Skip To Main Content

Our Team

Staff collaborate and share expertise
Enjoy working together
BIS staff & alumni having fun together
...and playing together
Teacher helping a child choose a book to support his interests and passions
Empower individual growth and interests
Teachers celebrate Diwali - group dressed in traditional costume
Unite through shared values
Students learn an instrument in class from early Primary School
Share talents, passions and enthusiasm

Welcome to BIS and our thriving school community. We are proud to work in an experienced and highly-regarded International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.

Our 800 students profit from the IB Primary Years Programme (ages 3 – 11), the IB Middle Years Programme (ages 11 – 16) and the IB Diploma Programme (ages 16 – 19). However, it is a committed, inspirational collective of teachers and staff who bring these educational frameworks to life. Our faculty is recruited from around the world, and employ their immense talents to ensure a well-balanced, healthy, challenging programme to our wonderful, diverse student body.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) reaffirmed their long-standing accreditation of our school in September 2019. We have started our next accreditation cycle, which will culminate in a full team visit in November 2024.

Bringing new impulses to our community

Faculty and staff at BIS are a healthy mix of experienced colleagues and those bringing fresh impulses to our community. When recruiting, our school seeks to mirror the cultural diversity of its student body. We value forward-thinking and open-minded individuals who bring out the best in others and contribute to a positive, healthy school environment. 

There are many advantages to working at BIS – our engaged students, open-minded colleagues, an extensive support programme, and a state-of-the-art teaching facilities. The quality of life and international flair of Bonn, our affordable, green host city on the banks of the Rhine River, cannot be underestimated. And, if you want to experience more of Europe, Bonn sits in the middle of the continent with easy access to the famous Autobahn, train connections and international airports. 

PAULA ORTEGA GOMEZ, SECONDARY SPANISH TEACHER

Paula teaches Spanish to native speakers. She is also a BIS parent, with a child in our Primary School. 

Paula is a passionate, compassionate educator. She believes that, if exposed to new information, we can all learn. But we learn a lot more if we are trained to think analytically and critically. As a teacher, this is how Paula makes her students ready for the future.

Our Spanish teacher Paula OG

Paula Ortega Gomez, Secondary Spanish Teacher

"I love the intercultural, multilingual experience and the education philosophy embraced by BIS. This school takes a real-world approach to learning that puts learners in the driver’s seat. This is ideal for languages, which are intrinsically linked to culture and context."
 

KIM CONWAY, PRIMARY TEACHER

Kim's original dream job was to be a police officer. But then she worked in a school to assist students with learning needs "to get some real life experience" and found her vocation. She has been a teacher since 2009.

Kim also coordinates our Primary School Student Council, providing opportunities for students to exercise their voice and planning skills for issues as diverse as Spirit Week or supporting charitable causes.

Our Primary School teacher and Primary Student Council Mentor - Kim C

Kim Conway, Primary Teacher

"When my students can explain their work to one another, putting their learning into their own words, that gives me a great sense of satisfaction and lets me know that I am successful as an educator."

MATT DEVRIES, CO-CURRICULAR SPORTS COORDINATOR

Matt has been an important part of our Co-Curricular Programme since 2012, first as a coach and then as the coordinator. He is quite a sportsman himself, playing basketball, volleyball, softball and golf.

An American and father of four children, Matt is dedicated to bringing the joy and skills found on the field, court and course to students of all ages.

Our Co-Curricular Sports Programme Coordinator Matt

Matt DeVries, Co-Curricular Sports Coordinator

"I love interacting with kids, especially in the area of sport and fine arts. It is an honour participating in the growth of students as they learn lessons about sacrifice, commitment, focus, effort and adversity."

PETRA REUTER, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

 

Petra, a seasoned hand in the Accounting Office, joined BIS 15 years ago after switching careers and following a second professional training.

She grew up in Bonn and is a great ambassador for local traditions, like the Kölsch dialect and Carnival.

Meet Petra R - member of our Accounting and Finance Department

Petra Reuter, Accounts Payable

"The most important part of my job is my colleagues. There is indeed always support, help and a listening ear."

VEIT KOCH, PHYSICS TEACHER

Originally trained as an electrical engineer, Veit came to teaching  after working in the telecommunications industry. He now is a long-time member of our Sciences Department and also leads one of our Co-Curricular coding groups.

When not in the lab, Veit is busy with other pursuits like beekeeping, leading a Scout troop and hobby programming. He is a German national married to an Irish wife and father to two Primary aged children.

 

Our Physics and Science teacher Veit K

Veit Koch, Physics Teacher

"When relationships with students are good, there is a good vibe in the classroom and you can see that they are engaging with the content. "

ALEX WHITAKER, PRIMARY PRINCIPAL

Not only is Alex an experienced educator and school administrator, he is also known as Dangerboy. Dangerboy juggles, balances incredible and unlikely objects on his nose and is always up to great fun at school assemblies.

Alex can be seen at the front door greeting students and their every morning and often walking the halls visiting classrooms. At the end of the day, he hops on his bicycle to set off for home.

Our Primary School Principal Alex Whitaker dressed as the BIS Dragon enjoys water fun with young learners

Alex Whitaker, Primary Principal

"I love to see success in other people. My favorite moments are when I hear conversations in the hallway about a great lesson or student progressing when challenged. These moments underline quietly, but importantly, the impact of our programmes."

NIC JONES, EARLY LEARNING TEACHER & TEAM LEADER

Nic has taught both Early Learning 3/4 and Early Learning 5 and is currently working with our EL 3/4s.

He has said a thousand cheesy things about why he chose to became an Early Learning teacher, from ’the value of seeing a student grow’ or ‘influencing the next group of world leaders’. But what he really appreciates is the fun and authenticity of teaching young children and watching them develop. 

Our Early Learning teacher Nic J

Nic Jones, Early Learning Teacher & Team Leader

"I didn't get into education for the paycheck. I did because young children say what they think, they like people regardless of race, religion or lifestyle and are only interested in having fun and enjoying themselves."

SARAH FIEBRANTZ, CHEMISTRY AND SCIENCE TEACHER

 

Before joining BIS, Sarah taught in US middle and high schools. She also traveled quite a bit, with more than 25 different countries stamped in her passport.

While Sarah is most often seen in our Science labs brewing up experiments, she is also a talented writer and spends her free time writing fantasy fiction for young adults.

 

Our Chemistry and Science Teacher

Sarah Fiebrantz, Chemistry and Science Teacher

"I chose to be a teacher because of the teachers I had who made an impact on me. I want to make that same impact on students. There’s nothing quite like seeing one of my students succeed. My proudest moments are when they go above and beyond my expectations."

To get more perspectives on our school community and educational programmes, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.