I grew up on the Isle of Wight, an island to the south of England. I studied Pathobiology BSc, followed by a PhD in Biomedical Science at the University of Reading in the UK and then worked for 12 years as a cancer research scientist at the University of Southampton. I found I enjoyed the teaching aspects of this role and so took an international teaching opportunity in Moscow.

I was born in the UK and grew up there as well as spending several years in Vanuatu (near Fiji) and Zimbabwe..so I do very much feel like a ‘Third Culture Kid’ like many ISR students. I studied English and Music at university in the UK and have taught English Language and Literature in six different countries across Asia, Africa and Europe. I’ve spent the last few years living and working in Germany and am excited to join ISR’s community.

I am originally from the Western part of France and moved to study French literature and classical studies in Paris. I stayed there to start teaching French, Latin, Classical Greek, and Drama, before moving to Warsaw, New York, and Geneva. I have a wide broad of interests including theatre, literature, sports and mythology, and I love to include all of this, and more, in my teaching. In 2023, this is my first year in Riga and ISR.

My name is Aiva Drēska. I have a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Production and for several years, I worked as a camera operator, video editor, and producer. While I enjoyed my time in the media industry, I eventually sought a more fulfilling path, leading me to pursue a master’s degree in education. This decision allowed me to explore a new field that I quickly grew passionate about. I’m now thrilled to be teaching IB MYP and DP Film, where I have the opportunity to combine my love for education and the world of film. If you ever want to chat about films or TV series, I’m always up for it!

Hello! Tim Elliott here. My role at ISR is the Individuals and Societies Teacher for grades 7, 8, and 9. I am passionate about encouraging my students in how to think, not teaching them what to think. My aim is to help my students discover who they are and how they fit in our world. I am from a region called the Pacific Northwest, specifically: Bellingham, Washington in the United States. My interests and hobbies include: history, theology, philosophy, art, music, sports (basketball!), camping, reading, and playing board games.

Originally from northern Canada, but I grew up as an international student in the jungles of Sulawesi and the megacity of Jakarta. After graduating with my IB Diploma I went back to Canada for university and began my career teaching game development and design theory to university and high school students. However the thought of going back international was always there and I missed the adventures of teaching students who brought new ideas, and cultural understandings.

My name is Abby Hartzell. I’m from the United States, by way of the San Francisco Bay Area and Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have a masters in education from the University of Minnesota. I teach Language and Literature and love sharing my favorite books, songs, and works of art with my students. Outside of teaching, I enjoy baking/cooking, swimming, hiking, and listening to audiobooks.

Originally from Canada, I received my first degree at Simon Fraser University and my Education degree at the University of British Columbia. I begun teaching elementary and middle school. Over the years I found I was most passionate about higher level computer science topics and slowly found home in upper high school, where I enjoy teaching the most. Over the years, I have taught STEM/STEAM, Design Thinking, Digital Arts, Higher Level Computer Science.

I was born and raised in Latvia. I have been at ISR for 20 years now but every new day seems to bring so many new things, experiences to share with the fantastic students and surprises. I hold a Master’s degree in Library and Information science.There is always more to learn and I am a big believer in life-long learning. As for books, I started reading when I was 3 years old and have never since stopped. I love to share my passion with the ISR students and watch them develop into readers. At ISR we are a family and I love and appreciate my job.

I was born and raised in Texas, USA, where I graduated from University of Houston (Go Coogs!) with a degree in Mathematics. I have taught grades 9-12 my entire career with Riga being the 5th city I’ve worked in. I became interested in working abroad because of a teacher I had in high school; it is that connection with my former teachers that makes me enjoy being a teacher now created my own connections with students.

My name is Elliot Newbold. I‘m originally from the Northeast US, but I’ve been teaching economics in Indonesia for the past two years. I love my subject and feel passionate about spreading knowledge. As they say, you can’t avoid economics! I look forward to my journey at ISR and making deep meaningful connections with staff, students, and parents. I enjoy sports, video games, and hiking. I feel most at home playing golf/watching football. Come on you spurs!

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest of America where I developed my love of sports and the outdoors. At university I studied science and curriculum development at Gonzaga University (GO BULLDOGS!) Eastern Washington University (GO EAGLES!) and Nova Southwestern University (GO SHARKS!). For the last 20 years I have taught Science, Math and PE, and I can honestly say I love my job. GO BEARS!!!!!!!!

I was born in Jurmala, Latvia and received my education in Riga. Since 2016 I have been teaching music in many different schools across Latvia. I actively perform as a singer, keyboardist and cellist in various projects in Latvia and abroad ranging from classical to jazz and contemporary music. Working at ISR provides me with the opportunity to grow both as a person, a teacher and as a musician as well. I am very happy to be a part of ISR family.