Our Team (OWIS Nanyang)

Head of School

James Sweeney

James is from Birmingham, England. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in History from University of Plymouth, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from University of Worcester, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

James started his career as a Primary School teacher before taking on further responsibilities. He has both taught and held leadership positions in schools in the UK, South Korea and China over the past several years.

James says that there are many reasons behind his choice to become a teacher. The most important of these was the influence of his History teacher in Secondary School. Unlike others, Mr Doherty carried a unique passion for history, communicating it in such a way that engaged his students deeply. From him, James understood that the role of an educator is not just reciting facts, but instead provoking thought, encouraging student debates and independent discovery of answers. He believes this approach truly embodies the essence of a good and meaningful education system.

His philosophy about education is that academic excellence is developed in tandem with core values, sense of community, and opportunities that will stay with students far beyond their time at school. His aim is for students to enjoy their childhood of building lifelong friends, nurturing talents, celebrating achievements, and learning and growing together.

At OWIS, James is eager to forge connections with students, faculty, parents, and staff. Our school’s core values deeply resonate with him, because in his career in schools, he has found that unique perspectives from a diverse community greatly enrich the learning experience.

Outside of work, James has a keen interest in competitive sports. Being a part of a team is something he truly enjoys, and he looks forward to continuing this in Singapore. He is also an avid fan of football, passionately following his team, Aston Villa.

Head of Secondary School

David Swanson

David is from the United States of America and is a vastly experienced leader with deep knowledge of our globally-recognised Secondary curricula.

David has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from University of Minnesota, a Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology, a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Colorado, Denver, a Certificate of International School Leadership from The College of New Jersey, and the Secondary Science Teaching License and Principal’s License from USA.

As an educator, David has taught Maths and Science (including Chemistry) in schools in the USA and Egypt from 2000 onwards. Having advanced into school leadership positions, he has worked as the Principal of Middle School or Secondary level in South Korea, Thailand and Jordan. In his last two school leadership roles, he was the Deputy Head at an international school in Vietnam and, most recently, the Head of School at an international school in China for seven years.

David believes that caring for students is the number one priority of educators. Education must be holistic in nature and develop young people so that they can thrive as global citizens anywhere they go in the world. Students require future-proof skills that AI cannot do, such as those described in the Approaches to Learning (communication skills, thinking skills, social skills, research skills and self-management skills).

David is excited to be at One World International School Nanyang Campus and our philosophy towards education and our values of kindness and respect deeply resonate with him. He says that without these values as a starting place, it is difficult to build solid relationships or carry out effective education.

In his leisure time, David enjoys hiking, mountain climbing, trail running, kayaking, swimming, reading, travel, and eating international cuisine.

Head of Early Childhood and Primary School

Rashmi Tourani

Rashmi Tourani has a passion for words. She earned her Bachelor’s in English from the City University of Hong Kong, Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Hong Kong, and Master’s Degree in Literary Arts from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Rashmi’s teaching experience spans over six years at prestigious international schools. Her expertise includes Secondary and Primary English study levels.

Children benefit from an effective learning environment that stimulates and nurtures individual growth. This is where Rashmi steps in to help students grow. She advocates excellence in communication and encourages students to build lasting relationships and a passion for life-long learning.

This is why she chose to join OWIS. She believes in the OWIS approach to learning and believes the individual study methods employed in our curriculum enable students to achieve the highest standards possible. Collaboration is key to retaining information, and the group study programmes help nurture this in young children.

Rashmi loves exploring new countries, cultures, and cuisines, as long as the menu doesn’t include seafood. An avid fitness guru, Rashmi loves dancing and yoga. Her love for words is evident in her reading style. When not teaching or exercising, you will find Rashmi reading her favourite historical novel.

Early Childhood 2 Teacher

Shey Ann Asuncion

Shey Ann is from the Philippines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Education. She has also earned her Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning.

Shey Ann has five years of experience teaching young children at the preschool level in both the Philippines and in Singapore. She believes in inculcating the core values of early childhood education through classroom activities and programmes. She is also skilled in setting up a learning environment that is conducive to developing curiosity and inquisitiveness in young children.

In her free time, Shey Ann enjoys going for a massage, doing yoga, visiting cafes and having fun in an amusement park every once in a while.

Grade 1 Teacher, Grade 1 Coordinator

Neha Kaprani

Neha Kaprani has earned her BA honours in Sociology and ECCEd from ORT India (London). She is currently pursuing a Masters in International Education from the UK.

She has over 18 years of experience in the field of education. With her knowledge of the IB, she was promoted to the role of PYP Coordinator in her previous school, where she worked for 10 years.

Neha is proud of her profession and strives to be a motivated, passionate, proactive teacher. She enjoys developing and implementing lucid methods of teaching that encourage curiosity and interest in students, as well as self-resilience and confidence.

She is looking forward to building her relationships with her students, parents and colleagues at OWIS. She works best in collaboration with others and looks forward to sharing great ideas and learning new and innovative skills from her colleagues at OWIS.

Neha enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her family in her free time.

Grade 2 Teacher

Manpreet Kaur

Grade 1 Teacher

Irina Mittra

Grade 1 Teacher

Honeylyn Fernandez

Honeylyn is from the Philippines, and she moved to Singapore in July 2022 for her new adventure at OWIS. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology from Mindanao State University, but while starting her Masters in the same subject, she discovered her love for teaching young children when she was volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at her church. She decided to change track in her career and earned a Professional Teaching Certification from the University of Philippines. She is currently studying for her Masters in Language and Literacy Education.

Honeylyn is in her twelfth year as an educator, and has experience teaching the National Curriculum of England, the IB PYP and English as a Second Language.

Honeylyn is a firm believer in nurturing the growth mindset, resilience and self-efficacy through teaching. She is of the view that, sometimes, children just need someone to believe in them before they start believing in themselves. That’s one of the many roles teachers can play.

‍In her free time, she enjoys life coaching, nature walks, baking, and swimming.

Grade 3 Teacher, Grade Coordinator

Azura Aziz

Azura Aziz was born in Singapore and has been working in international schools since 2010. She started teaching while volunteering during her undergraduate days, and she has enjoyed it ever since.

Azura graduated from SIM-UOL with a Bachelors in Banking and Finance. After working as an assistant teacher for some time, she decided to equip herself further and move on to being a classroom teacher. She earned a Diploma in Education (Special Needs) from the College of Allied Educators and a Postgraduate Diploma in Pre and Primary Teacher Training from the Asian College of Teachers.

Azura believes children learn best when they are given the agency to direct their own learning. They excel in a positive and nurturing environment where they are not afraid to try and make mistakes. In the classroom, teachers act as facilitators to ensure that each child is heard and included in the learning process. She also believes that the most important lesson in a child’s learning journey is about empathy and compassion.

At OWIS, she is looking forward to meeting people from diverse backgrounds and learning about their cultures and traditions. In her free time, she loves to drink coffee, fly kites and spend time with loved ones.

Grade 2 Teacher, Grade Coordinator

Fiona Watson

Fiona who is originally from Northern Ireland graduated from University of Brighton with a BA (Hons) in Physical Education with QTS. She has been working as an educator for the last 20 years and has taught across various subjects at all age levels, from Early Childhood through to Post 16, in both England and Northern Ireland.

Upon moving to Singapore, 8 years ago, Fiona has been teaching primary level in an international setting. She is currently developing her teaching career by undertaking a Diploma in Special and Inclusive Education.

Fiona is passionate about inclusive education and believes that every child belongs in a classroom community learning alongside each other and can benefit from an individualised approach to learning.

Fiona has 2 young daughters who keep her very busy! Fiona enjoys reading, travelling with her family and has a love of sport.

Grade 2 Teacher

Treeconica Sapra

Treeconica is from India. She completed her teaching qualification from the University of Sunderland and has been employed at OWIS Nanyang as a Primary School educator since then. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and she has previous experience of working at a multinational bank for several years.

As an educator, Treeconica’s passion lies in creating a classroom where each student is recognised as an individual and is empowered to reach their full potential through enjoyable, interactive, and practical learning experiences.

Grade 3 Teacher

Munmun Ray

Munmun is from Puri, India. She has a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Utkal University, India, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Monash University, Singapore. Her love for learning led her to start teaching in 2011.

Munmun firmly believes that teaching should be fun and learner-centric. She strives to nurture her students’ interest in learning by promoting their creative thinking and stirring up their natural curiosity.

At OWIS, she looks forward to creating a learning environment that is engaging, challenging and caters to the need and potential of each student. She brings her fun-loving, hardworking and creative nature to every class.

Having relocated from the USA six years ago, Munmun lives with her husband and daughter in Singapore. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, biking and kayaking.

Grade 3 Teacher

Vidhi Mamtani

Originally from India, Vidhi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and she has also completed her Postgraduate Studies in Human Development and Childhood Studies. Further, she has a Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences from the Dyslexia Association of Singapore and she has also pursued a course on Disability Inclusion in Education from the University of Cape Town. Her diverse teaching experience spans more than nine years across various schools in India and Singapore.

Vidhi sincerely believes diversity in the classroom should be respected and valued. She aims to provide creative and stimulating experiences to help learners shine in their own unique way and achieve their true potential. In her classroom, students are nurtured to grow into independent and confident individuals.

Vidhi chose OWIS because diversity is very important to her. At OWIS, students and teachers come from all over the world, representing many cultures and countries.

Vidhi enjoys playing golf over the weekends. She also loves to travel to different countries so that she can explore their culture and traditions.

Grade 4 Teacher

Irum Shah

Irum is originally from India and moved to Singapore in 2017 from Shanghai, where she lived for 10 years. Irum has a Master’s Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Science from the University of Kashmir, India.

She also holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from the Institute of International Teachers Training, India. She has a TEFL certification from Jioa Tong University, Shanghai, China and a diploma in Intensive Chinese Language course from Shanghai Maritime University, China.

Irum believes that children are very resourceful and her job as a teacher is to facilitate their learning by allowing them to follow their curiosity and enquiring nature. She believes in giving her students a voice and ownership of their learning. She strives to create a learning environment for students where they build critical thinking and cognitive skills, make connections, reflect and achieve their personal and social goals.

Coming from a family of educators, Irum’s mother inspired her to be a teacher. As the Head of High school, Irum’s mother taught her to always practice kindness and be a lifelong learner. Irum believes that teachers have the power to change the world by creating responsible global citizens.

Irum has three beautiful daughters and enjoys reading, travelling and photography.

Grade 4 Teacher

Anina Joseph

Anina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Delhi University, India. She spent most of her life in Delhi with her family and taught in a primary school there for more than three years.

Anina believes that each child brings unique strengths and has varied learning styles. This helps each one of them to thrive and grow in different ways. It is her desire to create a learning environment where students are free to share their ideas, express their views and take risks, so they can meet their full potential.

