Annette de Graaf, Guro Foss Knutsen and Rebecca Vasconcelos are global educators, curriculum designers and educational changemakers driven by a shared belief that education should be more human, meaningful and manageable for learners, educators and families alike.
With extensive experience in international education, including many years in IB World Schools and public schools across the globe, they bring both pedagogical depth and system-level innovation. As coaches, speakers, and curriculum developers, they support schools and educators in reimagining daily routines, curriculum structures and school culture to better serve the humans at the heart of it all.
They simplify the complexity of curriculum, without watering it down. From daily well-being routines to subject-specific academic frameworks for pre-K to Grade 10, they design tools that make learning visible and accessible, even for a five-year-old. Imagine what can happen when curriculum becomes a living, breathing part of school life?
Their work has been recognized as one of the Global Top 100 Educational Innovations by HundrED, and their approach is already being adopted by schools around the world that want to build communities where everyone feels confident, competent, as well as connected.
Meet Rebecca:
Rebecca Vasconcelos, with Brazilian and Italian roots, is an experienced educator and curriculum developer with a strong international footprint. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy and a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in Language and Technologies Applied to Education from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Within The Flow Approach, Rebecca is responsible for , bringing together her expertise in pedagogy, learner wellbeing, and international school practices. She contributes a unique perspective on how creativity, arts, and mindfulness can be woven into everyday learning.
In addition, Rebecca has taught in Brazil, Abu Dhabi, and Thailand, where she was recognized as “Best Teacher of the Year” and served as a PYP Literacy Coordinator. She is also Co-Founder of LEAP and currently training as a mindfulness and neuroscience coach.
Fun Fact about Rebecca:
She loves to clear her head by going for a run, doing yoga or meditating. She doesn’t just educate about the importance of wellbeing, she is the living example of taking really good care of yourself.
Meet Guro:
Guro Foss Knutsen is a Norwegian educator and trainer with a strong dedication to building authentic, human-centered learning cultures. She leads the Flow Guides Training Program, supporting educators in moving away from traditional, hierarchical teaching towards guiding with trust, curiosity and empathy.
Guro works as an English educator in middle school, where she is also coordinator for learners who need extra support and for neurodiverse students. This dual role reflects her deep commitment to inclusion, ensuring that every learner is truly seen, valued, and given the right opportunities to grow.
Her expertise lies in strengthening the bond between all stakeholders – learners, families, and educators – what The Flow Approach calls the Golden Triangle. She believes that when relationships are rooted in openness and collaboration, learning cultures thrive. Through her work, Guro helps schools build environments where learners feel safe and motivated, educators feel supported, and families are fully engaged as partners in growth.
Fun Fact about Guro:
She used to play handball at a very high level. She is still very sporty though and joins CrossFit workouts nearly every day of the week!
Meet Annette:
Annette de Graaf is an educational innovator, writer, and workshop leader with 20 years of experience in education. She has worked as an IB educator in Amsterdam, Vietnam, and Norway, and is deeply passionate about learner voice, literature, and school culture. Alongside her international teaching career, she also serves as a school library and reading culture coordinator, and organizes Children’s Book Week to inspire reading joy across schools.
Within The Flow Approach, Annette leads the development of My Learning Story and the single subject curricula – unique readiness-based frameworks created with and for learners. These tools help schools move beyond one-size-fits-all education, giving every learner ownership of their progress and the opportunity to grow at their own pace.
In addition, Annette writes and delivers workshops for parents and educators on raising and guiding children with a growth mindset. Across all her work, she is guided by the belief that every child has a story worth telling – and that education should give them the tools, space, and confidence to share it.
Fun Fact about Annette:
She used to play korfball (the only mixed gender sport in the world, mostly played in the Netherlands) at the highest level and played for the Dutch national team -19. There’s no korfball in Norway (where she lives with her family), but she discovered CrossFit and joins a workout
The Flow Approach 