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 1 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 1 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 2 Teacher

Ann Patteri

Ann moved around a lot when she was young, staying in India and the US before settling down in the sunny island of Singapore, which she is happy to call home. Ann has a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree from University of London, Goldsmiths College and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham.

Ann firmly believes that children learn best when they are happy and feel accepted. She aims to create a classroom environment that allows children to feel safe to take risks and grow into their potential. She believes in the power of books and performance and incorporates both into her class teaching.

Ann looks forward to teaching children of various nationalities at OWIS and has been inspired by her teachers at school, who never gave up on her.

Ann enjoys watching movies, going out with her friends and tasting different cuisines in her spare time.

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 3 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 3 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

Buvaneswari Chitty (Buna)

Buna is from Singapore. She graduated from Temasek Polytechnic in Electronic Engineering and then received her Diploma in Education with Merit from the National Institute of Education. She has been professionally involved in primary education for about twelve years. Her philosophy of education is that when learning is made fun and exciting, students retain information better because the process is enjoyable and memorable.

Buna always wanted an opportunity to make a positive difference, and she has found that opportunity in teaching. When students or parents tell her how much they appreciate what she’s done, she feels great happiness. While working at OWIS, it’s her goal to positively impact her students and help them engage in lifelong learning through creative and engaging lessons.

She says that every day of her teaching career has been memorable. However, when asked to remember a particularly memorable teaching moment, Buna recalls a time when a student gifted her a pen and said she was the reason that he could write well.

Buna has a special love for antiques and flea markets. In her free time, she enjoys refurbishing antique furnishings and giving them a new lease of life. Her other hobbies include beading, painting and gardening.

Grade 4 Teacher, Grade 4 Coordinator

Serinder Kaur

Grade 4 Teacher

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.

‍

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.

Grade 5 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

Rajeekha Gunasekaran

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Zahidah Kamsari

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Afiqah Anwar

Maths Teacher, Grade 12 Tutor

Selva Priya

Selva Priya is originally from India, where she did her Engineering degree from Bharathidasan University and her MBA from Annamalai University. She started her career as a lecturer in an Engineering College in India and subsequently moved to Malaysia and continued teaching in various colleges in Malaysia.

Selva has always been passionate about Maths and decided at one point of her career, that she would like to teach younger students. As a result, she did a Post graduate Diploma in Education from University College, Fairview and obtained an IB Teaching and Learning Certificate as well.

Selva has been teaching the IB and IGCSE curricula for the past 10 years. She is very excited to share her expertise and knowledge with secondary students and believes in student-centered learning through experiential activities.

Selva loves cooking, travelling, playing badminton and volleyball in her spare time. She is married to a software engineer and she likes to spend time with her two daughters.

Economics Teacher, EE Coordinator, Grade 11 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 6 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.

PSHE Teacher, CAS Coordinator, Grade 6 Tutor

Suruchi Bhatia

Hailing from Mumbai, India, Suruchi says she picked up “how to learn and not what to learn” from her mother, who she describes as a fabulous teacher. In her own pursuit of education and upskilling, Suruchi earned her Bachelor and Master of Education degrees, and she also holds a Master of Arts in Economics. She holds professional development certificates in the IB Extended Essay and Economics – CAT3 [New Syllabus] from the IB DP Forum, and she also plans to pursue further learning in Strategic Planning and Leadership through an online course offered by Harvard University.

While Suruchi comes to OWIS with 18 years of teaching experience, she says she still finds plenty to learn from her peers and students, and this is what makes her professional journey fulfilling. She embraces the education approach of “learning by doing”, and hence, feels a strong connection to the IB philosophy. She loves to inquire into the how and why of an event, and this helps her create classes that are very interactive. She believes that project- and research-based learning makes her students good thinkers.

At OWIS, Suruchi looks forward to forming strong bonds with her students and peers. In her free time, she enjoys running, exercising and reading.

English Teacher, Head of Department - English

Jarrod Nooh

Maths Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Neelimarao Gopal

Business Teacher

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 8 Tutor

Shabnam Zareefi

Science Teacher

Anjali Singh

English Teacher

Kevin McCaustlin

Kevin is a versatile educator with a solid academic background. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science & Philosophy from St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Education degree in Early Childhood Education & Humanities from Crandall University. With a passion for teaching and a zest for exploration, Kevin has worked as an educator in various countries including Canada, England, Germany, South Korea, and China.

His teaching repertoire spans across multiple curricula, including the IB, A Level/GCSE, Canadian, Common Core, and Montessori. Kevin’s enthusiasm for teaching is complemented by his love for travel, allowing him to infuse his classroom with diverse worldly experiences.

