Staff Biographies 2015

Transcription

1 Middle and High School Vahagn Vardanyan Head of High School and DP Coordinator Mr. Vahagn Verdanyan is a native of Armenia. Before joining HWA in 2008, he worked at the Beijing Huijia Private School (HWA s sister school) where he taught Economics for the IB Diploma Programme. Mr. Vahagn is HWA S IB Diploma Programme Coordinator and the Head of High School. He holds an Economics degree, a professional diploma in teaching, and two Master s degrees. Currently, Mr. Vahagn is also working on his doctoral research at the National University of Singapore. Dorothy Mubweka Teacher, Middle School dorothym@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Dorothy Mubweka is from Kenya, and joined HWA in She holds a Master of Education from Adelaide University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology from Egerton University, and a Diploma of Educational Studies from the College of Teachers in the UK. Ms. Mubweka has worked in the field of education for over nine years, seven of which have been spent at HWA. Max Lew Cheng Wee Teacher, High School maxl@hwa.edu.sg Mr. Lew Wee Max has attended numerous IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme workshops for the past three years, and currently teaches HWA s Middle and High School Science and Mathematics Programme. He graduated from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, and has been teaching for over nine years in Singapore and Malaysia. Currently, he is the CAS coordinator at HWA. Huang Xiao Xia xiaoxiah@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Huang Xiaoxia obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language Education from Henan University, China, and has also worked as a lecturer and Head of Department at Hunan Medicine College. She has been teaching Chinese in Singapore for almost 20 years, and has attended numerous IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme workshops. She currently teaches the Middle School and High School Chinese Language Acquisition Programme. Ms Huang is also the coordinator for languages other than English for the Middle and High schools at HWA. Wu Dan danw@hwa.edu.sg In 2008, Ms. Wu Dan graduated with a Master s degree in Mathematics from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her excellent academic accolades gave her the opportunity to work with the University of Hong Kong s Math Department. Before joining HWA in 2013, Ms. Wu taught both Additional and Elementary Mathematics to secondary school students in Singapore. She has been teaching mathematics in Singapore for almost four years. Bhavna Narayanan / University Counsellor bhavnan@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Bhavna Narayanan is an IB Diploma and Middle Years Programme teacher. She is also the University Counsellor. She graduated with a MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development from the University College, London, and a Bsc (Hons) in Earth Science from the Imperial College London. She is currently working towards her Master s degree in Education. Ms. Narayanan is also an International Baccalaureate Diploma holder from the United World College of South East Asia. Zhai Mei Ling Emily emilyz@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Zhai Meiling (Emily) has a Master of Education in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, and a Bachelor s degree in Primary Education and Chinese Language Literature. Ms. Zhai has over 21 years of teaching experience, and has worked in HWA since Sakhar S/O Govindan Nair Head of Middle School and MYP Coordinator sakharn@hwa.edu.sg Mr. Sakhar Nair was born in Singapore but has lived, studied and taught in many places including Nepal, the USA, Indonesia and Singapore. He obtained First Class Honours degree in English Literature from the National University of Singapore. After graduating, he completed a Master s degree in English Literature at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He currently teaches the English curriculum at the high school level, and has been teaching for more than 10 years.

2 Middle and High School Ganapathy Sankara Lakshmi Ms. Ganapathy Sankara Lakshmi is from India. She earned her First Class Master of Science and Master of Philosophy in Physics from Periyar University in Tamil Nadu, India. She also has a degree in Education. For two years before joining HWA, she was a lecturer in Tamil Nadu, India, at the Mahendra Engineering College for Women, Anna University. Ms. Ganapathy has been with HWA for three years, and currently teaches Physics and Mathematics. Rufino Gabriel Sacro Villanueva Teacher, PE Department rgv@hwa.edu.sg Mr. R.G. Villanueva is from the Philippines, but grew up in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He obtained a Bachelor s degree in Secondary Education at the University of St. La Salle, and has a Master of Arts in Teaching Physical Education from the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos, both from the Philippines. In 2008, he became a certified Physical Education teacher in Illinois. He now teaches Physical Education in HWA, in addition to being the CCA Supervisor for the Primary, Middle, and High School students. Mika Pejovic mikap@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Mika Pejovic is from Australia, but grew up in Asia and Europe. She graduated with a BSc in Physiology from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and has a DipEd from the University of Queensland, Australia. Ms. Mika is also an International Baccalaureate Diploma holder from United World College of South East Asia. Mona Lim Teacher, Music Department monal@hwa.edu.sg Ms Mona Lim has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree from Kingston University, UK, a Master of Arts in Education, and was a research scholar from National Institute of Education in Singapore. Ms. Lim is also certified with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Durham, UK, and a Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Higher Education. She has also obtained her Licentiate in Music from the Royal Schools of Music and from the Trinity College of Music, London. Ms.Lim has more than 10 years of teaching experience, and currently conducts music lessons at HWA. She has choreographed for the Chingay performance in Singapore, the St. Patrick s Day event with the Irish Embassy in Singapore, and for the inaugural Singapore Youth Olympic Games She is also a member of the Artistic Resource Panel for the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, contributes to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and has been an external examiner for the University of Wales. For her contribution to the Arts in Singapore, she was recently awarded a Special Recognition Award. Luz Jose Antonio Teacher, Middle School; MYP English Language Coordinator antoniol@hwa.edu.sg Hailing from the Philippines, Tony grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and has lived and worked as a teacher in Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, and he completed his graduate degree studies in TESOL at Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C.. He also trained as a fine artist (painting) at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver. At HWA, he currently teaches MYP English Language Acquisition as well as the MYP Design course. Tony is also the English Language Coordinator for the middle school. Hanna Elisabet Ucko Neill Manager, Marketing Communication Office hannau@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Hanna has a MSc in Development Studies from SOAS in University of London, UK, and a BSc Econ in International Relations from London School of Economics in the UK. She is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate of Education with the University of Buckingham. Ms. Hanna has held media roles as Press Officer, Media Consultant and Information Officer at the United Nations in New York and Geneva. Prior to joining HWA, she worked at the International Institute for Strategic Studies as Coordinator and Global Conflicts Analyst.

