John Mattern Alumni Award for Faculty
The John Mattern Award is named for the first headmaster of the school, an educator renowned for his ability to inspire and influence students and faculty alike.
The award recognizes a former faculty member who has provided an exceptionally high degree of individual attention to, and concern for, students in all areas of school life.
The Award
At Zurich International School – previously the American International School of Zurich (AISZ) and the International Primary School of Zurich (IPSZ) – there have been many extraordinary faculty members throughout our nearly 60-year history, teachers valued for their subject knowledge, teaching style, joy of working with students in and outside of the classroom, and extraordinary communication and mentoring skills.
The alumni of ZIS, along with the school, will honor these talented educators annually through the John Mattern Award
Honors
The honored faculty member will:
- receive a prize of CHF 1,500 (funding provided by generous alumni donors)
- be invited to campus and honored at a reception in his or her honor
- speak before students and faculty and attend classes
- be featured in ZIS communications and webpage
- attend alumni events locally and globally, as available
Process
- each year all alumni will be asked (via online and printed communications) to submit nominations by May 5 for the award, based on certain criteria
- a committee of alumni will select the final winner in April based on the nominations
- the honoree will be announced later in the spring
Honorees by year
- 2022 Honoree Joe Amato (ZIS 2000 - 2020)
- 2021 Honoree: Rob Caramella (ZIS 2001-2016)
- 2020 Honoree: Don Bowden (AISZ 1963-66)
- 2019 Honoree: Andreas Meitanis (AISZ / ZIS 1986-2018)
- 2018 Honoree: Margaret Smith (AISZ 1972-1983)
- 2017 Honoree: Regina Lanford (AISZ / ZIS 1987-2015)
- 2016 Honoree: Dick Killen (AISZ 1972-1990)
- 2015 Honoree: Ian Deleay (AISZ 1963-1990)
- 2014 Honoree: Mike Marlow (AISZ / ZIS 1988-2005)
- 2013 Honoree: Fowler Stillman (AISZ 1967-1989)
The 2023 Committee
The following alumni serve on the John Mattern Alumni Award for Faculty committee. They select the honoree based on the nominations submitted by all alumni each year.
Ceyda Avunduk, Class of 2001
Finn Borg, Class of 1974
Christina Haupt, Class of 2010
Harry Korine, Class of 1980
Suzanne Rapetti-Hunsicker, Class of 1982
Tristan Upton, Class of 2014
Lisa Lyle, Director