Who are we?
Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB) is a Flemish higher education institution located in Brussels. EhB’s more than 7.000 students are clustered in 2 departments and 2 Schools of Arts, located on 8 campuses throughout the city and another 3 elsewhere in Flanders. The departments offer Associate Degree and Bachelor programmes with a strong professional focus, while the Schools of Arts offer Bachelors and Masters in Music, Audiovisual and Performing Arts.
EhB stands for student-oriented curricula through an intense collaboration between students and lecturers. During their studies, students at EhB are involved in ongoing research as much as possible, fostering an attitude of innovation and inquisitiveness.
EhB is strongly committed to research. Within its research offer, it make a distinction between two major types: research in the arts, conducted in the Schools of Arts, and practice-based research, which is linked to our bachelor’s programmes.
Our Role in the Project
In the SPIRIT project, we contributes to the development of lessons and teaching materials closely connected to primary school practice. We tested for ourselves these materials together with teachers in several classrooms, ensuring they are firmly rooted in the everyday reality of pupils and teachers. We also disseminate all this developed material through in-service training sessions.
Our Team
Anja DECOSTER
Anja Decoster has been a lecturer at the teacher training program of Erasmus University College Brussels since 2005. She teaches subject content and didactics of world orientation in the Primary Education program and geography in the Secondary Education program. In addition, she supervises students during their teaching practice. She contributed to the development of the new geography attainment targets for the Flemish Department of Education, which has given her in-depth knowledge of the learning content taught in primary schools. Within the Cross Over project, she gained experience in combining science and the arts. With many years of experience, she inspires future teachers to connect subject expertise with creativity and practice.
Malisse BRAM
He is lecturer of Arts and Aesthetics at EhB for the program of pre-primary and primary education. He is involved in the thinktank at the department on teaching teachers-to-be on how to deal with open ended materials and how to develop arts-based teaching skills. He explores crossovers between science and arts, reflecting on the didactics behind this process. He promotes arts integrated education. This is the integration of the visual and performing arts -music, drama and dance -in the core subjects like mathematics, language. (STEAM). He focuses on the use of low-tech and daily and basic art materials, which is in line with the natural desire of children to actively learn through the senses, allowing them to discover the learning objectives and to express those experiences. Bram Malisse has been workimng as of an arts integrated educational coach for teachers in pre-and primary schools in Flanders since 1999.
Our pilot teachers
Lieselot Beyens (grade 1-2)
Hello, my name is Liesje. I have been working in education since graduating in 2015. I started as a volunteer in various schools in and around my hometown, where I gained valuable experience. I quickly found my place at De Goudenregen primary school, where I am now enthusiastically starting my tenth year. For the past six years, I have been teaching first year pupils, an environment in which I can fully express my passion for young children. I am also the point of contact for ICT within the school, supporting colleagues and contributing to digital innovation in the classroom.
Ayla Buggenhout (grade 1-2)
Ayla Buggenhout is an enthusiastic and committed teacher at GO! Primary School De Muziekladder in Schaarbeek—a vibrant, musical school where creativity and connection are central. Graduated from Erasmus University College Brussels in 2020. Ayla feels completely at home in this green and inspiring learning environment, within walking distance of the station. She is part of a warm team and works closely with the music academy on the school grounds, which creates a rich, artistic dynamic in her classroom. Thanks to her open attitude and passion for education, she contributes to a safe and stimulating place where children and colleagues can grow.
Johanna Lamouris (grade 1-2)
Johanna Lamouris, originally from Hungary, has been working in education for 7.5 years. After five years as a nursery school teacher, she has been working as a second-year teacher at De Muziekladder Primary School for the past 2.5 years. She obtained her diploma in Early Childhood Education at Erasmus University College Brussels. Johanna strongly believes in experiential learning and encourages children to discover through doing, learn outdoors and maintain their curiosity.
Lena Vankeyenberg (grade 3-4)
My name is Lena Vankeyenberg (26 years old). I graduated from Erasmus University College Brussels in 2021. After that (2021-2022), I did the Banaba care extension and remedial learning programme at Artevelde University College Ghent. In 2021, I also started my first job in education. I worked at De Kleine Icarus primary school in Ghent as a nursery school teacher. In 2022, I started at Pacheco primary school in Brussels as a third-year class teacher. I am still teaching this class today. I attach great importance to a classroom where children respect each other, learn from each other and can be children.
Barbara Breckx (grade 1-2)
Barbara graduated from the teacher training programme at Erasmus University College in 2019. Since then, she has been searching for her place in education, driven by the desire to teach in a way that truly suits her. She is particularly drawn to Freinet pedagogy: an approach that connects learning to real life, society and the world in which children grow up.But Barbara wants to do more than just impart knowledge. She believes in the power of imagination, freedom and limitless possibilities. Not a system that pigeonholes children, but one that opens doors—to creativity, collaboration and personal growth. Because every child deserves the space to become who they really are, in a world full of challenges and wonder.
Marie Stainier (grade 3-4)
Marie Stainier is a committed teacher who puts her heart and soul into building a future for her pupils. She graduated from the teacher training programme at Erasmus University College Brussels in 2011. Based on a strong belief in every child’s potential for growth, she works hard every day to create a safe, warm and inclusive learning environment. As a teacher within GO! Education, she promotes the values of openness, respect and connectedness, and actively works to ensure accessible communication with parents and pupils. Marie believes that every child is unique and has the right to a tailored education that discovers and strengthens their talents. In her classroom, the focus is not only on transferring knowledge, but also on shaping socially aware and confident young people.
Merel Brichau (grade 3-4)
Merel is a primary school teacher in the fourth grade in Molenbeek, currently in her third school year. She graduated from Erasmushogeschool Brussels. In her classroom, she finds it important that children feel comfortable, enjoy learning, and learn to work together. She values care and respect for one another, as well as embracing diversity. Merel strongly believes in the talent of every child and encourages them to bring out the best in themselves.
Tim Paridaens (grade 3-4)
Tim Paridaens is a passionate teacher who found his calling in guiding children in their growth and learning process. After training in the hotel sector, he followed his heart to education, where he further specialised in care and diversity through a bachelor’s degree in special education. Graduated from Erasmus University College Brussels in 2018. Since 2019, he has been enthusiastically teaching at Vier Winden primary school in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, a school where respect, connection and inclusion are central values. In his warm and stimulating classroom environment, children are given the space to develop at their own pace—with a touch of humour as a constant.
Our Pilot Schools
Vier Winden Basisschool, St Jans Molenbeek
Go! Basisschool Pacheco, Brussel
Go! Basisschool Eugeen Laermans, St Jans Molenbeek
Go! Basisschool De Goudenregen, Ganshoren
Go! Basisschool De Muziekladder, Schaarbeek
