Our Team

Our teaching staff is recruited from all over the world.
All our teachers have degrees / higher degrees and teaching certifications
from well-established higher education institutions.
We also look for teachers who are dynamic, enthusiastic, caring, internationally minded and lifelong learners. We expect our staff to be totally committed to doing their very best in the interests of all our students and our school.
Our teaching staff is complemented by teacher assistants who support student learning throughout the curriculum. A full-time qualified Nurse is available to provide medical care for students when required.
- Senior Leadership
- Early Childhood
- Primary School
- Secondary School
- Specialist Teachers
- Additional Needs
- Admissions & Marketing
- Support Staff
James Sweeney
Head of School, OWIS Nanyang and Suntec

James Sweeney
Designation
Head of School, OWIS Nanyang and Suntec
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.
Adrian Deller

Adrian Deller
Designation
Senior Coordinator, OWIS Suntec
Adrian Deller is originally from The Cotswolds, UK. He holds a PGCE in Primary (specialised in Mathematics) from The University of Exeter and a Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying (Hons) from Birmingham City University.
Prior to becoming a teacher, Adrian worked as a quantity surveyor for 10 years. He took a break to spend more time with his two daughters when he relocated with his family to Malaysia. It was during this time he became involved in running a toddler activity group and decided to become a teacher. He started his career in teaching at a junior school back home and then at an international school in the Bahamas prior to moving to Singapore.
A strong believer in the value of learning as an active process, Adrian aims to provide opportunities for concepts to be experienced through inquiry and understood in context. He also believes that it is important to build relationships with the children in his class, get to know their interests as well as what motivates them to learn. Adrian plans to cater carefully for the individual needs of his students and to both support and extend all students at each level of ability.
Adrian likes working in a busy and stimulating international school like OWIS, with its unique values and an experienced and innovative staff body.
Adrian enjoys playing football, table tennis, scuba diving, tennis, cycling, travelling and reading. He also likes to eat anything spicy!
Irma Suryani Shahlan
PYP Coordinator & Grade 3 Teacher, OWIS Suntec

Irma Suryani Shahlan
Designation
PYP Coordinator & Grade 3 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Irma is a Singaporean with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Manitoba, Canada and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from MMI (London) Singapore.
Irma has been a dedicated educator for the past 19 years, both in Singapore preschools and international schools in Jakarta, Indonesia. She has taught students from various grades with age ranging from 3 to 18 years old.
Irma is passionate about her belief that every child has the potential to excel and that learning is a lifelong journey for both teacher and student.
Irma loves baking and has a soft spot for pastries.
Laura Coulter
Pastoral Care Coordinator & Grade 5 Teacher, OWIS Suntec

Laura Coulter
Designation
Pastoral Care Coordinator & Grade 5 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Laura is from Saskatchewan, Canada and has been living and working overseas for close to twenty years. She has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan.
Laura believes that teaching is a learning journey and teachers who demonstrate curiosity, creativity, generosity and reflective thinking encourage students to achieve their goals. She strives to motivate students in ascertaining their inner strengths and discovering what truly inspires them with a growth mindset. 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 through life.
Laura loves that there is always something new to learn, explore and celebrate in a typical school day. She tries to include small art activities and exploration for her students each day within the learning. She believes in encouraging and being a role-model of kindness at OWIS as it has a ripple effect in building a positive learning community.
Laura is a globe trotter, having travelled to over 75 countries, and she loves reading (52 books each year) and making candles.
Mahalakshmi S
Early Childhood 1/2 Teacher

Mahalakshmi S
Designation
Early Childhood 1/2 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Mahalakshmi S is a Singaporean Early childhood educator who strongly believes in play-based learning for all EC students. Mahalakshmi has a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Teaching) from Modern Montessori International Academy, Singapore and a Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism management from Temasek Polytechnic.
Mahalakshmi has over 9 years of experience working with early learners in international pre-schools and kindergartens using the IB PYP framework to develop a sense of inquiry in her students. She loves to make learning fun through play. She believes in collaborating with her students throughout their learning journey and using technology prudently to help students achieve their goals.
Paresha Shroff
Early Childhood 3 Teacher

