Counseling

Born in England, Rebecca moved to Canada as a child where she was educated and began working. Rebecca received her Honors degree in English and Women’s Studies from the University of Guelph in Ontario. Following that she received her BEd from the University of Windsor. After teaching for five years, she was able to take her Career and Guidance training from the University of Nipissing. Rebecca worked at a Canadian high school for 16 years - the first 11 as a higher level English teacher and the last five as a comprehensive counselor. For the past five years, Rebecca has worked as a comprehensive counselor at Seoul Foreign School, a post that sparked her love for international counseling. Rebecca is a member of, and has been a presenter for, the International Association for College Admission. She is also a member of the Council of International Schools. Rebecca loves sports! She played soccer for her university varsity soccer team and has run a number of marathons including the Boston marathon. She has coached soccer, tennis, and cross country. She can be reached at mayor@ismanila.org.

Jim Barekman is a Third Culture Adult (TCA) who has worked in an international school setting for most of his educational career. Born in California, Jim grew up in Canada and has worked overseas since 1989 in Jordan, Israel, India, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Ethiopia, and Austria (twice). Most recently, he has worked as one of the High School Counselors, Grade 11/12 at the American International School of Vienna, Austria. Jim has traveled to 113 countries and is still trying to figure out a way to work in Australia/New Zealand and Antarctica to have lived on all seven continents! His journey has been a team adventure with his wife, Luanne Paproski, (who will be working at ISM in the Middle School) and their three children (who are now all studying in university) accompanying him in experiencing the world.

Working with international students, including U.S. citizens living abroad, has been his life’s work. Helping international students apply to university is an exciting profession as the process and factors influencing that process are constantly changing. As a result of serving a diverse student population, Jim has a strong understanding of his multicultural students and, because he has visited numerous universities both in the United States and throughout the world, has been able to help his students find their “best fit” universities.

Jim is a lifelong learner with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of the Pacific, a B.A. in Psychology from Concordia University College of Alberta, a M.A. in Educational Administration from San Jose State University, and a M.Ed. in Counseling from Bowling Green State University (where he taught the Introduction to Teaching Course). He is certified as both a math and psychology teacher as well as a school counselor. He completed the UCLA College Counseling Certification with Distinction and has taught their College Counseling for International Students course five times. He has also been an international undergraduate application reader for UCLA for the past three admission cycles. Jim is a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) and its overseas affiliate, the International ACAC.

Jim is excited to be joining the IS Manila Counseling team as he has had his eyes on working here throughout his long career! 

Mr. Barekman can be reached at barekmanj@ismanila.org.

Originally from Oregon and New Mexico in the U.S., Cerise previously lived and worked as a counselor in Taiwan. She has a long career in international education working with prestigious U.S. Department of State programs and universities, advising international students and developing leadership. She is passionate about diversity, access, and inclusion in higher education, and has frequently presented at international conferences including EducationUSA, NAFSA, IACAC and others. Cerise has lived, worked and volunteered abroad throughout her life including France, Turkey, the Gambia and Yemen, and has traveled to more than 70 countries. She studied at the University of Oregon for her M.A. degree in International Studies, and received her B.A. in Political Science and French from Southwestern University, one of the Colleges That Changes Lives. She received her certificate from UCLA in college counseling, is trained in solutions-focused therapy and is an IB and College Board trained counselor. Cerise is a current member of the International School Counseling Association (ISCA) and also the International Association for College Admissions Counseling (International ACAC) where she serves on the Inclusion, Access and Success Committee. Her husband is an IB Biology and TOK teacher, and they have a daughter in high school and their son is a middle school student. She enjoys cooking, local markets, community-building, traveling, walking her dog, and time outdoors with her family exploring the beautiful Philippine islands. Ms. Roth-Vinson can be reached at rothvinsonc@ismanila.org.

Before joining the ISM counseling team, Jessica has served students from Asia Pacific International School in Seoul for 3 years as the Director of College Counseling, and before that at Branksome Hall Asia in Jeju for 7 years as the University/Guidance Counselor. Before becoming a school counselor, she taught middle school and high school Spanish in California. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Korea University and her Master’s Degree in Education from Stanford University. She is a current member of the International Association for College Admissions Counseling (International ACAC) and is a certified Youth Mental Health First-Aider. Jessica was born in Seoul and raised in Buenos Aires, where as a Third Culture Kid she was able to develop friendships and make connections with people from very different backgrounds. This helped her develop cultural sensitivity, appreciate diversity, and become a proud Third Culture Adult. She is married and a doting mom of a 7-year-old bundle of energy, who will also join ISM as Grade 2. She loves traveling, photography and jazz music, and is very excited to explore the unknown in the Philippines." Ms. Lee can be reached at leesooh@ismanila.org.

Originally from Connecticut, USA, Alexandra joined ISM from New York City in 2018.  She studied International Studies from Endicott College and having spent time living in Spain and Ecuador she found her passion to be in international education and began her career working at the University of Bridgeport as an Advisor in the Center for International Students and Scholars. She then took on the role of Assistant Director of International Admissions at Marymount Manhattan College. Alexandra is a member of the International Associations for College Admission Counselors (International ACAC), the Council of International Schools (CIS), and the International School Counselor Association (ISCA) where she regularly attends conferences. When Alexandra first joined ISM, she worked as a College Counselor with grades 11 and 12 and after three years, she now works with grades 9 and 10 as a Social Emotional Counselor. When she is not working, Alexandra loves going to the beach, hosting family and friends for dinner, and traveling to new places. You can feel free to reach out to her at berryal@ismanila.org.

Ben is in his 13th year at ISM and his 3rd year in the counseling department. Prior to counseling he taught IB Biology, Chemistry and Theory of Knowledge, coached volleyball and basketball, and served as Grade Level Coordinator. Originally hailing from Chicago, USA, he completed a BS in Biology and Secondary Education at UW-Madison, an MS in Chemical and Life Sciences from the University of Maryland and worked in international schools in Myanmar and South Korea before calling the Philippines home. He is a dedicated lifelong learner, holding certificates in international school counseling, mindfulness education, cognitive behavioral therapy, solutions focused therapy and most recently a PGCert in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health at King’s College London. He previously worked as a research assistant studying the neurobiology of rhesus macaque monkeys, has sat silent meditation retreats around the world and opened the first floatation therapy center in the Philippines. He is passionate about applying the latest scientific findings, as well as insights from the practice of mindfulness, to help students and their families cultivate happier, healthier lives. He hopes a biography written in third-person will make you take him seriously, but not too seriously. He can be reached at paulsonb@ismanila.org.

Having spent 12 years working with the High School Mathematics team at ISM, Patrick is new to the role of IB/AP Coordinator. Located in the Counseling Center, he is excited to be working alongside students and the expert team of counselors and assistants in this new role (he is also excited not to have to walk up 4 flights of stairs to his classroom several times each day..!). Originally from England, Patrick attended Warwick University to pursue his love of mathematics and then to develop his teaching skills. He has taught mathematics in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, Indonesia and the Philippines. In addition to the varied travel opportunities his career has provided, he also enjoys keeping fit, playing golf and writing. Indeed, he self-published a novel not long ago. As students tackle the demands of AP and IB diploma courses, Patrick is available anytime for consultation and to help guide and support students and families through this often challenging journey. He can be reached at hillmanp@ismanila.org