IST Opening Ceremony 2025: A Memorable Start in Our New Building
This year’s Opening Ceremony at IST was truly special—it was the very first time we gathered in our brand-new school building to start the school year. With our community continuing to grow, the new facilities were a perfect fit. Our spacious gym welcomed nearly 350 families, bringing together around 700 people including students, teachers, parents, and even graduates from the graduating classes of 2023 and 2024.
Extra-curricular Fair
The day began with the lively Extra-Curricular Fair. This year, IST is proud to offer around 40 after-school clubs! Popular choices such as robotics, origami, and chess continue, but new and exciting opportunities have been added, including a show dance club for MYP students, ASM Tennis Club and more. Around 20 club leaders presented their activities during the fair, inspiring many students to join. Don’t forget—trial week is coming soon, so students can explore before registering for their favorite clubs.
Highlights of the Ceremony
At 10 o’clock, the ceremony officially began with a powerful performance of the IST Anthem. Our Director, Mr. Olavi Otepalu, then shared an inspiring overview of IST’s latest achievements, upcoming goals, and important updates for the new school year.
All staff members were warmly introduced to the community.
Management
(from left to right)
Director – Olavi Otepalu
DP Principal and Coordinator – Elliot Shih-Tai Hsiao-Williams
MYP Principal and Coordinator – Meena Rajesh Gaikwad
PYP Principal and Coordinator – Lisa Marie Parker
EYP Teachers
(from right to left)
Nabila Naritami – EYP 1/2 Teacher
Sigrit Jõgi – EYP 1 Teacher
Riina Tamm – EYP 3 Teacher
PYP Homeroom Teachers
(from right to left)
Maryna Pyrina – Grade 1 and PYP Art Teacher
Deidy Anmarit De la Rosa Wagner – Grade 2 and PYP Psychology Teacher
Dragan Jovanovic – Grade 3a and PYP PE Teacher
Aaron Mathew Cole – Grade 3b and MYP Math Teacher
Todd James Campbell – Grade 4 and ESL Teacher
Emedinajoy Ramos – Grade 5 and ESL Teacher
Language A Department
(from right to left)
Darwin Ray Baird – English Language Teacher and Grade 11 Homeroom Teacher
Glen Rai – English Language Teacher
Tania Melissa Butler – English Language Teacher (Not present in the photo)
Natalja Orlova – Russian Language Teacher
Language Acquisition Department
(from right to left)
Alice Claire Laudas – French Language Teacher and Grade 8 Homeroom Teacher
Camille Morgane Marie Gervier – French Language Teacher
Jay Calvin Moore – German Language Teacher and Grade 6b Homeroom Teacher
Katja Nõmm – German Language Teacher
Maria Marta Rey Gonzalez – Spanish Language Teacher
Kerli Liksor – Estonian Language Teacher and Wellbeing Coordinator
Paula Rivera Olivares – Spanish Language Teacher and Grade 7 Homeroom Teacher
Rauno Põld – Estonian Language Teacher and MYP Librarian
Kristina Saksa-Engel – Estonian Language Teacher
Science Department
(from right to left)
Abraham Chad Eifert – Biology Teacher and Grade 12 Homeroom Teacher
Helmi Kreinin – Chemistry Teacher
Koen Jacobus Thomas Planken – Science and Biology Teacher
Iram Tufail – Physics Teacher
Mathematics Department
(from right to left)
Hina Arif – Math and Science Teacher and Grade 10a Homeroom Teacher
Husnain Ali Abid – Math Teacher (Not present in the photo)
Raouia Messabhia – IT Teacher and Math Teacher
Mike Zhonghang Wang – Math Teacher
Humanities Department
(from right to left)
Alvaro David Hernandez Ospino – I&S Teacher and Grade 10b Homeroom Teacher
Christopher Anifowoshe – Entrepreneurship Teacher (Not present in the photo)
Emad Attia Mohamed Omran – Business Teacher
Rorie Luke Jackson – I&S Teacher and History Teacher
Creative and Applied Arts Department
(from right to left)
Janne Schasmin – PE Teacher
Jason Leon Grant – PE Teacher
Karl Oskar Stefan Lindvall – Music Teacher (Not present in the photo)
Liina Särkinen – Film Teacher
Nabeel Imtiaz – Art and Design Teacher
Olena Rozhestvenna – Music Teacher and Grade 6a Homeroom Teacher
Regina Basanez – Art Teacher and PYP Assistant Teacher
Jack Harvey Bishop – Visual Arts Teacher and Grade 9 Homeroom Teacher
Assistant Teachers
(from right to left)
Kyla Marie Riparip – Assistant Teacher
Miriam Selva Merita Lourdhu Rathinam – Assistant Teacher (Not present in the photo)
Selin Is Özsoy – Assistant Teacher
Gwyneth King Cole – Assistant Teacher
Support Team
(from right to left)
Ana Kaldvee – Psychology Teacher
Asta Mihkelson – SEN Coordinator
Kaitlynn Noelle Eifert – Librarian
Administrative Staff
(from right to left)
Riina Lutto – Bookkeeper (Not present in the photo)
Signe Devine – Marketing and Business Development Manager
Katrina Korban – Admissions Officer and Office Manager
Kristina Maria Jaamul – Admissions Specialist (Not present in the photo)
Jevgeni Filatov – Activities and PR Manager
Julie Morin – Extra-Curricular Coordinator, Admin & Teaching Support, Toddle & MAP Coordinator
Students and Parents Starting Strong
After the ceremony, students joined their first homeroom session of the year, where they received all the practical information they needed about access cards, lockers, supplies, and more. At the same time, parents gathered for the General Parent Meeting. This included presentations on the IST Annual Plan 2025–2026, our five-year strategy, and IST’s shared understanding of high-quality learning. Parents also elected new representatives for the IST School Board and had a chance to raise questions during the open forum.
Our incredible host!
A special thank you to our host, DP2 student Maxim Yampolski, who makes every event memorable with his great sense of humor and incredible energy. His enthusiasm truly brings the program to life and creates an atmosphere that everyone enjoys
Looking Ahead
The Opening Ceremony was a wonderful celebration of our community, filled with energy, connection, and new beginnings. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the day meaningful. Here’s to a fantastic 2025–2026 school year at IST!
