Spotlight On Our Student Aika

This week, we are proud to spotlight our third-grader, Aika, who joined ISR’s Kindergarten Neuss in 2021. She is now in the third grade and was enthusiastically nominated for the Student Spotlight by the Academic Head of Grades 2 & 3, Ms. Ghica, who shares:

“A special shout-out to Aika, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing since Grade 1. Over the years, she has consistently impressed us with her academic strength, her ability to ask deep and thoughtful questions, and her natural curiosity, which drives her to truly challenge ideas and situations in order to understand what lies beneath the surface. Beyond her intellectual abilities, Aika stands out for her kindness and respect toward both classmates and teachers. She is a wonderful role model, and it is no surprise that her teachers absolutely love her. We are very proud of the young person she has become!”

Ms. Hartmann, Aika’s second grade homeroom teacher, recalls:

“Aika was such a joy to teach in Grade 2. She came to class each day with a bright smile and a positive attitude that lifted everyone around her. She is a kind and helpful student, always ready to support her classmates. Aika is also an excellent reader, and her creativity truly shines through in her beautiful artwork. I miss having her in class and feel so proud of all she has accomplished. I wish her every happiness and success in the future.”

Aika’s current homeroom teacher, Ms. Spring, adds:

“Aika is a really cool student who is not only a kind, supportive, clever, and smart kid but also an incredible learner! She works hard, tries her best, always goes the extra mile, and brings fabulous ideas to important classroom discussions. I am very lucky to be her teacher this year!”

Ms. Schmitz, Aika’s German teacher, explains:

“Aika is a friendly and respectful student. She always tries her best, participates actively in class activities, and has shown continuous progress throughout the year. Her positive attitude brings joy into the classroom. We are incredibly proud of Aika!”

We are proud to spotlight Aika as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!

Spotlight On Our Student Jan

This week, we are proud to spotlight our twelfth-grader, Jan, who joined ISR in 2018. He was enthusiastically nominated for the Student Spotlight by Ms. McGowan, who shares:

“I am thrilled that Jan has been chosen for the Student Spotlight – he deserves to be incredibly proud of the significant progress he has made, and the goals he has achieved in English over the last two years. His enthusiasm for learning is infectious, and it is reflected in his consistently thoughtful contributions to class discussions. A question from Jan never fails to make me think, and I am grateful to him for always sharing and pursuing such interesting lines of inquiry. Jan demonstrates this positivity outside of the classroom as well, and I will miss our daily catch-ups outside his locker! For me, Jan is a student who truly embodies the IB Learner Attributes, and I look forward to hearing about all he is set to achieve in the next chapter of his academic journey beyond ISR.”

Ms. McGee, ISR’s Student Leadership Council Advisor, also recognizes Jan’s contributions and explains:

“I would like to recognize Jan for his outstanding leadership of the Magazine and Yearbook Team last school year. With a truly magnanimous spirit, he inspired SLC prefects to join him on a creative journey of writing and graphic design as he successfully relaunched our school magazine, the ISR Insight. His energy, positivity, and ever-present smile set the tone for the entire team, and his impact is still felt and talked about this year. We wish him every success as he goes for gold in the IB!”

Mr. McGowan, Jan’s Homeroom teacher, adds:

“Jan is an exemplary student and a marvellous young person as well. He has a great sense of humour, is dedicated to his studies, and takes an active part in Homeroom and in school life as a whole. It may be cool to be good, but I think it must also be pretty cool to be Jan.”

Ms. Freise, Jan’s former English teacher, fondly recalls:

“When I first met Jan, he was a brand-new student at ISR in Grade 5. He was, and I believe still is, very funny, witty, and kind. It was a pleasure teaching him, as he was a great team player and eager learner.

He acquired English very quickly and moved through the ESL program in no time. Even today, it is very nice to strike up a small conversation with Jan and learn about his exciting future. Students of his caliber leave a lasting impact and will be remembered positively at ISR.”

Jan’s former German teacher, Ms. Herda, also shares:

“Jan is one of the most creative students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. I have known him since 8th Grade in German class. He is very motivated and participates wonderfully in class. The best thing about being a teacher is watching students like Jan develop and mature, and yet still fondly remember little things from back then – like our ‘dative case song’ – and still enjoy singing it. All the best, Jan, and keep being you!”

Dr. Mitchell, the Academic Head of Grades 7 & 8, adds succinctly:

“Jan is always a positive, engaged, and happy student.”

Finally, Ms. Chanal, expresses how impressed she is with Jan’s involvement in the CAS Big Brother and Big Sister program, stating:

“Jan is a wonderful big brother to our Elementary School students. We are lucky to have him participate in the program.”

We are proud to spotlight Jan as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!

