Meet Jon Adams, Lower School Principal

Today we are excited to introduce Jon, our new Lower School Principal for the 2024-2025 school year. While Jon is stepping into this new role, he is already a familiar face to many in our community. As the former Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, and PYP Coordinator, Jon has been a pivotal figure in shaping the academic experience at ISL Lower School, with a keen focus on the Primary Years Programme (PYP).

As we look forward to our Early Years Open Morning on 12 November, we sat down with Jon to discuss his vision for the Lower School, the importance of PYP, and ISL's approach to learning in the Lower School. 

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at ISL?

I'm Jon Adams, Lower School Principal at ISL, and I am the proud father of two boys, Cameron (5) and Ollie (3), both attending ISL. Cameron is in Kindergarten, and Ollie is in EY 3. My wife Lauren is a Kindergarten teacher here as well. We've lived in Luxembourg for seven years, and this is my first year in this role. Originally from the U.S., I've taught internationally for 16 years and now feel at home both in Luxembourg and at ISL.

The Early Years Open Morning is just around the corner. What can families expect from this event?

At the Early Years Open Morning, parents will get a great overview of what makes ISL stand out as the School of Choice in Luxembourg, especially for young learners. They'll see what makes ISL unique, like our atelier-style arts program, our excellent Physical Education (PE) program, and our nature-based learning approach. Parents will also meet key staff and learn about after-school activities and wrap-around care, which ensure a full day of enriching experiences for the children. It’s an opportunity to see what sets us apart in Luxembourg.

As a father yourself, what would you ask in an Open Morning?

It's a good question. As a parent, my main concern is whether my children feel cared for and happy at school. I think a great question for parents to ask is "How do you take care of my child and get to know them as an individual?" It's something we excel at. As a father of a three-year-old just starting school, I see it firsthand. I couldn't be happier with how excited my child is about school every day, and how he talks about his learning and his teachers. And I just know he's cared for and loved for who is. At the end of the day, that's the most important thing.

Could you explain the importance of the Primary Years Programme in the Lower School and how it supports young students' development? 

The PYP, or the Primary Years program is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB), a global organization that provides a curriculum framework used in schools worldwide. What’s exciting about ISL is that we’re set to become the first IB continuum school in Luxembourg, offering high-quality, internationally-based teaching and learning from age 3, all the way through to age 18.

The IB focuses on a holistic approach to education, ensuring that our students not only excel in core academic areas but also develop as individuals. This is achieved through transdisciplinary skills like communication, social skills, and collaboration, which are explicitly taught, starting with our youngest learners. These essential life skills are a key part of our program, beginning at age three.

The IB’s holistic approach is rooted in innovative teaching practices that engage students by tapping into their motivations and interests, helping to deepen their learning. This ensures that we provide the highest quality of education available in Luxembourg.

What is the importance of international education, particularly for students in the Lower School?

At ISL, we truly live our mission, which is centered around achieving what matters anywhere in the world. Our international education is grounded in the belief that diversity is our greatest strength, and it defines who we are as a school. With 60 nationalities represented, each student brings a unique perspective, contributing to the richness of our learning environment.

We make a conscious effort to approach everything with a broad, international mindset, ensuring that different perspectives are represented in all we do. I like to think of our school as a mosaic—each student adds a distinct piece, and together, they create a beautiful, cohesive picture. This diversity is what makes our international education so special.

What do you think is unique about ISL, particularly in the way we approach learning in the Lower School?

What makes ISL truly unique is our commitment to diversity. We take pride in the wide range of perspectives represented within our school and embrace diversity in all its forms, cultural, ethnic, religious, and more. We are on a path to be as inclusive as possible, learning from and celebrating our differences. This diversity enriches our community and is at the heart of what makes ISL such a special place.

Some of the most important skills students acquire today are those transdisciplinary skills... research shows that these skills are amongst the most highly sought after by employers and that in our Early Years and Kindergarten are where these skills begin to be developed, setting the stage for achieving what matters. 

What are some of the most important skills a student should acquire today?

The most important skills students should acquire today are those transdisciplinary skills we discussed earlier, which fall under five big overarching areas in the PYP. Research shows that these skills are amongst the most highly sought after by employers and that in our Early Years and Kindergarten are where these skills begin to be developed, setting the stage for achieving what matters. 

The essential skills include communication, collaboration, research, social-emotional understanding, and critical thinking. These skills are fundamental for achieving success in life, and at ISL, we prioritize them from the very start, explicitly teaching and integrating them into our curriculum for our youngest learners.

How do you define the success of a student in both their academic journey and personal growth?

I believe student success is highly individualized and should be measured in terms of growth. Our goal is to create an environment where every child is positioned to grow, not only academically but also socio-emotionally. A successful student is one who feels content and happy, has friends, understands themselves, and can advocate for their own needs. 

They take ownership of their learning, understand their role in both the classroom and the wider community, and are confident as individuals. Success is about having a voice, using it, and applying their learning in meaningful ways to make a difference, even from a young age. I think our Lower School excels at fostering this kind of success.

Then, how do you define the success of a teacher in terms of their students' growth?

I believe the success of a teacher is reflected in their ability to facilitate growth in their students, ensuring that each one receives the individual support they need to develop their own voice and agency. A successful teacher can do this for the entire class, empowering every student to reach their full potential.

What do you love most about your work at ISL?

Again, I keep bringing up diversity, but I think the diversity in our community is incredible. The voices that we have and the people I get to interact with all day long are really the best part of it. I love spending time with the students. They're amazing to just hang out with and chat with. And it's incredible to see each one of them on their own learning journey and be able to be part of that. It's a real opportunity and privilege.

Can you share a memorable achievement or project from your time at ISL that you are particularly proud of?

I don’t know if I could ever take full credit for any one thing, and that is something I'm particularly proud of. Everything I’ve been part of at the school has been a result of collaboration and the strong community we have. So I think it's not one event, but it's really the actualization of being part of a community that is making a difference.

Please describe ISL in five words.

Diversity. Inclusivity. Inspired. Community. Caring.