Tartu and have lived here most of my life. I have been working with computers for more than twenty years and taking care of International School’s IT systems since 2014.
In my free time I love to be with my family and go fishing with my sons. I’m also a sports fan and I have been playing football in Estonian lower leagues for almost twenty years.

Ene Maremäe

Lunch Lady

Tartu is my hometown; I was born here and have lived here all my life. I graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in commerce from the Faculty of Economics. I have worked in commerce for over 20 years, and for the past 20 years, I have been involved in catering. This year (2024), I am starting my third academic year at this school. I enjoy working here; the team is great. In my free time, I like to spend time in nature, go to the forest, and tinker in the garden.

Mariia Feniak

Housekeeper