Thrive here,
then everywhere

We are thrilled to invite Lower School families to a live virtual session that celebrates the joy of learning at Brewster Madrid.

Come see how our Play and Project-Based Learning approach turns natural curiosity into meaningful growth. In our classrooms, children explore big ideas, build skills, and develop confidence through hands-on experiences that make learning exciting and memorable.

During this session, you will hear from our teachers, students, and admissions team about what makes this approach so powerful for young learners and how it helps every child thrive.

Date: October 9th 2025

We cannot wait to meet you and share the energy and creativity that fill our classrooms every day.

The recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching demonstrated a dedication to the craft of teaching that went far beyond her own classroom. She helped develop programs rooted in curricular innovation and student-centered learning and was endlessly kind and always approachable.

One nominator shared, “Her depth of knowledge, thoughtful planning, and engaging instructional style make her classes not only impactful for students, but genuinely inspiring for colleagues as well.” Another added, “Whenever I hear about what she is teaching, I find myself drawn in. It is clear she puts incredible care into designing meaningful learning experiences. She masterfully balances high expectations with a nurturing presence, guiding students with clarity, enthusiasm, and deep respect.”

Selected by a committee of her peers as a representation of the very best of teaching at Brewster, the 2025 Brewster Madrid Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Celeste Hinshaw, Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher & Lower School Team Leader (Grades 1–5).

The recipient of the Faculty Award for Career Growth made countless contributions to our community, ensuring every student in his care was supported and able to succeed. His creativity, relentless effort, and unbridled enthusiasm for teaching left an indelible mark on our school.

One nominator shared, “His ideas are not only highly creative, but also implemented with efficiency, clarity, and impact. His ability to deeply connect with his students and invest fully in his teaching practice makes him a truly remarkable educator.” Another added, “He adapts, pivots, and reworks his classroom to keep learners engaged and motivated. It has been a joy to work alongside him.”

Selected by a committee of his peers, the 2025 Brewster Madrid Faculty Award for Career Growth was awarded to Thomas Wiaduck, Middle & Upper School English.

Brewster Madrid is excited to welcome prospective students and families to campus for our Open House days during this academic year.

At your visit, you will hear from students and faculty, and learn about the admission process and the Brewster  difference.

Few programs capture the spirit of Brewster quite like the Brewster Summer Institute (BSI), where new faculty embark on a shared journey of learning and community from their very first days. BSI—Brewster’s intensive summer training for teachers across all campuses—has, since 1993, introduced new employees to the school’s values, structures, and dynamic community, equipping them for success and helping them build lasting connections. These connections and successes directly translate into their teaching and ability to help prepare students for the classroom and beyond.

This year, BSI brought together eight new faculty in Wolfeboro and 39 new employees across Brewster’s two Madrid campuses (both K-12 private American schools in Madrid). Led this year by Assistant Head of School James Reilly and Dean of Faculty Katie Gardner in Wolfeboro, and Director of Faculty Development Bret Barnett in Spain, sessions ranged from Global Education to radical candor and Brewster history, all designed to spark meaningful conversations and build a shared vision.

Reflecting on the experience, Director of Faculty Development Bret Barnett shared, “I love BSI. The energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism of all the new staff is contagious. Not only is it rewarding to set new folks up to begin their Brewster journey, but it is also amazing to hear from them as they share their wealth of expertise.”

This spirit of collective engagement and pride was echoed by new faculty member Joseph Scala-Harbert ’16 (also a Brewster alum), who remarked, “Over the last three weeks at BSI, I felt massive engagement, a huge sense of community, great structure in a really positive form, and a lot of pride in what people do here and what I hope to do here.”

Melanie Fedorowicz, a new art teacher in Wolfeboro, described her BSI experience as having, “a general feeling of support and guidance,” balanced with “high standards and rigor. And a reminder that people are joyful and teachers are joyful here.”

Highlights included a midsummer trivia competition connecting all three campuses, and a new tradition: faculty in Wolfeboro created a welcome video for their Madrid colleagues—an exchange so warmly received that Madrid is already planning one in return.

BSI continues to help build the culture and community that defines Brewster, allowing teachers to truly put students at the center of their learning.

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Learn More About Brewster

Experience Brewster Madrid, one of the leading K-12 private and international schools in Spain. Explore our website further to discover why Brewster is one of the best American schools in Madrid with our top-ranked academics (we are an IB School and Advanced Placement Madrid school) and inclusive admissions process. Learn why so many expat and local families choose Brewster for value, innovation, and excellence in education, at both our Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses in Madrid.

This fall marks an exciting new chapter in Brewster’s story as we open our La Moraleja campus, joining Chamberí and our founding campus in Wolfeboro to build on Brewster’s 205-year history in education. Grounded in Brewster’s mission to prepare diverse thinkers for lives of purpose, our three campuses share a common vision: that every student is known, valued, and challenged to grow as both a learner and a person.

In the letters ahead, you will hear from the La Moraleja division leaders, who together express what makes Brewster distinct. They speak to a Lower School that nurtures curiosity and joyful exploration, a Middle School that balances challenge with a sense of belonging, and an Upper School that equips students to think critically, act confidently, and engage deeply with their communities.

We invite you to meet our division leaders below, to discover the experiences they bring and the ways they will bring Brewster’s mission to life at La Moraleja.