Spotlight On Our Student Emily

This week, we are proud to spotlight our eighth grader, Emily, who joined ISR in 2020. Emily was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by her French teacher, Ms. Chanal, who notes:

“Emily approaches learning with remarkable dedication. For instance, she asked if she could repeat the weather forecast exercise in French, eager for feedback to ensure her diction was absolutely perfect. Her enthusiasm and commitment to giving her best are truly inspiring.”

Emily’s mathematics teacher, Mr. Nisic, shares:

“Emily is a kind and polite student who consistently performs at a high level. Her questions are always thoughtful, and I am very pleased with the progress she has made in mathematics.”

In addition, Ms. Freise, Emily’s former English teacher, recalls:

“I taught Emily in Grade 6 English. She is a very bright and creative student, amazing at writing imaginative and original stories. When she becomes enthralled by a novel, she dives deeply into the analysis. All in all, it was a pleasure to have her in class and to be surprised by her wit on a daily basis.”

Finally, Emily’s PE teacher, Ms. Racheva, says:

“As Emily’s PE teacher, I can honestly say she is a true light in our school. She is kind, respectful, and thoughtful, always showing consideration for her classmates and teachers alike. She approaches every sport lesson with care, focus, and a genuine desire to improve. Her determination and consistent effort do not go unnoticed – whether learning a new skill or participating in team activities, she gives her best every time. Emily’s positive attitude, quiet confidence, and willingness to persevere make her a pleasure to teach. I truly admire the dedication and care she brings to every lesson. She is an excellent example of a student who balances kindness, effort, and respect in everything she does.”

We are proud to spotlight Emily as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!

Spotlight On Our Student Felix

This week, we are proud to spotlight our fourth-grader, Felix, who joined ISR in 2018. He was enthusiastically nominated for the Student Spotlight by Ms. Mihailescu, who explains:

“I first had Felix in my KG 2 group four years ago, and even today he still greets me with hugs, calls my name, and brings small gifts to share. That’s simply who Felix is – kind, thoughtful, and full of heart.

What truly makes Felix special is his gentle, caring nature. He is polite, friendly, and always thinking of others, showing respect and kindness to everyone around him. Even in the KG 2 group, he stood out for his positive spirit, his willingness to help his classmates, and his thoughtful behavior. Felix’s kindness shines through and he makes those around him feel happy and welcome.

It has been wonderful to watch Felix grow into such a remarkable young student. He truly deserves this ISR Student Spotlight, and our motto at ISR “It’s cool to be good” perfectly describes him. We are so lucky to have Felix at ISR and wish him every success in the future.”

Ms. Ghica, the Academic Head for Grades 2 & 3 and Felix’s former teacher, shares:

“I had the pleasure of being Felix’s SEL teacher in Grade 3. Felix truly shines in every classroom he is in. He is a thoughtful and compassionate student with a big heart, always showing kindness and empathy toward those around him. His thoughtfulness comes through not only in his actions, but also in his writing. Felix has a real talent for English composition. We are incredibly proud of his growth and creativity, and we are excited to see how his voice continues to develop!”

Mr. Rowan, the Head of the Elementary School and Academic Head of Grade 4, comments:

“Felix is a kind and thoughtful student who consistently brings clever ideas to the table. With his curiosity and willingness to share his thinking, he enriches discussions and inspires those around him.”

Ms. Vrem, the Head of ISR Kindergarten Neuss, remarks:

“I had the pleasure of getting to know Felix when he was in kindergarten. He was always curious, helpful and positive.”

Felix’s homeroom teacher, Ms. Dederichs, adds that Felix is showing great growth this year and is a great addition to her class. He is eager to learn and consistently kind to his classmates.

We are proud to spotlight Felix as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!

Spotlight On Our Student Demir

This week, we are proud to spotlight our eleventh-grader, Demir, who joined ISR in 2018. He was enthusiastically nominated for the Student Spotlight by the Head of Secondary School, Ms. Jordanova, who remarks:

“Demir’s growth from his early days in secondary school to showing up every day with focus and determination in Grade 11 IB is truly inspiring! He is moving closer and closer to his dream of working in IT, and it’s amazing to watch. What makes it even better is his kind heart and great personality, which turn his hard work into something everyone around him can feel. I am incredibly proud of how far he has come. It’s Cool to be Good and it is Cool to be Demir! Well done!”

Demir’s IB English teacher, Ms. McGowan, further shares:

“Demir is an enthusiastic and inquisitive learner who contributes positively to all our class discussions. He works hard on the upkeep of his Learner Portfolio, which is great evidence of the knowledge he is gaining and the progress he is making.”

Adding to this, his homeroom teacher, Mr. Urban, notes:

“Knowing Demir for years, having taught him in Secondary School Social Studies, I can say he always enters homeroom with a smile. He is very helpful and always first to volunteer. He has a very big heart and is dedicated in KG STEM.”