Paresha Shroff
Designation
Early Childhood 3 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Paresha is from Mumbai, India. She began her journey as an Early Childhood teacher in 2010 and attained the title of Centre Head of the preschool in a span of three years. She also built a new centre from scratch with her mentor by her side.
Paresha believes that a classroom should be a safe, caring community where children are free to speak their minds and blossom and grow. She also believes that each child is unique. Therefore, she endeavours to bring out their best potential.
Her own children are her strongest inspirations. Paresha says they make her a better teacher just by being themselves. In her time at OWIS, she looks forward to helping her students learn, create and build. She is known for being fun-loving, approachable and enthusiastic.
Paresha believes that kindness begets kindness, and no act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple but can, over time, turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many.
In her free time, she enjoys painting, cycling and travelling around the world.
Jessica Latief
Early Childhood 3 Teacher

Jessica Latief
Designation
Early Childhood 3 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Norhazariah Mustadi
Early Childhood Teacher

Norhazariah Mustadi
Designation
Early Childhood 1/2 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Dinali Naomi
Early Childhood 1 Teacher

Dinali Naomi
Designation
Early Childhood 1/2 Teacher
Dinali is a Sri Lankan who moved to Singapore with her parents when she was two years old. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from Wheelock College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Monash University, and a Master’s Degree in Education (Educational Management) and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Education (IB PYP) from The University of Melbourne.
Dinali has been an educator for 12 years and has focused on working with young children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old. She is passionate about teaching using an emergent and inquiry-based approach, and this drove her to pursue an IB certification in 2021.
Dinali’s teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that children have a voice and choice that empowers them to take ownership of their learning. For her, teaching is a collaborative process that involves working closely with students, families, and colleagues to create a learning environment that is supportive, engaging, and empowering for all involved.
A humanitarian trip to West Timor solidified Dinali’s desire to become a teacher. During that trip, she conducted a programme for the children at an orphanage and witnessed firsthand their innocence and the unique perspective and potential that they possess.
In her free time, Dinali enjoys exploring new places and cultures through travel. She also likes to stay active and healthy by going to the gym or engaging in other physical activities. Over the weekends, she volunteers in initiatives related to children and the youth, and she enjoys building relationships and being a mentor to them.
Early Childhood Teaching Assistants
Anita Kapur

Anita Kapur
Designation
Early Childhood Teaching Assistant, OWIS Suntec
Nurul Fatin Binte Shahrul Amran
Early Childhood Teaching Assistant
Nurul Fatin Binte Shahrul Amran
Designation
Early Childhood Teaching Assistant
Alethea Luo Jiayi
Grade 1 Teacher

Alethea Luo Jiayi
Designation
Grade 1 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Alethea Luo Jiayi grew up and studied in Singapore with her parents, two brothers and two dogs. She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Early Education from Wheelock College.
Alethea was inspired to become a teacher when she became an assistant teacher in a voluntary organisation. After four years, she discovered that teaching and working with children was her passion.
As a teacher, Alethea believes that children learn best when they feel happy and are active participants in their learning. She strives to provide a warm and engaging environment for her students, so they can feel confident and safe to explore the world freely. In addition, she hopes to instil a sense of love, respect and kindness in every student in her classroom. Alethea does this by modelling these values for her students.
At OWIS, she’s looking forward to implementing the IB PYP curriculum, getting to know her colleagues and having fun learning with her new batch of children.
In her free time, she volunteers with animal welfare organisations that rescue dogs.
Michelle Kang
Grade 2 Teacher

Michelle Kang Jun Ling
Designation
Grade 2 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Michelle is a native of Singapore with a Bachelor of Arts (English and Cultural Studies/Linguistics) and a Master of Teaching (Primary). She has been teaching in Singapore for the past two years and, prior to that, taught in Korea and Australia, where she was trained in the Australian Curriculum.
Though her teaching style is ever-evolving, Michelle believes that education should be student-led. As a teacher, she believes it is her responsibility to offer students the opportunity to explore topics in a hands-on way, both in and outdoors.
Michelle firmly believes in teaching children to be global citizens who consider their actions and how these actions impact the world around us. She hopes to nurture resilient and compassionate leaders who think for themselves and have a lifelong love of learning.
At OWIS, Michelle is excited to get to know her students, watch them grow and make connections. She’s also looking forward to collaborating with fellow staff members and contributing to school events. She came to OWIS because of the kindness and compassion demonstrated by the staff and administration. These values are the foundation upon which all other values are built. Students describe her as hardworking, reflective and creative.
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys reading, listening to music and collecting minerals.
Mangalam Veeraghanta
Grade 2 Teacher

Mangalam Veeraghanta
Designation
Grade 2 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Tay Hsien Yung (Kieren)
Grade 4 Teacher

