Recent Alumni Spotlight: Jeroen van Eeken

“ISA wasn’t just a place where I worked—it was a community that challenged me, supported me, and helped me become the educator and person I am today.”

Meet Jeroen van Eeken, Physical and Health Education teacher, completing 25 years at ISA this year! 

How did your time at ISA impact your life?

My time at ISA has had a lasting impact on my life—and in many ways, it still does. Being part of such a diverse and international community taught me lessons on every level: professional, personal, and cultural. I’ve learned from colleagues, students, and families alike, and those lessons have shaped not only the way I teach, but also the way I see the world.

ISA encouraged me to grow in all directions. In the classroom and on the field, I discovered the importance of adaptability, creativity, and resilience. Through friendships and connections, I learned the value of empathy and understanding across cultures. 

ISA wasn’t just a place where I worked—it was a community that challenged me, supported me, and helped me become the educator and person I am today. 

What are some of your most memorable moments at ISA?

My most rewarding experiences at ISA stem from the strong community. Building relationships with students, colleagues, and families from various backgrounds has been both inspiring and invaluable.

A significant highlight has been travelling with our sports teams. Supporting students as they represented ISA abroad allowed powerful learning experiences beyond the games themselves, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories. Theimpact of our community is clearwhen former students return to share their lives or bring their own children back to ISA.

In the classroom and on the field, I’ve witnessed student growth through challenge. Whether mastering new skills, pushing physical limits, or gaining confidence in team settings, these moments define the reward of teaching PHE at ISA.

Ultimately, ISA is a place where friendships, global experiences, and learning intersect, significantly shaping students and me as an educator.

What is your current career, and why did you choose that path? What advice do you have for others looking to enter your field of work?

I am currently a Physical and Health Education teacher.

For anyone considering a career in education, especially in PHE, my advice would be to stay open to the unexpected. Teaching is not just about delivering lessons; it’s about building relationships, creating opportunities for growth, and guiding students toward confidence and resilience. It can be demanding at times, but the impact you have is real and lasting. If you bring passion, patience, and genuine care for people, this field can give back far more than you might expect.

What advice or insights do you have for our current ISA students?

If I could share one piece of advice with ISA students, it would be this: focus on what you want, take your moment to reflect, and remember to enjoy the journey.

Focus means knowing what matters most to you and giving it your energy. At ISA you’ll find countless opportunities, but you don’t need to do everything at once. Choose the things that inspire you, commit to them fully, and don’t be afraid to say no to what doesn’t align with your goals. Consistency in small steps will take you further than you think.

At the same time, make space to reflect. Take a moment after a class, a project, a game, or even a conversation to ask yourself what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown. Reflection is what turns experiences into lessons and helps you see how far you’ve come.

Most importantly, enjoy it. Your time here will pass faster than you realize. Enjoy the friendships, the laughter, the opportunities to travel, the little moments in class, and the memories you’re making each day. Those will stay with you long after you leave.

ISA gives you the chance to shape who you want to become. Stay focused, keep reflecting, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

The ISA Alumni Spotlight series aims to showcase the journeys of individuals in our student, teacher and parent alumni communities. We ask them to reflect on how ISA made an impact on their life, and to share their advice on how to carry the mission of international understanding.