Meet Anthony Frans, our Interim MYP Design Teacher!

Welcome to WIS! What would you like us to know about you?

"Thank you! I'm a Namibian, born and raised, and I have a deep love for life and connecting with people. My journey has taken me all over the world, but my core passion has always been education—I absolutely love to learn and I'm equally passionate about sharing that knowledge with others. I'm excited to bring my global experiences and my enthusiasm for creation into the Design classroom."

Could you tell us a little about your philosophy of education?

"My philosophy is that learning should be a dynamic and empowering adventure. I believe in harnessing curiosity to solve real problems. In my classroom, we will embrace the design cycle as a story—we'll identify a challenge, prototype solutions, iterate (which is a fancy word for learning from what doesn't work), and create a final product we're proud of. It's the same process used to make everything from a new app to a blockbuster film, and I've seen firsthand how powerful it is."

People often like to know their teacher’s academic background and professional experiences. What and where have you studied? Where have you worked?

"I did my Masters in Arts at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, which launched me into a career in Hollywood. I was fortunate to work on everything from small independent projects to Emmy Award-winning shows and with Oscar-winning directors and screenwriters. Seeking a new challenge, I then moved to Miami and spent two years with Apple, honing my skills in user-focused design and technology. This unique path from creative storytelling to cutting-edge tech is what I'm most excited to bring to my students at WIS."

What do you do when you aren't teaching?

"When I'm not teaching, I'm probably watching a movie—ask me about any film, I've most likely seen it! I'm also an avid video gamer; I appreciate them as incredible examples of interactive design and storytelling. To balance the screen time, I'm a big believer in fitness and start every morning with a jog to clear my head and energize myself for the day."

Why did you choose WIS?

"I chose WIS because it embodies what I love most: a diverse community of people from different backgrounds. After living and working in places like Russia, the USA, and back in Namibia, I've learned that the most valuable education often comes from the people around you. WIS feels like the perfect place to teach my passion for design while also learning from the unique perspectives of every student and colleague."

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you? 

"Absolutely! A few more fun facts: I’m a bit of a linguist at heart—I speak several languages and I’m actively learning new ones every day. I find it’s one of the best ways to truly connect with different cultures. And be warned: do not challenge me to a trivia night! I’m ridiculously good at it. It’s actually a dream of mine to go on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’ though I have a recurring nightmare of getting the very first question wrong! So if anyone ever wants to form a trivia team or help me practice, I’m always ready. I truly believe that the skills learned in MYP Design—problem-solving, prototyping, critical thinking—are essential for whatever path you choose in life, whether you want to be the next great filmmaker, engineer, or anything in between."