Harri has been a member of the Board since 2018, first as Secretary and taking over as Chair in 2019. Harri has experience in managing schools in the Netherlands and we are very pleased that he is sharing his experience with De Esdoorn.
De Esdoorn Staff
Board of Directors
Are you looking to get more involved in our school? Do you have a passion for Dutch and Flemish language and culture? Join our Board of committed, motivated and fun Dutch, Belgians and Canadians!
We are an ambitious school with lots of opportunities for creativity and growth, and several of our Board members will be transitioning at the end of this school year. Bring your knowledge, ideas and energy to our school! It’s so rewarding to connect and be part of such a great community.
Harri de Wijze
Harri de Wijze -
Ellen Hermans
Treasurer
Ellen Hermans - Treasurer
Ellen was born in Belgium and moved to Vancouver in 2006. She joined the board as Treasurer in 2020. Ellen moved to Penticton in 2024, but works closely with the office manager to continue to support the school’s financial health & growth.
Sandra van Ark
Board Member
Sandra van Ark - Board Member
Sandra is one of the two founders of the school. Sandra served as Secretary from 2019-2022. Her daughter is one of De Esdoorn’s first students.
Maria Paula Murad
Marketing and Communication
Maria Paula Murad - Marketing and Communication
Maria Paula joined the Board in 2024 and looks forward to contributing to the growth and reputation of De Esdoorn online. Maria Paula has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Portuguese is her native language, and she started Dutch lessons for adults, experiencing the school classes firsthand.
Angelique Bikkers – van Nugteren
Human Resources
Angelique Bikkers – van Nugteren - Human Resources
Angelique joined the Board in 2023 to focus on Human Resources. Angelique lives with her husband and two sons in Vancouver since 2019 and has a background in Human Resources, Education and Coaching. Her youngest son attends high school lessons at De Esdoorn.
What We Do
The Board of Directors is responsible for the policies, budget and overall operations of the school. We work with the School Director, Marianne Cauwels, who joins most Board meetings and is responsible for the daily management and implementation of policy. We also work with the Head Teacher and the Cultural Events Committee to organize Dutch Cultural Days and special days, such as opening and closing the school year.
Once a year we hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to approve the budget for the upcoming year and to vote for new Board members. All Board members and teachers of De Esdoorn attend the AGM.
We are always looking for new Board members to get involved. If you are interested in helping us grow our Dutch community, please contact us or speak to any of our Board members — there are lots of opportunities.
School Staff
Marianne Cauwels
Director
Marianne Cauwels - Director
Director at De Esdoorn since 2022
Hi! My name is Marianne Cauwels, born and raised in East Flanders, Belgium close to the Dutch border. After some wandering, I ended up in Antwerp where I worked as a lawyer and subsequently specialized in international commercial law.
I have lived in Vancouver since late 2016 and have two daughters, Emily and Ines, who also live in Vancouver. Together with them I have set up an agency that represents Belgian companies.
Since July 2022, a new challenge knocked on my door… as School Director of De Esdoorn.
Bastiënne de Graaff
Head Teacher
Bastiënne de Graaff - Head Teacher
BEd (Bachelor of Education)
Teacher Training in Primary Education (PABO)
Hogeschool UtrechtHead Teacher at De Esdoorn since 2022
My name is Bastiënne de Graaf and I have been living in Vancouver since July 2022. In primary school I discovered that I love to help others with learning. By High School, I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher. After my post-secondary studies I went to do my Teacher Training in Utrecht and graduated in 2022. During my training I also obtained my ‘Teaching English as a Foreign Language’ and my qualification to teach PE at primary school.
After completing my studies, I immediately left for Vancouver to teach at De Esdoorn. During my studies, I walked a number of times at schools with children who had little or no knowledge of the Dutch language. I enjoyed helping these children to learn Dutch.
I always enjoy the learning process of children. Every child learns in a different way and pace. I believe that children can also learn a lot from each other. You will also see in my less that I use cooperative working methods and ask children to help each other.
Working at De Esdoorn is a great fit for me. I find it fun and interesting to teach the children in Canada about the Dutch language and culture.
Angelique Ekkers
Office Manager
Angelique Ekkers - Office Manager
Office manager at De Esdoorn since June 2024
Since 2010 I’ve lived in Vancouver, Canada. I was born and raised in the province of North Holland in The Netherlands and together with my spouse, we relocated here. We now have a son, and that’s how we got involved with De Esdoorn for Dutch language and culture classes.
Thanks to the growth of De Esdoorn I was given the opportunity to start working as an office manager. Behind the scenes, I handle a variety of tasks, especially in financial administration. I support the board and help out with communications and various events.
I’m grateful that we can be part of De Esdoorn. This warm and vibrant community allows us to maintain and pass on our Dutch language and both Dutch and Belgian culture. Everyone is welcome, so I’d say: Come join us — it’s ‘gezellig’!
Elin Molenaar
Social Media Administrator
Elin Molenaar - Social Media Administrator
Social Media Administrator
Hey! My name is Elin Molenaar. I was born and raised in the Netherlands but have loved Canada from a young age, as some of my family members made the move abroad.
In 2017, I spent nine months in the Greater Vancouver area and eventually decided to make the move myself in 2019. After studying Journalism at BCIT, I found my purpose in the non-profit sector—using my storytelling skills to make a difference in an ever-changing world.
I’m thrilled to apply my skill set as the Social Media Administrator with De Esdoorn and share the amazing work we do with the community.
Community is everything, and I hope you’re as excited to be part of ours as I am!