As a child, Anina felt her traditional schooling did not provide the resources for her to grow as an individual. So, she decided to become a teacher to enable the changes she would like to see in education. In her time at OWIS, she looks forward to practising teaching where she can make a difference in the lives of children.

In her free time, Anina loves to make art, take care of the garden and spend time with family.

Grade 4 Teacher, Grade 4 Coordinator

Serinder Kaur

Science Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Nurita Samanta Mondal

Nurita Samanta hails from Kolkata, known as the City of Joy, in India. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Education degrees under the canopy of Pune University. Currently, she is pursuing the IB PYP Educator Certification Programme from the University of Windsor, Canada.

Since 2010 when she started her career as an educator, her teaching approach has been to ensure that all learners are seen, valued, and heard in her classroom. She accepts students for who they are, so they feel safe to make mistakes — because after all, mistakes are how we all learn. At the end of the day, they should be able to choose wisely and let their curiosity direct their learning.

Her former pupils describe her as someone who is creative, passionate, and jovial, and she aims to bring all these personal qualities to her teaching style at OWIS to make learning engaging for all the students. In her free time, Nurita enjoys de-stressing through cooking, art and craft.

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Grade 4 Teacher

Charu Tandon

Charu has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Miranda House, Delhi University, and her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) via Independent Distance Learning from University of Sunderland (UK).

After starting her career in merchandising, Charu made the switch to education and took roles in management schools where she had the responsibility of managing faculty, students and academic matters. Since 2019, her interest in education has led her to pursue a new career as a teacher.

Charu believes her problem solving attitude and full commitment to work will help her to make a difference in the OWIS community.

Grade 5 Teacher

Susmita Bhattacharyya

Grade 5 Teacher, Grade 5 Coordinator

Amrita Bakhtani

Amrita is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia. She started her career as an auditor but found joy in teaching instead. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Postgraduate Degree in Education from the University of Nottingham. She also has a TQUK Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the London Teacher Training College.

Amrita is passionate about educating students in a safe, kind and caring environment. Her aim is to help students excel at being competent communicators and outstanding leaders. She believes that every child has a unique way of learning, and it is the job of teachers to help students explore their talent and present opportunities for them to excel.

Amrita was inspired to teach by her mother, who is also a teacher. Just like her, Amrita wants to have a positive and inspiring impact on children’s lives. At OWIS, she looks forward to being a part of a kind and caring environment, and modelling these school values for students.

In her free time, Amrita enjoys exploring new places around Singapore, playing badminton and a good cup of coffee.

Primary School Cover Teacher

Preema Thomas

Grade 5 Teacher, Literacy Coordinator

Mathiarasi Maslamani

Mathiarasi is a born-and-bred Singaporean, used to the sunny weather and sudden, thundery showers. She has a double degree in English and English Literature and a Masters in Applied Linguistics. With more than ten years of teaching experience and seven in an international environment, she continuously seeks to hone her teaching craft to bring it to the next level.

Mathiarasi always loved to learn new things and understand how the world works, and this drove her to become a teacher. She believes that education is the best empowerment anyone can have, and she aims to teach this truth to her students.

She believes education rooted in kindness and integrity is an enhancing, self-realising and creative experience for her students. She seeks to deliver this kind of educational experience in all her classes at OWIS. She also looks forward to being part of exciting school events.

In her free time, Mathiarasi loves reading books, interacting with nature and going to the theatre. She also enjoys playing board games.

Grade 5 Teacher, Mathematics Coordinator (Primary)

Karen Brooks

Grade 2 Teaching Assistant

Afiqah Anwar

Humanities Teacher, EE Coordinator, Grade 12 Tutor

Harjinder Kairon

Maths Teacher, Head of Department - Maths

Paramsheel Chaudhary

Paramsheel hails from India and has a double Masters degrees in Mathematics and Education from Mumbai University. She has been teaching secondary students for over 11 years and has a PGDEA (Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration) from Symbiosis Institute, India and has completed various Cambridge courses as well.

Paramsheel believes that teaching is a life-long process where you learn from students, colleagues and parents as well. She was selected by India’s National education board for her exemplary teaching and her students have done extremely well in Mathematics with her coaching. She was inspired to teach by her Mathematics teacher, Dr. K B Subramaniam, who was her mentor and guide.

Paramsheel loves spending time with her family, especially her two young daughters and pursuing spiritual activities in her spare time.

English Teacher, Grade 9 Tutor

Stephen Glover

Veteran teacher Stephen Glover has more than 30 years of experience teaching English to high school students. He originally taught English for nine years at Lawnswood High School in Leeds, England. He spent the next 21 years teaching English Language and Literature as a Senior Teacher for the Ministry of Education at Pioneer Secondary School.

His expertise includes the secondary and ability range, and Stephen has taught GCSE, A Level in the UK, and GCE O Level in Singapore.

Stephen believes children must enjoy learning to be able to develop an interest in the curriculum. He brings new, creative ideas to the classroom and believes in making learning an enjoyable experience for students both in and outside the classroom and challenges his students with thought-provoking questions.

In his free time, Stephen enjoys reading, taking in a new film or play, and a friendly game of rugby. He’s an enthusiast about cricket, football, and tennis.

English Teacher, Head of Department - English

Jarrod Nooh

Maths Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Neelimarao Gopal

Business Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Joel Toussaint

Joel, a seasoned educator hailing from the USA, brings a wealth of academic and teaching experience to his role. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of South Florida and a Master of Science in Business from INSEEC. Additionally, Joel is equipped with a government-approved teaching certification from the Florida Department of Education in Tampa, US.

With experience teaching in both traditional and International Baccalaureate schools, Joel has worked with students across all grade levels, from elementary to high school. He specialises in Business Studies and Humanities.

Joel’s teaching journey has taken him across borders, and he has taught in the USA, India, Laos, and China. He is adept at implementing multiple curricula, including IB PYP, IGCSE, AS/A-LEVEL, and the USA Curriculum, ensuring a dynamic and enriching learning experience for his students.

Humanities Teacher, Head of Department - Humanities

Caroline Hooper

Caroline is originally from the United States and has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Linguistics from McGill University. She has fourteen years of teaching experience in  international schools in South Korea, South Africa, China, France and Costa Rica, and she has taught from Early Childhood to Secondary levels.

Caroline believes education is empowering and should provide students with the tools they need to engage in their communities in a political and transformative manner. She is inspired by a love of learning, but since being a professional student is not a viable career, Caroline pursued a career in the education field as the next best thing.

At OWIS, Caroline looks forward to getting to know students and building a partnership with them to support their learning. Her students describe her as understanding, supportive and dedicated. She’s excited about the school’s values of international-mindedness and respect for diversity. She believes that as the world becomes ever more interconnected, all global citizens must strive to understand each other better and celebrate their differences.

In her spare time, Caroline loves learning new things, whether by visiting museums, reading books, or meeting people. Caroline is new to Singapore but very excited to explore the country.

Humanities Teacher, Grade 11 Tutor

Shabnam Zareefi

Head of Department - Information and Communication Technology, Computer Science Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Hardeep Kaur

Hardeep is dedicated to fostering an intellectually thrilling and academically rigorous environment by incorporating interdisciplinary approaches and intersectional models into her lessons. She has been teaching for more than 10 years.

Hardeep studied at CIIS India and then pursued her graduate degree in Interactive Multimedia at Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom. She received her Postgraduate Certificate in Education with a focus on computer science from Staffordshire University.

Before coming to OWIS, Hardeep worked as an assistant lecturer and international coordinator at a university in India. She then taught at secondary schools in the United Kingdom. Most recently, she served as a computer science teacher at an international school in Thailand. 

Hardeep values inquiry-based learning and ensures that the curriculum is engaging and thought-provoking. She finds it imperative to build positive rapport with students, provide support based on their individual needs, and reinforce positive behaviours in order to create the best learning environment for everyone.

In her free time, she enjoys keeping fit and healthy by walking, cycling, running and practising yoga. She also loves cooking nutritious food, spending time with her family and friends and watching tech documentaries. Hardeep speaks English, Punjabi and Hindi.

Maths Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Shilpa Arora

English Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Shafiah Sulaiman Sha

Shafiah is a Malaysian but spent most of her younger years in Singapore. After graduating from university, she decided to move here permanently.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from University Putra Malaysia and a Master’s Degree in Education in English from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She is also currently working on her research in English Literature to fulfil her ambition in PhD.

Shafiah taught English language, phonics, and creative writing to students across all ages in Singapore prior to joining OWIS. She also believes that teaching and learning are a two-way process and it’s crucial for teachers to focus on effective teaching and learning approaches beyond content delivery drawing inspiration from the students themselves.

Outside of work, Shafiah enjoys Latin dance classes like salsa and bachata, cooking, and reading articles related to humanities and literature.

Music Teacher

Milay Baydur

Milay Baydur was born in a small town near the ancient city of Antioch in southern Turkey. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at Omer Halis Demir University in Turkey and worked in Turkish public schools from primary to high school levels engaging with all age groups. She also worked as a flute teacher in a high school in Turkey, specialising in arts education.

At OWIS, Milay is looking forward to creating a music group. She believes that playing an instrument is more about education than innate talent and that all children can learn and enjoy learning to play an instrument if they are taught using the proper methods.

Milay lived in the United States and Azerbaijan before moving to Singapore. She is a mother of two children. She enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time, learning to play different instruments, composing, repairing and painting old furniture, and interior design.

Art Teacher

Yuzdhaliny Yusoff (Liny)

Art Teacher

Reshvinder Kaur

Visual Arts Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Chen Weisha

Weisha is from Qingdao city of China. She has a Master of Science in Higher Education from Walden University, USA, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fine Art from Sunderland University, UK, a Specialist Diploma in Arts Education from the National Institute of Education, Singapore, and a Diploma in Fine Art from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore.

She has won many awards, including the Artist of the Singapore Friendship Fabric, 1st Youth Olympic Games of Singapore, Fine Art Awards from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Chinese Painting Silver Award, China, and more.

Weisha started teaching art in 2008 in Singapore. She chose OWIS because she appreciates the interaction and rapport she’s able to build with students. She loves sharing fun moments with each student and learning through fun activities. Students would describe her as fun, caring and motivated.

In her spare time, Weisha explores cafes in Singapore. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her family and her cat.

Athletics Director, PE Teacher, Head of PE Department

Neha Thapa

PE Teacher

Nurul Faheezah Abdul Rahmi

Nurul was born and raised in Singapore and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports & Physical Education with Psychology from Singapore University of Social Sciences. She has nine years of experience of teaching students ranging in age from 3 to 14 years, and she has taught in both local and international schools. Nurul firmly believes that everyone should have an equal opportunity to reach their potential.

Nurul was inspired to teach by her Secondary English teacher, who taught with patience and kindness. She enjoys being able to give back to society and loves the satisfaction that she feels, knowing she made a positive impact on her students.