Tay Hsien Yung (Kieren)
Designation
Grade 4 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Primary School Teaching Assistants
Rathi Baskram
Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Rathi Baskram
Designation
Grade 1 Teaching Assistant, OWIS Suntec
Nikita Nangia
Grade 1 Teaching Assistant
Nikita Nangia
Designation
Grade 1 Teaching Assistant, OWIS Suntec
Thomas Davies
Secondary Teacher, OWIS Suntec

Thomas Davies
Designation
Secondary Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Tom is from Wales and has a degree in business management from Swansea University and a PGCE in Geography from Reading University. He has held teaching positions in the UK and Abu Dhabi.
Tom believes that students learn best when they feel welcomed, comfortable and safe. He’s excited to teach at OWIS because he’s looking forward to the opportunity to teach internationally whilst learning from children from all different cultures.
He can’t wait to meet his students at OWIS, and he’s also looking forward to working in an environment that teaches kindness and compassion. Tom believes that OWIS nurtures curiosity, which is important for all students. His students describe him as compassionate, invested and resilient.
In his free time, Tom enjoys playing golf, rugby, football and skiing.
Suhailin Hamzah
Art Teacher

Suhailin Hamzah
Designation
Art Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Suhailin is a Singaporean. She started her career as a 3D Artist/Designer specialising in architecture/interior design. However, her growth mindset made her want to do something different in the long run, which was more challenging. So she took a leap of faith and quit her job as a designer to become an educator.
She has been teaching for more than 12 years now and has gained strong experience through her work in different educational institutions, which includes a secondary school and a SPED school.
Suhailin believes that every student learns at their own pace, in their own unique way. She implements her idea of “I Do, We Do, You Do” in classroom teaching. As someone who is caring, understanding and positive, she hopes to nurture the OWIS philosophy of kindness by encouraging students to be thoughtful of others and show empathy.
In her free time, Suhailin enjoys spending quality time with her family and heading out for shopping, dining, or to explore a theme park with them.
Jacqueline Khoo
Mandarin Teacher

Jacqueline Khoo
Designation
Mandarin Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Jacqueline Khoo is a Singaporean. She graduated from the National Institute of Education, Singapore, with a Diploma in Education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Jinan University, China.
Jacqueline worked as a teacher with the Ministry of Education, Singapore, for seven years. During this tenure, she was chosen for the Outstanding Contribution Award for a project that she initiated to boost the confidence of young learners through speech, drama and stage performances. Before joining OWIS, she taught Chinese as a first, second and foreign language to students of various age groups.
When asked about her teaching philosophy, Jacqueline quoted Dr James Comer: “No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.” At OWIS, Jacqueline looks forward to interacting with all her students, and she hopes to help foster a bilingual mindset in them. Her most memorable experiences during her teaching career have been when she successfully trained her students for stage performances.
In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys going to the gym.
Saman Ghomashchian
PE Teacher & Secondary Maths Teacher

Saman Ghomashchian
Designation
PE Teacher & Secondary Maths Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Yiqing Tay (Joanne)
Music Teacher

Yiqing Tay (Joanne)
Designation
Music Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Born and raised in Singapore, Joanne holds a Bachelors in Music (Piano) from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from UCL Institute of Education. Besides Singapore, she has worked in the UK, Germany, and Malaysia as a Music Educator.
As an educator, Joanne is a firm believer in lifelong learning and the power of music to build a community. Although the bulk of her work experience is with young learners, she grew to enjoy sharing music with the “young-at-heart” as well. Regardless of competency, making music as a community warms her soul. She often shares the fascinating sounds of different cultures and languages in her classroom.
At OWIS, Joanne is looking forward to spending quality time with the diverse cohort of teachers and students. She particularly appreciates how everyone practises kindness – an important value that is perhaps neglected in the busyness of our lives.
When she is not thinking about teaching, Joanne enjoys coffee, authentic conversations, concerts, traveling, long walks in nature, cooking experiments and practicing mindfulness.
Wei Li
Mandarin Teacher

Wei Li
Designation
Mandarin Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Li Wei hails from the People’s Republic of China. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, specialising in Preschool education from Shenyang Normal University and a Montessori Diploma from Beijing Montessori Bilingual.
Li is an experienced and dedicated educator who has been teaching for 14 years. She has taught in local Singapore schools for 9 years and in an IB school for 5 years.
Li loves to inspire her students in their learning through the use of online learning tools and interactive games. She caters her lessons according to the student’s individual needs and believes that differentiation in teaching based on student needs will further foster her students’ academic, social and emotional wellbeing.
Li plays the piano, loves doing art-work and has a special love for spicy Chinese food!
Other Specialists
Stephanie Chalmers
Teacher Librarian & Cover Teacher

