Enjoy working together
Our Team
...and playing together
Empower individual growth and interests
Unite through shared values
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To get more perspectives on our school community and educational programmes, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.