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Faculty

Mr. David Miller

School Director

I have more than 35-years’ experience in K-12 schools, with 20+ of those years spent internationally. My teaching and administrative experience has been split almost evenly.  I hold a BA, MA, and 4-years’ work toward a Ph.D. at Stanford University (not completed), all in the educational field.  I have worked in both large and small schools, and in both boarding and day schools. I am currently certified in mathematics and social studies, along with an administrative credential in education. This is my 10^th year at Yangon Academy. Prior to joining Yangon Academy, I was the HS principal for 9 years in a large Catholic school in Bangkok, which offered both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework.

As you can see I’m fairly versatile, and I hope all this experience and formal training will make for a high level of contributing support for students, parents, and teachers — particularly as we continue to celebrate the prior and current successes of Yangon Academy, while moving into even greater future accomplishments.  I’m very happy to be here and a part of Yangon Academy.

                                                Ad astra! To the stars!

Mr. Michael Augustine Gordon

Secondary Principal

With the start to this 2022-23 school year, I am honored to begin my sixth year of employment at Yangon Academy. For our new students and parents, please know I am an American national and, for the past 30 years, I have been an English and Social Studies teacher, a multi-sport athletic coach, and an administrator in independent schools throughout the state of Massachusetts.  After earning an undergraduate degree from Villanova University in History and a graduate degree from Boston College in Educational Administration, my career has been characterized by a diversity of educational leadership roles, but with always a student-centered focus.  From serving students and families in city neighborhoods to serving stakeholders in independent boarding and day schools I, like my colleagues at Yangon Academy, have enthusiastically worn the “many hats” of an educator.

As all Yangon Academy faculty and staff know and appreciate, our greatest strength as a school community is our wonderful students and supportive parents; and, as the secondary school principal, I am excited to work with all students and parents to make this school year our best ever.

Go Wolves!

Ms. Katelyn Kearney

School Counselor

I have been an international school counselor for the past 14 years and was privileged to have been a part of the incredible communities at the American School of Doha in Qatar, Shanghai American School in China, Brent International School Manila in the Philippines, and most recently the International School of Dakar in Senegal.

My undergraduate and graduate school was in Michigan, USA where I first majored in Anthropology and then went on to get my Masters in School Counseling. However, I am actually a product of the International School system and spent first through twelfth grade growing up in the wonderful city of Seoul, Korea.

I’ve heard so many good things about this community of students and educators and I’m really looking forward to joining Yangon Academy!

Mrs. Jill M. Snedden

Curriculum Coordinator

Originally from Ohio in the U.S.A. I started my international teaching career (and flew on a plane for the first time) over 30 years ago when I moved to Bulgaria as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Since then, I have had the privilege of living in eight countries and teaching students at every grade level from kindergarten through twelfth. In addition to teaching high school English, EAL and Learning Support in Peru, Kuwait, South Korea, Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bahrain, I’ve worked as an assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, and accreditation team leader in international schools as well. Along with my passion for teaching is my passion for learning. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Akron and a Master’s degree in International Education from Endicott College, and most recently earned a Certificate of International Education Administration.

In my free time I enjoy cooking, swimming, reading, playing board games, and traveling. I am delighted to finally be in Myanmar to begin my second year at Yangon Academy, and I look forward to a wonderful year of learning!

Mrs. Marsha Lea Woodward

H.S. English Faculty/Guidance Counselor

My name is Lea Woodward, and I am entering my 23 years of teaching, of which, the past eleven have been in international postings. I have taught grades 6-12, and I have held numerous roles both as a teacher and in leadership positions. Before Yangon, I was in Manterrey, Maxico as the Gifted/Talented Learning Specialist with grades; 6-9.

My guiding principles include encouraging student choice, creating an environment of authentic learning, and helping students feel comfortable enough to participate and share their results with a public audience. I feel that it is important for students to understand that learning is dynamic, exciting and, often, a surprising process!