Stephanie Chalmers
Designation
Teacher Librarian & Cover Teacher
Ranita Gupta
EAL Teacher

Ranita Gupta
Designation
EAL Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Ranita Gupta is from India and earned her Masters in Teaching from East Bridge College. She holds a CELTA from Cambridge University. She has taught at various international schools in Singapore and is well-versed in the IB PYP, IGCSE and Cambridge Curricula.
Ranita’s teaching philosophy is that when students ask questions and find answers for themselves, they become engaged in their own learning. She believes that teachers are simply facilitators of this process of inquiry, and thus she promotes an open-ended discovery by students. She, therefore, tailors her teaching practices according to the needs of her students.
Ranita chose OWIS because it creates a nurturing, safe environment where children can build their confidence and learn self-expression. In addition, Ranita believes that each and every learner should feel that they are seen, valued and heard. At OWIS, she’s looking forward to creating a happy space for her learners.
Ranita loves to read books and write short stories in her spare time. She describes herself as a foodie who loves cooking and baking. She enjoys living in Singapore because of its natural beauty.
Fauzia Siddiqui
Learning Support Teacher

Fauzia Siddiqui
Designation
Learning Support Teacher
Sherry Albergaria
Admissions Manager

Sherry Albergaria
Designation
Admissions Manager
Drawn by the respectful and supportive atmosphere at OWIS, Sherry has been a part of the admissions team since 2017. Originally from the UK, Sherry loves seeing children flourish at school and is always doing her best to help families make the most out of their time at OWIS.
Yvonne Khor
Assistant Admissions Manager

Yvonne Khor
Designation
Assistant Admissions Manager
Hailing from Singapore, Yvonne has been with OWIS since the school’s very first 200 students. Some of the things Yvonne loves the most is meeting people from all walks of life and seeing children from every corner of the world proudly showcase their national flags on International Day.
Himesh Sharma
Digital Marketing Manager

Himesh Sharma
Designation
Digital Marketing Manager
Hanisha Motwani
Senior Marketing Executive

Hanisha Motwani
Designation
Senior Marketing Executive
Michelle Alejandrino
Manager, Business Development

Michelle Alejandrino
Designation
Manager, Business Development
Goldie Isselstein
Communications Executive

Goldie Isselstein
Designation
Communications Executive
Malinda Vuu
Admissions Executive

Malinda Vuu
Designation
Admissions Executive, OWIS Suntec
Neetha Prasad

Neetha Prasad
Designation
Executive, Operations Management
Anjali Srivastava
Senior Finance Executive

Anjali Srivastava
Designation
Senior Finance Executive
Nurul Rahman
Operations Executive

Nurul Rahman
Designation
Operations Executive, OWIS Suntec
Foong Meng Ho (Serena)
Front Office Executive

Foong Meng Ho (Serena)
Designation
Front Office Executive, OWIS Suntec

Mahalakshmi S

Paresha Shroff

Jessica Latief

Norhazariah Mustadi

Alethea Luo Jiayi

Mangalam Veeraghanta

Nazia Jan

Tay Hsien Yung (Kieren)

Rathi Baskram

Nikita Nangia

Suhailin Hamzah

Jacqueline Khoo

Wei Li

Ranita Gupta

Fauzia Siddiqui

Sherry Albergaria

Yvonne Khor

Himesh Sharma

Delia Homan

Hanisha Motwani

Michelle Alejandrino

Arati Rao

Harumi Seto

Goldie Isselstein

Malinda Vuu

Anupam Konhar

Archana Gowda

Neetha Prasad

Daryl Singh

Alona Cruz

Jeffrey Seah

Anjali Srivastava

Nurul Rahman

Foong Meng Ho (Serena)

Mas Hidayu Nani

David Pang

Dinali Naomi

Nurul Fatin Binte Shahrul Amran

Stephanie Chalmers

James Sweeney

Adrian Deller

Irma Suryani Shahlan

Laura Coulter

Grace Altarejos

Marc Reyes Custal

Charmaine Lim

Nuur Rihadaatul

Natasha Khanna

Early Childhood 1/2 Teacher
Mahalakshmi S
Mahalakshmi S is a Singaporean Early childhood educator who strongly believes in play-based learning for all EC students. Mahalakshmi has a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Teaching) from Modern Montessori International Academy, Singapore and a Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism management from Temasek Polytechnic.
Mahalakshmi has over 9 years of experience working with early learners in international pre-schools and kindergartens using the IB PYP framework to develop a sense of inquiry in her students. She loves to make learning fun through play. She believes in collaborating with her students throughout their learning journey and using technology prudently to help students achieve their goals.