Computer Science Teacher

Hardeep Kaur

Maths Teacher, Grade 7 Tutor

Shilpa Arora

English Teacher

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

Art Teacher, Grade 9 Tutor

Yasmin Sirraj

Visual Arts Teacher, Grade 9 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.

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

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

Mandarin Teacher

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 4/5 Bilingual Programme

Xun Zhou (Wendy)

Wendy holds a Bachelor of Chinese Literature degree from Singapore University of Social Sciences. She has also earned her IB MYP Educator Certificate from the University of Windsor, Canada.

Prior to joining OWIS, Wendy taught for 5 years in Singapore schools as an MOE Registered Instructor.

Wendy believes Mandarin can be a good communication skill in today’s global world. Besides developing language skills in her students, she places equivalent focus on the overall development of a student. Wendy loves to challenge students, build up their inquisitive minds through active inquiry based learning and prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

Wendy enjoys spending time reading, travelling and participating in different self-enrichment and improvement activities.

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, 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

IB DP University Guidance Counsellor

Simon Walker

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

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.

Learning Support Teacher

Shruti Nadig

EAL Teacher

Janine Klop

Janine was born and raised in Somerset West, near Cape Town, South Africa.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (majoring in Psychology and English) from Stellenbosch University, an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of South Africa, a TEFL qualification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education – Intermediate Phase) from Cornerstone Institute. Janine is registered with the South African Certified Educators Board (SACE) and is a fully qualified Intermediate Phase Primary School and English Additional Language (EAL) Teacher. Janine taught English for many years in South Africa, Australia and Germany and sees the experience gained at home and abroad as extremely valuable and rewarding.

As a parent of two primary school boys, Janine thoroughly enjoys working with children and is passionate about guiding her learners and making them feel at ease communicating in the English language. When not working, Janine loves to travel locally and internationally. Janine recently completed a 3-year stay in Beijing, China and is thoroughly enjoying her next adventure in fabulous Singapore.

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 Counsellor

Harumi Seto

Senior Executive - Communications & Content

Goldie Isselstein

Admissions Counsellor

Malinda Vuu

Operations Executive

Lilie Imatong

Finance Manager

Anupam Konhar

Front Office Executive

Miriam Brownlie

Executive, Operations Management

Neetha Prasad

Audio Visual Executive

Parameswaran Swaminathan

Transport Liaison Officer

Jeffrey Seah

School Nurse

Annuja Dharmalingam

School Nurse

Zainab Binte Bakadool

HR Executive

Balambika Padmanabhan

Operations Executive

Othuman Bin Abdul Kather

Senior Finance Executive

Anjali Srivastava

Early Childhood 2 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.

Early Childhood 3 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.

Early Childhood 3 Teaching Assistant

Norahshahira Rahmat

Early Childhood 1 Teaching Assistant

Putri Mansor

Early Childhood 2 Teaching Assistant

Nur Shahirah Saharan (Sasha)

Early Childhood 3 Teaching Assistant

Nurlyana Abdullah

Early Childhood 3 Teaching Assistant

Nahfisah Binte Abdul Rahim

Senior Admissions Manager

David Pang

Senior Coordinator – Teaching And Learning, Secondary School

Angelo Govender

Angelo is originally from Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a degree in Master of Arts in Education from Sheffield Hallam University, Adv Certificate in Education (Technology) and National Professional Diploma in Education from North-West University, International Diploma in Computer Electronics, hardware and Network Engineering from NCC Training College and Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers from Cambridge University.

Angelo’s passion is to share his knowledge with the future leaders of tomorrow. His goal is to create knowledgeable, caring students who will one day go out into the world and make a positive difference in the lives of those they are surrounded by and in the communities surrounding them.

Angelo decided to become a teacher so that he could make a difference and inspire young people to make good life choices.

Angelo looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with those he is privileged to be working with and he plans to continue to share his passion for science and technology with his students. Further to this, he aims to instil and develop key core values such as kindness, compassion and empathy that will always keep students grounded.

Angelo loves the ocean and enjoys visiting islands!

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 Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Education from India, an International Educator’s Certificate for IB Qualification from University of Windsor in Canada and is currently pursuing an English Diploma from London Teacher Training College.

Ekta has been teaching for more than 16 years and has taught at various international schools in Singapore for the last 9 years.

Ekta firmly believes that teaching is a learning journey and teachers who demonstrate curiosity, 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. 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.

