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!