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Elementary School Faculty

René MacQuillin

Elementary and ECC Principal 

I have been in Education in South Africa and Myanmar for 30 years of which I have been Principal of four schools for the last 13 years before relocating to Myanmar with my husband in 2016.
I hold a teaching qualification, majoring in teaching subjects Engineering Graphics Design, Art and Geography, as well as a Further Diploma in Education in Computer Science. I have an Advance Certificate in Principalship and also holds an honours degree, B.Ed (Hons), in Educational Management.
My educational experiences have afforded me the opportunities to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet a common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being.
My educational philosophy is based on an uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team and a supporting family. All of which, YAIS process.
I am happy to be part of the faculty of Yangon Academy.                                                

Jonah Mari Vanilla Villafuerte

Kindergarten Teacher 

Hi! My students called me Teacher Vanilla and this academic year is my 4^th year of teaching in our school. I graduated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Biological Science. I also earned 18 units in Master of Arts in Education Major in Educational Administration. I am a Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT) under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in the Philippines. Also, this year, I have just finished my Executive Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development awarded by London Qualification Board, UK and Montessori Training Certificate.

As an educator with a noble profession in the field of education, I have been teaching Kindergarten, Elementary and High School in Private and International Schools in the Philippines and Myanmar for 10 years.

Teaching has always been my passion, as it reveals my inner desire to develop students’ cognitive, sensory and affective skills in teaching and learning processes. My skills in painting & drawing and my talent in dancing make for exemplary models when teaching students with varied and creative academic activities. I believe that every learner is unique and creative in any learning situations. Thus, as a teacher, it is my goal to adhere learning areas with assessment to every student.

With my educational qualifications and teaching experiences mentioned, I believe that I can impart my professional teaching skills efficiently and effectively to my students so that they may achieve their level of competencies in various academic areas.        

Kameren Lund

1^st Grade Teacher 

I am thrilled and honored to be joining the Yangon Academy community. I have been teaching in International Schools in Thailand and China for the last 10 years and am very excited to be moving to Myanmar.  I have completed two Masters Degrees and am currently working towards my PhD in Early Childhood Brain development. Understanding the way a child’s brain develops is a very important part of my teaching and I will always find new ways to maximize your child’s growth and learning opportunities.

My teaching philosophy is focused around making sure my students love coming to school and are having fun and learning through exciting hands-on projects and activities. My classrooms are filled with laughter, smiles, art, music, exciting projects and student-centered reading, writing and math activities. I absolutely love teaching and my students know they are safe to take risks and try their best because I will always support them. I am also always available for parents to support them in any way needed as we are partners in this exciting academic journey. I am definitely looking forward to meeting everyone and having a wonderful school year together.

Aarthi Dawson

 2^nd Grade Teacher

My name is Aarthi Dawson. As I am stepping into my 18th teaching year I’m really excited to meet my students and their families. I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting year of being creative, innovative and exploring new things and have some great learning experiences.
I have been an international educator for the last 11 years. Teaching and living in a different culture and country than your own is a very rich and rewarding experience. I have taught in the UK, India and Vietnam and travelled to many other places which has made me a positive global citizen.
I have a Masters in Psychology and a Bachelors in General Education. I also a passionate learner so I enjoy studying and have completed my Certification in Educational Technology. SUNY, US. I am certified practitioner in the British Dyslexia Association. Surrey, UK. I also hold a Certificate in English Language Teaching.
University of Cambridge, ESOL Examinations Center, UK and certified in teaching ESL students in the mainstream classrooms. Govt. of South Australia.
In my personal life I’m and a mother of two beautiful children. In my spare time I listen to music and read books. I’m looking forward to this new school year and Myanmar.

Tim Castle

3^rd Grade Teacher

I am a teacher from Canada who is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. I received both of my Bachelor’s degrees – a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a Bachelor of Education – from the University of Windsor. In addition, I hold a Certificate in Second Language Teaching from the University of Western Ontario.
I began my first full-time teaching position in China in 1997, and I have been teaching, on and off, for much of the time since then. Altogether, I have been teaching for seventeen years, most of which has been at the early primary level. A large part of my teaching career has been spent outside my home country and includes eight years in Myanmar. I am especially excited to be teaching third grade at Yangon Academy for my 6th year.

