The International School of Trieste’s Director, Carrie Pierson, Talks Love for Teaching, Learning and Her Home in Trieste 

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Interview: MK

Photography: International School of Trieste

Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Carrie Pierson’s turn, the director of the International School of Trieste who left United States to make her home in Trieste.

Where are you from? 

I was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Michigan. After graduating from college, I taught in Montana for five years before moving to Trieste. I was coaching sports, directing theater and, as a hobby, I started studying Italian.

What brought you to Trieste?

I studied in Florence for a term during my third year at university. I became enamored with Italian culture and, when I went back to the US, I continued to study. By that time, I was ready to teach abroad so I started looking for opportunities to do so. Eventually, I went to London for a job fair and interviewed with various schools to teach English Literature. I met the Director of IST and it didn’t take long for us to agree that this school could be a good fit. I ended up being his first hire as a new Director.

Had you been to Trieste before?

I hadn’t – only as close as Venice. In the moment I was hired, the specific role at IST was the only one available in Italy for Americans – which now I understand is not a surprise – but I was fortunate that the teaching position opened just at the right time. At the end of the job fair weekend, I flew back to Montana with a contract in hand and started getting ready to move to Italy for the next school year.

What did you think of Trieste when you moved here?

I instantly loved it. I moved to the Cavana neighborhood straight away. I grew up by Lake Michigan and I think living so close to the sea makes life extra special. My Italian wasn’t perfect, but Trieste gave me many opportunities to improve. I instantly liked the school and found myself among a group of people and students who were all eager for it to grow. The high school had begun only a few years before, so we worked together on all of the new challenges that created. I also started coaching girls football without knowing how to play it. I decided that my experience coaching sports in the US was transferrable and relied a lot on the students. I didn’t at all hide my lack of experience and just enjoyed it, especially during the tournaments, local and international.  

Do you speak Triestino?

I try not to (laughs-ed.). This is my 14^th year in Trieste so I definitely understand some but I try to speak Italian in order to limit my own confusion. I did make local friends who help me navigate the beauty of their dialect.

When did you become the director of the IST?

I stepped into an administrative position pretty quickly. I was still teaching when I became the Upper School Coordinator. When I was approached by the previous Director about stepping into his role, I didn’t feel ready to leave the classroom but decided that perhaps it was still the right time. At that point, we already had 2 graduating classes and we had a better idea of where our school was going. We also had very experienced Deputy Directors who were truly essential and the three of us worked as a team from the very start. I think what helped me make the decision was the fact that I was approached about it which encouraged me to feel that the Board was interested in my specific qualities. I’ve now been in the role for 10 years.

Are you happy you took the job of Director?
Absolutely. I decided early on that I wouldn’t allow myself to regret anything for one year and then decide whether I had been right or not. There were many challenges and each generation of students is different, it always feels like it requires a new me. However, in the end, I never looked back and yes, I am comfortable that I made the right decision.

What about staying in Trieste?

The school and Trieste in my mind are always linked. Part of the reason I wanted to stay in Trieste is because of IST and part of the reason I wanted to remain at the school was because of Trieste. More recently, lockdown confirmed for me that Trieste was my place and that, even then, I was happy living here. 

What makes IST special?

The big thing about IST is that we are fully recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education and this recognition is a huge honor for an international school. It also gives us a chance to work within our own curricular program, and of course we have the external accreditation that keeps us on the right track. Our students and families represent more than 35 nationalities at this point, our teachers come from all over the world and many have had previous international experience. We have created a really beautiful campus space with a gymnasium and opportunities for students to also study outside, and we have unique teaching techniques. After graduating from high school at IST, our students have access to universities worldwide. We encourage open-mindedness and I strongly believe that an open mind can evolve into an open future.