Middle School / High School Team

Jacqueline is an English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher supporting students in middle school science. She helps students develop the academic language skills they need to succeed in science and across the curriculum. She is passionate about learning languages and she believes the best way to do this is through intentional and meaningful interactions and practice.

She believes students should be encouraged to engage in thoughtful discussions, structured writing, and collaborative learning experiences that build both linguistic accuracy and critical thinking skills.

Once, a student told me that she remembered our lessons about coherence and structure during the essay part of the TOEFL test. She thanked me for helping her improve her writing and shared that she got an excellent score. Moments like that remind me that the skills we practice every day can stay with students long after they have left the classroom. And for me, that is what makes teaching so rewarding.

Lilla is an English and History teacher with five years of teaching experience. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language and History Teaching from the University of Debrecen. She is passionate about education and dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive classroom environment where every student feels welcome and valued.Her teaching approach focuses on encouraging curiosity, confidence, and active participation. She strives to make my lessons engaging and meaningful, ensuring that students feel comfortable expressing themselves and exploring new ideas.

Nikki Hume is a passionate educator and dynamic learning leader with 25 years of experience in international education. Her career began in Portland, Oregon, and led her to the International School of Prague, where she taught Preschool and Kindergarten for a decade. She later spent six years as an Art teacher at the International School Manila before joining ISD.With a foundation in Early Childhood Education and Reggio-inspired practices, she designs inclusive, inquiry-based learning environments where students feel seen, heard, and valued.

Her work aligns with the 4Cs by strengthening empathetic, trust-centered partnerships (Caring), elevating inquiry through evidence and reflection (Curious), expanding interdisciplinary, hands-on learning design (Creative), and fostering sustainable agency and positive action (Changemakers). Grounded in service and equity, she champions initiatives that connect service learning to curriculum and build cultural competence.

Szilvia Szegedi began her work at ISD teaching German and world literature with the intention of making it not just a subject, but a living experience for her students in grades 6–12. She believes that literature helps us understand ourselves, each other, and the world. She treats her students with empathy and trusts that they will approach the texts with an open mind, because that is how they can achieve true understanding.Her teaching combines innovation and tradition. She seeks modern methods that create a personal connection with the works and give space for the students’ own questions. The IB approach has reinforced her belief that teaching is not just about transferring knowledge, but also about educating students to think, take responsibility, and be open-minded. Her goal is for her students to become reflective readers who are able to argue, compare different points of view, and recognize human dilemmas. She believes that tradition and innovation reinforce each other in value-based, internationally oriented pedagogical work.

Dr. Kovácsné Zágoni Szabó Csilla is a German as a Foreign Language teacher with 25 years of professional experience in language education. She is dedicated to supporting students in developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to reach their full potential.Her teaching approach is student-centered, creating a supportive and engaging classroom environment where learners feel encouraged to participate actively and take responsibility for their own progress. She believes that teachers play a key role in ensuring that students are well-prepared to achieve their personal best.

Csilla places strong emphasis on developing communication skills and fostering a genuine appreciation for foreign languages. Her goal is not only to build linguistic competence, but also to inspire confident, open-minded learners who are motivated to explore other cultures.

She is committed to continuous professional development and regularly participates in training programs, particularly those offered by the Goethe-Institut, in order to keep her teaching practice innovative and aligned with international educational standards.

Fernando ‘Cliff’ Feal is a Design Technology teacher at ISD, specializing in both the DP and MYP programs. With an international teaching career spanning The Philippines, Romania, and Qatar, he brings a global perspective and a wealth of multicultural experience to the classroom.Fernando is passionate about creativity and technology, aiming to make learning both engaging and fun. He is a firm believer that we are all lifelong learners and strives to help his students embrace this mindset as they navigate their own educational journeys. He brings an enriched, adaptable approach to his teaching, fostering an environment where students feel encouraged to explore and innovate.

Dr. Vivien Farkasinszkyné Verdes is a teacher of Hungarian Language and Literature at ISD. She completed her studies at the University of Debrecen, where she gained a strong professional foundation and developed a lasting commitment to literature.She began her career at Ferenc Medgyessy Secondary Grammar School of Arts and Technical School, teaching students in Years 7–12, including advanced-level classes. She was also involved in the organisation and assessment of final secondary school examinations. In 2025, she joined the ISD community and currently teaches Hungarian Language and Literature in Years 6–9.

In her teaching, she places great importance on creating an attentive, open, and supportive learning environment. Her goal is not only to help students understand literary works, but also to encourage them to form personal connections with texts, express independent ideas, and develop a way of thinking that will support them in their future learning.

Catharina (Rina) Venter is a dedicated Visual Arts and Design teacher at ISD with over 16 years of experience teaching diverse student bodies in international school environments. Originally from South Africa, Rina brings a vibrant, global perspective to her classroom, underpinned by her extensive expertise across the IB continuum, including the PYP, MYP, and DP.With a background in Learning Support, Rina is passionate about differentiated instruction, ensuring that the creative arts are inclusive and empowering for every learner. She views the studio as a laboratory for inquiry, where students are encouraged to explore their identity and solve complex problems through visual media. By fostering a nurturing yet structured environment, Rina helps her students navigate the rigorous demands of the IB curriculum while maintaining their curiosity and passion for self-expression.

I am originally from the Philippines, and most of my international teaching experience has been in Indonesia. Over the past 17 years, I have taught in international schools, gaining extensive experience with the Singapore Math curriculum, the Cambridge curriculum, Understanding by Design, and the IB MYP framework.As a MYP Mathematics teacher, I strive to bring mathematics to life through inquiry, authentic assessment, and interdisciplinary approaches. I aim to help students become open-minded, reflective, and globally aware learners. Through my teaching, I hope to inspire more students to appreciate mathematics and recognize its relevance in the real world.