Teachers 2013 - Rumbai Pipeline

Lory Thiessen & Norm Flach

posted Aug 25, 2013, 7:19 PM by barryjohnson@isriau.org [ updated Aug 25, 2013, 7:19 PM ]

My husband and I are just beginning our sixth year of life in the jungle. Rumbai camp is our home, our community and our family. For Norm and I, life for the most parts revolves around the school. My goal is to ensure that we provide a learning environment where each child can learn to their full potential. On off hours, we enjoy birding, walking, swimming, dinners with friends, reading and watching movies. We include our dog Chandini in our activities when ever possible. This being our last year here, we want to make every minute count.

Shane Van Staden: Physical Education

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:54 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 23, 2013, 8:21 AM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

E (effort) + I (instruction) + P (progress) = A (achievement)

What a great year this is going to be! I have had the pleasure of teaching physical education and exercise prescription to children and adults from 3 to 68 for the past nineteen years. I'm fortunate to have a career that is both a hobby and a passion, and look forward to teaching and learning with your child.

I expect the best from each of my students, and will teach to achieve it.

Melanie Hill: Music

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:54 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 13, 2013, 7:23 AM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

Hello! My name is Melanie Hill and I love all things music! Singing, dancing, moving, playing - I am always humming a song in my head! I am thrilled to be teaching music here in Rumbai and even more excited to be working with an incredible group of students and teachers. My man and I have been blessed with 4 monkeys and life seems to move to the beat of "ordered chaos" that always keeps me on my toes. I've been in Asia for over 8 years and am thankful for the privilege of living and serving here!

Antonio Pedrett: Spanish

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:54 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 20, 2013, 2:22 AM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

¡Hola me llano Sr. Antonio Pedrett y vengo de los Estados Unidos para enseñarles el español. ¡Venga!

Hi, my name is Sr. Antonio and I'm from the US. Let's have some fun learning Spanish.

Before coming to ISR my Thai wife and I spent three years in Taichung, Taiwan and prior to that we spent five years in Tokyo, Japan. I started my overseas foreign language teaching in Stockholm, Sweden.

I've a K-12 Spanish and ESL teaching license from Colorado in the USA and speak Spanish, English, Swedish, Thai, Japanese and bits from other languages. I grew up bilingual and look forward to immersing students en El Mundo del Español... The World of Spanish.

Gracias!

Ida Ridawati: Indonesian Studies

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:53 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 20, 2013, 7:47 PM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

Halo! Nama saya Ibu Ida.

Hello! My name is Ibu Ida.

This year is my second year of teaching Indonesian Studies and I am excited to be teaching here in Rumba. I teach about the culture of Indonesia, the songs, language, food, and many more things...

I'm looking forward to another great school year!

Andrew Dragonetti: Visual & Performing Arts

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:52 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 20, 2013, 7:49 PM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

An international art educator with a passion for all things art. An instiller of inspiration. A conduit between imagination and medium. An avid life long learner. A kid at heart!

Ken Davis: Science / Counseling

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:46 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 17, 2013, 3:45 AM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

I would like to welcome you to another exciting school year.

I am in my third year at ISR and currently teaching Middle School Science and Math. For the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to teach upper elementary, middle and high school students. My passion for knowledge and understanding the world has guided me into teaching science and math, and I strive to impart this passion to my students.

My wife, Jessica, and I have taught in Myanmar and Saudi Arabia before coming to Indonesia. Our daughter Jane, has recently come into our lives, and we are enjoying parenthood and building our family.

If you have any questions, feel free to email or call to set up an appointment. kendavis@isriau.org

Jessica Davis: Math

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:45 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 19, 2013, 8:27 AM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

ghaH 'ej Duvan math HaDwI'

Welcome to the wonderful world of mathematics.

The world is an intriguing, beautiful place and mathematics is one of the best ways to explore it.

I have been teaching overseas for 7 years and am enthusiastically beginning my third year at the International School of Riau. Before the island of Sumatra, my husband and I taught in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2 years and in Yangon, Myanmar for 3 years. I am originally from the Seattle area and earned my Bachelor's degrees and teaching credentials from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

This year I am teaching Grade 8 Algebra, Grade 6 and Grade 4 math and am looking forward to another great year.

Joe Murphy: Grade 7-8 / Counseling

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:45 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Aug 17, 2013, 3:48 AM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

For the past 20 years, the last four as counselor here at ISR, I’ve had the privilege of working with students, parents, and colleagues to support children as they grow academically and social-emotionally. I can’t wait to start working with the upper elementary and middle school students as we launch another successful year!

In my role as school counselor I work with students and parents to ensure that the social and emotional wellbeing of our children is nurtured and protected. I spend time with our new students as they get settled and comfortable at ISR and regularly check in with teachers to ensure our kids are doing well academically and social/emotionally. The counselor also supports students as they prepare for external standardized tests, for example the SSAT exam for Middle School students. It is a pleasure and privilege to work with the students of ISR and we are looking forward to a successful year.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at your convenience. joemurphy@isriau.org

Diana Dragonetti: Grade 5-6

posted Aug 8, 2013, 8:44 PM by Rumbai Pipeline [ updated Sep 9, 2013, 6:41 PM by barryjohnson@isriau.org ]

Saluton! I am a California native, but I have been teaching overseas since I graduated. Before living in beautiful Indonesia, Andrew & I taught in Dubai and Yangon. All of the places we have lived have been amazing, but Indonesia will always be particularly special, since we arrived as a family of three and will leave as a family of five! I love many things about teaching, and one particular favorite thing is words, some just for the way they sound - tintinnabulation, anyone? I hope some of you are compelled to find out what language my greeting is from.