Faculty & Staff

I have worked in several different international schools around the world, in the Bahamas, China, the UK, Spain... However, when I arrived at RIS it was the first time I felt surrounded by people like me: People who love being a teacher, people who are willing to go the extra mile, people who do whatever it takes for the kids, people who are passionate about education. The first thing I noticed was the quality of the staff here. I knew I had to give my best every single day otherwise I would not be at the same level. It’s very motivating to work with such an incredible group of people. 

As well as having such a well-trained and experienced staff, we have an excellent work environment. We help each other to become better and we support every member of the community in so many ways. It’s great to have such a collaborative team instead of competing with each other, and it definitely makes the school a better place and helps us continue to improve. 

What impresses me the most, however, is the kids. They are such an amazing group of students, willing to learn and wanting you to teach them. They are respectful, supportive, engaged, and motivated. You can see the good values and manners they show. RIS does an amazing job with these children, starting with the very youngest kids.

Our community also offers the chance to do anything you can imagine. We have sports clubs and members of staff organizing all kinds of different events... weekend trips, staff games, sports competitions. And you have opportunities to coach sports teams and be involved in all sorts of activities such as yoga, Latin dance, Zumba, drama productions, etc. Two years ago I made the decision to come to RIS, and I can tell you today that it was the best decision I have ever made. I have extended my contract and hope to be at RIS for many, many more years. I might even retire here, why not?

When trying to select a school for my family I was looking for a school that had a complete array of programs for my three children (ages 16,11, and 9), a great professional opportunity for my wife and me, and a city that offers a great quality of life for my family. Check, check, and check! RIS has exceeded my expectations in all three areas.

“Teaching at RIS is so rewarding! The students are amazing and make the job so joyful. I look forward to the inspiration that they provide me daily from their enthusiasm for learning. The community is supportive and a happy place to be. No where else I would rather be teaching!”

“One of the reasons I love teaching at RIS is because we have a strong sense of community. One day, during circle time, a student shared that our classroom was like a family. He said, ‘We are a big family. We have our home families, but our classroom is our extra family.’ Never before have I felt this to be more true. The children in my classroom are truly my children, and we do create one larger family together.”

“The reason I have been at RIS for 16 years is because we are a school that is concerned with nurturing our students to be the best they can ever be as individuals, whether in sports, academics, or music and performing arts. We also create opportunities to grow leaders and solution-seekers. Our students do all of these with service to others as the main endgame in mind. Ad astra!”

“The best thing about teaching at RIS is our growth mindset. I was a first-year teacher when I joined RIS. Eleven years later, I have benefitted from a wealth of mentorship and support during my tenure and have had the opportunity to give back over the years and to engage in a wide array of professional development. I love teaching at RIS because I have the opportunity to continually challenge myself with an academically motivated student body; to engage with warm, supportive, and talented faculty; and to experience diverse programming. This is a professionally engaging community. Plus, the students at RIS are gems!

Teaching science is rewarding because of the high number of students who challenge themselves to take rigorous science classes, our extremely collaborative department, and our excellent lab resources and facilities. Every year, we graduate students who are headed to direct-entry medical schools and highly competitive engineering/science undergraduate programs. Teaching in the IB Diploma Program is a privilege because we are working toward a goal that is beyond academic achievement to one that fosters the development of lifelong learners who are inquiring, knowledgeable, compassionate individuals who will strive to strengthen their communities through intercultural understanding and respect.”

“I love teaching at RIS because not only do I get to impart knowledge to my students, but I also get to learn from them. The process is a two-way street where both RIS teachers and students enjoy exchanging learning.”