Jacquie Bean 

4^th Grade Teacher

My name is Jacquie Bean. I am 58 years old. I am from the small state of Indiana in the United States.
My degrees, both Bachelor and Masters are in Elementary Education from Ball State University and Indiana University.
I love reading, writing, and crafts. Drama club here at the elementary has taken a lot of my time. Most of all I love my students.
Teaching here at Yangon Academy International School has been the best experience of my life.

Catherine Kean

5^th Grade Teacher 

My name is Catherine Kean and I am from a picturesque and unique town called Macedon, about one hour out of Melbourne, Australia. It is a special part of Australia where you regularly see huge mobs of kangaroos and cute fluffy koalas. It’s not unusual to see a large strong kangaroo bouncing down the road or feeding on the grass in our garden. In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit by swimming, playing tennis and going for long forest walks.

This is my second year at Yangon Academy International School and I am thrilled to have another year teaching here. I have taught elementary students from KG to 5^th Grade including 8 years of Physical Education over the last 29 years. In my classroom, I aim to create a community of learners who show respect and empathy towards others. It’s a classroom where students learn from each other and everyone contributes to a positive learning environment. I started my international teaching in Yangon three years ago, teaching secondary English and I then moved to elementary school teaching for another year. I am looking forward to meeting all my new students and parents. The Myanmar students are truly the best students I have ever taught.                                 

Yu Ma Ma Aung

Physical Education

Hello, my name is Yu Ma Ma Aung and I am the Physical Education teacher. In 2011, I was selected to represent in a Burma selection of basketball at the 26th Sea games in Indonesia. I have a level 2 coaching certificate from FIBA – Asia Development Plan of Coaching clinic, which is under the International Basketball Federation. As a Physical Education teacher, I have worked for 3 years at Pride International School Myanmar (PISM). This is my fourth year at Yangon Academy. I look forward to many more years teaching at the Yangon Academy.

Smile @ Pyone Pyone Khin

Computer Studies

I am Pyone Pyone [email protected] Smile. I have a bachelor’s degree in BA (Business Management) from Dagon University, Diploma in Computer Studies (International Diploma in Computer Studies (IDCS), and the International Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies (IADCS)), UK. In addition, I hold a Diploma in Business Administration, UK from Themes Management Centre. Addition that, I have a Diploma in Business English Course and Diploma in Human Resource Management Course IQN, UK from Myanmar Management Institute. I have completed an accountant course MYOB Level 2 & Level 3 (UK) from the KMD Computer Centre. Moreover, I have a Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from SIS ELT Institute.

I have 13years’ experience in Computer Field. I worked at TOTAL Learning Academy. I have over 8 years teaching experience at Primary level. I will again be teaching computer classes for Elementary students, as a computer teacher at Yangon Academy. My goal as a teacher is to improve my student’s education and help them grow knowledgably. I am committed to helping my students succeed, achieve more, and continue onto higher education. I motivate students to do their best and extend their own personal limits. I am a teacher because I enjoy hard work and helping others in finding success. I feel that one of my greatest strengths as a teacher is the ability to meet each student unique needs by having an in-depth understanding of their abilities and needs. I enjoy watching movies, reading books and travelling.