Grade 1 Teacher
Paresha Shroff
Paresha is from Mumbai, India. She began her journey as an Early Childhood teacher in 2010 and attained the title of Centre Head of the preschool in a span of three years. She also built a new centre from scratch with her mentor by her side.
Paresha believes that a classroom should be a safe, caring community where children are free to speak their minds and blossom and grow. She also believes that each child is unique. Therefore, she endeavours to bring out their best potential.
Her own children are her strongest inspirations. Paresha says they make her a better teacher just by being themselves. In her time at OWIS, she looks forward to helping her students learn, create and build. She is known for being fun-loving, approachable and enthusiastic.
Paresha believes that kindness begets kindness, and no act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple but can, over time, turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many.
In her free time, she enjoys painting, cycling and travelling around the world.

Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Jessica Latief

Early Childhood Teacher
Norhazariah Mustadi

Grade 2 Teacher
Alethea Luo Jiayi
Alethea Luo Jiayi grew up and studied in Singapore with her parents, two brothers and two dogs. She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Early Education from Wheelock College.
Alethea was inspired to become a teacher when she became an assistant teacher in a voluntary organisation. After four years, she discovered that teaching and working with children was her passion.
As a teacher, Alethea believes that children learn best when they feel happy and are active participants in their learning. She strives to provide a warm and engaging environment for her students, so they can feel confident and safe to explore the world freely. In addition, she hopes to instil a sense of love, respect and kindness in every student in her classroom. Alethea does this by modelling these values for her students.
At OWIS, she’s looking forward to implementing the IB PYP curriculum, getting to know her colleagues and having fun learning with her new batch of children.
In her free time, she volunteers with animal welfare organisations that rescue dogs.

Grade 2 Teacher
Mangalam Veeraghanta
Mangalam moved to Singapore with her family in 2005 and is now a Singaporean by nationality. She has completed her Masters in Education from Monash University.
Mangalam has worked in the education sector since 2014, when she took up the role of a part-time co-facilitator attached to a social enterprise running CCE programs in MOE schools. Amazed at how rewarding it was to see students progress through the academic year, she decided to take up teaching as a full-time profession. In January 2020, she joined OWIS and has taught in Early childhood as well as the Lower Primary grades since then. She has also mentored Grade 5 students for their PYP exhibitions.
Mangalam believes her role as a teacher is to facilitate experiential learning, so that students are able to construct knowledge through these experiences. She also finds value in having a student-centred classroom where the individual needs of every learner is met.
As a teacher, Mangalam stands out for being patient, engaging and nurturing curiosity in young learners. In her free time, she loves to take her dog for a walk, listen to music, read and cook.

Grade 1 Teacher
Nazia Jan
Nazia is from Singapore and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Royal Holloway, University of London, as well as a Diploma in Education from National Institute of Early Childhood.
Nazia has been a teacher for over 6 years. She believes that every student is unique and that learning should be fun.
At OWIS, Nazia looks forward to growing better as a caring and fun teacher. In her free time, she enjoys photography and travelling.

Grade 3 Teacher
Tay Hsien Yung (Kieren)

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant
Rathi Baskram

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant
Nikita Nangia

Art Teacher
Suhailin Hamzah
Suhailin is a Singaporean. She started her career as a 3D Artist/Designer specialising in architecture/interior design. However, her growth mindset made her want to do something different in the long run, which was more challenging. So she took a leap of faith and quit her job as a designer to become an educator.
She has been teaching for more than 12 years now and has gained strong experience through her work in different educational institutions, which includes a secondary school and a SPED school.
Suhailin believes that every student learns at their own pace, in their own unique way. She implements her idea of “I Do, We Do, You Do” in classroom teaching. As someone who is caring, understanding and positive, she hopes to nurture the OWIS philosophy of kindness by encouraging students to be thoughtful of others and show empathy.
In her free time, Suhailin enjoys spending quality time with her family and heading out for shopping, dining, or to explore a theme park with them.

