Meet The Team

Founder

In 2010, our beloved friend and colleague, Brett Campbell, co-founded the American Institute with the lofty goal of bringing the American education system closer to Croatia. In addition to his many responsibilities at the American Institute, Brett worked as a lecturer at the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Political Science and the College of International Relations and Diplomacy Dag Ham-marskjöld. He also served as a freelance copy editor for GONG, UNDP, the Institute for International Relations, and GiZ, among others. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Brett earned a master's degree in European and Eurasian studies from George Washington University and went on to pursue a Ph.D. in International Studies at the University of Trento.

After a long, arduous struggle with cancer, Brett had to leave his loving family, dear friends and students, and cherished American Institute behind. His unwavering wit, charm, and way with words, which he wielded so eloquently, will live on forever in the hearts of those privileged enough to have crossed his path.

Executive Director 

Alexandra is an educator from Calgary, Canada.  She has received a Bachelor’s in Psychology, followed by a TEFL/TESL certification, and a Bachelor’s of Education in 2019. She has 10 years of experience in teaching and believes literacy is the key to success. She champions building a sense of community and connection in the classroom and enjoys using new technologies to teach. Alexandra’s familial origins are Greek and her husband’s are Croatian which helped influence their decision to move to Zagreb. When she is not teaching, she is dancing and traveling to neighboring cities and countries. She also works on her own professional development by keeping up with online courses and attending a minimum of 2 seminars each year.

Administrator

The American Institute's administrator is Sabina Bajruši, a Croatian- Canadian practitioner, who brings more than 20 years of experience inteaching, directing, and playwriting to our team. Sabina previously lived in Winnipeg, Canada, and, while there, taught drama at the Manitoba Theater for Young People, the Prairie Theater Exchange, and the Winnipeg School Division. Upon returning to Croatia, Sabina continued her career in the fields of publishing and corporate administration, among other areas.

Instructor

Paul comes from County Fermanagh in the north of Ireland. He completed his degree in 1994 in Leicester at De Monfort University in Business and Spanish. In 1995 he became a TEFL teacher at Oxford House College, London. Throughout his 25 year career he has taught PET, FCE, CAE, IELTS, CPE, TEOFL, Business English and general English in 9 different countries to all ages and nationalities. He is currently in his 11th year teaching in Croatia having initially came here in 1998. Paul is also a qualified examiner for the FCE oral examinations. He has taught students from every continent during many years of teaching at assorted summer schools. When he is not working he likes to read, learn Croatian and go fishing.

Instructor

Jason was born and raised in Athens, Greece in a Greek-Canadian family. With a passion for theatre and public speaking, he excelled in activities centred on the English language and communication skills throughout high school. After graduation, he travelled to Ontario, Canada where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Studies from Queen’s University. Somewhere along the line, he discovered he had a knack for teaching English and helping others with their English language work. Thus began his career as a teacher. Wishing to see more of the world, Jason travelled far and wide, from the Americas to East Asia, exploring and learning of new cultures and strange cuisines. Throughout, his capacity as a teacher facilitated his path and his skills and knowledge grew. Having finally landed in Croatia, Jason continues his hobbies of reading, traveling and cooking.