Mr. Robert George Powers

M.S. English Faculty

My name is Robert Powers.  This is my 5^th year at Yangon Academy.  I will be teaching 7^th and 8^th grade English.  My sons and I continue to be excited to live in Yangon and support Yangon Academy. I have taught American curriculum and IB Programme at international schools for 24 years in Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Taiwan and Indonesia, and India.  This is truly thrilling for my sons, Danny, Alex, and myself to be in Yangon.

Before I became a teacher, I was a US Navy Musician. We performed on saxophone throughout the Philippines, Australia and other Asian countries as “Ambassadors of Good Will.”  I hold a BA in film composition from Berklee College of Music in Boston and an MFA in creative Writing from Columbia University in the City of New York.

Mr. Brett Landon Poncia

M.S. English Faculty

Hi, my name is Brett Poncia, and I am from a charming city in northern California called Redding. This will be my second-year teaching at Yangon Academy International School, and I am honored to again join the accomplished team of educators at YA. I completed my BA in Business Administration from Dominican University of California, where I also earned an athletic scholarship to compete in the NCAA men’s basketball team. After a brief stint in the business world, I decided to make a career change and pursue teaching. Shortly after, I received my postgraduate teaching certification in ESOL from the University of West Florida.

I began my teaching career in Beijing, China where I taught a variety of subjects at a primary school. During my time there, I grew deeply passionate about the learning process and seeing my students thrive in the classroom. After nearly two years in China, I accepted a Grade 2 ESL position at ILBC in Yangon. I taught Grade 2 for six years at ILBC and coached the high school girl’s basketball team. Teaching in China and at ILBC gave me an opportunity to grow as an educator and develop my teaching methods. I am excited to continue to bring my enthusiasm for reading and writing, along with my effective teaching methods to Yangon Academy.

In my free time, I enjoy exercising, watching and playing sports, reading novels, and finding the best Shan Noodle restaurants. I also have an intense passion to travel and taste unfamiliar foods. Some of my favorite places to explore in Myanmar include Hpa-An, Ngwe Saung, and Kalaw.

Mr. Michael Kent Fluge

M.S./ H.S. Science Faculty

My name is Michael Kent Fluge, and I am from Los Angeles California. I have been teaching for 12 years in Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan and Yangon Academy International School in Myanmar. I have a B.S. degree in Applied Science and Technology majoring in environmental science from Thomas Edison State University and I am currently working on my Master of Arts degree in secondary education. I worked for the EPA in Washington DC, solid waste division, as a summer intern and found the work there to be very rewarding. I worked for the air quality division in Pima County Arizona and found the work there to be rewarding as well. I have many ideas and inventions relating to wind, hydro, and magnetic field systems to generate electrical energy that have been submitted to National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), Los Angeles department of Water and Power and Pacific Gas and Electric. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff as well as teaching the students at Yangon Academy and experiencing the culture of Myanmar.

Mr. Walter Ronald Stanley

M.S/H.S. Science Faculty

I have been a teacher for nearly 40 years.  I started teaching in a secondary school, located in a small village in Swaziland, Africa when I was with the Peace Corps.  When I returned to the United States, I worked for a while as a motorcycle mechanic, but decided that I much preferred teaching, so I got a job in American Samoa, a small US Territory in the southern Pacific, where I taught chemistry, marine science, and math.  From there I went South Korea where I spent two years teaching English to Korean businessmen.  Then I went to Haverford, Pennsylvania, and taught chemistry and physics for one year.  This was my only experience teaching on the mainland USA.  I next went to Guam, another US Territory, this one above the equator in the Pacific.  I taught IB and AP Chemistry, Theory of Knowledge, and Environmental Science for 17 years.  Next, I went to Caracas, Venezuela, but left after only one year because of the high crime rate.  I then spent seven years in Shenzhen, China teaching AP Chemistry and Environmental Science.   I moved to Cambodia in 2017 and taught 5^th grade for one year, then I taught IB Chemistry and Theory of Knowledge for one year in Kazakhstan.  For the past two years, I have been in retirement. Retirement does not suit me, so I am now looking forward to returning to work at the Yangon Academy International School.

