Spotlight On Our Student Ayssan

This week, we are proud to spotlight our twelfth grader, Ayssan, who joined ISR in 2011. She became part of our community in kindergarten and is now in Grade 12, preparing to Graduate in June!

Ayssan was nominated for the Spotlight by her English teacher, Ms. McGowan, who shares:

“Ayssan is an outstanding English student, and it has been an absolute pleasure teaching her over the last two years. I am always impressed by her enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication to her studies, and I have loved seeing the progress this positive attitude has brought about.  Ayssan’s excellence extends far beyond her academic achievements – she is consistently thoughtful and respectful in her interactions with staff and peers. Her ability to balance intellectual rigor with personal integrity truly sets her apart. She is a remarkable student with an amazingly bright future ahead of her!”

Her Grade 12 Homeroom teacher, Mr. O’Brien, adds:

“Ayssan personifies the ISR ethos in both her attitude and actions. She is an independent learner who takes responsibility for her own work and always strives to do her best.”

Ms. Ghica, Ayssan’s former Kindergarten and Grade 1 teacher, fondly recalls:

“I still remember Ayssan as a bright and cheerful student, always ready with a witty comment or an infectious laugh that could light up the entire room. Even back then, her bubbly personality made her a joy to teach, and it’s been incredible to watch her grow into the remarkable young woman she is today. While she has always been full of energy and fun, Ayssan has also shown deep commitment to her studies, approaching every challenge with focus and determination. Seeing her now as a Grade 12 student – still radiating positivity, yet mature, driven, and academically dedicated – fills me with pride. Ayssan truly has an amazing personality that inspires everyone around her!”

Ms. Racheva, Ayssan’s PE teacher, shared her perspective:

“Ayssan has been an exceptional member of our school community since her Kindergarten years. Having witnessed her growth and development, I can confidently say that she embodies the very best qualities of a dedicated, disciplined, and well-rounded student. Her curiosity, motivation, and commitment to excellence make her a standout learner in every classroom. She approaches challenges with positivity and always strives for the highest standards. As her Physical Education teacher, I have had the privilege of observing her remarkable enthusiasm in sports – she consistently demonstrates teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination, while treating others with respect. Throughout her years at ISR, Ayssan has shown integrity, kindness, and a genuine passion for learning and personal growth. I have no doubt she will continue to achieve great success in all her future endeavors”.

Her Elementary School Music teacher, Ms. Bucher, recalls:

“I first met Ayssan when she was just a little girl in kindergarten and had the pleasure of teaching her Music through Grade 4. Ayssan will always hold a special place in my heart. Even as a young child, she was confident and strong willed – qualities that have served her extremely well, as reflected in her academic accomplishments throughout her ISR career. I have always known her as intelligent, well-spoken, hardworking, and polite. She’s going places! I can hardly believe she is already in Grade 12!”

Ms. Megal, Ayssan’s Spanish teacher, adds:

“I have known Ayssan since Grade 6, when she first began learning Spanish with remarkable dedication. From those early days of curiosity and hard work, she has grown into a confident communicator who now writes her IB Extended Essay entirely in Spanish – quite an achievement!

Over the years, she has consistently shown herself to be a committed, responsible, and incredibly hardworking student. What truly sets her apart, though, is her wonderful sense of humour, which brightens every class, perfectly balanced with her strong sense of responsibility. Watching her journey has been both inspiring and delightful!”

The Head of the Spanish Department, Ms. Hautz, agrees:

“I have known Ayssan since Grade 6. She has always had an inquisitive, kind, and bright mind. It’s a privilege to have her in my IB course. Her presentations are well researched and often focus on humanitarian and ecological issues. Ayssan is a mature, responsible, caring, empathic, and lively young lady.”

Ms. Freise, who taught Ayssan in earlier years, remembers:

“I had Ayssan many years ago in cover classes and always remember her being kind and friendly. She is an amazing writer and an all-around great student! It was always a pleasure to have her in class!”

Ayssan’s IB Chemistry teacher, Dr. Ouaket, says:

“I have had the pleasure of teaching Ayssan this year and last year in Grade 11. I truly enjoy having her in class – she consistently demonstrates an excellent balance between hard work and a great sense of humor. In IB Chemistry, she shows outstanding dedication and curiosity, always striving to do her best while maintaining a positive and engaging attitude.”

Finally, Dr. McGee, who teaches History and English and serves as TOK Coordinator, reflects:

“Ayssan is one of the most creative thinkers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Though I haven’t taught her since grade 9, her name always comes up in team meetings as a student who offers insights her teachers had not anticipated.

This creativity and nuance of thought were clearly on display during the recent TOK Exhibition.  Her imaginative response to the question “What counts as knowledge?” was one of the highlights of the event and sparked many conversations among Grade 11 students.  Next time you see her, ask her about Katzi.  You might find her answer very enlightening!”

We are proud to spotlight Ayssan 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!