Mandarin Teacher
Jacqueline Khoo
Born and raised in Singapore and coming from an English speaking family, learning Mandarin was a struggle when Jacqueline was in junior school. However, it was her Grade 2 teacher’s encouragement that ignited her passion for the language. As her interest in Mandarin grew, Jacqueline made the decision to dedicate herself to a career in Mandarin education and embarked on further studies in China. Her experiences in mastering one of the world’s most complex languages granted her valuable insights, shaping her belief in making Mandarin classes enjoyable and practical for students.
Jacqueline holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Jinan University, China. She also earned a Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education, Singapore. Her teaching journey commenced with the Ministry of Education in Singapore, where she worked for seven years. During this period, she received the Outstanding Contribution Award for her innovative project aimed at boosting the confidence of young learners through speech, drama, and stage performances.
Prior to her role at OWIS, she taught Mandarin to students of all age groups, encompassing first, second, and foreign language learners at another international school in Singapore. She also introduced the Community Language Program, designed to teach Mandarin to the adult community at the same institution.
Jacqueline’s teaching philosophy aligns with the words of Dr. James Comer, who emphasised the significance of meaningful relationships in the learning process. At OWIS, Jacqueline eagerly anticipates connecting with her students and aspires to nurture a bilingual mindset within them. Her most cherished teaching experiences involve successfully training her students for stage performances.
Outside of the classroom, Jacqueline finds solace in physical activities such as yoga, gym and MMA classes. She also delights in pursuits such as diving and hiking, and eagerly embraces new adventure sports.

Mandarin Teacher
Wei Li
Li Wei hails from the People’s Republic of China. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, specialising in Preschool education from Shenyang Normal University and a Montessori Diploma from Beijing Montessori Bilingual.
Li is an experienced and dedicated educator who has been teaching for 14 years. She has taught in local Singapore schools for 9 years and in an IB school for 5 years.
Li loves to inspire her students in their learning through the use of online learning tools and interactive games. She caters her lessons according to the student’s individual needs and believes that differentiation in teaching based on student needs will further foster her students’ academic, social and emotional wellbeing.
Li plays the piano, loves doing art-work and has a special love for spicy Chinese food!

Grade 4 and EAL Teacher
Ranita Gupta
Ranita Gupta is from India and earned her Masters in Teaching from East Bridge College. She holds a CELTA from Cambridge University. She has taught at various international schools in Singapore and is well-versed in the IB PYP, IGCSE and Cambridge Curricula.
Ranita’s teaching philosophy is that when students ask questions and find answers for themselves, they become engaged in their own learning. She believes that teachers are simply facilitators of this process of inquiry, and thus she promotes an open-ended discovery by students. She, therefore, tailors her teaching practices according to the needs of her students.
Ranita chose OWIS because it creates a nurturing, safe environment where children can build their confidence and learn self-expression. In addition, Ranita believes that each and every learner should feel that they are seen, valued and heard. At OWIS, she’s looking forward to creating a happy space for her learners.
Ranita loves to read books and write short stories in her spare time. She describes herself as a foodie who loves cooking and baking. She enjoys living in Singapore because of its natural beauty.

Learning Support Teacher
Fauzia Siddiqui
Originally from India, Fauzia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology from Allahabad University. A volunteering stint at her son’s Montessori preschool in 2017 sparked her passion for education and promoting the mental well-being of children became her driving force. Since then, she has earned a Specialist Diploma in Children and Youth Counselling and Management from ACC Institute of Human Services, Singapore, and a Graduate Certificate in Counselling from Monash University, Australia. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counselling from Monash University.
In 2020, Fauzia became a part of OWIS and she joined OWIS Suntec in 2021. She has been working collaboratively with students, addressing various aspects of their well-being, including anger management, anxiety, depression, conflict resolution, and social skills development. Additionally, she has implemented school-wide interventions by conducting Socio-Emotional Learning lessons, benefiting students in both Early Childhood and Primary levels.
Fauzia is glad that kindness is not just a marketing slogan here at OWIS Suntec. It’s something she witnesses every day, from our dedicated support staff and committed leadership team to our caring teachers.
Fauzia moved to Singapore 15 years ago and she has cherished the experience of raising her son in one of the world’s safest countries as well as making many friends here. A big foodie, she loves to explore new places to eat around Singapore.

Admissions Manager
Sherry Albergaria

Assistant Admissions Manager
Yvonne Khor
Hailing from Singapore, Yvonne has been with OWIS since the school’s very first 200 students. Some of the things Yvonne loves the most is meeting people from all walks of life and seeing children from every corner of the world proudly showcase their national flags on International Day.