Than Min Aung

Science Lab Technician

Hello! My name is Than Min Aung, and I am verry happy to work in a great environment here at Yangon Academy.  I have a Bachelor’s of Science (Honors) in Microbiology from Dagon University, and I also have a Master’s Degree from University of Yangon.

 I have 6 years’ experience working as a laboratory assistant teacher. In my personal life, I like to play table tennis, football, badminton, and volleyball.

I have been in the field of education since 2014 and working with children is a passion of mine, a life-calling, and the best career.

Mr. William Joseph Marzen II

M.S./ H.S. Social Studies Faculty

Hello. My name is William Marzen, and I am originally from Columbus, Ohio, although I have spent most of my life in the state of Texas. I graduated with a BA in Economics at The Ohio State University, worked in the oil and gas industry for four years in Houston, and then received my teaching certification from the University of Houston. I have been teaching ever since.

I have 32 years of teaching experience, 21 years in public and private international schools in Texas, and 11 years teaching abroad in Ecuador, the Philippines, Hong Kong, El Salvador, and Thailand. I have a composite social studies certification and have taught all levels of Economics and mark AP papers and year as an AP Reader. I also have experience teaching History, Geography, and Psychology.

I am coming to Yangon Academy after 2 years of teaching at Dallas International School where I have been teaching IB Economics and IB History. I am very excited to be moving to Yangon and look forward to teaching the young people at Yangon Academy.

Mr. Deardoff Craig

M.S./ H.S. Social Studies Faculty

After graduating with a BA Honors degree in Political Science at the University of Alberta, I was initially recruited by the Canadian government to work in the area of economic development and started developing agricultural/ water/ environmental programs in Central Java (Yogyakarta). Here I was trained in the Indonesian language as well as how to efficiently transfer skills to local NGO personnel. After that, I started freelance teaching/consulting in ESL in Taiwan. In 2003/4, I moved to Jakarta and taught in my first international school and then, I went to Australia to complete my Post Grad Diploma in Education (Secondary). I then returned to Jakarta and taught at the British International School for 2008/2009 as a local hire.  I was offered a foreign hire contract at and then at Global Jaya International School, and I happily worked there from 2009 to 2015 where I taught IBDP and IBMYP English.  In 2015, I returned to Canada and founded an online educational consulting company.  I completed my Master’s in Educational Studies degree at the University of Alberta (Edmonton) in 2018.  My master’s thesis research focused on methods of teaching critical thinking skills with regard to the IBDP core component (TOK, EE, and CAS) to English Language Learners. After being locked down for covid in Canada, I am now so happy to have the opportunity to move to Yangon and explore what I have heard to be a beautiful and fascinating country.

Interests/Hobbies – Meditation/Mindfulness, Fitness training, Philosophy, Jungle Trekking, Scuba Diving, Exploring Archeological sites/Temples, Historical Research.

Books I have read recently:

The Evolutionary Mind: Conversations on Science, Imagination & Spirit

Sheldrake, Rupert; McKenna, Terence; Abraham, Ralph H. (1998)

Homo Deus,  

Yuval Noah Harari

Mrs. Jacoba Mafdelena Benecke

M.S./ H.S. Social Studies Faculty

I have been in education for many years. Initially doing adult training, I later switched to teaching in secondary schools, both in my home country (South Africa) and South Korea, Malaysia, Brunei and China. My international experience includes teaching IGCSE, A Level and IB courses, such as Edexcel A Level and IB Psychology. One of my passions is counseling and I am hoping to transition to working as a counselor in future. I enjoy reading mental-health related articles, as well as the news to stay on top of what is happening in the world. I also enjoy swimming in my free time.