Ekta is excited to be a part of OWIS family. She likes the culture of kindness within the school and feels that small acts of kindness can change the world. She strongly believes in inquiry as a leading pedagogical approach here which helps students understand how they learn best so that they become lifelong learners.

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!

IGCSE Coordinator

Firmin Lee

Grade 4 Teacher

Maria Parker

Maria has completed her BA (Hons) in Primary English Education and QTS from Edge Hill University. She has also completed the British Sign Language (BSL) course in April 2022.

Originally from England, Maria spent three years teaching in a primary school there, before embarking on her journey in international education in Singapore. Growing up in a family of teachers meant that education has always been at the forefront of her life. From a young age, she knew that becoming a teacher was going to be in her future. 

She believes that all students have the right to learn, and thus it is essential that they are given the opportunity to unlock their full potential. This objective is aided by creating the ideal classroom environment for them, which is a safe, caring and nurturing environment where children can blossom and grow into the leaders of tomorrow. 

In her free time, she enjoys travelling, playing hockey and netball and continuing to develop her sign language skills.

Grade 5 Teacher

Peter O’Rourke

Peter is a dedicated educator with a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts from York University in Toronto. With over a decade of teaching experience since 2011, he has specialised in Primary education, Learning Support, and Special Education. His teaching journey has taken him across Canada, Malaysia, and currently Singapore, where he contributes his expertise to OWIS.

Peter’s teaching philosophy revolves around empowering students to reach their fullest potential. He emphasises collaboration with all stakeholders in the school community, including students, parents, fellow educators, teaching assistants, and administrators, to create a supportive learning environment conducive to growth and success.

Grade 2 Teacher

Leena Bhatnagar

Leena is from India. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Postgraduate Diploma in IT Systems and Web Technologies, and Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Development.

Leena has been an educator for over 11 years and has worked in schools in Istanbul, India and Singapore. In her experiences with young learners from diverse backgrounds and with varied abilities, she believes that apart from the three Rs – ‘Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic’ – the three Rs that matter even more in the classroom are ‘Relationships, Rigour and Relevance’. Teaching should be all about fostering positive relationships and developing students’ growth mindset with equal importance given to mastery of skills as well as habits of the mind. She feels that teaching should stay relevant and adapt to changing times.

This is Leena’s second stint with OWIS and in Singapore and she looks forward to putting into practice the school’s approach of nurturing curiosity and developing international mindedness. She enjoys gardening, reading, cooking and swimming in her free time.

Mandarin Teacher, Grade 2/3 Bilingual Programme

Kym Hong Meiju

Meiju is from China. She has completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Diploma in Teaching Chinese Language from Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University, and Master of Education degree in Chinese Language from Singapore National Institute of Education. 

Meiju has been an educator for over 10 years and has experience teaching both Mathematics as well as Chinese Language to students in Primary and Secondary grades. Her teaching philosophy is to nurture students not only as happy learners, but also as effective communicators, critical thinkers, and adaptable individuals. She firmly believes that creating a joyful and engaging learning environment is essential for fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Her ultimate goal is to empower students to approach challenges with curiosity, confidence, and a deep-rooted enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

In her free time, Meiju loves trekking and gardening. Both these hobbies offer a form of mindfulness, allowing her to escape the fast pace of modern life and immerse herself in the tranquillity of nature. They remind her of the beauty, resilience, and interconnectedness of all living things, instilling a sense of responsibility to protect and cherish our environment.

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)

Early Childhood / Primary School Cover Teacher

Kim Hoon Chia (Jennifer Galeano)

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 8 Tutor

Joanne Lim

Maths Teacher, Grade 11 Tutor

Alice Rekha Amalanathan

Science Teacher, Grade 9 Tutor

Shibi Scaria

Science Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Boon Chiann Chia

Humanities Teacher, Grade 12 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, Grade 10 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. 

Spanish Teacher

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

Music Teacher, Grade 6 Tutor

Christopher Stone

PE Teacher

Ronald Wu

Ronald is from Hong Kong. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Computer Studies from The Education University of Hong Kong. He also has a Master of Arts in Student Activities from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. 

Ronald has been teaching PE and ICT for the past 16 years in Hong Kong. He has also been in charge of experiential learning programmes in different schools. He believes that education is not confined to classrooms and textbooks, but is a lifelong journey of experiences and exploration.

At OWIS, Ronald looks forward to collaborating with the Physical Education department to foster a lifelong passion for sports among our students. Our school’s values of kindness and compassion deeply resonate with him. Having engaged in years of volunteer service, he is grateful for his own circumstances and identity, and this has emphasised the significance of giving back to the community.