Nurul is known for being an understanding, caring and fun teacher who looks forward to helping students be their best selves. She looks forward to collaborating with the multicultural teacher and student community at OWIS.

In her free time, Nurul enjoys social interactions and outings with family and friends and loves participating in indoor and outdoor physical activities.

PE Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Suryakandhan Raman

Surya Raman graduated from National Institute of Education, NTU, Singapore as a Physical Educator and has been teaching in Ministry of Education schools for more than 7 years. He loves the outdoors and strives to teach PE in creative and engaging ways to all his students.

He is excited to be able to share his knowledge and expertise in sports science with OWIS students. He believes that through sports and PE, students will be able to create a positive mindset and become great individuals in society.

Surya Raman enjoys being outdoors; he is an avid surfer and is into fitness (at the gym). His forte is soccer and he plays the sport every weekend. When not active, he loves listening to music and hanging out with his friends. He is excited to be a part of the awesome OWIS community!

PE Teacher

Dini Jeffri

Modern Foreign Languages (French & Spanish) Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Rubén Baños

Rubén is from Spain and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Valencia. He has also received a Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature from the University of Valencia. He later completed the Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers at Cambridge University.

Rubén has taught English, English as a Foreign Language, Spanish, French and German in Spain, Indonesia, Vietnam and Burundi. He brings eight years of experience to his role at OWIS.

As an educator, Rubén aims to instil integrity, resilience, respect and international-mindedness in his students. As part of his lessons, he adopts a learner-centred approach, incorporating visual, hearing and hands-on activities. He also enjoys teaching his students about the cultures of different countries. At one of his previous schools, for example, he organised French Language and Francophonie Week to help learners immerse themselves in French culture.

Mandarin Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Luyang Jiang (Kara)

Kara is a native of China. She holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Sichuan University, Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Sichuan Normal University and a Certificate in Making the PYP Happen in the Classroom Cat 1 from IBO.

Kara’s undergraduate degree in English has given her an invaluable experience in enabling her to speak English fluently and without much stress in an international environment.

She believes that a Chinese teacher in an international school needs to break through the traditional Chinese teaching mode and make creative use of advanced teaching methodologies to teach Chinese and cultivate international-mindedness.

Her EAL and Chinese (as a native language and foreign language) teaching experience helps her to have a better understanding of these two languages and cultures, which enables her to guide her students to explore Chinese language and Chinese culture with international thinking.

Kara is a big fan of painting and calligraphy and loves spicy food!

Mandarin Teacher

XiuRen Liu (Serena)

Mandarin Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Yue Wang (Serena)

Serena has a Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese as an International Language from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and she has also earned the Chinese Test Administration Certificate. Over the many years of her career, she has taught in China, Thailand, the UK and Singapore.

Serena believes it’s important to know students well to understand how they learn. She uses this knowledge of her students to adjust her teaching style to their needs, to keep all students engaged. She also considers a positive learning environment to be essential for students to realise their full potential.

At OWIS, Serena looks forward to applying her academic knowledge to practical situations in the classroom. She loves to teach students about Chinese culture, history and other interesting facts. She also looks forward to meeting teachers from different cultural backgrounds.

Serena feels that kindness and respect go hand-in-hand. Kindness is best taught to students through example. All children learn better in a safe and kind environment.

Serena enjoys travelling, playing Chinese zither, and doing Pilates in her free time.

Mandarin Teacher

Xiao Yu (Stephanie)

Mandarin Teacher, Head of Mandarin Department

Chang Liu

PYP Teacher Librarian

Helen Eustaquio

IB DP Librarian, Secondary Digital Resource Coordinator, ToK Coordinator

Mark Angilo Alceso (Gelo)

Mark Angilo, or Gelo as he likes to be known, comes from the Philippines. He has a Bachelor of Secondary Education degree with a major in English from the University of the East, a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of the Philippines, and a Master’s degree in Education with a major in Measurement and Evaluation from Miriam College.

Gelo has ten years of international school teaching experience in the Philippines as a teacher and school leader. He is knowledgeable and adept with both IB and Cambridge curricula. In addition, Gelo has taught subjects like Language A, History, Geography, Business Studies and Theory of Knowledge.

Gelo believes that it’s the job of educators to expose learners to actual circumstances and challenging topics. Beyond academic mastery, this helps prepare students for the future. Therefore, he’s committed to ensuring that his students learn and develop a variety of abilities that will strengthen their tenacity.

Gelo came to OWIS because he wanted the opportunity to learn from OWIS and Singapore’s diverse community. The culture and practices of both define what international-mindedness is all about.

In his spare time, he enjoys learning to cook a variety of cuisines. He also enjoys biking.

Primary ICT Teacher

Shweta Agarwal

Learning Support Teacher

Semeli Siouti-Petmeza

Library Assistant

Nur Shaella Binte Abdul Ghapar

Grade 5 Teacher

Rashmi Pradhan

Rashmi has a Bachelor’s Degree in English with Honours and a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from Calcutta University, Kolkata. She has also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from University of Pune.

In her various teaching roles throughout her career, Rashmi has aimed to foster interdisciplinary learning according to IB and Cambridge curriculum standards. She believes in creating a classroom culture that is welcoming and positive, so that she can nurture the general progress and well-being of students.

Music Teacher

Tereza Raska

Tereza is from Prague, Czech Republic. She holds an M.A. in Pedagogy and Teacher Training for Primary Education from Charles University with a specialisation in Music Education for Primary Schools. During her time at Charles University, she completed her thesis on ‘Traditional Music of Nepal and its Applicability in Music Education in European Primary Schools.’ Tereza has been teaching since 2008.

Before coming to OWIS, Tereza taught early childhood and primary school learners in the Czech Republic and Singapore. She has experience planning lessons to align with natural cognitive processes, teaching children with special needs and developing tailored individual study plans. Tereza’s goal is to awaken students’ interest in learning in a safe and nurturing environment. As such, she encourages kindness and collaborative teamwork while teaching comprehensive music skills.

Out of the classroom, Tereza enjoys playing the piano and guitar and singing in choirs. She is fluent in English, Czech and intermediate German.

EAL Teacher, Deputy Head of Department - EAL Programme

Harbans Kaur

Since graduating with a Bachelor in Special Education and a Masters in English As An Additional Language,Harbans has been teaching for over 30 years now. Her roles have been diverse and they have helped her to be a flexible practitioner. She has been a class teacher, learning support teacher as well as a special needs teacher, currently specialising in EAL.

Harbans has taught at many levels from junior to secondary. Prior to joining OWIS, Harbans spent twelve years in Singapore working at an international school. She was able to pursue her love of Phonics teaching and Phonemic awareness there. Her favourite part of her work as an educator is when Harbans sees her students’ succeed and realise their potential.

At home, Harbans loves to cook and get involved with community activities.

Senior Admissions Manager

Nidhi Puranik

Digital Marketing Manager

Himesh Sharma

Parent Liaison Officer

Delia Homan

Deputy Manager - Marketing

Hanisha Motwani

Manager, Business Development

Michelle Alejandrino

Manager, Communications & Content

Arati Rao

Finance Manager

Anupam Konhar

Front Office Executive

Miriam Brownlie

Executive, Operations Management

Neetha Prasad

Senior Executive, Events & Partnership

Parameswaran Swaminathan

Transport Liaison Officer

Jeffrey Seah

School Nurse

Annuja Dharmalingam

School Nurse

Zainab Binte Bakadool

Senior Executive, Human Resources

Balambika Padmanabhan

Operations Executive

Othuman Bin Abdul Kather

Grade 5 Teacher

Liv Coles

Liv is originally from the Philippines. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Cum Laude) in Elementary Education (Specialised in Early Childhood) from Leyte Normal University.

Liv has been teaching for more than ten years and has experience teaching in international schools. She believes that each child is unique and that learning should cater to each child’s readiness and potential.

As an educator, she is keen to develop a love for learning among her students. Her mother is a retired teacher and her passion and love towards her students became Liv’s inspiration for teaching. Liv believes that kindness is best taught by example and that when she acts with kindness towards her students and the other people around her, her pupils will follow the same path.

When not spending time with her pupils, Liv likes to paint and free dive! She also loves Thai food.

Early Childhood 3 Teacher

Siti Sahra Samsudin

Early Childhood 3 Teacher

Latha Joseph

Latha is from Singapore. She holds a Diploma in the Montessori Method of Teaching from Modern Montessori International, a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies from Monash University and a Masters In Education (Curriculum and Teaching) from Nanyang Technological University. 

Latha has been an Early Years educator in both local and international preschools in Singapore for the past 18 years. She has vast experience of teaching very young learners using the Montessori method, MOE NEL curriculum, Reggio Emilia, inquiry-based Learning, EYC, PYP and IPC. She believes that when you give young learners access to the best of knowledge, they will sprout into making big changes in the future.

Describing herself as a joyful, artistic and adventurous teacher, she looks forward to making learning fun and exciting for our preschoolers at OWIS. During her free time, Latha loves designing educational materials or something crafty  using the Cricut Maker.

Grade 1 Teacher

Saleha Md Yusoff

Saleha is from Singapore. She earned her Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from SEED Institute and a Diploma in Multimedia Computing from  Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 

Throughout her 12 years as an early years teacher, Saleha has focused on how best to support very young learners in attaining success in and outside the classroom. She strongly believes in allowing children to have endless opportunities to play, experiment, explore and discover in their learning experiences. She also aims to create an environment where children feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

Saleha always loved engaging with young children and found it interesting to learn about things based on children’s curiosity and wonder. She decided to pursue a career in teaching, wanting to understand them as well as be the voice that advocates for their rights. 

Saleha’s love for the outdoors and spirit of adventure motivated her to pursue a Forest School Leadership certification so that she could be equipped with the abilities and knowledge to develop and deliver Forest School programmes here in Singapore. In her free time, she would either be hiking, having a picnic at the beach or cycling around the parks in Singapore.

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Norahshahira Rahmat

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Putri Mansor

Grade 4 Teaching Assistant

Nur Shahirah Saharan (Sasha)

Early Childhood 3 Teaching Assistant

Nurlyana Abdullah

Grade 3 Teaching Assistant

Nahfisah Binte Abdul Rahim

Senior Coordinator – Pastoral Care, Secondary School

Catherine Adler

Catherine, who we all know as Katie, was born and raised on the East Coast of Canada. She has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She then completed her Graduate Diploma in Education (Major in English, Minor in Humanities) from Edith Cowan University in Australia, and she spent the subsequent 15 years in the country garnering valuable experience as an English teacher, a Head of Department and other school leader roles.

Upon relocating with her family to Singapore, Katie was drawn to OWIS’ values of kindness and being “One with the World”. She believes every child is unique and should be given a chance to be understood – once they feel understood, children will bloom and display their talents in various ways.

