Welcoming New Staff Members to the OIS Team
We are thrilled to welcome two outstanding educators, Zohra Beldman and Dylan Dicks, to the Optimist International School community this January! Their expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication will enrich our students’ learning experiences and further strengthen our school.
Welcoming Zohra Beldman – Language Specialist and DEP Team Member
Zohra Beldman joins us with extensive experience in international and Dutch education, specializing in language development and multilingualism. She will play a vital role at OIS to enhance basic skills over the next 18 months.
Her responsibilities will include:
- DEP Dutch Rotations: Zohra will dedicate time weekly to expanding Dutch instruction in the DEP programme.
- Language Specialist: She will work across the school to enhance language learning and development.
- VINI-Project: Zohra will contribute to the VINI-project, a joint project with our Dutch sister school OBS de Optimist, aimed at improving educational outcomes in multilingual settings.
On top of teaching experience, Zohra brings an impressive background, having worked as a Coordinator for Educational Quality and Operations at LanguageOne and as a Subject Area Coordinator for Languages at AICS. She is passionate about inquiry-based learning and student agency, with a focus on leveraging students’ home languages to support their academic growth.
Zohra expressed her enthusiasm for joining OIS, saying, “I am excited to be part of this vibrant school community and look forward to working with your children to enhance their language skills and foster a love for learning.”
Introducing Dylan Dicks – Group 5A Teacher
Dylan Dicks joins us as the new teacher for Group 5A. Originally from South Africa, Dylan has spent over eight years teaching in his home country before moving to the Netherlands, where he has been teaching at the International School in Leiden for the past two years.
With valuable experience teaching Group 5 students and leading gym lessons, Dylan is excited to co-teach alongside Claire and will be with Group 5A on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Dylan is not only a dedicated teacher but also a family man. He has been married to his wife, Madelein, for nearly four years, and together they have a one-year-old son, Righardt. As a family, they enjoy exploring the outdoors and making the most of their time together.
Dylan shares, “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to join the OIS community and look forward to starting this exciting new chapter.”
Looking Ahead
Both Zohra and Dylan bring a wealth of experience, fresh perspectives, and a commitment to excellence in education. We are confident that their contributions will further enrich the OIS learning environment and benefit our students.
Please join us in giving them a warm OIS welcome!