Dharshini Jeremiah
Middle School Assistant Principal, MYP Coordinator (G6-8), Science Teacher
Bachelor of Science (1st Class Hons) (Biomedical)
Doctor of Philosophy (General Medicine)
Graduate Diploma (Secondary Education)
Born in Malaysia and brought up in Australia since the age of 4 by Sri Lankan parents, I have been grateful for the experiences I have had as a third culture child. After completing my PhD in Biomedical Sciences, I got married and decided to pursue an international teaching career. I have enjoyed teaching and leadership positions in public, private and international schools across Australia, UK and Singapore. ISS is truly a family community; one which my own family thrive and grow in everyday. I actively try to educate to make a difference, and I look forward to working with our wonderful community as Assistant Principal of Middle School.
Bruno Alen-Lebon
Drama & French Acquisition Teacher
Licence En Lettres D'Enseignement (Anglais)
Degree in Teaching Literature (French / English)
Master of English (Hons) (Elizabethan Theatre & English Stylistic), Université De Rouen
I have been teaching at ISS International School since 2001. Originally from France, I taught English for the French Ministry of Education and French as a foreign language in various UK and Australian Schools and Universities. Always linking the study of foreign languages and theatre, I was in charge of the cultural activities at the French Institute of Scotland in the 80’s in Edinburgh and served as Deputy Director of Alliance Française in both Sydney and Singapore in the 90’s. I have always had a passion for Musical Theatre, which is shared today with my Drama students and the school community through theatre appreciation outings and full-scale productions. I attended my latest professional development workshop in New York in 2014 where I was fully trained and accredited as part of the MTI Broadway Teachers international team to develop musical theatre education and projects in secondary schools.
Email
Lucy Atkinson
Visual Art and Design Teacher
Bachelor Of Art (Graphic Design)
Graduate Diploma Education (Secondary Art and Design)
I love to walk, wander, and wonder. I love looking, learning about the world, making art, travel, reading, and my 4 sons who are busy making their way in the world. To feel the fabric of a place I always visit the Art Gallery and the fresh food market. Teaching Art and Design internationally has been a great adventure and a privilege. I started out as a designer for a number of years and then became a teacher. Teaching all students how to think creatively for innovation is a passion of mine. It is the difference students can make in the world. I have been teaching senior and middle school students in Austria and China for the last 4 years and before that as Head of Design Art & Technology Canberra Grammar School for 14 years. Prior to that I lectured at Universities in both Melbourne and Canberra in art, design, and education.
Email
Anjana Dayal
Grade 7 Teacher
Master of Science (Education)
I have been fortunate to have worked with some amazing individuals who have guided me and transmitted their passion for teaching throughout my teaching career. Since my teaching career began in 2004, I have continued to learn and grow with my students year after year. I would have to say that teaching the Grade 5 exhibition in my previous school was a key moment in my teaching career as I was able to see a specific group of students really take charge of their own inquiry and bring forth action in their community. The entire exhibition process that year was a learning experience for all the students and teachers involved, and a celebration well deserved for the school community.
Email
Miriam Mahapatra
English Language Support Teacher
Bachelor of Arts (Economics / Sociology)
Bachelor of Education
Post-Graduate Diploma (Management of Learning Disorders)
TESOL Certificate
There is nothing quite like teaching. Each learner, each class, each day is unique. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in a wide spectrum of educational settings. I began my career In Mumbai, India, as a Primary school teacher. Exploring other avenues, I worked with teams, producing English texts for Primary schools and interactive content for teachers to use in Government schools. The move to Singapore provided the opportunity to work in international schools and to teach the PYP curriculum. In schools, and in workshops I’ve attended, I have been fortunate to collaborate with wonderful educators and gain fresh perspectives on teaching and learning.
Once home, I de-stress by walking my retrievers, maintaining my plants and reading. My family love to travel and we try to find places, off the beaten track.
Email
Song Peng
Mandarin Teacher
Bachelor of Education, China
Advanced Diploma of Early Childhood Education, China
Being an educator for 11 years in Singapore, I had the opportunity to work with different groups of children ranging from toddlers to elementary school students. When I am working with my students, I enjoy helping them to reach for their dreams and potential. With my interest in art and dance, I love sharing these aspects of my Chinese culture with everyone I am working with as we live in a diverse society where every should learn to child feel valued and treated with respect.
It is an exciting new journey for me to join ISS International School where I would be able to build on my learning journey as an educator in one of the most established international school in Singapore.
Email
Lichun Rong
Mandarin Teacher
Master of Arts(Teaching Chinese as an International Language), Singapore
Master of Arts (Chinese Modern & Contemporary Literature), China
Bachelor of Arts (Chinese Language & Literature), China
My teaching career began in 1997 after graduating from Yanbian University. I have taught courses like Intensive Chinese, Chinese Listening, Speaking and Writing for students from different countries in the universities for more than ten years in China.
I moved to Singapore in 2013 and have taught for 3 years as an elementary school Mandarin teacher and Bilingual Class Teacher at Eton House International School. Teaching Chinese at IB school has inspired and motivated me to explore more about IB teaching and learning.
I am excited to join ISS International School and to be a part of the school community. My teaching philosophy always encourages me to keep on improving myself to meet students’ needs.
Email
Berna Esendemir Sekhon
Counsellor & Learning Support Teacher
Bachelor of Arts- Journalism & Public Relations
Masters in Counselling
I am originally from Turkey and have been living in Singapore since 1994. I have a vast experience on third culture kids who live in different countries throughout their education lives due to the expatriate life requirements.
My interest in education and students well being derives from curiosity and hunger that I have felt, to make them achieve their best potential and to provide them a conducive environment to do so. I believe every student has equal chance and right for education, no matter what the difficulties they are facing.
I have years of experience working with children and adolescents with special needs and my lifetime goal is to reach out to those who have difficulties and help them along the way by providing a support with a holistic approach that they rightfully need.
I have 2 wonderful teenagers who are continuously helping me to be the best I can.
Email
Patty Winpenny
K-12 Head of Learning Support & Wellness
Master of Education (Special Education)
Master of Arts (Soviet and East European Political Economics)
Bachelor of Arts (Russian Language and Literature)
My teaching career began with languages and travel. I directed US-USSR programs: CIEE’s College Exchange, Children’s Art Exchange, and Citizen Exchange Council educational trips. As a learning specialist in Vermont, I coordinated services with therapists, speech language pathologists, and neurologists. Wanderlust brought me to Asia, and years in Shanghai deepened my resolve to engage students with diverse challenges in inclusive environments.
Discovering meditation through tragedy (widowed and losing a son), I am grateful for life’s gifts. One son is an engineer, married to a Russian dancer; the other is a commercial beekeeper in Hawaii, married to a teacher. Joy is winter holidays with grandchildren in Hawaii and summers together on our Vermont farm.
Cyclist, swimmer, kayaker, skier, Pilates enthusiast, and dancer, I believe in the transformative power of wellness to help us achieve our best. An optimist, I consider myself a teacher diplomat, and am honored to work at ISS.
Email