Katie loves trying different cuisines from around the world and enjoys traveling

Senior Coordinator - Teaching & Learning, Early Childhood & Primary School

Ekta Sabharwal

Ekta holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester in the UK and Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts and Education from India. She has also earned an International Educator’s Certificate for IB Qualification from the University of Windsor in Canada.

With over 22 years of teaching experience, Ekta has spent the last 15 years teaching at various international schools in Singapore. She firmly believes that teaching is a learning journey, and teachers who demonstrate curiosity, generosity, and reflective thinking inspire students to achieve their goals. Ekta strives to motivate students to ascertain their inner strengths and discover what truly inspires them. She encourages students to learn more actively and independently by nurturing a curiosity that goes beyond the formal curriculum and a love for learning that stays with them throughout life.

Ekta appreciates the culture of kindness at OWIS and believes that small acts of kindness can change the world. She strongly supports inquiry-based learning, which helps students understand how they learn best and become lifelong learners.

In her free time, Ekta enjoys cooking new recipes and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves dancing and listening to music.

Senior Coordinator – Pastoral Care, Early Childhood & Primary School

Prem Kumar Rajoo

Kumar is a Singaporean who has been serving as an educator for the past 13 years. He holds a Diploma in Education from NIE, Singapore, and a Degree in Social Sciences (Counselling) as well. In his time as a teacher, he has received the Caring Teacher Award and was a finalist for the MOE President Award for Teachers. He has held several roles in school leadership in both MOE and international schools.

Kumar believes that every student can learn, and it is the job of every teacher to guide students toward being their best selves. By helping students take ownership of their learning, children learn to be independent and confident.

Kumar was inspired to become a teacher by his former teachers, who showed kindness towards students and passion for making a difference in the lives of others. At OWIS, he looks forward to journeying with different individuals whilst imparting and co-constructing knowledge.

Kumar enjoys spending time with his children, exercising, and being out at the beach with his family in his free time.

IB PYP Coordinator

Nur Syahdiqin Ismail

Syah is a Singaporean, but she was born in Japan. Her upbringing in four countries nurtured her adaptable, cosmopolitan nature and open mindset. Being an international school student who did the IB DP spurred Syah’s passion for the IB curriculum. This led her to obtain her Master of International Education from the University of Melbourne, specialising in the Primary Years Programme. She also holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care from Singapore Polytechnic and a Diploma in Educational Studies from College of Teachers (UK).

Over the course of her career, Syah has taught various curricula, including the UK’s EYFS, Reggio-Emilia approach and the Singapore NEL framework. She has over 10 years of preschool and elementary level teaching experience in international and local school settings. Syah has also worked with English as Additional/Second Language learners and is familiar with their unique needs in the classroom.

Syah strongly advocates for learner-centric curricula that encourage self efficacy and self regulation, and which allow children to uncover their natural abilities, talents and interests. She constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and skills through personal and professional initiatives.

Early Childhood Coordinator

Nur Suhaili (Lyn) Ghapar

Lyn is originally from Singapore. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education – Teaching from Seed Institute.

Lyn has a lot of experience working with young children and loves her job. She sees all the children she works with as beautiful individuals and is happy to see them learning through play and through social bonding. She believes in creating a lifelong love of learning in her students and seeing students develop on all levels.

In her free time, Lyn loves watching movies and cooking.

IB Diploma Programme Coordinator

Sanhita Roy

Sanhita hails from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, in India. She holds a Master’s Degree in Geography from Banaras Hindu University and Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from Calcutta University and an IB DP CAT1 Training for Geography Certificate from IB.

Sanhita has several years of experience teaching secondary students. She has also been a level coordinator for senior grades and head of the exam department previously in another school.

Sanhita believes that all students are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. In other words, a safe environment where they can share their ideas and take risks. After covering her insights on various topics, she frequently facilitates discussion among the students to help them understand each other’s perspectives.

Sanhita wishes to make a difference in as many students’ lives as possible through academic values and important life lessons.

Her favourite food is Biriyani and she loves music and dancing!

English Teacher, Grade 4/5 Bilingual Programme

Rachel Toh

Rachel is from Singapore. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with Psychology (Open University), Bachelor of Music in Music Theory (University of Houston), and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education (University of Houston). She has also cleared the Texas Examination of Educator Standards: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (EC-12), Core Subjects (EC-6), Music (EC-12)

Some of the awards Rachel has won include University of Houston Graduate School Fund Grant (2019-2020), Winifred and Maurice Herschel Memorial Scholarships (2010-2011), Howard Pollack Scholarship Endowment in Memory of Darryl Wexler (2010), and Texas Public Education Grant, International (2009).

Rachel has taught English, Maths, Science and Music to a wide range of students spanning Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary. She believes in an inclusive classroom, where relationship building starts with students learning to work cooperatively.

Rachel is a Singaporean, but has lived and worked in the USA for the past 14 years and has recently moved back here where all her family members reside. She loves to travel, paint, read, tinker on the piano, crochet, bake, and garden in her leisure time. 

Mandarin Teacher

Shuxiu Zhang (Susie)

Susie holds multiple qualifications, including Qualified Teacher Status (Teaching Regulation Agency, UK), a Standard Teacher Credential for K-12 Mandarin (OSSE, District of Columbia, USA), a High School Chinese Teacher License (MOE, China), and a Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (Confucius Institute Headquarters). Additionally, she holds a Standard Chinese Proficiency Test Certificate Level 2-A.

As a dedicated Chinese teacher, she is deeply passionate about fostering the academic and social development of young learners. With seven years of experience teaching mixed-level classes, she adeptly manages a diverse and demanding workload. She excels under pressure and tailors her teaching approach to meet each student’s unique learning style and needs.

In Susie’s classroom, the social and emotional well-being of every child is paramount. She believes that a positive and supportive learning environment is key to unlocking each student’s full potential. By promoting a growth mindset and encouraging students to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes, she aims to instill a lifelong love of learning.

Committed to providing the highest quality education, she strives to help her students become confident, independent learners equipped to succeed in all aspects of life.

Art Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Kim Hoon Chia (Jennifer Galeano)

Jennifer is from Singapore. She holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies degree from Monash University, Australia, a Diploma in Montessori Method of Education from Modern Montessori International,  Arts & Crafts Teaching Certificate from California College, USA,  and a Certificate in Graphic Design from Nanyang Academy Of Fine Arts,  Singapore.

Jennifer has been teaching for over 24 years, including at reputed international schools in Singapore. She has been with OWIS Nanyang since 2019 and held the Head of Department Visual Arts role from 2019 to 2022, before moving on to other roles at our school.

Jennifer was greatly influenced by her secondary school art teacher, who ignited her passion for art and education. From her teacher, she learned that art was not just about technique, but about conveying emotion, telling stories, connecting with others, and especially cultivating our innate creativity. Her teacher’s dedication to her craft and her genuine interest in our development inspired Jennifer to pursue a career in art education, with the hope of inspiring her students in the same way.

Primary ICT Teacher

Gareth Kinsella

Gareth is from the United Kingdom. He has a Bachelor of Science from University of Chester, Master’s Degree in Interactive Multimedia from Staffordshire University, and a Teaching Certificate from Keele University. 

Gareth has been working as an educator for over 18 years, including in Dubai and a previous stint in Singapore. He believes that all children should be regularly challenged and be given tasks that enable them to be inspired, solve problems and think independently. They need to be resilient and adaptable to changes, especially in a world increasingly shaped by computer technology, and as a teacher, it is important to create a curriculum that pushes the boundaries of the students’ capabilities.

At OWIS, Gareth looks forward to meeting and learning from staff old and new, developing his skills in technology, and meeting new students from many different backgrounds.

In his free time, Gareth enjoys playing golf and tennis, and running.

English Teacher, Grade 9 Tutor

Joanne Lim

Joanne graduated from Lyceum of the Philippines University, Manila, with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a special focus on broadcasting, advertising and public relations. She later received her Postgraduate Certificates in Education from the University of Nottingham, the University of Toronto and the University of Northern Colorado.

Joanne has been teaching for more than 20 years, during which time she has developed a teaching philosophy centred around inspiring secondary students to reach their full potential. She also prides herself on collaborating with parents to enhance students’ academic achievement.

Before coming to OWIS, Joanne led an English department at an international school in Indonesia, where she ensured high standards of teaching and learning, efficient use of resources and the implementation of the Cambridge curriculum. She has also worked with students in Cambodia, facilitating an English as a Second Language pull-out program.

Joanne speaks English, Filipino and Indonesian. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring students for competitions like the World Scholar’s Cup.

Maths Teacher, Grade 12 Tutor

Alice Rekha Amalanathan

Alice Rekha earned a Bachelor of Science in Maths, Physics and Electronics in 1996 from Mount Carmel College in Bangalore, India. She then went on to earn her Master of Mathematics from Central College in 1998. More recently, she earned her Bachelor of Education from Annamalai University and her Postgraduate Diploma in International Education from Birmingham City University.

Alice started her teaching career as a college lecturer of mathematics in 1998. In 2004, she moved to Singapore to serve as headmistress and mathematics department head at an international school. She has since worked as a curriculum specialist and content writer in New Zealand and a content writer for the Encyclopedia Britannica in the United Kingdom. All in all, Alice boasts 22 years of experience in education.

In the classroom, Alice strives to build long-lasting relationships with students, motivating them to perform to their maximum potential. Out of the classroom, she enjoys listening to music, baking and interacting with different cultures. She considers herself a “big people’s person” who loves to chat.

Science Teacher, Grade 9 Tutor

Shibi Scaria

Shibi has earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Bachelor of Education in Physical Sciences and Master of Science in Physics from colleges in India. She graduated these programmes with a first class.

Shibin has been teaching since 2005 in different international schools in India, Venezuela, China, UAE, and Maldives. She is imbued with the zeal to teach and believes in empowering today’s children through a robust education in Science.

Science Teacher, Grade 9 Tutor

Boon Chiann Chia

Boon Chiann graduated with honours from Monash University in Australia with a Bachelor of Secondary Education. She also received her Bachelor of Chemistry with a Minor in Genetics from Monash University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science, with a special emphasis on Chemistry, from the University of Technology Malaysia. She has received training in IBDP Biology Category 1, IBDP Chemistry Category 2 and IB MYP Projects Category 3. 

Boon Chiann has been teaching since 2018. Before joining the team at OWIS, she supported Grade 12 students as a chemistry tutor in Australia. In her role, she focused mostly on volumetric and instrumental analysis. She has also taught chemistry to students at an international school in Malaysia. In the classroom, Boon Chiann fosters an engaging and positive learning environment by supporting students with differentiated needs. She also strives to establish supportive relationships with students.

Boon Chiann speaks Chinese, Japanese, Malay and English. 

Humanities Teacher, Grade 10 Tutor

Ana Maria Lusanta

Ana is a passionate Historian and MUN (Model United Nations) trainer. She holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education (Social Sciences) from the Philippine Normal University and Master of Arts in Teaching History from the University of the Philippines.