Mr. Oliver Sabio Calledo  

M.S./ H.S. Social Studies Faculty

Hello everyone, my name is Oliver Sabio Calledo. I was born and grew up in Davao City, Philippines, where I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in Social Studies and obtained my professional license to teach in 2005. From 2005 until 2013, I spent my first eight years teaching in a Filipino-Chinese school, where I taught Ancient and Modern World History, Asian Civilizations, Fundamentals of Economics, and Philippine History.

Years later, I pursued my Master’s degree in Education teaching Social Studies; however, while working on my thesis writing, I applied and offered to teach in an international school in Jakarta, Indonesia. From 2013 – 2019, I taught IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and AS/A (Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced) Level Geography and Humanities in Jakarta. With sheer hard work and dedication, I was appointed and promoted as the subject head of the department for five years. My international teaching stint in Indonesia expanded my horizons and opened great opportunities for me, which I am grateful for.

With the desire to be engaged and immersed in global cultures, I explored the opportunity to teach in Africa. I spent two years from 2019 – 2021 in an international school in the Republic of the Congo, teaching Middle and High School Social Studies and Economics for the 12th Grader. While in Congo, in Africa, I moderated and supervised the Model United Nations (MUN), and together with our students, we represented the Congo-Brazzaville at MUN in American School Dubai. This new school year, I am excited and honored to be teaching and living in Yangon, Myanmar, looking forward to meeting my new colleagues at school and students in my Social Studies class. I hope to get to know each of them as people I will be working with and as individual learners to help them grow as they begin their journey into Secondary School.

Outside of teaching, I spend time traveling and exploring new places I haven’t been to and spend quality time with my family and good old friends. Also, I love trying new food and delicacies of the places I have visited. Since I love history and cultures, I am delighted to live, explore, and share the beauty of Myanmar and incorporate these things into my everyday lessons.

Mr. Ong Tun Liang

M.S. Science / H.S. Mathematics Faculty

Dr. T. L. Ong an innovative educator who has taught in the United States and China for 15 years. He has a Ph.D. (Oceanography, Rhode Island). His core teaching areas are Science, Math, and Statistics. Before becoming a teacher, he was a research scientist and had successfully re-trained and brought many under-performing students to professional success. Over the years, he has enrolled over 100 Houston inner-city students for outdoor Geoscience camp run by UT Austin. The exposure spurred many of them to major in Science and Engineering in college.

His motto is REACH OUT and TEACH EFFECTIVELY. He enjoys teaching because it is challenging but rewarding.

Mr. Hiranmoy Gupta

M.S./ H.S. Mathematics Faculty

I have school leadership experience as an IB coordinator and being a part of senior-leadership team.  I have taught mathematics for 12-years now and worked in several countries, including countries Nepal, India, South Korea, Japan, China and now, in Myanmar. In addition, I am a certified IB educator and an IB examiner.

In all my roles, I have developed a thorough working knowledge of school management systems which includes system management in Managebac, Timetables, developing school policies, and pupil monitoring etc. This has enriched my understanding of each programme, as to how each programme is interrelated to one another towards a coherent continuum education.

I love travelling, vlogging, music, movies and sometimes play musical instruments.

Books I have read recently

-Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Well! Learning is my passion. Creating new ideas and implementing them is my passion. My key motto is to support our next generation by training them to learn values, ethics, and the power of enthusiasm.

Mrs. Maria Liza Valero

M.S./ H.S. Mathematics and Science Faculty

Mabuhay!

My name is Maria Liza Valero and I am an educator with a long and rewarding experience in teaching students of diverse nationalities. While working outside my home country, the Philippines, the charming culture and lovely people of various countries never cease to enchant me.

Apart from the learning opportunities that I had attended, I also hold the following degrees: Bachelor’s in science in Secondary Education, Major in Mathematics; Diploma in Mathematics Teaching and Master of Arts in Innovative Mathematics Education. For more than 20 years, I have been sharing my knowledge in Math and Physics subjects of different international curricula. I find great happiness in developing my students’ love for learning and being instrumental to their own Eureka moments inside my classroom.