Demir’s German teacher, Mr. Kroenke, comments:

“In my German class, Demir stands out for his confidence and calm presence, especially when presenting in front of the class. He is consistently friendly and respectful toward both teachers and classmates. His creativity is one of his strengths, and over time he has learned to channel it more effectively. Since Grade 10, his written German has improved remarkably, and he has truly come into his own as a learner.”

Dr. Corbin, Demir’s UCC advisor, adds:

“I’ve truly enjoyed having Demir in UCC class each week. He brings a genuine curiosity to each topic we cover. I especially appreciate that Demir sits at the front of the class, actively engages in the classroom discussions, and always with a smile on his face. These traits will serve him well in his future studies and career. I look forward to having him on the UK Universities trip in May!”

Ms. Abker, Demir’s Biology teacher, observes:

“Demir is a consistently kind and respectful student who brings a positive attitude to the classroom. He interacts easily with his peers and contributes to a calm and supportive learning environment. In Biology lessons, he approaches his work with dedication and faces challenges with maturity and optimism. To me, Demir is truly a ‘sweetheart’, always polite, attentive, and a pleasure to teach.”

Mr. Sanchez, Demir’s mathematics teacher, remarks:

“Demir is a polite and respectful student who is often seen participating in class and making an effort to learn and improve.”

His Geography teacher, Mr. Bates, highlights:

“Demir has shown outstanding progress in Geography this year. He consistently demonstrates a positive attitude to learning and approaches his work with maturity and confidence. Demir is polite, hardworking, and always willing to contribute thoughtful ideas during lessons. His input is insightful, and he shows a genuine curiosity about the subject. I am extremely proud of the effort he puts into his learning, and his progress is well deserved. If Demir continues with this level of commitment and enthusiasm, he has a very bright future ahead.”

Ms. Smith, who has known Demir for many years, reflects:

“I have known the Cetinkaya family for many years and have always admired their determination, resilience and faith.  Demir has worked so hard to achieve his goals and I could not be prouder of him. With this continued focus on learning and his unwavering positivity, I know he will achieve great things in life. I am so happy that the spotlight is on you this week Demir!”

Finally, Dr. McGee, Demir’s TOK Coordinator, concludes:

“In TOK lessons, Demir is the embodiment of the IB Learner Profile attribute of inquirer. He is never hesitant to ask interesting and thought-provoking questions across a wide array of topics, demonstrating his deep interest in learning.”

We are proud to spotlight Demir as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!

Spotlight On Our Student Sofia

This week, we are proud to spotlight our twelfth grader, Sofia, who joined ISR in 2022. Sofia was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by her French teacher, Ms. Chanal, who remarks:

“Sofia is a hard worker. She has studied extensively since last year. Her vocabulary is now broader and her grammar knowledge more solid. She has also made significant progress in listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing.”

Sofia’s homeroom teacher, Mr. McGowan, reflects:

“It is great to be able to celebrate Sofia’s positivity and hard work. Every morning, her warm welcome and positive attitude greet me and the rest of the homeroom She is always kind and supportive of others and consistently manages to balance her time effectively between work, friends, and homeroom activities. Whenever I see Sofia around school, she seems to be taking the various demands of the IB in stride, and that is a credit to her organizational skills, her hard work, and her positive outlook on learning and life.”

Dr. McGee, Sofia’s IB English teacher, adds:

“Sofia is a kind, conscientious, and committed IB learner. Her consistent preparation and regular participation in class make her a valuable presence during English lessons. In our performance of the Greek tragedy Medea this year, Sofia’s portrayal of the villain Creon was a standout performance and reflected deep knowledge of the play’s themes and lessons. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow and improve as a thinker and writer over these two years, and I cannot wait to see what great things she will be up to post-ISR.”

In addition, Mr. Bates, Sofia’s IB geography teacher, notes:

“Sofia is an absolute pleasure to have in geography class. Her attendance is impeccable, and she is consistently attentive, punctual, and hardworking. She approaches every lesson with a calm, positive demeanor and regularly contributes thoughtful, interesting, and insightful comments that enrich class discussions. Always polite, curious, and fully engaged, Sofia is truly a dream student.”

Finally, Ms. Banna, Sofia’s University and Career Counselor, shares:

“I highly commend Sofia for her maturity, thoughtfulness, and excellent time-management in completing her university applications by – and in some cases even before – our UCC internal deadlines. Her proactive approach to seeking and applying constructive feedback – evident in the several drafts she produced to refine her personal statement – along with her thoughtful selection of university courses, makes her an exemplary university applicant. Her timely submission of her applications has resulted in her already receiving numerous conditional offers from UK universities, which is so well deserved! I am delighted for her and confident that she will continue to go from strength to strength.”

We are proud to spotlight Sofia as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!