At the American International School of Cape Town (AISCT), our diverse faculty is the heart of our vibrant learning community. More than just instructors, they are mentors, innovators, and role models who create transformative learning experiences for every child.
Hailing from across the globe, our educators bring a wealth of international expertise to South Africa. While their backgrounds are diverse, they share a commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and the building of a more compassionate world.
Whether leading inquiry-based lessons, mentoring outside the classroom, or championing cultural celebrations, our faculty exemplifies what makes our international school teachers so exceptional. Families searching for “why choose an international school” often begin their journey by asking one crucial question: Who will be teaching my child?
Here is what makes our diverse faculty in international education truly exceptional and why they are the key reason AISCT is one of the most sought-after international schools in Cape Town.
A Globally Sourced, Highly Qualified Team
AISCT is home to a truly global faculty. Our team includes educators from over 15 countries, including the United States, South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Portugal, Mauritius, Colombia, and beyond. Each brings unique cultural insights and professional expertise, enriching our classrooms with global perspectives and intercultural learning.
Many of our teachers have previously taught at other leading international schools, providing them with an in-depth understanding of how to support globally mobile students and their families. This global experience is vital for creating an inclusive and future-ready learning environment.
As a private school in South Africa with international accreditation, we hold our hiring standards to the highest level. Every teacher must demonstrate formal qualifications, verified references, and a clear alignment with our values of integrity, respect, and belonging. Our faculty are not just qualified, they are deeply invested in student success, both inside and outside the classroom.
Teaching for Impact, Not Just Scores
At AISCT, we believe that excellent teaching is more than delivering curriculum; it is about shaping minds and hearts. Our educators use an inquiry-based learning approach, fostering curiosity, independence, and critical thinking. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore real-world problems, and build their own understanding, guided by teachers who know how to support diverse learners.
Differentiated instruction is a cornerstone of our teaching philosophy. AISCT teachers adapt lessons to meet the needs and learning styles of students, promoting both academic rigor and accessibility. Through a growth mindset lens, students learn that effort, resilience, and reflection are essential parts of success.
From our Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, Dr. Porsha Childs: “When academics meet action, our students don’t just study the world—they step into it, prepared to make a difference. Through the integration of classroom learning and service experiences, our teachers extend education beyond academics, preparing students to engage thoughtfully as global citizens.”
Our faculty participate in ongoing training to stay at the cutting edge of global education practices, from project-based learning to data-driven instruction, ensuring every child thrives.
Teachers Who Know Their Students
AISCT teachers are not just educators; they are mentors, guides, and trusted adults who walk alongside each student throughout the journey. With an average class size of 16 and a student–teacher ratio of around 10:1, our faculty has the time and space to get to know each learner as an individual.
Morning Meetings in the Lower School build community and set a positive tone for the day. Teachers use them for greetings, sharing, group activities, and news, directly supporting social-emotional learning (SEL) by fostering skills like cooperation and empathy.
In the Upper School, Communitas lessons provide a safe space for our older students to discuss personal, social, and academic issues, focusing on topics such as digital citizenship, identity, and healthy relationships to promote self-awareness and responsible decision-making, which are key components of SEL. Teachers also serve as activity leaders, coaches, and club sponsors, ensuring that students are supported both inside and outside the classroom.
This focus on holistic development is part of what distinguishes our faculty among private school teachers in South Africa. They notice when a student is struggling, celebrate when a student achieves a milestone, and help young people build confidence as they grow and develop.
Quote from Charlie, AISCT parent, “Our family joined the school last year, and it has been a truly wonderful experience. Our children felt at home from day one—they made close friends, settled into their classes with ease, and really thrived.”
AISCT teachers invest in the whole child, helping students flourish intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
Leading by Example in a Diverse School
Our faculty reflects and reinforces the international diversity that defines AISCT. They actively model intercultural understanding, helping students learn how to collaborate, communicate, and lead in a multicultural world.
Throughout the year, teachers lead cultural events, national heritage celebrations, global service-learning projects, and international days of action. These initiatives not only deepen student engagement but also show what global citizenship looks like in practice.
AISCT’s faculty integrates a wide range of global viewpoints into everyday teaching, drawing from their diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Lessons are enriched by real-world insights, international context, and cross-cultural connections that help students think critically and empathetically about the world around them. This fusion of global perspectives provides students with a rich, layered understanding of the world and their place within it, preparing them to lead with curiosity, respect, and confidence in any environment.
Families looking for global educators in international schools often find that AISCT’s faculty are uniquely positioned to prepare students for life beyond borders. They are not just teaching about the world, they are living proof of how education transcends borders.
Constant Growth, Just Like Our Students
AISCT believes that teacher quality in international education is directly tied to professional growth. That is why we invest in our faculty’s ongoing development through workshops, curriculum training, and regular collaboration.
Under the guidance of Dr. Childs and our Senior Leadership Team, teachers engage in continuous learning cycles, reflecting on data, designing new learning experiences, and exploring educational research. Whether it’s adopting emerging technologies or integrating student-led assessments, our faculty remains at the forefront of pedagogical innovation.
Collaboration is also global. AISCT faculty often participate in networks through organizations like AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), sharing ideas with colleagues across continents.
This commitment to growth ensures that our teachers, like our students, are always learning, adapting, and striving for excellence.
Meet Our Diverse Faculty: the People Who Make AISCT Extraordinary
When you choose AISCT, you are not just selecting an academic program; you are choosing the people who will help shape your child’s character, confidence, and global outlook. Our faculty is a community of passionate, experienced educators who lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. They are mentors, role models, and innovators — deeply committed to nurturing each student’s growth in a rapidly changing world. The best way to understand what makes our faculty exceptional is to meet them yourself.
Want to meet the minds behind the mission? Join us for a personal campus tour. We would love to introduce you to the global educators who make AISCT one of the top international schools in Cape Town.