I am excited to finally be a part of Yangon Academy International School!

See you around!

Khin Ma Gyi

H.S. Myanmar Studies Faculty

My name is Khin Ma Gyi. Teaching is my passion, and this is my 15^th years working at Yangon Academy. I received my BA in History from the Yangon University of Distance Education. Now I’m studying and working on my thesis for a Master of Education at Brittany University from France. I’ve completed the certificate of completion for Secondary English Language Teaching (CiSELT) from British Council. I’ve got a certificate of TexT (Teacher Exchange and Training) training from the Suu Foundation and the East West Center in 2014-2018 summers.

While teaching at Yangon Academy, I have also volunteered as an organizer and volunteer teacher with the Myanmar Children’s foundation to teach children from poor families at different places. (www.myanmarchildrenfoundation.com)

I do volunteer work as a trainer for TEXT Program to give training to teachers from the monastic and nunnery school, which have asked me for help to improve their teaching. (www.suufoundation.org).

Before coming to Yangon Academy, I worked as a free-lance teacher for several years. I love to teach children and to listen to music. I enjoy teaching, camping, travelling, cooking and learning new things. (www.myanmarchildrenfoundation.com).

I do volunteer work as a trainer for TEXT Program to give the training to the teachers from the monastic and nunnery schools which have a very low quality of teaching (www.suufoundation.org).  At the same time, I also ran the Community Service Program with the secondary school students at the Monastic School on the outskirt of Yangon. For me, it has been an extraordinary period of collaboration. It has taught me about the remarkable opportunities that exist from harnessing the power of people’s natural instinct to help each other.

Before coming to Yangon Academy, I worked as a freelance teacher for several years. I love to teach the children and listen to the music. I enjoy teaching, camping, traveling, cooking, and learning new things.

Chit Loon Kyin

M.S. Myanmar Studies Faculty

Hello, my name is Chit Loon Kyin. I have over ten years of experience in education. I am thrilled to say this is my 6^th year teaching at Yangon Academy International School. I have many fond memories of this wonderful school and I’m happy to be back for another great year!

I graduated with a Business Management Degree from Wigan & Leigh college of United Kingdom. I have experienced teaching Myanmar Language in Thailand. My passion is teaching. I am creative, energetic and a patient person. My effective instructional techniques allow me to teach my students properly. I am able to manage students and able to apply self-discipline for my students.

In my time outside of the classroom, I enjoy cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with my family. I look forward to many more years here!

May Thet 

M.S./ H.S. Myanmar Studies Faculty

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.

Khaing Mar Lar Phyo

M.S./ H.S. Computer Studies Faculty 

I have been working as a Computer Science teacher with young learners and adults for over 10 years in a variety of settings such as private schools, international schools, private ICT training centers, and programming schools.  And, I have also worked in private schools as a licensed English teacher with young learners and adults. I hold a BA in English, a Diploma in English Language Teaching Methodology (Yangon University of Education – YUOE), a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development (YUOE), a Certificate Course in ECCD (Department of Social Welfare) and, a Diploma in HRM (IQN-UK). My teaching experience includes/both: English and Computer Science.  I also have been working as a principal and lead teacher in PNYK Computer Training Center since 2011. I have been also working in Engineering for Kids Myanmar as a lead teacher since 2020. I am very excited to continue teaching at Yangon Academy and to assist students with their academic and emotional growth while preparing for the next step in their educational and career aspirations.

Mrs. Toni Rose T.Juario

M.S./ H.S. Music Faculty

Hi! I am Toni Rose T. Juario. I am a music teacher with 16 years of teaching experience. Teaching music has always been my passion. I have taught music in the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar.