Olivia Popovitch

Lower School Dean 

It is with great excitement and gratitude that I introduce myself as the Lower School Dean at Brewster Madrid, La Moraleja. My name is Olivia Popovitch, and I’m originally from upstate New York. Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of living and teaching internationally, in Costa Rica, Hungary, and most recently Valencia, before making my home here in Madrid.

As a founding member of Brewster Madrid in Chamberí, I have seen firsthand the power of a shared vision and strong community. I am deeply honored to now help launch Brewster Madrid, La Moraleja, where we are building something truly special together.

At Brewster, our approach is rooted in a student-centered philosophy that ensures each child is known, valued, and challenged as an individual. In our Early Years classrooms, play-based learning lays the foundation for curiosity, exploration, and social-emotional development. Throughout the Lower School, our inquiry-driven curriculum encourages children to ask questions, think critically, and engage deeply with their learning. Just as important, we believe in strong partnerships with families, working closely together to support each child’s growth and success.

Our mission, to prepare diverse thinkers for lives of purpose, guides everything we do. We are excited to begin this journey with you and are committed to ensuring that each child feels seen, supported, and inspired every single day.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child. We look forward to partnering with you to build a joyful, inclusive, and thriving school community where all learners are challenged, supported, and celebrated.

Warmly,

Olivia Popovitch

Eric Hansen

Head of Middle School

I am excited to introduce myself as Head of Middle School at Brewster Madrid, La Moraleja. My hope is to initiate a partnership to support your student this year and well beyond.

This will be my 24th year working in schools, including at the Blake School in Minneapolis, King's Academy in Jordan, and most recently the Webb Schools in California. In those schools, I have shaped student discipline, planned curriculum as academic dean, directed English departments, and led athletic teams as a coach. Brewster Madrid, La Moraleja is the third middle school program I have helped launch.

Great middle schools like the program we are building must seek to challenge with fun. In addition to ensuring mastery of essential skills, we develop students as whole, healthy, joyful human beings who feel safe to grow with confidence into their best emerging selves. The Brewster model fosters caring, curiosity, creativity, and persistence by placing relationships first. Our teachers are experts in their subject, and they wish to know your student as an individual. Together, all of us will collaborate to build a shared culture of safety, belonging, and excellence to prepare our students to “lead lives of purpose.”

Since every aspect of our program contributes to your student's growth as a whole person, I hope you will encourage “all in” engagement throughout the academic day: in advisory meetings, in every class, during team study and after-school activities, as well as when they complete homework in the evenings. In my experience, students who make the most of every aspect of school life are those who discover the greatest sense of connection, satisfaction, and later success.

I cannot wait for you to meet the truly outstanding team of educators we have assembled; they are impressive for their strong tenures at great American and international schools in addition to their advanced degrees, facility with multiple languages, and relationship-centered approaches.

We are going to make this an unforgettable year of learning at the beautiful new campus in La Moraleja. I look forward to seeing you at opening meetings in September before the official start of school on the 15th.

With much anticipation,

Eric Hansen

Marta Filip-Fouser, Ed.D.

Head of Upper School

My name is Marta Filip-Fouser, and as the Head of the Upper School at Brewster Madrid, La Moraleja, I am excited to welcome you and to begin the Upper School journey with your children.

I have worked at independent and international day and boarding schools for the past 20 years. Most recently, I served as the Dean of Teaching and Learning at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH, where I led the school’s academic program, oversaw all teaching faculty, and designed and led professional learning for teachers. I have also advised and taught a number of history and interdisciplinary courses at middle and upper school levels, including AP European History, AP Seminar, and AP Research.

Our Upper School program relies on relational learning, focused participation, and reflective practice. Together with our talented faculty and other adults on campus, we will create learning environments that provide your children with opportunities to:

Learn how to think and communicate effectively in different disciplines (What does it mean to think like a historian, a mathematician, an artist, etc.?);

Ask questions and use inquiry to investigate the world (What questions need to be asked? What is missing? Whose perspectives are left out?);

Grow as active members of various communities, be it the school, Madrid, or the larger world (What does it mean to be a community member of Brewster La Moraleja? How do I show our Community Values and help others do the same?).

Upper School is also a time of transitions, growing independence, and decision making. To ensure that each child thrives and can achieve success, it is important that we provide the necessary systems of support. Our highly collaborative approach, The Brewster Model, ensures that your child is seen, heard, and valued, and that our team of advisors, teachers and other trusted adults on campus offer guidance that ultimately prepares young people to “lead lives of purpose.” A strong partnership and transparent communication with parents and guardians is an important element of the whole child education, and I am eager to work together with you as we begin this journey together.

I am very much looking forward to meeting you soon and to welcoming you to our campus in La Moraleja on September 15th. In the meantime, I wish you a wonderful summer.

Kind Regards,

Marta Filip-Fouser, Ed.D.

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Learn More About Brewster

Experience Brewster Madrid, one of the leading K-12 private and international schools in Spain. Explore our website further to discover why Brewster is one of the best American schools in Madrid with our top-ranked academics (we are an IB School and Advanced Placement Madrid school) and inclusive admissions process. Learn why so many expat and local families choose Brewster for value, innovation, and excellence in education, at both our Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses in Madrid.