Digital Marketing Manager
Himesh Sharma

Parent Liaison Officer
Delia Homan

Deputy Manager - Marketing
Hanisha Motwani

Manager, Business Development
Michelle Alejandrino

Senior Executive - Communications & Content
Arati Rao

Admissions Executive
Harumi Seto

Senior Executive - Communications & Content
Goldie Isselstein

Admissions Executive
Malinda Vuu

Finance Manager
Anupam Konhar

Finance Executive
Archana Gowda

Executive, Operations Management
Neetha Prasad

Senior Operations Manager
Daryl Singh

Senior HR Executive
Alona Cruz

Transport Liaison Officer
Jeffrey Seah

Senior Finance Executive
Anjali Srivastava

Operations Executive
Nurul Rahman

Front Office Executive
Foong Meng Ho (Serena)

School Nurse
Mas Hidayu Nani

Senior Admissions Manager
David Pang

Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Dinali Naomi
Dinali is a Sri Lankan who moved to Singapore with her parents when she was two years old. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from Wheelock College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Monash University, and a Master’s Degree in Education (Educational Management) and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Education (IB PYP) from The University of Melbourne.
Dinali has been an educator for 12 years and has focused on working with young children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old. She is passionate about teaching using an emergent and inquiry-based approach, and this drove her to pursue an IB certification in 2021.
Dinali’s teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that children have a voice and choice that empowers them to take ownership of their learning. For her, teaching is a collaborative process that involves working closely with students, families, and colleagues to create a learning environment that is supportive, engaging, and empowering for all involved.
A humanitarian trip to West Timor solidified Dinali’s desire to become a teacher. During that trip, she conducted a programme for the children at an orphanage and witnessed firsthand their innocence and the unique perspective and potential that they possess.
In her free time, Dinali enjoys exploring new places and cultures through travel. She also likes to stay active and healthy by going to the gym or engaging in other physical activities. Over the weekends, she volunteers in initiatives related to children and the youth, and she enjoys building relationships and being a mentor to them.

Teaching Assistant
Nurul Fatin Binte Shahrul Amran

Teacher Librarian & Cover Teacher
Stephanie Chalmers
Stephanie is from the United Kingdom. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management from Lancaster University and a Qualified Teacher Status qualification from Canterbury Christchurch University. She has also gained a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from The British Institute, Jakarta.
Stephanie embarked on her career as an educator over six years ago. She first started teaching Secondary students in Central London, and then switched to teaching English in Jakarta and Singapore.
Stephanie believes in helping students to be the best version of themselves by helping them to understand and connect with the world around them. She loves being in the library as a Teacher Librarian, as she gets to go on so many adventures through books with students, that help them to open their minds, be curious and think about themselves and the world they live in.
At OWIS, she is looking forward to getting to know our students and their likes and dislikes and thinking of ways to encourage them through the power of knowledge and books. Our school values of nurturing kindness and compassion resonate strongly with her. She believes that if we can do and say things with kindness, then anything is possible.
Stephanie has been living with her family in Singapore for over 10 years. In her free time, she loves to play netball and go on long walks with friends. She spends lots of time exploring the outdoors with her family and also doing arts and crafts. She also enjoys travelling to explore different cultures, cuisines, tourist attractions and the beauty of nature in the region.

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.

Senior Coordinator
Adrian Deller
Adrian Deller is originally from The Cotswolds, UK. He holds a PGCE in Primary (specialised in Mathematics) from The University of Exeter and a Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying (Hons) from Birmingham City University.
Prior to becoming a teacher, Adrian worked as a quantity surveyor for 10 years. He took a break to spend more time with his two daughters when he relocated with his family to Malaysia. It was during this time he became involved in running a toddler activity group and decided to become a teacher. He started his career in teaching at a junior school back home and then at an international school in the Bahamas prior to moving to Singapore.
A strong believer in the value of learning as an active process, Adrian aims to provide opportunities for concepts to be experienced through inquiry and understood in context. He also believes that it is important to build relationships with the children in his class, get to know their interests as well as what motivates them to learn. Adrian plans to cater carefully for the individual needs of his students and to both support and extend all students at each level of ability.
Adrian likes working in a busy and stimulating international school like OWIS, with its unique values and an experienced and innovative staff body.
Adrian enjoys playing football, table tennis, scuba diving, tennis, cycling, travelling and reading. He also likes to eat anything spicy!