She is most proud of her three children who are now young adults, her accomplishments as an educator and an Extended Essay & IA Adviser, and the MUN delegates she has coached, who have received awards and recognition in their conferences.

Ana believes in an education that is balanced and diverse, encouraging students to develop physically, emotionally, morally, spiritually, culturally and intellectually. She also holds the view that society will benefit from enabling its citizens to develop their talents and interests, which in turn serve the common good.

Having a mother who was successful in her career as a teacher, receiving Best Teacher awards year after year, is what inspired Ana to become one. She also enjoys working and communicating with young people as they are enthusiastic and open minded.

In her second stint at OWIS, Ana says she enjoys her time here because she is able to build close personal bonds with students and staff.

Ana enjoys walking, listening to music and watching drama series. She also likes to eat sushi, sashimi, rendang, paella, tapas, tortilla, dumplings and laksa!

French Teacher, Romantic Languages Coordinator, Grade 8 Tutor

Marie Faveur

Marie has earned her Diplome d’Aptitude a l’enseignement du Francais from CNED-AF and Maitrise en Communication Politique et Publique from Universite Paris XII. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Master’s Degree in Education from Sunderland University, UK. 

A native of France, Marie enjoys sharing her passion for French culture and the language with students. She has been teaching French for 18 years in various local schools offering the international stream in Hong Kong. She has strong knowledge of the DELF, DALF, IGCSE, AS and IB DP French programmes.

Her teaching philosophy centres around creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment that empowers students to become active participants in their own education.

Marie enjoys spending time with her family during her leisure hours. 

Instructional Coach

Olivia Powell

Olivia has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish and Italian) from the University of Exeter, UK. She also holds a PGDE Leadership in Learning through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme (accredited at Birmingham City University, UK). She now plans to work towards a Master’s. She has also been recognised as an SSAT Leadership Fellow in 2023. 

Olivia became a teacher through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme in the UK. In her previous role, she was working in a secondary school in the UK as a Spanish Teacher (including GCSE and A Level) for the last three years. In this school, she was appointed as Head of Department for Spanish and led a team.

Olivia’s teaching philosophy is to prioritise relationships and connections so that students feel safe and supported. She adopts metacognitive strategies that encourage independence over time, so that she is able to equip young people with the skills to be lifelong learners.

At OWIS, Olivia is looking forward to meeting the diverse body of students and parents to better understand the needs of the community and to working with all stakeholders to provide the best possible education and experience for our young people at the school.

Olivia is passionate about wildlife and conservation. She loves to travel, especially to experience the flora and fauna of a place, as well as hiking and running.

Music Teacher, Head of Department - Performing Arts

Damien Williams

Damien earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education in Secondary Education and Teaching from the Institute of Education Manchester. More recently, he attended Falmouth University and received a Master of Arts in Photography. He has been teaching for more than 20 years.

Before coming to OWIS, Damien taught film, music, media studies, creative arts and Theory of Knowledge at institutions in the United Kingdom, Dubai and Singapore. Damien believes his role as an educator is to create an environment that promotes curiosity, experimentation and reflection while also allowing all students to flourish.

In his free time, Damien enjoys photography. His project, ‘Black Other,’ was well received by the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. He is also an experienced speaker and workshop leader in the educational sector and has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished Educator since 2008.

Music Teacher, CCA Coordinator, Grade 6 Tutor

Christopher Stone

Christopher is from the UK and holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Music from Cardiff University. He has also earned a PGCEi from the University of Nottingham.

A trained musician and composer, Christopher first came to Singapore in 2018 and has since taught in both the local public and private education sectors.

As CCA Coordinator, Christopher hopes to encourage students to pursue their passions and to provide ample opportunities to celebrate participation in school life, at all grade levels.

Spanish Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Harold Galeano

Harold has a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish as well as a Bachelor of Science degree. He is originally from Colombia but grew up in Venezuela, and he moved to Singapore after marrying his Singaporean wife and has been in this lovely country since then.

Harold teaches Spanish to a broad range of grade levels for the international school community. Over 20 years of teaching students from diverse, multicultural backgrounds, he has developed pedagogical approaches that underpin student-centred learning and encompass the varying learning needs of individuals.

Harold’s primary mission as a teacher is to help students develop their Spanish language skills and Hispanic cultural proficiency. To teach effectively, he plays a multifaceted role as a guide, resource, cheerleader and entertainer. He believes that fun learning for secondary students is essential.

At OWIS, Harold looks forward to helping shape young minds and making a difference in the lives of our students.

In his free time, Harold enjoys building, programming and racing drones.

EAL Teacher

Paul Weygang

Paul holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Sunderland University. Originally from England, he started his teaching career five years ago in Beijing, where he worked as a Foreign Lead Teacher for various schools, specialising in High Scope and Montessori curriculums. This experience provided him with a strong understanding of diverse educational frameworks, 

Paul was inspired to become a teacher because of his profound belief in the transformative power of education. Every child is unique and learns in different ways. As an educator, he strives to develop the whole child, by providing a nurturing, engaging, safe, and fun learning environment. By prioritising curiosity and individual exploration, he supports his students to thrive and accomplish their own form of success by learning at their own pace. 

OWIS’ emphasis on personalised learning, critical thinking, and collaboration perfectly complements Paul’s approach to child-centred, inquiry-based education. He is inspired by the school’s commitment to nurturing not only academic success, but also personal growth within a community that celebrates cultural differences. 

In his free time, he enjoys travelling, playing the drums, boxing, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Lower Secondary Coordinator & Instructional Coach

Kalpana Gautam

Kalpana is from India. She has earned a Bachelors in Education and a Masters in Physics from MDU, India. 

Kalpana has been teaching since 2003 in schools in India, as well as an international school in Cambodia. She has strong experience of teaching Science in the CBSE, ICSE, and Cambridge curricula.

Kalpana was inspired to become an educator as she enjoys engaging with students to help them to wonder and be curious about the world.  She believes that education should be student centred and relevant to the real world. 

Having moved to Singapore in 2023 with her family, Kalpana is enjoying the clean and green surroundings, excellently organised infrastructure and friendly people. In her free time, she loves walking, exercising and spending quality time with her family.

Transport Executive

Samir Karki

English Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Naomi Lizaso

Naomi was born in the Philippines, but she grew up in Singapore and is now a Singaporean by nationality. She has studied Bachelors in Social Science (Hons) from National University of Singapore and has also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Nanyang Technological University – National Institute of Education. Naomi has strong experience of teaching English and Geography in the Singapore local GCE O-Level curriculum.

While Naomi comes from a family of educators, her decision to become a teacher is rooted in her own belief in the transformative power of education and her aspiration to make a positive impact on the lives of students. Her teaching philosophy centres around her belief in lifelong learning, cultivating a growth mindset, and nurturing resilience in her students. She also looks forward to leveraging new edtech tools and AI technologies in the classroom to enhance the learning experience for students. 

Naomi believes OWIS’ unique culture offers opportunities for collaboration, professional development and fostering innovation in her teaching approach. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, reading, baking, painting, crafting pottery and journaling. 

Behavioural Counsellor

Evonne Stanley

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott

Evonne believes everyone is uniquely different. Our experiences, how we grew up, the things we faced, the people we met, and the thoughts we have influence who we are. She comes from this perspective and strongly feels it is of utmost importance for us to spend time growing awareness about ourselves – How does our body react to certain situations? What coping strategies work for me? How can I understand the emotions that I am feeling and work past it? Equipped with this knowledge, ultimately, when a storm arrives, Evonne believes anyone can feel confident sailing through it.

She is committed to helping students hone self-awareness and make meaningful changes in their lives, as she provides a safe, compassionate, non-judgmental and respectful environment for them to share and explore their problems and challenges. Prior to becoming a counsellor, Evonne worked as an educator for an international school. She draws from her experience of working with professionals, parents and children to empower people around her to overcome daily stresses, challenges and to build resilience.

Evonne holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling and Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Monash University, Australia. Evonne envisions touching as many lives as she can, to provide comfort and support for people for them to lead their very own fulfilling life.

During her free time, Evonne enjoys being in nature. Sometimes longboarding through Marina or spending time by the beach as she listens to the waves. She is fluent in English and currently resides in Singapore.

Spanish Teacher, CAS Coordinator, Grade 7 Tutor

Marc Rubert Roso

Marc has a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education from University of Castilla–La Mancha and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from Universidad Internacional de La Rioja. He also holds a QTS Certificate from the UK. 

Marc has been teaching for more than a decade. He became an educator so that he could have the chance to share his culture with students from around the world. He started out in the UK and since then, has gained valuable experience teaching Spanish in international schools in India and China.

He believes in adapting teaching methods to meet the needs of different learning styles and individuals. Recognising that each student has a unique background and set of abilities, he aims to create a supportive environment that encourages active participation and self-discovery.

Marc is from a small town in Spain, situated next to the Mediterranean, and he grew up in a close-knit and caring community. His job at OWIS has brought him to Singapore for the first time, and he is already enjoying the local food and experiencing the diversity and respect that he finds here. In his free time, Marc enjoys cooking, being with his family and playing sports such football, volleyball, hiking, and biking.

Maths Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Divya Nayyar

Divya holds a diverse array of qualifications, including a Bachelor of Education degree in Maths & Computers and a Bachelor of Technology degree in Instrumentation & Control, a Master of Technology degree in Electronics & Communication. She has also completed a Postgraduate Programme in Management specialising in HR & Marketing. With this educational foundation, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an educator.

Through her work as a Lecturer at both Doon Institute of Engineering & Technology and Omkarananda Institute of Management & Technology, Divya has demonstrated her proficiency in teaching Mathematics, Pure Sciences, Human Resource, and Management Information System. Her experience extends beyond the classroom, with engagements on the corporate side, where she contributed to various projects and training programs.

Divya believes being adept at communication fosters collaboration. Her ability to adapt teaching methods based on students’ age, available resources, and evolving curriculum requirements highlights her flexibility and dedication. Moreover, her empathetic and patient demeanour enhances her effectiveness in connecting with students and understanding their individual needs.

Divya is married and has two loving daughters – one a teenager and the other in her tweens.

Mandarin Teacher

Zhang Nan

Nan brings a wealth of academic qualifications to her role as an educator, holding a Master of Education degree in Curriculum & Teaching from Nanyang Technological University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Xi’an International Studies University. Her dedication to enhancing her teaching skills is evident through her professional certifications, including Teacher Certification, TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test), TEM8 (Test for English Major), and Putonghua Proficiency (Level 2A), endorsed by esteemed institutions such as the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

With a solid foundation in educational theory and practical experience, Nan has amassed extensive teaching and research experience in diverse educational settings. Her expertise spans various teaching methods, underpinned by a strong theoretical background and a commitment to ongoing professional development. This is complemented by her meticulous organisational skills and a keen understanding of learners’ cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development.