In his free time, Ronald enjoys travelling and he is still exploring different parts of Singapore after relocating here in 2022.

Secondary School Cover Teacher

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.

Grade 4 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.

Science Teacher

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

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

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

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

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.

PE Teacher

Gabriel Long

Born and raised in Singapore, Gabriel‘s academic journey led him to pursue Sports Science at both the pre-university and undergraduate levels with Republic Polytechnic and Edith Cowan University respectively. He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education International (PGCEi) from the University of Nottingham and a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) from Cambridge English.

His foundation in sports science equips him with the skills to deliver an engaging and effective PE curriculum, focusing on fundamental movement skills, games and health & wellness. With his passion for physical fitness and education, Gabriel is committed to inspiring OWIS students to lead active, healthy lifestyles while fostering their academic growth.

In his free time Gabriel enjoys maintaining his physical fitness at the gym, engaging in some casual games be it in the real or virtual space and visiting museums.

Early Childhood Teaching Assistant

Shareefa Haniff

Primary School Cover Teacher

Sangeetha Alagappasamy

Sangeetha is from Singapore. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Royal Melbourne Institute of
Technology and earned a distinction in the course. She also has a Specialist Diploma in Education for Allied Educators from National Institute of Education and a Graduate Certificate in Education from Flinders University.

Sangeetha has more than 10 years of work experience, primarily in the education sector in Singapore. She actively seeks ways to engage and impart knowledge to young learners.

Lab In-charge

Reema Malhotra

Science Teacher

Ivan See-Toh Wai Kiat

Ivan is from Singapore and has studied B.Sc (Physics) from University of Tasmania. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching for Secondary from National Institute of Education, NTU. 

When he was a student in River Valley High School, Ivan was inspired by his Physics teacher and was fascinated by how scientific laws can predict what is going to happen. He wrote an English composition on how he would like to become a Physics teacher, and he decided to pursue this dream after graduating from school.

Ivan started his teaching career as a Science Teacher at a tuition centre. He then moved on to work at the Ministry of Education, teaching Science, Physics and Mathematics for eight years.

Ivan believes that students should be treated like a rubber band – not too much till they snap and not too little that they are not feeling academically stimulated and challenged to learn more. 

Ivan has two sons. As a Singaporean, he enjoys and recommends the immense range of food in Singapore, especially staples from neighbourhood food centres, such as chicken rice. In his free time, he enjoys walking, exercising, reading books and watching YouTube.

Maths Teacher

Tay Hsien Yung (Kieren)

Humanities Teacher

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.

Library Assistant

Megha Sethi

Drama Teacher

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.

Maths Teacher

Chiang Kwok Wai (Damien)

Damien is from Singapore and has a Master of Education degree from NTU. He has several years of experience of working as a Maths teacher in Singapore and Moscow and has taught at IGCSE and IBDP levels. 

Describing himself as an open-minded, principled and balanced teacher, Damien believes in maximising students’ potential and stretching their ability in Maths. At OWIS, he looks forward to exchanging ideas with his students and fellow teachers. 

Damien loves to take long walks as his hobby. 

Mandarin Teacher

Zhu Junru

Science Teacher

Christopher David Talbot

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

He is interested in teaching Chemistry and Biology and especially their interface in biological systems. His Master of Science Education gave him a strong interest in misconceptions (alternative conceptions) 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 has recently joined the Nature Society (Singapore) and joined in a number of their walks and activities to enhance his real world knowledge of ecological systems.

Having embarked on his teaching career in the UK in 1991, Chris then relocated to Singapore and has taught IGCSE and MYP Science, IB Chemistry and IB Biology as well as Theory of Knowledge (TOK) in both local and international schools. A number of current OWIS staff have been his former colleagues, and he is pleased to join the school full-time after relief teaching in the school.

At OWIS, he is looking forward to implementing and refining the course for the new IB Biology curriculum and hopes to motivate students to become interested in the subject and to develop useful transferable skills, as well as data analysis and IT skills, including spreadsheets and simulations.

He is also interested in the philosophy of science, especially how ‘real’ scientific research is conducted and the ethical and social implications that may arise from modern molecular biology, especially genomics.

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

Admissions Executive

Erlynniqa Nis’ Sarahfina Zulkarnain

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

Science Teacher, Head of Department - Science

Neeti Pal

Our HOD of Science, 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

Kaayathiri Rathinakumar

Admissions Counsellor

Veena Sonthalia