Iris Siekman
Teacher
Iris Siekman - Teacher
Teacher at De Esdoorn since 2020
I have been living in Canada for 23 years. My husband and I started in Ontario, where our two children were also born. After four years we moved to BC where we have been enjoying ourselves ever since. Our children are fully bilingual (and our daughter is even trilingual) and are now following further education in the Netherlands. The only thing that sometimes causes some problems is writing in Dutch (there was no “De Esdoorn” at the time). In the Netherlands I worked for a while as a speech therapist in special education, where I was mainly concerned with language development delays and disorders, articulation, alternative means of communication and eating-drinking problems. Here in BC I work as an education assistant at a school in North Delta. There I help both English and French immersion students with special needs. Two years ago I took the “Teaching English Abroad” course in Coquitlam together with our daughter, where I gained many ideas for teaching a second language to children. In my spare time I love to go out in beautiful BC: walking, cycling, kayaking. If the weather is not so nice, you can find me with a book, in the pool or in the kitchen to try out a new recipe and enjoy it with friends. A game after that makes the day complete!
Eurydice Mac Donald
Teacher
Eurydice Mac Donald - Teacher
Teacher Certification (PABO)
Teacher at De Esdoorn since 2022.
Hi everyone, my name is Eurydice Mac Donald. I am married and have two beautiful grown sons. Before I left for British Columbia I was a group teacher trained at the PABO (Dutch teacher training) for 23 years, teaching different groups. I have always taught with great pleasure and passion because, as a group teacher, I find it important to pay attention to each child and to ensure that every child develops optimally. As a team it is essential to look at the possibilities and learning needs of each child and connect to it. This school year I will start at De Esdoorn and I hope that together as a team, with the parents and with the children we will have a year of fun and learning.
Ines Djafarian
Teacher
Ines Djafarian - Teacher
Human Sciences
Examination CommitteeTeacher at De Esdoorn since 2022.
My name is Ines. I was born in Antwerp, Belgium where I also graduated. At the age of 18 with a Permanent Resident card in my pocket I moved to Vancouver. My first job in Vancouver was a receptionist and shop assistant, where I became manager of my location after a few months. Two years later I switched to the position of Office Manager. In 2019 I met my partner. Together we have a son, who is almost 1.5 years old. He will be a future student of De Esdoorn.
As a teenager, I worked with young children in horseback riding camps a lot and I also gave riding lessons. Now I still ride horses, but no longer compete and I enjoy walking with my family and our dog Harley.
Since my son’s birth I have become deeply involved in various educational techniques including Montessori which I find and study in books and online.
I grew up in a family where we valued bringing out the best of yourself and others.I look forward to working with the other teachers to build the North Shore Vancouver location as a centre where it is fun and educational for the children.
Eva van Veen
Teacher
Eva van Veen - Teacher
Teacher at De Esdoorn since 2025
I was born in Den Haag and have been living in Vancouver for just over a year. I attend West Vancouver Secondary School and have spent the past year volunteering at the Esdoorn as a teaching assistant. This year, I’m excited to make the transition to teacher, as I really enjoyed working with the children and helping them learn.
I’m very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this community. It has been such a joy to connect with Dutch and Belgian children and parents, everyone has been so welcoming. I’m really looking forward to this year!
Emily van Goethem
Teacher
Emily van Goethem - Teacher
Teacher at De Esdoorn since 2025
My name is Emily, and I was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium. I hold a Master’s degree in Business Engineering, a program that blends elements of industrial engineering and business management. While my professional career brought me into the world of consulting, where I currently work as a Senior IT Consultant/Lead, I’ve always had a passion for teaching, especially math, and enjoyed tutoring my younger sister growing up.
I moved to Vancouver five years ago and quickly fell in love with the city. Being able to speak Flemish with family and friends here helps me stay connected to my roots. I’m also a proud aunt of two nephews, and I love teaching them Flemish whenever I get the chance.
As someone with both ADHD and dyslexia, school wasn’t always easy. Over the years, I’ve learned how to work with my strengths and develop strategies that help me succeed—and those experiences have shaped how I approach teaching. I understand that every child learns differently, and I believe patience, creativity, and encouragement can make a world of difference.
Although I’m relatively new to teaching in a classroom setting, I find it incredibly exciting to see children grow in their learning. It’s rewarding to help them discover the joy of language, and I’m thrilled to be part of the team at De Esdoorn.
In my free time, you’ll probably find me diving into anything nerdy—whether it’s books, tech, or puzzles. I’m looking forward to getting to know all the students and families at De Esdoorn and sharing my love of language and learning!
Mar-Claire van den Heuvel
Teacher
Mar-Claire van den Heuvel - Teacher
Teacher at De Esdoorn since 2025
Hello!
My name is Mar-Claire van den Heuvel. I was born and raised in the Netherlands. For more than 20 years, I worked as a geography teacher and school trainer in (bilingual) secondary education. Since 2021 I’ve been living in Canada with my husband and three children. Here, I successfully completed a degree in English language and literature. Since 2023, I’ve been working as a recruitment manager at a university in Edmonton. I lead a team of recruiters and student ambassadors, organize various recruitment events, and travel nationally and internationally to recruit students. It’s a super fun job!
Recently, I reached out to De Esdoorn to teach Dutch lessons. Language has always played a role in my work and interests: as a teacher in bilingual education, as a language buddy for a Syrian refugee family in the Netherlands, during my international studies in English language and literature, and even now, during the French lessons I take in my free time. I know from experience how quickly a language can fade if you’re not actively using it. That’s exactly why I’m really looking forward to teaching online Dutch lessons to students of De Esdoorn.
