Dr. Peggy Pelonis was raised in Los Angeles, California. She is an active leadership and professional growth instructor and a facilitator of school leadership transformation conducting workshops, trainings, and lectures in Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. Her work with educators and professionals across the globe focuses on initiating and navigating Change. Having taught in both K-12 and university, her educational philosophy stresses the importance of a healthy mind and body while developing skills and gaining knowledge that will intentionally transform the world around us. Dr. Pelonis is a Licensed Psychotherapist and certified School Counselor in the State of California and holds school leadership certification from the Harvard Business School and Harvard School of Education. She is also a National Certified Psychologist. Dr. Pelonis was on the staff of Cal State University Fullerton as well as the University of LaVerne, teaching in the Master’s Psychology programs, she was on the staff of the Adlerian Training Institute, USA, and is currently on the staff of ICASSI (International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes). She is on the Board of the European Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS) as well as the Board of Middle States Association (MSA) for school accreditation.
Her Doctoral work from the University of Bath, UK involved international schools from around the world examining the practice of Heads of Schools and Principals regarding professional development worldwide. She also holds an M.Sc. degree in Counseling and School Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Indianapolis, and a B.S. in English Literature and Psychology from the American College of Greece.
She is a frequent lecturer at conferences as well as an invited speaker on various TV and radio programs. Her work on Coping with Change, Resilience as well as on Leadership in Education and Educational Transformation has been cited in journals, magazines, and books. She is the author of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and magazine & newspaper articles, as well as three books: *"Resilience and the Internationally Mobile Family; Navigating Changes and Transitions”, *"Change in the journey of life" and "Υπάρχω Αλλάζω" (published in Greek). Published articles include:* An International Perspective of Academic Leadership, * Providing Exceptional Educational Experiences to Students with Financial Need; A Modern Challenge for International K-12 Schools, * Leading Educational Change to Transform the Community, * Modeling 21 st Century Education with Intentional Excellence, *Can Good Citizenship be Taught? * Metamorphosis; A Collaborative Leadership Model to Promote Educational Change.
email: pelonisp@acs.gr
Ms. Tokatlidou completed her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the School of Law and Economics at the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki in 1981. She continued her studies in Toronto, Canada, where she completed her Master of Arts in Economics and all but the thesis requirement for the Ph.D. program in Economics. In 2013 she received her M.B.A from the University of Indianapolis as well as her Certificate for International School Leadership.
Ms. Tokatlidou has been a member of the ACS Athens community since 2005. Initially, as an IB Economics faculty, then as Director of IB and AP programs, as Academy Vice-Principal, and currently the Dean of Academics.
For more than a decade, Ms. Tokatlidou has worked along with the IB Diploma and AP Faculty in expanding and enhancing the IB and AP programs as well as the curriculum and professional development of faculty, making the IB Diploma program one of the most sought-after programs in Greece.
In 2019, she spearheaded the launch of ACS Athens Virtual, offering online courses. Ms. Tokatlidou led a team of educators and administrators to create a new curriculum while at the same time adapting the existing one. Currently in its third successful year, ACS Athens Virtual placed ACS Athens amongst the leading schools worldwide that incorporated and effectively applied technological developments in education that addressed different types of learners through an extended variety of courses. Further, ACS Athens Virtual helped create a framework for hybrid learning during the extended Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 and 2021.
Ms. Tokatlidou strongly believes in learning and citizenship development through service, innovative projects, and personal growth through education. This led to the development and creation of the ACS Athens Youth to Youth Educational and Social Integration Program in collaboration with The HOME Project organization. The program addresses the social and educational needs of unaccompanied minors in Athens that fled to Greece due to the Syrian civil war through a student-to-student partnership learning model running since January 2017. The program now includes the Part-time Youth to Youth that runs on Saturdays and involves numerous student and faculty volunteers, and the full-time Youth to Youth program run through the Ed Shapiro Foundation scholarships.
Ms. Tokatlidou, as an educator, strives for lifelong learning unconfined by physical proximity, global citizenship, effective risk-taking, and ethical decision-making. She has led various workshops and has published in numerous scientific journals.
Ms. Tokatlidou was born and raised in Drama, Greece.
email: tokatlidouj@acs.gr
Ms. Constantinides was born in Cairo, Egypt. She earned a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education and French Language at McGill University; she received an M.A. in Exercise Physiology from the same institution, an M.Sc. in Sports Administration from Louisville University, and an MBA from the University of Indianapolis.