In her free time, Nan is an avid reader, hiker, skier, and traveler.

Mandarin Teacher

Li Ning

Ning is a dedicated educator with a passion for student-centred teaching, fostering positive and engaging learning environments. With a diverse educational background, she holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Chinese as an International Language from Nanyang Technological University, National Institute of Education (NIE), complemented by a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature Journalism from Chinese Department Liaoning University and a Diploma in Education from Fushun Normal College, with a major in English. Holding the Certificate of First Class and First Level in the National Proficiency Test of Putonghua along with the Chinese Education Qualification Certificate, underscores her expertise and proficiency in her field.

Her commitment to student success is evident through her adeptness at remaining flexible, catering to individual learning styles and abilities. Ning excels in assessing student needs and academic goals, tailoring curriculum and lessons to specific classes and ability levels. Moreover, her proactive communication with parents ensures transparency and collaboration in students’ academic journeys.

Beyond her teaching prowess, Ning brings rich experience in directing Chinese dramas and hosting large-scale events, showcasing her versatility and creativity in engaging students both inside and outside the classroom.

With her comprehensive skill set and unwavering dedication to student development, Ning looks forward to inspiring OWIS students to reach their full potential while nurturing a love for learning.

Science Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Snehlata Shandilya

Snehlata is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of comprehensive teaching experience in Science and Biology across various international curricula, including CBSE, IGCSE, and MOE syllabi. With a strong foundation in education, she holds  Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Science and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees with a focus on Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry from Barkatullah University in India. She has also earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Zoology.

As a Science teacher, Snehlata remains committed to fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Her depth of knowledge, coupled with her passion for teaching, enables her to effectively cater to the diverse needs of her students, ensuring their academic success and growth.

With a track record of excellence in education and a dedication to student development, Snehlata aims to inspire and empower learners at OWIS, leaving a lasting impact on their educational journey.

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Shareefa Haniff

Grade 3 Teacher

Sangeetha Alagappasamy

Sangeetha graduated with her Bachelor of Business in Business Administration from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. She later pursued a Specialist Diploma in Education for Allied Educators from the National Institute of Education and a Graduate Certificate in Education from Flinders University.

Sangeetha started her career in 2004 as a research assistant at the National Institute of Education’s Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice. In 2005, she assumed the role of children’s librarian at the National Library Board. She began teaching in 2009. Since then, Sangeetha has worked with a variety of students, from Year 1 learners to visually impaired children.

Over her career, Sangeetha has worked diligently to make a positive impact. In 2006, for example, she coordinated and conducted educational programmes for the National Library Board, including the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Programme. She has also presented papers on the special needs community at pedagogical forums.

In the classroom, Sangeetha actively seeks ways to engage and impart knowledge to young learners and add value to the school community.

Lab In-charge

Reema Malhotra

Maths Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Tay Hsien Yung (Kieren)

Kieren is an experienced teacher with expertise in international school settings for both elementary and secondary levels. Passionate about differentiation and inclusion, he believes in empowering students to take ownership of their learning through choices and authentic learning experiences. By employing various differentiation strategies, he caters to the unique learning abilities, styles, and preferences of each student.

His curriculum specialties include IPC, Cambridge Primary Curriculum, IB PYP, UK National Curriculum, IB MYP, IGCSE, IB DP, and the Australian Curriculum, ensuring a well-rounded and inclusive educational approach.

Humanities Teacher, Grade 10 Tutor

Swetapadma Patnaik

Hailing from India, Swetapadma has a strong academic background and knowledge of business, management and economics. She believes her knowledge and experience will help students build a strong academic base in these subjects. She holds a number of academic qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Sambalpur University, Rourkela; Bachelor Of Education  from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune; Master of Commerce (International Business) from Indira Gandhi National Open University; Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (MBA equivalent) – Marketing and HR from G.G.S. Indraprastha University, New Delhi;  Alison Diploma in Microeconomics; Macroeconomics Certification from Udemy; Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies Assessment Training (2022-22 and 2023-25).

In her career as a teacher in India and now in Singapore, Swetapadma has taught English, Social Studies, Geography, Commercial Studies , Commercial Applications, Economics, Business Studies and Global Perspectives. For her, teaching is not a profession but a passion. She loves interacting with students and trying to solve their problems with patience. She ensures that the class is interactive and encourage maximum participation from students. 

In her opinion, teaching should be more student-centric. Learning by rote should be discouraged and education should be more project-based. Students should be encouraged to understand the concept and apply it in their daily lives wherever possible.

Swetapadma believes that creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment not only helps students academically but also contributes to their emotional and social development. 

Having recently relocated to Singapore with her family, Swetapadma enjoys the cultural diversity, energy and enthusiasm of the people of Singapore. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and cooking.

Drama Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Syaiful Ariffin

Syaiful holds a Bachelor of Art  (Honours) in Theatre Arts from University of Essex and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Voice Pedagogy (Theatre) from National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney. 

He was the winner of an acting and hosting national competition in 2016, produced by MediaCorp, Eaglevision. 

Since 2017, Syaiful has embarked on his journey as a Drama teacher in Australia and the UK, instructing young adults at tertiary levels. In Australia, he taught at institutions such as the National Institute of Dramatic Art and Sydney Theatre School, while in the UK, his teaching experience included St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

In 2019, upon returning home to Singapore, he re-entered the acting scene for both stage and screen. Simultaneously, he took on the role of an adjunct lecturer at Lasalle College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore. In 2021, he made the transition back to full-time education, serving as a Speech & Drama teacher at a chain of international schools. Additionally, he conducted theatre performance workshops for established theatre companies in Singapore and Australia.

As a drama and theatre teacher, Syaiful’s teaching philosophy revolves around cultivating the holistic development of students through the lens of the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills and International Baccalaureate (IB) learner attributes. He believes in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication, integral to drama and lifelong learning. 

His inspiration arises from a deep passion for the arts, particularly in the realm of theatre. He eagerly anticipates establishing a robust, well-supported drama and theatre programme for OWIS students. 

Syaiful has three children, and he enjoys going to the beach with them. He also loves watching theatre plays and rom-com and crime movies.

Mandarin Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Zhu Junru

Junru Zhu is a Chinese teacher with over five years of teaching experience at kindergarten, primary and secondary levels. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Literature at the National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan. Later, she pursued her Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at Peking University in Beijing, China.

Junru began her career in 2015 at an independent K-12 school in Singapore. During her time there, she assisted the classroom teacher with activities and assignments, provided tutoring to students and coached a special needs student. In 2016, she began working as a Chinese teacher at an international school in Bangkok, Thailand. In her role, she delivered 15 to 20 hours of classroom lectures, instructing 50 to 75 students per semester, ages ranging from 5 to 16 years. Later, Junru assumed the role of team leader and vice principal assistant.

At OWIS, Junru incorporates exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning. She also strives to work cooperatively with parents and other school staff to help students reach learning objectives.

Science Teacher, Grade 11 Tutor

Christopher David Talbot

Chris is from the United Kingdom, but is now a naturalised Singaporean citizen. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Sussex. He has also completed a Master of Science in Life Sciences (Chemistry) and a Master of Education (Science) from the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore. He has a Post Graduate Certificate of Education from the University of Southampton in the UK.

His Master’s degree in Science Education gave him a strong interest in misconceptions in Chemistry and his Master’s degree in Life Science gave him research experience in extracting compounds from cyanobacteria to inhibit quorum sensing in pathogenic bacteria. He is a member of the Nature Society (Singapore) and joined in a number of their walks and activities to enhance his real world knowledge of ecological systems and the local flora and fauna.

Chris has taught IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences, MYP Science, IB Chemistry, IB Biology and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) in both local and international schools in Singapore since 1995. At OWIS, he is looking forward to implementing and teaching the course for the new IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS) curriculum (first assessment in 2026).

EAL Teacher

Resham Aron

Resham is from Hong Kong. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from St. Scholastica’s College, Philippines, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from University of Hong Kong. She also holds a TESOL certificate from English for Asia.  

Resham has been teaching English as an Additional Language for the last ten years in Hong Kong in local schools. Over her career, she has observed that students learn at different paces, and methods that work well for one student may be less effective for another. Her goal is to provide individualised instruction to meet the educational needs of each student in her classroom. Not to mention, creating a fun learning experience for her students.

At OWIS, Resham is looking forward to an enjoyable time teaching her students and having a loving and caring relationship with her colleagues. She says it is wonderful to see so many nationalities in one school!

Resham moved to Singapore in August 2022 with her family. She has two teenage children and a dog called Lucy. She loves spending time in nature in Singapore and savouring the different varieties of food available. 

Senior Admissions Executive

Wendy Yeo

Senior Business Development Executive

Jemelle Castro

Financial Controller

Sumanta Das

Senior HR Executive

Vivian Loh

Admin Executive

Saira Anwar

Senior Operations Manager

Daryl Dominic Singh

Receptionist

Henna Nurhanani Binte MD Hanafiah

IGCSE Coordinator

Neeti Pal

Neeti has completed her Bachelor of Education and Master of Microbiology degrees RDVV Jabalpur, India, and her Master of Education degree from NTU, Singapore.

She has more than 16 years of teaching experience in various international and private schools in Singapore and India. Her teaching philosophy centers on the principle of leaving no child behind and she embraces high-quality teaching practices, such as integrating technology, active learning strategies, and providing support for students who are new to English.

Returning for her second stint at OWIS Nanyang, Neeti is looking forward to working with the passionate teachers here and helping the students to achieve their goals. She believes that the OWIS way of tailoring education to each learner’s pace and style enhances motivation, confidence, and overall academic success, creating a more effective and fulfilling educational experience.

Science Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Kaayathiri Rathinakumar

Admissions Counsellor

Veena Sonthalia

Admissions Counsellor

MJ(Minju) Baek

Senior HR Manager

Smarika Chaturvedi

English Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Jasmine Claricoates

Jasmine has earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom. She is currently pursuing her Level 7 Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at the London Teacher Training College. She has been teaching in private and public schools in Singapore since 2018.

As a trained musician, Jasmine doesn’t shy away from using creativity and performance as a learning aid. She prides herself on bringing a deep content knowledge of the English language and is just as comfortable teaching advanced grammar concepts as basic phonics.

Having worked with countless foreign students, Jasmine is also cognisant of the challenges they face and believes her role as an educator is to foster a safe, welcoming environment where children of all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging. As such, her priority is to always build students’ trust and confidence.

Executive Assistant to the Head of School

Sherrielyn Pereira

Humanities and PSHE Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Jessica Xia

Holding a Bachelor of Education from Monash University, Jessica is a dedicated educator with over 25 years of teaching both overseas and locally in Singapore. She is a member of the Monash University Golden Key Honour Society.

