Sjolanda studied Dutch (secondary teaching qualification) and History at the teacher-training institute in Zwolle. She then went on to study International Relations at the American University in Washington D.C. and she taught Dutch at the University of Maryland. Sjolanda taught Dutch at the International School of Zug and at the Inter Community School of Zurich, where she developed the MYP- and Dutch A SSST programmes. She has specialized in curriculum development, the adolescent brain and giftedness. Her three children completed their IB-education.
Sjolanda is, together with Josephine, responsible for the development of IBID’s teaching resources. She is also a teacher.