Ms. Constantinides is an ACS Athens Alumnus (class of '79) and returned to ACS Athens as a Middle School Physical Education teacher in 1986. She holds the position of Athletic Director since 1998.
Ms. Constantinides was the event manager in a number of International Sports projects, such as the McDonalds Classic in Paris, the NBA Jam Tour in Greece, the NBA 3 x 3 tour in Greece. In addition, she has worked in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, was the Venue and Competition Manager for Softball in the Athens 2004 Olympics, and was the appointed Technical Delegate for Softball in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the venue and sports manager for the Special Olympics that took place in Athens in July 2011. She was the Assistant Technical Delegate of the World Summer Special Olympic Games of 2015 in the sport of softball.
She was a member of the ISST Executive Board from 2006-09, a member of the International Softball Federation Executive Board from 2008-09, is presently the Vice-Chair of the ISAA conference (International Schools Athletics Association), and is the recipient of the “Women and Sport” Award by the International Olympic Committee.
email: constantinidesa@acs.gr
Steve Kakaris started employment at ACS Athens in 2002 as Business Manager. Currently holds the position of Director of Finance and Facilities.
His business career started in USA, where he worked for 21 years at different companies in the private sector. His experience was in the areas of public accounting, manufacturing and financial management.
Mr. Kakaris undergraduate studies were in Business Administration at the University of Piraeus and his Masters degree in Accounting from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He passed the Certified Public Accountant exams in Illinois.
Mr. Kakaris is married and has two kids who graduated from ACS Athens.
email: kakariss@acs.gr
John Papadakis is the Director of Enrollment Management and Technology at ACS Athens since 2006.
He's in charge of the operation of the Suheil Sabbagh Media Studio at the Learning Commons and is involved in the strategic implementation of the Media Literacy program and initiatives throughout the school.
Since 2021, he's a member of the executive team of ACSAthensGlobal, the official platform connecting the global alumni community of the school.
John Papadakis is the certified Data Protection Officer of the school (email: dpo@acs.gr) since 2018 overseeing the compliance of the school with GDPR. He received his DPO certification from TÜV Austria in 2018.
He has also served as the managing editor of the International Schools Journal, published by ACS Athens, between 2019 and 2023.
After 14 years in the United States, where he served the American K-12 education in different capacities as a Math teacher, educatiional technologist, tutor, and administrator, he returned to Greece with his family in 2001.
His academic studies include an Executive M.B.A. degree from the University of Indianapolis (Athens Campus), a B.A. in Communications/Electronic Media/Broadcasting from Columbia College Chicago, and an associate degree in Electronics Engineering from Triton College, IL. He has extensive experience in radio/TV production and has worked as an editor/staff writer in weekly ethnic newspapers based in Chicago, IL. John Papadakis was the Director of Communications and Operations of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) – North and South America Region, based in Chicago, from 1995-2001, covering and promoting the educational, civic and cultural activities of the ethnic Greek community on the American continent.
After his arrival to Athens in 2001, he was involved in technology projects as a training consultant and as a project manager in new media related projects (e-commerce, online Content Management Systems, web 2.0, etc.).
Previous business ventures include: a TV satellite company operating as a Dish Network dealer and distributor of Greek satellite TV channels in the Midwest; a weekly radio program promoting the activities of the Greek American community; and various business technology and communication consulting services to organizations and businesses in the Chicagoland area.
John Papadakis is a life-long learner, music lover and global minded citizen of the world.
email: papadakisj@acs.gr
Ms. Andromachi Fragkou has been a member of the ACS Athens community since April 2018. With a strong dedication to fostering human development, she currently holds the position of Director of Services and Employee Development. Her approach to this role is shaped by a solid educational background and extensive professional experience.
Ms. Fragkou's academic achievements include an MBA Degree from Athens University of Economics, a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management from Paris University 7 Denis Diderot, and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her practical experience spans over a decade, encompassing various sectors such as NGOs, retail, and banking in both Paris and Athens.
Drawing from her diverse background, Ms. Fragkou applies her knowledge to benefit the ACS Athens community. Her current responsibilities involve utilizing her expertise to empower individuals, nurture their growth, and contribute to the overall progress of the community.
email: fragkoua@acs.gr
Ms. Manos joined the Technology Department in 1987 and currently serves as the IT Administrator. She is the NVS (NESA Virtual School) System Administrator for Moodle® and represents ACS Athens at the annual NESA conferences for IT Intranet Administrators.
email: manosm@acs.gr