
Meet our
Faculty Members
Welcome to our School
Ad Astra! To the Stars

Director Emeritus
David Miller
Working together with students, clubs, parents, teachers, and others each year we seem to set the standard higher each time. We are quite honored to have in our midst such resourceful and sensitive teachers working in close collaboration with our polite, collaborative, and creative students. All this planning and action coheres into a very special family-oriented environment that makes Yangon Academy; an extraordinary place to study.

School Director
Mike Gordon
To the YA International School Community, it is a great honor for me to serve as School Director for the 2026-27 school year. As YA International School celebrates its 22nd Year, I am eager to support and serve our wonderful parents and students as well as our dedicated teachers and staff as we collaborate toward “making a positive difference in a diverse and ever-changing world.” Our united mission this school year will be focused on achieving excellence, of taking care of one another, and of serving our communities. I am excited to be on this journey with you all!​
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Let’s Go Wolves!

Director of Curriculum
Blake Rodabaugh
Originally from Idaho, USA, I have spent the past 31 years in international education, serving in schools across South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Côte d'Ivoire, Qatar, Kuwait, Cambodia, China, Nigeria, Jordan, Pakistan, and now Myanmar. As Curriculum Director, I am passionate about strengthening curriculum, fostering outstanding teaching and learning, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. As educators we are much like a shepherd or a tour guide – guide - sometimes leading from the front, sometimes walking behind to ensure no one is left behind, and at times stepping to the side to let others explore, while remaining watchful and ready to support. I hold a B.A. in Education from Idaho State University, an M.A. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University, and completed all doctoral coursework (ABD) in Organizational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University. I look forward to partnering with our students, staff, and families as we continue to build on Yangon Academy's tradition of academic excellence.

ECC & Elementary School Principal
Johannes Jacobus Dippenaar
As I embark on my fourth year at Yangon Academy International School, I am honored to serve as the ECC & Elementary School Principal for the 2026–2027 academic year. Originally from South Africa, I have dedicated my career to education and leadership, with a strong foundation in Mathematics and Science instruction. It is a privilege to support and guide our students, parents, and teachers as we work together to create a positive and enriching learning environment. My educational journey began more than three decades ago, and since 2009 I have held a variety of leadership positions in schools across different educational settings. Prior to joining Yangon Academy, I served as the Academic Quality Controller at SABIS Sun International School in Baku, Azerbaijan, where I began my international leadership experience in 2021. I am deeply passionate about student growth and achievement and strongly believe in building meaningful partnerships between school and home. My approachable leadership style, combined with a positive outlook and sense of humor, has enabled me to develop strong and lasting relationships with students, parents, and colleagues throughout my career. Although educational leadership brings many administrative responsibilities, I remain committed to being actively involved in classrooms and school life. I value opportunities to work closely with teachers and students, supporting high-quality teaching and learning experiences across all grade levels.

Assistant Secondary School Principal
John Lancaster Beck
I’m John Beck, originally from Buffalo, NY, and I am excited to be a part of this extraordinary YA family as assistant secondary school principal. Between coaching swimming, working as an educator (at administrative and teaching levels), and personal trainer - this is my 39 year in the kid business. I have had leadership roles in schools ranging from head of department to head of school, teaching roles from Montessori to secondary (History, English, and Spanish), and swim coaching roles from the Olympic level in Trinidad and Tobago to head of AGUA in NYC. In the last 25 years, I have lived in Honduras, Myanmar, El Salvador, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, NYC, Virginia, rural New York, and Sedona, AZ. I love all things water (surfing, diving, swimming, rafting, etc); and all things two-wheeled (motorcycles, mountain bikes, etc). I have a 23-year-old son, Aiden; and a 27-year-old daughter, Sophia. Both are looking forward to visiting me in Myanmar!
Meet our Elementary School Faculty
Meet our Secondary School Faculty
Ms. Ella Blanchard
Schoolwide Coordinator for Digital Learning/ H.S. Physical Education & Health
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