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Meet our

Faculty Members

Welcome to our School

Ad Astra! To the Stars

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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.

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School Director

Mike Gordon

To the YA International School Community, it is a great honor for me to serve as School Director for the 2025-26 school year. As YA International School celebrates its 21st  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!

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Secondary School Principal

Blake Rodabaugh

Originally from Idaho, USA, I’ve spent the past 29 years working in international schools across the globe—South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Qatar, Kuwait, Cambodia, China, Nigeria, Jordan, Pakistan, and soon, YA International School.

My leadership philosophy is rooted in flexibility and responsiveness. Just as students thrive through diverse learning styles, so too do the support needs of staff, students, and families vary. I’m guided by two metaphors: the shepherd and the tour guide.  In both instances sometimes leading from the front, sometimes supporting from the rear to ensure no one is left behind, and often stepping to the side to allow for exploration, while remaining watchful and ready to support.

Academically, I hold a B.A. in Education from Idaho State University and an M.A. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University and have completed all coursework (ABD) for an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

On a personal note, I’m the proud parent of five children and five grandchildren, spread across Idaho, Washington, Pakistan, and at home with my wife and me. I’m a lifelong motorhead with a passion for anything on wheels, especially street rods and custom bikes. I love hitting the open road, seeing new places and feeling the wind as I ride. I’m also a movie buff and avid reader, especially drawn to sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian stories.

I’m excited for the year ahead and look forward to the learning, collaboration, and growth we’ll share on this journey together.

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Assistant Secondary School Principal

John Lancaster Beck   

I’m John Beck, originally from Buffalo, NY, and I am excited to join the YA International School family this year as Assistant Secondary School Principal. Between coaching swimming, working as an educator (at administrative and teaching levels), and personal trainer - this is my 36th 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. I have a 22-year-old son, Aiden; and a 26-year-old daughter, Sophia. Both are looking forward to visiting me in Myanmar!

​I have been a journalist, climbing guide, Marine officer, tattoo artist, nonprofit director, pool director, professional athlete (mtb and triathlon), carpenter, and a host of other things. 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).

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ECC & Elementary School Principal 

Johannes Jacobus Dippenaar

Embarking on my third year at YA International School, I am honored to assume the role of ECC & Elementary School Principal for the 2025–2026 academic year. Originally from South Africa, I have dedicated my career to education, with a strong foundation in Math and Science instruction. It is a privilege to serve as a guiding presence for students, parents, and teachers.

Since 2009, my journey in education has encompassed a range of leadership roles across various schools. I served internationally as the Academic Quality Controller at SABIS Sun International School in Baku, Azerbaijan, beginning in 2021.

I am deeply passionate about student growth and place great value on meaningful collaboration with parents and staff. My approachable nature and sense of humor have helped me build strong, lasting connections within every school community I've been part of.

Despite the increasing demands of administration, I remain actively engaged in the classrooms, enjoying the collaboration with teachers and students.

As I step into this new chapter, I look forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of YA International School, and to enriching the dynamic environment that makes our school so special.

Early Childhood Center

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Johannes Jacobus Dippenaar

ECC & Elementary School Principal

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Hsar Wah Say

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Pre-KG Homeroom Teacher

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Marian Aung

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Nursery Homeroom Teacher

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Eingyin Hmwe

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Pre-Nursery Homeroom Teacher

Meet our Elementary School Faculty

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Johannes Jacobus Dippenaar

Elementary School

Principal

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Ayu

Weiss

1st Grade

Homeroom​

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Joshua

Gray

4th Grade Homeroom​

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Hnin Wityi

Naing

Myanmar Studies

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Win Naing

Music

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Annabelle

Villanueva

EAL

Coordinator

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Rene

Muller

2nd Grade Homeroom​

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Iain Howerd

George

4th Grade Homeroom​

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Myat Cho Zin

Myanmar Studies

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May Myat Thwel

Computer

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Jonah Mari

Vanilla

Kindergarten

Homeroom â€‹

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Belen

Milla

3rd Grade Homeroom​

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Yadanar Htoo Wint Wah

Art

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Thu Ra Soe

Physical Education

Meet our Secondary School Faculty

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David Miller

Director Emeritus

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John Lancaster Beck

Assistant Secondary

Principal

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William Joseph

Marzen II 

M.S./ H.S. Social Studies

Faculty

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Roshan Gangadeen

M.S./H.S. Mathematics/

Science Teacher

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David Nallapu

M.S./H.S. Mathematics

Faculty

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Justin Weiss

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

Athletic Director

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Mya Mya Soe

M.S./ H.S. Myanmar Studies

Faculty

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Wint War Aung (Winnie)

M.S./ H.S.  Computer Science Faculty

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Kyi Phyu

M.S./ H.S. Mandarin

Faculty

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Mike Gordon

School Director

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Katelyn Kearney

School

Counselor

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Robert George

Powers

M.S./H.S. English

Faculty

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Jude Katumba  

M.S./H.S. Mathematics/

Science Teacher

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Brett Landon Poncia

H.S. English

Faculty

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Chit Loon Kyin

H.S. Myanmar Studies

Faculty

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Wai Wai Aye Kyaw

H.S. Art Faculty

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Saw John Hla Shwe

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M.S./ H.S. Music

Faculty

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Zwe Mon Myo Hein

M.S./ H.S. Mandarin

Faculty

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Blake Rodabaugh

Secondary School Principal

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Jessica Fintak 

Social Studies Faculty/ Guidance Counselor 

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Michael Kent

Fluge

H.S. Science

Faculty

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Christian Canonoy

M.S./H.S. Mathematics

Faculty

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Joshua Frank Thaller

M.S./H.S. Social

Studies Faculty

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Wai Thu Oo

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

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Hay Man Hnin Khai

M.S./H.S. Art

Faculty

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Phone Myat Aung

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M.S./ H.S. Music

Faculty

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Than Min Aung

Science Lab Technician

Your Education Our Passion

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