I graduated from Silliman University with the degree in Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Throughout my teaching career, I have been driven to help students achieve their very best. I believe that music has the power to change lives- to enhance the social, cultural and spiritual lives of people, and serve as a medium for personal expression.

I am excited for another fruitful year in Yangon Academy International School.

Naw Lin Nandar Zaw

M.S./ H.S. Music Faculty

Hi! I am Naw Lin Nandar Zaw. I have acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in English and I have studied Diploma Violin performance and Elemental Music Pedagogy in Tiroler Landeskonservatorium, Austria.

I have participated in several Orchestra performances internationally with twelve years of experience. I have had the opportunity to hold a number of professional roles including Music Teacher, Musician instructor, and private musical instruments instructor. As a Music teacher, in my student teaching experience I taught music education principles to students in Kindergarten through High school.

Throughout my teaching career, I have been driven to help students achieve their very best. The reason what brings me to become a hundred percent strong Music teacher is I want to enable the child to enjoy and understand music and to appreciate it critically. My vision to my students is to nature the child’s self – esteem and self- confidence through participation in musical performance and to faster higher – order thinking and lifelong learning through the acquisition of musical knowledge, skills, concept and values – enhance the quality of the child’s life through aesthetic musical experience. I am very much excited to be a part of the Yangon Academy International School family!

Nyein Nyein Ei

M.S./H.S. Art Faculty

Hello!

 I am Nyein Nyein Ei. I am a professional Art teacher with over thirteen years of experience teaching art at all levels, ranging from kindergarten to college. I am an expert at encouraging creativity, while simultaneously teaching solid technical skills. Backed by a Master of Art course, my specialization is in fine art painting, and art history. I graduated from the National University of Arts and Culture in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Art in art education. Teaching Art is my passion and I want to use my passion to spread knowledge about Art & Crafts. My teaching method is based on what I have learned and experienced, and my main focus is to inspire the students to create something on their own. Sharing this with students adds so much happiness to my world. I have the pleasure of teaching Visual Art to the students and am also very excited to be an art teacher at the Yangon Academy International School family!

Sai Yan Naing Chit Min

M.S./H.S. Art Faculty

I am Tr. Sai, and I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art in painting and a diploma in sculpture from NUAC (National University of Arts and Culture) in 2017. After graduation, I started my teaching career as an Art teacher and continue to pursue as much as I can about Visual Arts. I have over 4years of Art teaching experience in international schools. My teaching methods are based on what I have learned over the years. My main focus as an Art teacher is to make the experience of learning Art more enjoyable and playful, while also exploring different mediums of Art.

Interests/Hobby …. Drawing, Painting, Music, Art, Photography, Movies, Books.

Books I have read recently …

. A Brief History of Human Sapiens, Lazy Guru Guide to Meditation.

As a new teacher this year, I am excited to work in such a wonderful community. Learning and teaching goes both ways; I am always ready to learn as much as I can from my students and colleagues.

Barani

M.S./ H.S. Physical Education Faculty

My name is Ms. Barani, and this is my Fourth year as a faculty member at Yangon Academy: I am very happy and proud to teach your children PE here at the secondary school!

For my education, I received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of East Yangon in 2006, but my passion is with competitive athletics and coaching students. I have been practicing Karate since I was 7 years old, and I coached for many years at Thuwanna Karate-do Club. I received my Karate-Do Coaching Certificate in 2004. In my own Karate experiences, I have won many medals in various competitions. In addition to coaching Karate, I also have 4 years’ experience in coaching swimming at Horizon Kindergarten School and 4 years’ experience in teaching primary PE at Shuu Khinn Thar International College. I have the training and knowledge to create lesson plans that teach students the proper skills for PE – Stamina, Agility, Endurance, Teamwork, and Sportsmanship. Just as importantly, I also possess the patience and dedication needed to work with teenagers and to maintain an orderly and safe learning environment. Beyond teaching and coaching, I enjoy adventure travel, cooking, making new friends, playing with my pets, and, of course, playing sports!