She believes education is a holistic journey that nurtures both intellectual and personal growth. By creating engaging and inclusive learning environments, she empowers students to become critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and responsible global citizens. Through a blend of traditional and innovative teaching methods, she fosters a deep love of learning and encourage students to reach their full potential.

As a passionate, innovative and supportive educator, Jessica enjoys being a part of the nurturing and multicultural community at OWIS.

Jessica’s published animated learning series on writing demonstrates her commitment to innovative teaching. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys cooking, vermicomposting, and exploring the world through travel, swimming, camping, and hiking.

English Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Mohamed Shaik Faizal

Faizal holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Distinction) in Political Science and History from the National University of Singapore. He has been an educator in English Language and Literature for over eight years. 

He began his teaching career in the tuition industry and later transitioned to the Education-Tech sector, focussing on the MOE syllabus for students aged 9 to 16. He then moved to the international school setting, teaching the Cambridge syllabus to middle and upper grades. 

Faizal’s teaching philosophy, “To teach is to learn,” reflects his dedication to continual learning and knowledge sharing. He is driven by his passion for learning and his love for the English language. He values kindness, compassion and personalised learning to foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment. 

At OWIS, Faizal looks forward to engaging with educators, guiding diverse students, and exploring new learning opportunities. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing FIFA on his PS5. Born and raised in Singapore, he is married and recently welcomed a baby into his family.

Early Childhood 3 Teaching Assistant

Nur Hashinah Binte Mohamed Johan

Grade 4 Teacher

Paul Duiunov

Born in Bristol, UK, and raised in Tomsk, Russia, Paul brings a rich cultural and educational background to OWIS. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics from Tomsk Polytechnic University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Saint Petersburg State University. He has also earned his Master of Arts degree in International Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Primary Education from the University of Sunderland.

With eight years of educational experience, including six in K-12 education, Paul has served as a Cambridge Science Teacher, Cambridge Primary Homeroom Teacher, IB PYP Homeroom Teacher, and PYP Assistant Coordinator in China, alongside tutoring roles in the UK and Russia. Recognised as “Homeroom Teacher of the Year” in a previous role, he advocates for inquiry-based learning, creativity, and core values such as respect and honesty. 

An English Language and Literature teacher at university inspired Paul with her passion for inquiry-based learning, guiding him towards tutoring and K-12 teaching. At OWIS, he is eager to contribute to students’ understanding of the world and excited to immerse himself in Singapore’s diverse educational landscape.

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Nur Syafiqah Binte Samsudin

Behavioural Counsellor

Chng May Lee

May holds Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and Master of Counselling degrees from Monash University, along with an International Diploma in Montessori Education from Modern Montessori International London. She has also received teacher training in the Reggio Emilia Approach and holds IB Professional Development Certificates from the International Baccalaureate. 

Inspired by a kind teacher in her own primary school years, May decided to pursue a career in education. With 19 years of experience as a preschool educator, she has taught in both local and international kindergarten settings in Singapore, utilising IB, Reggio Emilia-inspired, and Montessori methods to cater to each child’s unique learning style. Her years in teaching provided a strong foundation for her new role in supporting learners with various therapeutic approaches. 

At OWIS, she looks forward to contributing to learners’ well-being, building strong relationships, and working collaboratively with all stakeholders. 

In her free time, May enjoys spending time with her family, reading, exploring cuisines from different continents, and engaging in continuous learning opportunities. Originally from Penang, she moved to Singapore 22 years ago, met her husband, and became a proud Singapore citizen in 2021. She loves the city life in Singapore and the many opportunities for continued education.

Maths Teacher, Grade 11 Tutor

Gaurav Gregrath

Gaurav holds a degree in Actuarial Science from the Institute and Faculties of Actuaries, UK, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Mumbai University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education. 

With twelve years of experience teaching Mathematics, Gaurav has focused on the Cambridge IGCSE and IB curricula, working with higher secondary learners across the UAE, the US, and now Singapore. His teaching philosophy emphasises being approachable, humorous, and relatable, fostering a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable exploring mathematical concepts. 

Inspired by his own fascination with Mathematics and the rewarding experience of tutoring during his university years, Gaurav is dedicated to helping students understand and appreciate the subject. At OWIS, he looks forward to collaborating with passionate educators, engaging with motivated students, and contributing to the school’s culture of learning and growth. 

In his free time, he enjoys swimming, watching movies and TV series, and analysing stock market graphs. This is his first time teaching in Singapore, marking a new and exciting chapter in his career.

Mandarin Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Wang Qiong (Joyce)

Joyce, born in China and now an Australian passport holder, holds a Bachelor of Chinese Language and Literature from Renmin University of China and a Master of Computer Studies from the University of Wollongong. She is pursuing a Master of Education in Chinese Language at NTU Singapore, expected to complete in 2025.

Joyce’s teaching career spans over two decades, teaching Chinese language and literature across various educational settings. As per the adage, “授人以鱼,不如授人以渔” (“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”), her goal is not just to impart knowledge, but to teach students how to learn and how to think, empowering them to become independent and resourceful learners. 

Passionate about sharing Chinese culture, Joyce aims to foster cultural understanding and broaden perspectives. At OWIS, she looks forward to collaborating with educators and engaging with culturally diverse students, focusing on personalised learning and nurturing curiosity. 

In her free time, Joyce enjoys music, reading, gardening, and travelling. She moved to Singapore 17 years ago and appreciates its safety, cleanliness, and efficient governance.

University Guidance Counsellor

Vivian Rodrigues

Vivian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature with a Diploma in Education and a Master of Education (Curriculum and Teaching) from NTU. She has also earned a Certificate of Counselling with Distinction (UCLA) and an Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (Institute of Adult Learning). She is an Accredited Counsellor with THE (Times Higher Education) and IACAC (International Association for College Admission Counselling) and a member of Independent Educational Counsellor Association, Accredited Schools Evaluator (Council of International Schools).

With 26 years of experience, she has taught in international schools, focusing on academics, physical education, and university counselling. She has engaged with both the IB and Key Stage systems and participated in committees for Health and Safety and whole-school accreditation.

Vivian’s teaching philosophy centres on equal access to learning opportunities and fostering knowledge and skills in a nurturing environment. Inspired by her Grade 2 teacher from her own school days, she is passionate about teaching and advocating for children. 

At OWIS, she looks forward to developing a robust university and career counselling programme.

In her free time, Vivian enjoys exercising, swimming, and cycling with her three sons. As a proud Singaporean, she loves the multiculturalism, safety, and culinary diversity of the city-state.

Science Teacher, Head of Department - Science

Ponnanthari Ullas Chandran

Originally from India, Ullas relocated to Singapore as a student in 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Alagappa University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Kannur University, India. In Singapore, he completed his Masters in Life Science from NTU and earned a Specialist Diploma in Teaching from Republic Polytechnic. 

With 16 years of teaching experience in GCE/IGCSE Chemistry and Physics in Singapore, Ullas believes in never leaving any child behind, treating all students as smart, and delivering the best lessons possible. Inspired by the power of education to empower individuals and shape future generations, he is dedicated to fostering critical thinking and a love for learning. 

At OWIS, Ullas looks forward to an inclusive environment emphasising global perspectives, student-centric learning, and inquiry-based education. 

Married and having  a 10-year-old daughter, Ullas enjoys living in Singapore because he finds it to be safe and convenient. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and watching videos.

Mandarin Teacher, Grade 3 Bilingual Programme

Duan Nan (Doris)

With various academic qualifications, including a Diploma in Preschool Education from Nanchang Teachers College and a CTCSOL from CLEC, Doris began teaching in 2012 at an international kindergarten in Nanchang, China. She moved to Singapore from China in 2015, and has been teaching at international schools since then. 

Doris’ teaching philosophy centres on creating a stimulating environment where every student can thrive. She strongly believes learning can happen anytime and anywhere, and her job as a teacher is to guide, to encourage and to inspire.

At OWIS, she looks forward to working in an inspiring and positive environment where we set a good example for our students. 

Outside of teaching, she enjoys gym workouts, nature walks, and spending time with her husband and baby boy. She appreciates Singapore’s safety and convenience and loves the summer season here.

PE Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

James Pugh

James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Development with Coaching from Northumbria University and has Qualified Teacher Status with PGCE Masters credits in Secondary Physical Education from Leeds Beckett University. 

Originally from England, James has three years of experience teaching there, covering PE in the English National Curriculum from Reception to AQA GCSE PE students. His father’s selflessness and passion as a football manager left a lasting impression on him, shaping his understanding of leadership, community, and the impact of investing in the development of those around us. This experience deeply influenced his decision to pursue a career in teaching.

He believes that PE is crucial for holistic student development, fostering teamwork, leadership, and resilience.  These life skills are transferable to academic and personal challenges, making PE a critical component of a well-rounded education. 

James looks forward to building meaningful relationships at OWIS and contributing to an educational system that emphasises holistic development and lifelong learning. 

In his free time, he enjoys playing football, going on adventures, catching up with family and friends, and going to the gym.

English Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Stephen Rowland

Stephen is from the USA. He holds a Master of Education degree from University College Fairview and an Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning from the International Baccalaureate. 

He has spent seven years teaching ESL and the American Common Core in Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia. His teaching philosophy combines humanism, pragmatism, and reconstructionism, emphasising self-actualisation and reflection to enrich students’ lives. 

Stephen’s passion for teaching is fuelled by the excitement and discovery he witnesses in his students. He resonates deeply with the OWIS values of diversity, kindness, and inquiry-based learning. 

Outside the classroom, Stephen enjoys spending time in cafés, reading, and exercising. Though new to Singapore, he is eager to embrace this adventure.

English Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Nisha Gupta

Nisha was born in Japan, raised in Hong Kong, and is of Indian descent. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Hong Kong Baptist University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a Master of Arts in English Studies from the University of Hong Kong. She has also completed the IB Educator Certificate in Teaching and Learning DP issued by the International Baccalaureate. 

With over seven years of teaching experience, Nisha has taught the HKDSE curriculum in Hong Kong and tutored students in Singapore in English and Literature for the IGCSE and IB curricula. 

Her teaching philosophy emphasises curiosity and a love for learning, creating supportive and personalised environments for students. She is excited to be a part of the OWIS community that values creativity, inclusivity, and academic excellence. 

Nisha knew she wanted to be a teacher when she was a secondary school student. In Grade 12, she was inspired by the transformative power of literature in exploring societal norms, and she found immense joy in participating in meaningful discussions and delving into diverse perspectives. This pivotal experience ignited her passion for education, leading her to pursue a career dedicated to inspiring students through literature. 

In her free time, Nisha enjoys reading fiction, coffee in hand, and pursuing fitness through HIIT and weightlifting. She moved to Singapore in 2017 with her husband and two children.

Science Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Sabina Mammadova

Sabina is from Azerbaijan and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Teaching Biology from Baku State University and a Master’s degree in Biology Teaching Methods from Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University. She has completed numerous workshops and certifications, including an IB Educator Certificate and Cambridge International training. 

