Timothy Carr

Head of School
tcarr@jisedu.or.id

Having lived in six countries on four continents as a family, Barbara and I felt an odd sense of homecoming upon arrival in Jakarta. With our two sons off at North American universities, this was our first international move without children in over 20 years. We chose JIS as the next grand adventure for a host of good reasons, not least of which was its powerful mission. JIS seems poised to become that creative, innovative learning environment, infused by Indonesian optimism, to which it aspires. Bicycle rides, trail runs, and hikes around west Java have reminded us of the tea plantations of Sri Lanka, the slopes of Kilimanjaro, the peaks of Costa Rica's central valley, Brazil's tropical interior, and the foothills of Mt. Fuji. Each new country and school community has afforded us the most profound learning experiences that I can imagine, and we feel truly fortunate that we now have such an opportunity at Jakarta International School.

Vivien Brelsford

Head of Business Development
vbrelsford@jisedu.or.id

I see my arrival at JIS as a matter of congruence. My career in Hotel and Catering Management and Finance in the UK, Zambia and Zimbabwe was perfect preparation for my position here. Living in Asia is the achievement of a life goal, but I was totally unprepared for the extent to which it would enrich my life. I find it stimulating and challenging to be surrounded by the consummate educators at JIS who learn from each other as they focus on enhancing student learning. As a bonus, I get to travel extensively throughout Indonesia and Asia while developing a personal passion for photography.

Stephen Druggan

sdruggan@jisedu.or.id

After 16 years in Europe, split across Italy and Germany, Pia and I felt it was time for our family to extend ourselves and we are ecstatic to be part of the JIS learning community. We believe in and highly value international education and  feel fortunate to have joined a leading international school. This is especially important  for  us since our  sons – Kilian and Alec - will be continuing their international education in the JIS Middle School. Learning occurs for me when there is a healthy balance between intense cognitive stimulation and time and space for reflection. I am sure that the needed stimulation and the spaces will appear in abundance throughout our Indonesian experience.

Dennise Rao

Head of Admissions
drao@jisedu.or.id

I am an Australian and have lived as an expatriate for the past 28 years in France, UAE and Indonesia. I have worked as a crises intervention counselor, classroom teacher, activities director and in my current role as the Admissions and JIS Academy Coordinator.  I am married with three children, all graduates from JIS, and have been working at  Jakarta International School for the past 12 years.  JIS has been more than a wonderful educational establishment for my own children; it has provided us with community and life long friendships. My greatest joy in life is my children and, whenever I can, I love to find the time to visit them in their new careers and cities.

Christina Devitt

Head of Technology
cdevitt@jisedu.or.id

A series of unexpected twists and turns took me from music to computer science to philosophy, but looking back, all roads did seem to point to a career in education. I've worked in college admissions, and taught a range of students from elementary to university in a range of subjects from a “Utopia and Dystopia" to Web Design to Math to AP Computer Science. It might sound cliché, but learning really is my passion. And while I enjoy learning from the pages of a book or the pixels of a browser, my favorite learning space is wherever I find myself lost in engaging conversation with others. Fortunately, JIS has those "spaces" in abundance, and I am constantly learning from the curious minds and generous spirits that make up the extraordinary JIS community.

Chisato Hara

Head of Communications
chara@jisedu.or.id

After a stint in professional dance in London to fulfill a childhood dream, I pursued another love – for words – and followed this path through public relations and free-lance copywriting, and as an editor at The Jakarta Post. JIS is a place I've often returned to, mostly to visit my 'old' teachers, and it's dawned on me only recently that it is a kind of home and has always been so. I believe learning stems from a childish fascination with all things, and the best part is that it doesn't require a defined space. Still, I do like to sit in a tree to mull thoughts. Forsaking tree-climbing, I like to cook, try my hand at home repairs and design cute greeting cards and stationery for fun.

Chris McCann

Head of Organizational Development
cmccann@jisedu.or.id

After 11 years as an officer in the Australian Army, I decided to wander the world as a scuba diving instructor. Eventually, I found myself in the security and risk management industry and had amazing experiences working in Asia, Middle East and Africa. I especially enjoyed working for the United Nations World Food Programme and UNICEF as a security advisor in emergency humanitarian missions. I have been working in Indonesia for seven of the last 13 years, from Aceh in the west to Papua in the east. Prior to JIS, I was the security advisor for the World Bank in Indonesia. I am married to a wonderful Balinese lady and we have two young boys. My passions in life are my family, friends, reading, old movies, chess, sunrises and outdoor activities.

