Sema Kızılkaya
Founder of Istanbul, Keystone International & Kilittaşı Schools
Sema Kızılkaya’s work in the education sector since 1991 may seem like a privilege of her time in Vienna, but for her it is a true calling. During her years working in the kindergarten sector (1991-2012), her biggest vision was that graduates would remember their early years with a warm smile and make them precious. Since 2012, she has expanded this vision by touching the lives of children between the ages of 3 and 18, working to instill the same sense of belonging and joy in all students.
As an educator who recognizes the changing face of educators’ responsibilities today, she believes that in a modern world where information is easily accessible, education should go beyond simply imparting knowledge. Her vision is to raise flexible, creative and self-sufficient individuals who develop practical life skills. To this end, she advocates a minimalist approach, encouraging students to appreciate the core values of life and focus on what is truly important.
These principles guide the educational approach at Kilittaşı and Keystone Schools, emphasizing multilingualism, healthy living habits and the development of flexible, adaptable and respectful young people. This philosophy continues to be at the center of her work as she seeks to prepare students for a dynamic and ever-changing world.
Sema Kizilkaya graduated in Advertising from Yeditepe University and is also a member of the Carlton Disctrict School Board” Home Day Care” certificate.
Sema is also an accomplished author, publishing children’s books like “Hand in Hand”/”Elden Ele”, “Roots and Wings”/”Günaydın Masalı” and “Omer in Oslo”. The books she authored in 2017 are available on the Amazon Kindle platform.
You can view and read our school founder Sema Kızılkaya’s books for free by clicking on the book covers below. Happy reading!
Doa Demirsu
Founder of Toronto, Keystone International Schools
A Global Vision in Education
In 1991, when Doa was just four years old, she was introduced to the business side of education as her mother, Sema Kızılkaya, opened her first preschool in Çiftehavuzlar upon returning to Istanbul from Vienna. Growing up witnessing the birth of a brand, her interest in the education sector began to take shape from an early age.
In 2000, she embarked on an international educational journey, moving to Montreal, Canada, as an exchange student hosted by a Canadian family. Despite having studied German, she quickly learned English and completed her high school education there. She continued her university studies in Switzerland while living with a French family, further deepening the French language skills she had started developing in Montreal. During this time, she also interned in Switzerland and Shanghai, gaining firsthand experience of the dynamics of the international business world.
After completing her university education, she began her professional career at Scotia Bank in Montreal. However, she decided to further her academic development by enrolling in an MBA program at McGill University. This experience provided her with a global perspective, and she participated in exchange programs in Israel and Japan, gaining valuable insights into working in diverse cultures and entrepreneurial environments.
Upon returning to Istanbul, she joined her mother in supporting Kilittaşı Schools and Keystone International Schools. As her passion for education deepened, she decided to pursue a long-term career in the field.
Being a Canadian citizen with strong international ties and the support of her mother, she established Keystone School in Toronto, expanding her educational vision on a global scale. Today, with her international experience and innovative approach, she is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. She firmly believes that education provides a new learning opportunity every day and continues to prepare students for the future in the best way possible.