Myat Thiri Nyein

Music Teacher

I feel it is a really good opportunity to teach as a music teacher in elementary school at Yangon Academy. I am from Yangon, Myanmar and graduated from the College of Music, Mahidol University, Thailand with Master Degree in Music Education in 2017. Since 2006, I have been working as a violin assistance teacher and performer for string chamber and teaching for private violin lesson from 2008 in Myanmar. After all I have got a scholarship to study in College of Music, Mahidol University in 2010 and worked as a part time violin teacher at Suketta Creative Music Academy in Bangkok and performed in concert, gig and studio recording as well. After finishing my master degree, I came back to Myanmar and worked for music education programs in Myanmar with NGO groups; Art It Forward (ARTIF) – 2018, Music for One (MFO) – 2019 and Myanmar Music Association (MMA) – 2020. Moreover, I found a music school – Gita Pyoe Khin (Music Arboretum) in Tharkayta Township and working there since 2019 till now. I’m excited to start as an elementary music teacher in Yangon Academy and it will be a new experience and exploration to learn more about young students. In my classroom, the students will be able to get the multiple intelligence skills through the music and musical activities. I look forward to an enjoyable, productive and grateful year.

May Thet

Myanmar Studies Teacher (Elementary)

I am May Thet. I was born in 1965 in Nay Pyi Taw (Pyinmana), Myanamar. I had worked as Primary School Teacher and Secondary School Teacher in Myanmar government schools for 17 years.
I have a BA degree in Geography. I graduated in 1993. In addition, I have a certificate of Completion of the Primary Teachership Training and Middle Teachership Training.
I also have a “Level 7 Diploma in Teaching to Speakers of Other Language” having completed a TQUK endorse course of learning, in Singapore in 2017.
I was appointed as Myanmar Studies (Foreigner) in the 2019-20 academic year, this is my second year at Yangon Academy. I enjoyed working with my colleagues.

Lwin Lwin Khine

Myanmar Studies Teacher 

Hello! I am very glad and excited to be a Myanmar Studies Teacher at Yangon Academy this year! In 2005, I graduated from Yangon Institute of Economics with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) I also received an International Advanced Diploma in Business Administration, IDBA, NCC (UK) from Thames and Informatics Management School. In 2012, I attended an Early Childhood, Care and Development Course at the Ministry of Education. In 2014, I was awarded a Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Landon Teacher Training College. I am a naturalist and I love to do community service. In the past I worked with Helping Hands Community Service Group, (Schooling Project) the project helped poor Myanmar families send their children to school. I also spent my summer holidays teaching English to students at Monastic schools. In addition, I am a TExT Program trainer. This program helps give Teaching Training to the teachers from Monastic and Nunnery Schools.
I have been working at Yangon Academy for over ten years as an Assistant Teacher in Kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 4, Grade 5 and Middle School. I am very happy to work at Yangon Academy and look forward to do so for many more years. I would like to be part of the team that supports our Yangon Academy students achieve their brightest future.

Chit Phu Ngon Nyunt

Myanmar Studies Teacher 

Hello, I am Chit Phu Ngon Nyunt. I’m a Myanmar Studies teacher in the Elementary school. In 2010, I graduated from the University of Yangonwith B.A in Economics. I have a diploma in TESOL, Global English, and SEAMEO English. I am very proud to teach my language at Yangon Academy, and this is going to be my thirteenth years in YA.I also have teaching experience with TexT (The Teacher Exchange and Training Program) in preparation for nunnery and monastic school teachers and consult to various native school teachers within Yangon Region for the development in the education system and school reform. My favorite part about my job is that every day brings something new, and no two days are the same. Therefore I am committed to have differentiated instruction in my class with a variety of opportunities for my students’ to achieve their goals. Nevertheless, learning a language involves repetition, constant work, and memorization skills. I love knowing that my job is to help children achieve their full potential and strive for greatness. However, not only do I teach them, they teach me every day, too; therefore, I take advantage of all experiences to implement my teaching methods. When I am not at work, you can find me spending quality time with my friends and family, enjoying my new love for a workout at the gym, and traveling.

Tin Tin Khaing

Art Teacher 

I am the Elementary Art teacher at Yangon Academy International school.
I have a Bachelor degree in Art from National University of Art and Culture, Yangon, Myanmar.
I have been teaching art for 13 years. I taught primary school art at Basic Education Primary School (Insein) from 2007-2015. I then taught primary and secondary art school at Crane International School Myanmar (CISM) from 2016-2019.This is my second academic year at YAIS.I am VERY excited to teach here.