Testimonial

"As a new teacher to international schools and living abroad, I was very uncertain of what to expect. From the minute I was hired, I was taken care of by the human resource department, as well as members of my grade level team. ISB has helped make my transition much easier than I ever thought possible. I’m not only talking about school life either. The teachers at ISB have been so welcoming; they go above and beyond to include all the new teachers in social opportunities. I know I have found a place where I can grow as an educator, make life-long friends, and embrace a new culture."

Jill Myers
Upper Elementary School Grade 4 Teacher (1st year at ISB)

"We decided to move on from our “home away from home”. This place was where our family grew, we had firm roots planted with friends and leaving was going to be difficult. But we knew we were in good hands at ISB.

ISB became a part of our life the moment we accepted their invitation to teach. It seems the exhilaration and excitement we immediately felt has not dissipated. There is a current of positive energy that flows at ISB and it is great to be part of it. The Human Resource Department played a key role in the “settling in” stage and we contacted them often. There was immediate comfort given through emails and phone calls. We valued their professional and procedural approach to contract issues. We were assigned a Mentoring Couple, and to our relief, they literally held our hands as we took steps to move our family of four. Our professional transition to ISB was by far the easiest in our 8 years of international teaching.

ISB community is rich with diversity and spirit. In all honesty, we felt like we had been here for years. There is something uniquely satisfying; when you can move all over the world and where you take your shoes off, you call “home”. ISB was like that for us. Our family is a priority yet there is room in our life to be great professionals. As a teacher at ISB you are encouraged and supported to professionally grow, resources are up to date, technology is a priority, staff really work together to meet the diverse needs of students and there are so many opportunities for students outside the classroom, it is a great place to teach.

ISB takes care of us so we can focus on our teaching and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle away from work. However, moving with a family brings on new dynamics. The stressors involved with moving; finding a home, waiting for shipments to arrive, adjusting to life in a foreign country can be overwhelming, coupled with job transition the recipe does not always equal success. We found that ISB was diligent in assuring that our wellness as a family was a priority. We were able to make friends easily, create a safe and happy routine for our children and learn to live in China.

Living in Beijing has still been a daunting experience but very manageable. We are amazed at our children’s ability to speak Chinese, fluently and our lack of abilities to navigate the Beijing roads. We are happy to say that the air quality is improving and we have enjoyed many blue skies and are frightened that it might all end when the Olympics pass. We can’t believe that our quality of life is so good and we find ways to help others less blessed.

Working at ISB for us is a truly pleasurable experience. We enjoy every aspect of life and feel privileged to be part of a remarkable program."

Tifani Sadek
High School Health Teacher (2nd year at ISB)

"After 10 years at this school, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to publicly thank ISB for its cutting edge PD opportunities, incredibly beautiful and constantly upgraded facilities and the best and the brightest students I have ever had the pleasure to teach. ISB is a progressive, world class school with bright promises and immense potential. I can truthfully speak to the tremendous energy and dedication you will find here at our school. When I add to this exhilarating mix the rich tapestry of history and change from our host nation, China, it makes ISB the right place for all the right reasons."

Rod Bueschlen
Upper Elementary School ESOL Teacher (10th year at ISB)

"After ten years at ISB, I continue to be energized by my role in an ever evolving, dynamic school. Recently we have been working on designing and improving unit plans so they have big ideas and thinking which can transcend subjects and grade levels. But teaching at ISB is not just about the academics. ISB genuinely cares about its students and strives to meet not only their academic, but social and emotional needs as well. Our evolution toward excellence and the crowd of caring administrators, teachers and parents all make ISB a place you won’t want to leave!"

Eric Bueschlen
Middle School English/Social Studies Teacher (10th year at ISB)

"In a recent student produced publication, one of my grade 7 students, Benedict Tanudjojo wrote, ‘At the International School of Beijing, thestudents have unlimited possibilities…’ It is the same for staff. It is also one of the main reasons I have elected to stay at ISB for six years now. There are so many ways a teacher is able to reach those personal and professional ‘unlimited possibilities’ here. Students are bright, enthusiastic and highly motivated learners who thrive on excellence, healthy competitiveness and compassion. Housed within state of the art facilities, our classrooms feel warm, safe and collaborative cites of learning for both students and teachers. Thanks to a generous and challenging professional development programme, I know I can harness the world’s greatest thinkers on education and thus reflect upon personal praxis, share with colleagues to make our students the ultimate beneficiaries for leadership, compassion and dreams. "