PYP Coordinator
Irma Suryani Shahlan
Irma is a Singaporean with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Manitoba, Canada and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from MMI (London) Singapore.
Irma has been a dedicated educator for the past 19 years, both in Singapore preschools and international schools in Jakarta, Indonesia. She has taught students from various grades with age ranging from 3 to 18 years old.
Irma is passionate about her belief that every child has the potential to excel and that learning is a lifelong journey for both teacher and student.
Irma loves baking and has a soft spot for pastries.

Pastoral Care Coordinator & Grade 5 Teacher, OWIS Suntec
Laura Coulter
Laura is from Saskatchewan, Canada and has been living and working overseas for close to twenty years. She has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan.
Laura believes that teaching is a learning journey and teachers who demonstrate curiosity, creativity, generosity and reflective thinking encourage students to achieve their goals. She strives to motivate students in ascertaining their inner strengths and discovering what truly inspires them with a growth mindset. 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 through life.
Laura loves that there is always something new to learn, explore and celebrate in a typical school day. She tries to include small art activities and exploration for her students each day within the learning. She believes in encouraging and being a role-model of kindness at OWIS as it has a ripple effect in building a positive learning community.
Laura is a globe trotter, having travelled to over 75 countries, and she loves reading (52 books each year) and making candles.

Grade 3 Teacher
Grace Altarejos
Grace is from the Philippines. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from De La Salle University and a Master’s Degree in Literacy Education from University College London.
Grace has been teaching for nearly 9 years, focusing on both the early and primary years. She has experience with various globally-recognised curricula in international schools in the Philippines, England, Japan and now, Singapore.
Her vision as an educator is to provide students with confidence in their abilities and lifelong skills that will nurture and inspire them towards achieving their individual potential. She believes in encouraging them to make a difference in their own way.
Grace strongly identifies with the OWIS philosophy of being kind and understanding. She feels kindness is best taught by committed adults who consciously ingrain lessons on kindness in every activity and interaction the child experiences.
At OWIS, Grace is looking forward to productive discussions with like-minded educators who share the same vision of promoting meaningful learning. She is also eager to learn new things from her students. In her free time, Grace enjoys having a good meal and spending time with loved ones.

PE Teacher
Marc Reyes Custal
Marc is from Spain. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Preschool Education, majoring in Physical Education, from International University of La Rioja and an Advanced Diploma in Physical and Sports Education from IES Quercus, Spain.
Marc’s journey in education started at his local school in Barcelona and took him to the renowned FC Barcelona Football Club. Being contracted by this globally recognised institution was a dream come true for a football lover like him. During the past nine years, he has contributed to FC Barcelona’s success and learned valuable lessons from the world of football. For the past six years, he has proudly served as the Technical Director of FC Barcelona’s Football Academy in Singapore, witnessing the transformative power of football in shaping young minds.
Now, he is thrilled to join the OWIS team as a Physical Education teacher. He believes OWIS provides the perfect platform to share his passion for education and use sports as a tool to bring out the best in each student.
In his free time, Marc finds great joy in staying active and engaged in sports like running, tennis, football, and working out in the gym. Additionally, he loves practising yoga to maintain balance and mindfulness in his life. One of his favourite ways to relax is by reading a book under the sun, either by the sea or a pool, enjoying the tranquillity of nature. He also loves spending quality time alone for self-reflection, as well as creating beautiful memories with his wife, family, and friends.

Music Teacher
Charmaine Lim
Charmaine is from Singapore, but she has also lived for a considerable time in the USA.
She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music (major in Violin) and a Cambridge International Teaching Certificate from Cambridge University. She has been teaching music, violin and piano for a few years in international schools in the US and locally in Singapore as well.
Describing herself as an enthusiastic and empathetic teacher, Charmaine believes that every child has the potential to achieve greatness. She loves seeing the genuine joy and happiness on her students’ faces whenever they are able to express themselves through music.
At OWIS, Charmaine is looking forward to creating a fun and encouraging environment for her students and making music with them! She is excited to make use of her knowledge of music technology to empower students to use new apps to create and compose music.

Teaching Assistant
Nuur Rihadaatul

Admissions Manager
Natasha Khanna
Curious about the enriching learning experiences your child can have at OWIS?
Discover how we nurture your child’s confidence and independent thinking skills in a healthy, open and truly international school environment. Learn more about our approach to education and find out if OWIS is the right school for your family.