With six years of experience, Sabina has taught Science, Biology, and Chemistry in international schools in Azerbaijan and Myanmar, based on the IB and Cambridge curricula.  Passionate about integrating technology into teaching, she has been recognised as a Global Minecraft Mentor, using Minecraft Education Edition to create immersive and engaging learning experiences. 

Her teaching philosophy focuses on student-centred learning and integrating technology to create engaging and immersive experiences. Her active memberships in the Azerbaijan Young Educators’ Association and the International Schools Network provide valuable networks, resources, and collaborative opportunities that enriches her teaching approach and professional development. She thrives on the diversity of experiences these roles bring, allowing me to continually evolve as an educator and contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of education.

In her free time, Sabina enjoys self-improvement through courses, reading, and exploring historical sites and museums. Excited to join OWIS, she looks forward to contributing to and learning from our diverse community.

Grade 2 Teacher

Nur Haslin Hashim

Haslin  is from Singapore and holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with Distinction from James Cook University and a Bachelor of Communication with Distinction from RMIT University. 

She began her teaching career by working as an Associate Teacher before becoming a Class Teacher for Early Years classes at international schools here in Singapore. 

 Inspired by her nieces and nephews, she pursued a career in education to contribute positively to children’s lives. Her teaching philosophy is centred on fostering a love for learning in students and emphasises reciprocal learning between educators and students. Haslin values home-school collaboration to enhance students’ development and believes in tailoring teaching practices to accommodate individual learning styles.

Described as genuine, dedicated, and compassionate, Haslin resonates with the OWIS value of kindness. 

In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring new places, and cooking and baking for loved ones.

Mandarin Teacher, Grade 4/5 Bilingual Programme

Li Dian

Dian is from China and has been an educator in Singapore since 2017. She holds a PYP Certificate from Windsor University, a Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (CTCSOL) from the Confucius Institute, a Master of Arts in Teaching Chinese as an International Language from the National Institute of Education, NTU, and a Master of Science in Biochemistry from Anhui Agricultural University.

She has taught Mandarin and Chinese at both international schools and enrichment centres in China and Singapore. In China, she also worked as a research assistant at Anhui Agricultural University and NTU NIE Asian Language Department.

Dian’s teaching philosophy focuses on fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. She prioritises adapting teaching methods to diverse learner needs, creating engaging lesson plans, and integrating technology to enhance language acquisition.

At OWIS, she looks forward to contributing to an inclusive learning environment and participating in professional development opportunities.

In her free time, she enjoys practising calligraphy, exercising, and travelling. She moved to Singapore in 2017 for her studies and has since enjoyed the climate and working atmosphere, choosing to settle down in the country.

EAL Teacher - Secondary School

Samantha Jane Law Arance

Samantha is from Malaysia and has been an educator for over 13 years. She holds a foundation in TESL and a Bachelor in Education (TESL) from UNISEL, Malaysia, and has completed the MYP Language Acquisition (Cat. 2) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Her teaching journey began in Malaysia and has taken her to Indonesia and now Singapore. She has taught five curricula: the Malaysian Curriculum, the UEC Curriculum, the Cambridge Curriculum, the Singapore Curriculum, and the IB Curriculum.

Samantha’s teaching philosophy views education as a continuous journey of exploration, experience, learning, and sharing, and she aims to create a conducive atmosphere for students to thrive. She believes that students who are curious about things around them can understand and view things better from other perspectives, leading them to incorporate important values, such as kindness and international mindedness, in their lives.

Samantha looks forward to working, learning, and imparting her knowledge comfortably at OWIS. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and creating memories. Moving to Singapore for the first time, Samantha is excited to explore and experience the city.

French Teacher

Amelie Beltzer

Amelie is from France and holds a Master’s Degree in French Language and Literature from Université Lyon 2, along with a Bachelor’s in Literature and History of Art. She has been a teacher for three years, working in France, Cambodia, and Singapore.

Amelie has taught both French literature and French as a foreign language in language centres and French international schools. Her teaching philosophy emphasises inclusion and kindness, and she loves incorporating drama, arts, and games into her classes.

Amelie was inspired to teach French by her own French teacher, who sparked her love for the language.

She is excited to join OWIS to collaborate with her new colleagues and learn from them. In her free time, she enjoys playing cards, caring for her pets, and exploring Asian culture. Married to a Singaporean, she moved to the ‘Little red dot’ one year ago to join him and she is enjoying her life here.

Maths Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Lim Kar Teck

Kar Teck is an experienced mathematics educator from Malaysia, holding a Master’s in Mathematics Education from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, where he was recognised as the Best Postgraduate Student in December 2021.

With over 10 years of teaching experience in international schools across Malaysia and Singapore, Kar Teck specialises in the IGCSE curriculum. He has guided two students to achieve Top in the World recognition in Maths and Additional Maths subjects.

Passionate about incorporating technology into the classroom, Kar Teck utilises tools like graphing calculators, smartboards, and tablets, alongside differentiated instruction methods, to enhance learning experiences. He also runs a YouTube channel dedicated to Maths teaching and learning.

Kar Teck’s teaching style is to be dedicated, tech-savvy, and patient, and he is excited to build meaningful connections with students at OWIS.

In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton and board games. He moved to Singapore with his family in 2023 and appreciates the city’s public transportation and safety.

Maths Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Hui Koon Lau

Hui Koon is a dedicated educator from Singapore with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of London and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham.

She has considerable experience teaching IGCSE Additional Mathematics and Mathematics at an international school in China. Hui Koon believes that teaching goes beyond academics and she values a well-rounded education, emphasising kindness and compassion. She is committed to nurturing curiosity by encouraging students to ask questions and explore new ideas.

Outside of teaching, she enjoys training for half marathons, stand-up paddleboarding, watching horror movies, and reading. Hui Koon’s family originally hails from Malaysia, but they moved to Singapore when she was three years old, and she greatly appreciates the safety and security the country provides.

Humanities Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Eureka Tan

Eureka holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a Major in History from Philippine Normal University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education with a Major in Social Studies from Philippine Intercontinental College. She has also earned a number of other academic certifications from Cambridge and IB.

Throughout the 17 years of her teaching career, she has specialised in Humanities subjects, teaching at various international schools and institutions. Her teaching philosophy centers on critical thinking, cultural awareness, and lifelong learning. She believes in creating an inclusive and supportive classroom environment where students feel valued and encouraged to express their ideas by integrating real-world issues and diverse perspectives into the curriculum. I emphasises the development of analytical skills and the importance of understanding global interconnections, preparing students to be informed and responsible global citizens.

Starting at OWIS, she is excited to see how students from different backgrounds learn and think. Teaching in Singapore will let her use the city’s history and culture in her lessons, making them more interesting. She is eager to join school events and activities, meet new people, and make friends.

In her free time, she goes to church regularly. She also enjoys relaxing at the spa and salon.

Humanities Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Aditi Ganguly

Computer Science Teacher, Grade 10 Tutor

Ankur Dahiya

Learning Support Teacher

Gayathri Vanugopal

Gayathri is a passionate educator from Singapore with a Master’s degree in Inclusive and Special Education from Monash University. With 12 years of experience across early childhood, primary, and senior school education, she has dedicated her career to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments.

Her personal struggles and the support she received from her teachers inspired her to become an educator. Gayathri’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student deserves a space where diversity is celebrated and every individual feels valued and understood.

At OWIS, she looks forward to building relationships and promoting an inclusive atmosphere. Gayathri resonates with the OWIS values of kindness and compassion, as they foster genuine connections and inspire positive change.

In her free time, she enjoys solo traveling, dancing, picnicking, and cloud watching. She loves the safety and multicultural diversity of Singapore, especially when it comes to food!

Science Teacher, Grade 8 Tutor

Christopher Bernhardi

Chris is a passionate educator from the USA with a diverse academic background, including a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from SUNY Oswego, a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University, and a Master of Science in Counselling from Monash University, Australia. He has earned certifications as an Apple Teacher, Google Certified Educator Level II, Microsoft Innovative Educator, and for Youth Mental Health First Aid.

With 24 years of experience teaching in the American system and the IB MYP, Chris has worked in the USA, Korea and for the past nine years in Singapore. His teaching philosophy is that learning is a transformative process that shapes one’s understanding of the world.

Inspired by remarkable teachers in his own life, Chris believes in being adaptable, engaging, and resourceful in the classroom. At OWIS, he looks forward to building connections.

In his free time, he enjoys family activities, sports, Muay Thai, music, gaming, and learning Mandarin. Chris and his family appreciate Singapore’s natural beauty and warm community.

Grade 3 Teacher

Jessica Latief

Jessica Latief, originally from the United States, has nine years of experience teaching in international schools, including the OWIS Suntec campus.

She is passionate about education’s power to help children reach their full potential and aims to inspire a love for learning and exploration. Jessica believes in empowering children to feel confident and achieve their goals. Her teaching philosophy centers on creating an optimistic, encouraging, and innovative learning environment.

Jessica resonates with the OWIS values of respect for diversity and international-mindedness, kindness and compassion, and personalised and student-centric learning. She is excited to continue her journey at OWIS, fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for her students.

She enjoys going on adventures with her children in her free time. Having spent most of her childhood in Singapore, Jessica appreciates the city’s diverse culture, which she describes as a melting pot, and its convenience.

EAL Teacher

Mahalakshmi S (Maisara)

Maisara is a dedicated Singaporean educator known for her resilient “Never give up, Never Surrender!” attitude. With a strong belief in the power of play-based learning, she brings over a decade of experience in Early Childhood education to her role.  She holds a Double Degree in International Studies and Hospitality & Tourism from Murdoch University, as well as a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Teaching) from Modern Montessori International Academy.

Throughout her 10 years of experience in international preschools and kindergartens, Maisara has effectively implemented the IB PYP framework, fostering a sense of inquiry and curiosity in her students. She is passionate about making learning an enjoyable experience, collaborating with her students throughout their educational journey, and leveraging technology to help them achieve their goals.

In her new role as an EAL teacher at OWIS, Maisara is committed to nurturing lifelong learners who find joy in both learning and personal development. She encourages her students to view mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, guiding them to reach their full potential. Her passion lies in helping young children become effective communicators who embody strong ethics and values.

Grade 5 Teacher

Laura Coulter

Deputy Manager, Communications & Content

Selina D’souza

Deputy Manager, Finance

Anjali Srivastava

Operations Executive

Rubben Mohan

Customer Relations Officer

Cassandra Chew

Admissions Counsellor

Vidhu Jhawar

Communications & Content Executive

Fizah Faizal

Admissions Counsellor

Shafa Naaim

Admissions Counsellor

Fanny Heng

Admissions Counsellor

Misuzu Oshiro

Admissions Counsellor

Zureen Salleh