3 Middle and High School Sonja Bretschneider Teacher, High School Ms. Sonja Bretschneider is a third culture kid, born to American parents and raised in Germany. Asia has been Ms. Bretschneider s home for 19 years, 13 of those were mostly spent as an educator of English and the Humanities. She has a Master of Education degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies from St. Olaf College, both from the USA. Primary School Manju Nair Head of PYP and PYP Coordinator manjun@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Manju Nair has a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston, USA, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature. She was an adjunct lecturer for Wheelock College s BSc in Early Childhood Education programme in Singapore. Ms. Manju has worked with the Primary Years Programme as a HWA homeroom teacher, and returned to the school in 2011 after a period of three years as Head of Primary Years Programme. James Anthony Tobin jamest@hwa.edu.sg Mr. James Tobin comes from Florida, USA. He obtained three Bachelor s degrees and a Master of Education degree from the Florida Atlantic University. He has been working in the education sector for three years, and has the experience of teaching young children in China and Taiwan. He joined HWA in Ritchelle Valdez ritchellev@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Ritchelle Valdez comes from the Philippines. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with Applied Linguistics, and has completed the academic requirements for a Master of Education in Special Education. She has over seven years of teaching experience in the lower primary level. Ms. Valdez taught in the Philippines and Indonesia before joining HWA in Nurhafizah Mohamad nurhafizahm@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Nurhafizah Mohamad is from Singapore, and has a Cambridge Diploma in Teachers and Trainers. Ms. Mohamad has taught in international schools in Yangon and Medan for over three years. Her expertise is in Mathematics. She enjoys helping children understand the world of numbers, and has contributed to the enhancement of the Mathematics Programme in her previous schools. Ms. Mohamad joined HWA in Mandy Lau mandyl@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Mandy Lau is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong with a PGDE in Mathematics and Visual Art. She joined HWA in Joshua Alan Medendorp joshuam@hwa.edu.sg Mr. Joshua Medendorp comes from Michigan, USA. He obtained his Master of Arts in Education from the Dominican University in Illinois, and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the Ferris State University in Michigan, both in the USA. Mr. Medendorp has over seven years of teaching experience, and joined HWA in He is the Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher.

4 Primary School Song Peng Ms. Song Peng holds a degree in Education from Shenyang Normal University in China, and has taught in several preschools and primary schools in Singapore for the past eight years. She teaches Mandarin, and Chinese music and dance in HWA. Chen Qing qingc@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Chen Qing is from China. She obtained her Master of Education in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, and has over five years of teaching experience as a Chinese and Art teacher. Ms. Chen joined HWA in 2007, and currently teaches Chinese Language to Grade 5 and 6 students. Qian Hong Teacher, Primary & Middle School hongq@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Qian Hong is from China. She holds a Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language. In 2008, she graduated from Rhode Island College, USA, and taught American college students Mandarin for four years. When she pursued her Master s degree, she taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for two years. She joined HWA in 2014 as an ESL teacher at the primary and middle school levels. She enjoys reading and travelling in her spare time. Lydia Wong Yee Jia Teacher, Music Department / Arts Coordinator lydiaw@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Wong Yee Jia (Lydia) comes from Malaysia. She obtained her Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas in Austin, USA, and her Master of Music from the Steinhardt School at New York University, USA. In June 2014, she completed the Orff-Schulwerk professional studies and practical training, and received the ANCOS Certificate of Accreditation (Level 1). She is also a licensed Encore Music teacher for the Kinder Beat programme. She has taught students ages four to 18 in Malaysia, Singapore and the USA for over six years. Ms. Wong joined HWA in 2012, and currently teaches the Kindergarten, Primary and High School Diploma Music Programme. Cong Hui Teacher, Art Department huic@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Cong Hui comes from China. She obtained her Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Harbin Normal University in China. She has over nine years of teaching experience, and received several awards and achievements. Ms. Cong joined HWA in 2013 and teaches the Primary, Middle and High schoool Visual Art Programme. Elisa Muliasari Murdiono Teacher Assistant, Kindergarten elisam@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Elisa Murdiono comes from Indonesia. She obtained a Master s degree in Commerce before getting certified in pre-school teaching. She has experience in developing students emotionally and intellectually, and has worked with nursery children. She joined HWA in Uyen Nguyen uyenn@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Nguyen is Vietnamese-American. She obtained a Master of Education in America, and has teaching experience in Japan, America, and Singapore. She joined the HWA team in. Tan Joshua Lee-Wai joshuat@hwa.edu.sg Mr. Joshua Tan comes from Perth, Australia, and was born to Malaysian-Chinese parents. Mr. Tan has a passion for lifelong learning, and holds a Bachelor of Education, specialising in primary education at the Curtin University, Australia. He has classroom teaching experience in Australia and at IB World Schools in Indonesia and Taiwan. Mr. Tan joined HWA in.

