Meet Mr. Michael Gwerder, our new Academic Director

A Swiss national, quadrilingual, with work and life experience on four continents, Michael Gwerder embodies the values of the Swiss school open to the world.

Michael Gwerder graduated with a Licence ès Lettres (MA) in German, English and Hispanic Studies from the University of Lausanne, and completed his formal teacher training at the Thurgau University of Teacher Education. 

Subsequently, Michael taught German language, literature and regional studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, USA, and the University of Limerick in Ireland.  

Following his engagement with the Swiss Confederation, Michael worked at the Swiss schools in Bogotá, Santiago de Chile, and Bangkok as secondary school teacher, Vice-Principal, and finally Principal. In parallel, he obtained an MSc in Educational Leadership at the University of Leicester.  

Back in Switzerland, Michael headed the public school in Giswil, and afterwards served at the two Swiss-international boarding schools Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz and Institut Montana Zugerberg as Vice-Principal and Principal of the International School/Academic Director respectively, while continuing teaching both English and German.

Michael strongly believes in joyful, nurturing, and lasting learning experiences. For him, the ideal graduates will have acquired the knowledge, understanding, skills, and values, which allows them to successfully embark upon fulfilling studies, professions, life-long learning, as well as to lead a meaningful life.

Michael has also been an educational innovator himself. For instance, he implemented the Bilingual Swiss Maturité at two Swiss schools in Latin America, a Physical Outdoor Programme, an interdisciplinary and hands-on English foundation year, and a fully-fledged hybrid schooling system.

Michael is married and enjoys spending his free time with his wife travelling and being outdoors, hiking or climbing in summer, and ski touring in winter.