Grade 8 is a very exciting and pivotal year for SSIS students as the oldest of our middle school. It is their last year as middle school students before they enter high school. Our devoted team of teachers are dedicated to preparing the Grade 8 students academically, socially and psychologically for the transition to the next stage in their educational careers. In grades 6-10, students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. Part of this is program includes an active involvement Community and Service. Grade 8 students are all involved in helping the local community in Suzhou.
Students work closely and diligently with each other and their homeroom teachers in planning and implementing their Community and Service projects. The aim of these projects are to develop sensitivity, awareness, willingness and responsibility. Our focus is volunteering at the Tiger Hill Orphanage in Suzhou and organizing a cultural exchange with a local school.
Another important and hugely successful part of Grade 8 is going on a 3-day local camp. All students challenge themselves to complete activities that they would not normally do. All participate fully and come away with a heightened sense of personal satisfaction, having succeeded physically, mentally and emotionally, in the various team building activities undertaken. It is a great way to get to know their classmates and teachers in a relaxed atmosphere outside of the classroom.
Sherry Farida
It is with great pleasure to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Sherry Farida and I am originally from Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. This is my fifth year as a Middle School English teacher at SSIS, my second year as an IB Grade 11 and 12 Business & Management teacher, and my fourth year as the Head of Grade 8. I am very excited for the new school year and very honored to be part of the SSIS family. Your child's first point of contact is with their homeroom teacher, but I am here to oversee the entire Grade 8. Feel free to contact me at sherryfarida@ssis-suzhou.net if you should have any questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting you and to a very successful and productive school year!
Hamish Wilson
My name is Hamish Wilson and I am originally from Christchurch, New Zealand. This is my ninth year as an International School Teacher. I previously taught in Thailand for four years and I am now in my sixth year at SSIS. This year I have two roles, one is as the homeroom teacher for 8L and the second is as a Mathematics teacher for Grades 6, 7 and 8 support classes. Please feel free to contact me at hamishwilson@ssis-suzhou.net if you have any questions.
Maria Carreon
It’s been a pleasure to be a part of SSIS-SWA. I’m Maria Teresita Carreon. This is my 14th year of teaching and my first year here at SSIS-SWA. This is my eighth year as an international educator. I’m a registered Medical Technologist in my first profession and a registered Secondary Science Teacher in my second profession. I’m originally from the Philippines. I’m anxiously looking forward working with you all!
Feel free to contact me at mariacarreon@ssis-suzhou.net.
Silvana Evans
Hello. My name is Silvana Evans and I am originally from Chile. This is my 9th year of teaching and my 4th at SSIS. I am very excited to be teaching English in the new Intensive English Program “Jumpstart” and to be one of the homeroom teachers for 8E this year.
Should you have any questions, comments or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at silvanaevans@ssis-suzhou.net
Andrew Sierman
My name is Andrew Sierman, and I am a Middle School Humanities Teacher. I am originally from Providence Rhode Island, in the United States. I began teaching Humanities at SSIS in 2007, in a variety of Secondary grade levels. This will be my fifth year teaching at SSIS, and my fourth year as a Middle School Humanities Teacher. I studied Sociology at Clark University in Worcester Massachusetts before I transferred to Central Connecticut State University where I majored in Education with a focus in Asian History. In addition to my regular teaching duties, I coach the Middle School Boys Soccer team, I am the homeroom teacher for 8E, and supervise the Animals Asia CAS project, which focuses on raising money and awareness for the Moon Bears (Asiatic Black Bears) throughout China and Asia. Please contact me with any questions at andrewsierman@ssis-suzhou.net.
Lyndal Studdert
My name is Lyndal Studdert and I am from Brisbane, Australia. This is my fourth year at SSIS and I am very excited to be here. I am very much enjoying my position as a Middle School Drama and Humanities Teacher and Homeroom Teacher to 8A.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at lyndalstuddert@ssis-suzhou.net if you have any questions or concerns.
Tom Millay
My name is Tom Millay and I am from Bowdoinham, Maine, in the USA. This is my third year at SSIS where I enjoy teaching Middle School Mathematics. I am again very excited to work and teach students from so many different countries. I will also be the homeroom teacher for 8A this year, and look forward to the opportunity to help guide students through their middle school experience.
Please feel free to contact me at tommillay@ssis-suzhou.net with any questions or concerns about your student.
Joanne Foo
Hello. My name is Joanne Foo and I am from Singapore. This is my sixth year teaching at SSIS. I am one of the Middle School Mathematics Teachers and one of the 8R Homeroom Teachers.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at joannefoo@ssis-suzhou.net if you have any questions or concerns.
Agatha Zarzycka
Hello! My name is Agatha Zarzycka and I am new to SSIS this year, where I will be teaching English B in the Middle School. I was born in Poland but have lived in Canada for most of my life. I have taught in Canada, England and, most recently, Sweden, where I also taught MYP English. I am very excited to be joining SSIS and the grade 8 team and I look forward to meeting you in the near future. In the meantime, or if you need anything throughout the year, I can be reached at agathazarzycka@ssis-suzhou.net.
Darko Sabo
My name is Darko Sabo and I am a High School Maths teacher here in SSIS. I was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, but St. Louis, Missouri in the United States has been my hometown since 1996. My undergraduate degree is in International Business from St. Louis University, and my Master degree is in Education from the University of Missouri, St Louis. Before I joined SSIS, I was teaching in international schools throughout the US and Germany. In addition to my Maths classes, I am very exited to be the 8N homeroom teacher this year. If you have any question, please feel free to contact me at darkosabo@ssis-suzhou.net
Miao Lingling
Hello, My name is Miao Lingling. This is my fifth year as a Chinese teacher at SSIS. This year I will also work as the homeroom teacher for 8N. I am very excited about the new school year and look forward to seeing you in my class. Please feel free to contact me at miaolingling@ssis-suzhou.net if you have any concerns or questions.
