how we teach

Melissa grew up in England and began her teaching career at a boarding school and then an independent day school in London. Since arriving at the British International School of Chicago in 2002, she has held various responsibilities, including implementing the International Primary Curriculum and leading us through the Council of International Schools accreditation. Melissa has enjoyed working across different Key stages and is proud of South Loop’s ethos of providing every student with a personalized learning experience to enable them to flourish and develop a lifelong love of learning. 

 

Demelza had visited Chicago many times as a child—so when she saw the advertisement for South Loop, she knew it was meant to be. She began her career in Scotland, where she worked to develop a rural school’s assessment strategies. Since having moved to South Loop in 2009, she has continued to focus on her professional development. Demelza has worked in different age groups through the primary school and led a number of curricular areas. In 2014 she led the International Primary Curriculum, and was proud to become Head of Key Stage 2 in addition to her role as a Year 6 teacher. 

Chloe grew up in Scotland, and for as long as she can remember it was her dream to become a primary teacher. Throughout her training she was privileged to gain experience in a variety of schools, both inner city and rural. She is experienced in leading literacy to ensure high attainment levels in reading, as well as in leading the transition from nursery to primary school. Chloe views every child as the center of learning, and believes education should be fun, active, and interesting, while developing students’ skills so they can lead their own learning in a supervised environment. 

Lewis taught in the UK for four years in Oxfordshire working as a Year 5/6 and Reception teacher. He then moved to The Bahamas where he taught for 3 years, again teaching both Year 6 and also Reception. He decided to take a sabbatical in which I worked as a safeguarding manager for the Football Association whilst completing my Masters in Education. In 2022 Lewis moved to Chicago to begin working at BISC. Lewis plans to start a PHD in Education whilst continuing to teach at the school.

Having a mother who was a languages teacher and two grandparents who were head teachers, education very much runs in the family. From a young age, Sarah knew teaching was the career for her! She grew up in Bristol, in southwest England, where fondest memories were of her Primary School years and the teachers who taught her. She went on to study Primary Education at Brighton University. Upon graduation she went straight into working as a supply teacher in Bristol and South Wales. For the next five years, she taught Year 4 and Year 5 in Hanham. Sarah also served as Coordinator of the Gifted and Talented, Science, and English programs, and Head of Year 5.

Danika joins us from UWC International School of Asia, Karuizawa which is in Japan. Prior to that she was the Director of College Counseling at the American School of Guatemala, where she each year she worked with over 500 students across their High School and helped to place them in their chosen universities in the US, the UK, Europe and further afield. During her time there she was nominated for the International Career and College Counseling Movement’s Counselor of the Year Award 2023 (Latin America & The Caribbean).

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with an MA in German Studies (with French) and taking a year to work for a German franchise, Sam started his career in a large 11-18 school in the North West of England. He completed a Masters degree in Teaching & Learning through the University of Manchester in 2020, looking specifically at how students view the use of target language in the classroom. Sam particularly enjoys teaching the I.B. Diploma Program and considers South Loop students some of the most engaged, driven and successful that he has taught. 

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with an MA in German Studies (with French) and taking a year to work for a German franchise, Sam started his career in a large 11-18 school in the North West of England. He completed a Masters degree in Teaching & Learning through the University of Manchester in 2020, looking specifically at how students view the use of target language in the classroom. Sam particularly enjoys teaching the I.B. Diploma Program and considers South Loop students some of the most engaged, driven and successful that he has taught. 

Rebecca qualified as a teacher in 2000, and moved to the US in 2005. Her first role this side of the Atlantic was at the British International School in Houston, where she taught IB and IGCSE Geography. The following year Rebecca moved to South Loop, where she has held many positions, including those involving senior leadership and pastoral responsibilities. However, she has never been more excited about a role than she is now as IB Coordinator. Her vision: for South Loop to be known for delivering the best IB programme in Chicago. 

 

Renee joined BISC-SL from the British School of Kuwait. She had been at this school for six years and prior to that she was a science teacher in Buckinghamshire, England for two years. As well as being an experienced educator, Renee has experience of coordinating her current school’s engagement with the F1 In Schools Program (reaching the world finals in Abu Dhabi in 2019). Renee has a BSc Hons Degree in Forensic Chemistry and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (Science with Chemistry) form the University of Kent, England.

Sam has been fortunate enough to teach around the world at schools in England, Thailand, Spain and now the USA. Due to his mixed background in Mathematics and the Sciences, he has held positions as both a Science and Mathematics teacher with the opportunities to teach to A-level, AP and IB levels.

Matt underwent his teacher training in Wales before taking up his first post as a teacher in London, where he taught ICT, Electronics, Graphic Design, and Resistant Materials. He then returned to Wales to teach Product Design, Engineering, and ICT, before settling to teach and lead the Design Technology department at another secondary school. After seven years he decided to work abroad, and saw the role at South Loop as an incredible opportunity to develop a Design Technology Curriculum overseas. 

Passionate and versatile Music Teacher originally from Glasgow, Scotland, specializing in primary and secondary music education. A distinguished graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a main study focus on piano, I have had the privilege of collaborating with Juilliard to enrich my teaching methodologies. With a global perspective, I have taught secondary music at various international schools across the world, including Switzerland and the United States. Committed to inspiring students through a creative and engaging approach to music education.