5 Primary School Fu Wen Juan Ms. Fu Wen Juan has an Advanced Diploma in Chinese Language Teaching and a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education Teaching, both from the KLC International Institute in Singapore. She has about 10 years of experience teaching Mandarin in local and international schools. Malarvizhi Ledchunan Administrative Manager, Primary & Kindergarten malarl@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Mala Ledchunan is from Singapore. She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education, and was trained in Management and Consultancy in Early Childhood with the National Institute of Education in Singapore. Ms. Ledchunan has 24 years of teaching experience in local and international education. Kindergarden Lu Na nal@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Lu Na has been teaching Mandarin in Singapore since She graduated from the Asia International College, Singapore, with a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education. Eda Go edag@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Eda Go is from the Philippines and has a Bachelor s degree in Early Childhood Education from De La Salle University, Philippines, and a Master s degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College, Boston, USA. She also has a certificate in KinderMusik and Encore on Keys Music Programme for young children. Ms. Go has been teaching children from ages one to six for seven years. She joined HWA in Monique Laufs moniquel@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Monique is from South Africa, where she obtained her Honours Degree in Psychology at the University of South Africa. She also completed her education certificate and has taught in Cape Town, Turkey and Singapore. She has been with HWA since Liu Chunyan chunyanl@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Liu Chun Yan comes from China. She obtained a Bachelor s degree majoring in Finance from the Central Radio and TV University in China, and holds a Diploma in Pre-School Education from Jilin Vocational Teachers College. She has nine years of teaching experience having taught all levels in local pre-school from Toddlers, N1, N2, K1 to K2. Natalie Bennett Rose natalier@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Rose comes from the UK, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Architecture from the Teesside University, UK. She obtained her Post-Graduate Certificate of Education at Edge Hill University in the UK, and has taught students aged four to adults in college. She joined HWA in Fan Xia xiaf@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Fan Xia is from China. She has a Bachelor s degree in Education from the Beijing Sport University, China. She taught in Huijia Private School for 2 years, before joining HWA as a kindergarten teacher in 2014.

6 Kindergarden Tian Yurong Tian Yurong is from Jilin, China, where she worked as a kindergarten teacher for 17 years. She moved to Singapore in 2007 to teach Mandarin at EtonHouse International School, where she overhauled the Mandarin syllabus for primary students. Chen Qingxia Teacher Assistant, Kindergarten qingxiac@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Chen Qingxia comes from China. She completed her high school education in 2008, and has the experience of working with nursery children. She joined HWA as a Teacher Assistant in Other Oh Eun Jeong Teacher, Korean eunjeongo@hwa.edu.sg Ms. Oh Eun Jeong is a native of Korea, and has been teaching in schools for over 10 years. She has two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Korean Language, Culture and Literature as well as a Master s degree from SungKyunKwan University in Seoul, Korea. Before joining HWA, she worked in a number of schools in Korea, China and Singapore including the Beijing No.15 Middle School, the Singapore Korean International School, and the National University of Singapore. Ms. Oh holds a Korean language teaching license, and joined HWA in 2012 as the High School Korean Language teacher, and is currently the IB Diploma Programme Korean teacher. Lusine Khachatryan Teacher, Armenian lusinek@hwa.edu.sg Lusine Khachatryan comes from Armenia. She graduated from the Yerevan State University where she obtained a Bachelor s degree in Oriental Studies and Literature, followed by a Master s degree in the field of Political Science and International Affairs from the American University of Armenia. Prior to joining HWA, Lusine taught high school students at local and private schools in Armenia, and now provides support in teaching Language A: Armenian Literature to Armenian students at HWA. Lusine Vardanyan Teacher, Primary /Middle Lusinek@hwa.edu.sg Mrs. Vardanyan obtained Bachelor of Arts in Layout Art and a Bachelor of Arts in Italian Language in Armenia. She has been teaching in HWA since 2014.