SSIS offers a safe learning environment for children and adults, where children feel free to question their learning, and are encouraged to challenge their surroundings. Students are involved in all areas of school life beyond the classroom. We understand and value the trust that you place in us when you choose SSIS for your child.
We work in partnership with students and their families to showcase and share in learning. We provide opportunities for parents to learn about our school and its educational programmes. We encourage parent volunteers to support learning. We encourage the whole school community to come together and celebrate events and milestones throughout the school year. SSIS also goes beyond the boundaries of the school grounds to go out into the local community, or to invite people from the local community into our school to join some of the activities and events that we offer.
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Our school belongs to our STUDENTS. |
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Everything we do is for our students and it shows in the happy faces that arrive to school each morning. Each day, our students are given the opportunity to learn not just from our teachers, but from each other as well. They are encouraged to share their own experiences and cultural norms. The uniqueness of being a true international school means our students are able to see the world from a different perspective than their peers from their home country. Students come for an education and leave with something more.
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Our TEACHERS are at the heart of what makes our school outstanding. |
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SSIS faculty and staff are comprised of over 170 experienced professionals. Our dedicated teachers come from over 20 countries, bringing their own unique perspectives on teaching and learning. Every faculty member is fully qualified, subject to rigorous pre-hire background screening, and certificated in their home countries. And, because we are serious about creating lifelong learners, over 50% (and counting) hold advanced degrees in their respective subject areas. Full staff directory
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Our PARENTS are active participants in our vibrant int'l community. |
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Studies show that students perform better when there is open communication between home and school. This is why we have a strong open campus policy. Parents are encouraged to participate in all aspects of their child’s SSIS education. We love seeing parents on campus helping out, joining in or just stopping by to have lunch with their child. We have established parent-friendly meeting policies so that you never miss the chance to be involved. Whether you’re interested in supervising a field trip, contributing to a bake sale or want to lead a committee for our International Family Day, there are no shortage of ways to get involved and other parents from all over the world to make friends with.
We also have an active and lively Parent School Partnership (PSP) organization to bring our community together and better encourage parent involvement throughout the school year. Find out more about the PSP here
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Our ACADEMIC SENIOR LEADERS continue our legacy of excellence. |
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Our Academic Senior Leadership team is comprised of a diverse group of educational leaders who are able to bring their own experiences and perspective to running our dynamic school.
It is with great excitement and pleasure that I joined SSIS in 2020. In 1989 I received my bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and in 1998 my master’s degree from the University of Bath (UK) in International Education. In 2019, I was awarded a fellowship from Columbia University Teachers’ College (USA) for heads of schools to work collaboratively on perspectives in international education. Over the last thirty years I have worked in international schools in the Middle East, Africa, UK and Italy. Most recently I was the Head of School at ICS Milan, and before that I was the Head of School at the International School in Genoa. I served as the Principal at the American School of Milan and Head of Mathematics at the International School of Tanganyika and The Amman Baccalaureate School. I have experience with the Advanced and Ordinary Levels, IGCSE, APs and SATs and the IB. My most extensive experience is in IB schools, and I introduced one or more of the IB programmes into several of the schools in which I served as an educational leader. I also worked at the International Baccalaureate Organization in Cardiff as the Subject Area Manager responsible for the curriculum and assessment of Mathematics and Computer Science. For the past nine years, I organized and hosted Education Across Frontiers, staff development workshops focused on coaching, inclusion and Adaptive School, which were attended by over 800 educators and school leaders from more than 50 countries. I met my wife, Elizabeth, who is also an educator, while working at the American School in Milan. We have two children, Tarik James (age 11) and Zayne Edward (age 6). Both boys were born in Italy and are true representatives of multicultural children. As an international educator, my dedication and passion have focused on inclusion and differentiation of instruction to ensure that all students and teachers are successful and building a truly united school community where the students are at the centre of all that we do.
I consider myself very lucky to work as an Elementary Principal. Prior to serving in this role at SSIS, I served in a similar capacity for a total of 14 years in 2 other international schools. Living and working internationally has always been a big part of my life. Born and raised in Canada, I quickly journeyed abroad, spending years in Brazil, Ecuador, South Korea, Colombia, the UAE, and now China. Throughout the past 25 years, my fondest moments and greatest learnings have centered around work with Elementary students and communities: creating positive cultures and celebrating both big and small successes. I received my Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Lehigh University in 2013, have served on many school accreditation teams, and have completed specialised training in many areas. I'm very fortunate to be joined in Suzhou by my two sons, Connor and Brady, and my lovely wife Evelyn. On the weekends, you'll find us playing sports, enjoying a board game, or curled up in front of a good movie.
I joined SSIS in 2020. I graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA with a Masters in Educational Leadership. I have spent the last 22 years as an international educator in Italy, where I met my husband, Samer Khoury, and where our two children Tarik and Zayne, were born. My background is in elementary education, and I began my career as a teacher of fifth and sixth grades in Richmond, Virginia, USA. At the American School in Milan, I served as the Middle School Principal for five years and then Elementary School Principal for three years. I also have experience as a Director of Teaching and Learning and most recently I worked as an Instructional Coach for grades Nursery through Grade 12 at the International School in Genova, Italy.
I feel very privileged to join SSIS in 2014 as Early Years Coordinator and Teacher. I am from Auckland, New Zealand and have happily been involved in Education since 1995. My teaching career has predominantly been in Early Years and with 5 and 6 year olds. I have taught in and around various parts of New Zealand and in 2001 my husband and I spent nearly seven years teaching at Nanjing International School where I ran the Pre-Kindergarten class. Upon returning to New Zealand, I embarked on leadership roles and spent the last two and a half years fulfilling a Deputy Principals role. I am extremely excited and enthusiastic to be a part of a school that offers quality IB curriculum. I feel very fortunate that my husband and I share a passion for the same profession and I believe that parents, students and educators are members of a team, that when respectful relationships are formed, all contribute to the progress of our children’s educational journey.
I was delighted to join SSIS in 2022 as Assistant Principal in the Secondary school. Entering a school with 25 years of history makes you feel a responsibility to ensure that the school grows and builds on its foundations.
I joined SSIS in 2022. I have been working in schools around the world for the past 28 years. I began my career in the United States as a Special Education teacher after receiving my Masters in Education from the University of Southern Maine. After many years in Special Education, I took on my doctoral studies in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Combining these fields, I have worked as a teacher and school leader in schools in Costa Rica, India, and China since 2003. I have taught in the IB Diploma Programme, with many years teaching Theory of Knowledge. I am joining SSIS after 5 years as part of the leadership team at EtonHouse International School, Suzhou. I am very excited to be part of the wonderful team of educators here at SSIS.