Robert Giannella

Head of Facilities Development
rgiannella@jisedu.or.id

I guess it was destiny that led me to Indonesia: It was love at first sightin Singapore where I met my wife, who happens to be Chinese-Indonesian. We were married in Bali and after returning to Indonesia, we were blessed with a miracle son. I have an extensive career span of over 27 years in the property / facilities industry, including nearly 8 years working and living internationally within Southeast Asia and predominantly in emerging markets, managing large multiple complex sites with expertise in facilities / project management as well as contract works for various government and private sector businesses. Hoping to complement the current JIS community, my challenge will be to create a strong service philosophy and culture by ensuring a consultative approach with everyone in the team, while developing and building strong relationships with a range of different customers towards resolving the particular issues that need addressing. The few years that I have lived and worked in Southeast Asia have been the most rewarding and life-changing in ways I would never have imagined. We feel truly fortunate that I now have such an opportunity to work at Jakarta International School and no matter what happens in the future, I can honestly say that Indonesia will be part of me forever.

Helen Thain RN, BN, MPH

Health Services
hthain@jisedu.or.id

I was born and raised in Scotland but have lived overseas for the last 13 years. As a nurse, I have had the opportunity to work in many areas including intensive care, medical research, occupational health and school nursing. JIS is an incredible organization to be a part of – there is always something exciting going on, which makes for a busy time for the health care team. My favorite learning space would be anywhere I can read with my son. Spending time reading together is fun and helps me to de-stress and re-focus. When I am not at JIS, you can find me running around the streets of Jakarta with a group of like-minded individuals or sitting in a coffee shop with a latte and a newspaper.

Helen Thain (left)

Paul Buckley

Pattimura Elementary Principal
pbuckley@jisedu.or.id

After teaching, living and leading in diverse schools around the world – from traditional Aboriginal settlements in Central Australia to the culture, history and dynamism of China and the tropical splendor of Sri Lanka – our family arrived in Jakarta where I feel proud to be Principal of Pattimura Elementary School. I love that JIS is a microcosm of Indonesia, filled with passionate people closely engaged with each other, striving to seek unity in our diversity, located in a spectacular natural environment. My favourite learning space is outside where I find I am continually engaged with exciting people - big and small – and ideas as big as the landscape we are in. I love the active lifestyle of cycling, running and swimming, the tranquility of SCUBA diving and the creative joy of playing bass guitar in a rock and roll blues band.  

Butch Koltai

Pattimura Elementary Vice Principal
ckoltai@jisedu.or.id

After teaching for two years in California, I decided it was time to hop on a plane and explore the world and so I went to a job fair, eventually landed a Grade 3 teaching position at PIE, met my wife, moved into administration and haven't looked back since! Although JIS is the only international school I have worked at and I don't have a lot to compare it to, in my experience, the people working at JIS are generally open to new ideas, are committed to improving learning for students and are genuinely interested in and are fond of the students in their care. I haven't found a favorite learning space yet but when I do, I guarantee it will have lots of food and a wifi connection! I enjoy reading with my little girls, playing soccer, watching movies, and traveling with friends and family.

Elsa Donohue

Pondok Indah Elementary Principal
edonohue@jisedu.or.id

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, I moved to the U.S. to pursue university studies at the age of sixteen. Soon after I took my first education course and the accompanying work in a charter school, I knew that working with primary-aged children was my calling. Since then, I have had the sheer pleasure of teaching and learning with children ages 3 through 11 over a span of 26 years. Teaching and leading has taken me around the globe (Ecuador, U.S., Romania, Thailand, Switzerland and Ghana) in the company of my family. Indonesia is a second home to us, as this is our second tour, having lived in Sumatra for seven years almost a decade ago. Central to my personal and professional philosophy is the idea that we never stop learning and that all children are capable of learning. Golf, swimming, reading, and spending time with my family are my favorite ways to relax when I am not dedicating myself to the life of PIE!

Anna Leach

Pondok Indah Elementary Vice Principal
aleach@jisedu.or.id

I was born, raised, and educated in the UK where I first ventured into teaching in a remote cathedral city. After a post in the Middle East, I started teaching at JIS, 20 years ago. I value the professionalism of my colleagues at JIS, the quality learning environment for students (selfishly and especially for my own two children) and the genuine care that resonates throughout the school. My favorite learning space is anywhere in the world where I can listen, learn, interact and be professionally deepened. My joys in life are my children and PIE, so while I don’t have much time for hobbies, I think I am most fortunate. Still, I couldn't make it through any day without two loves: my music and a reviving cup of afternoon Earl Grey!

Christophe Henry

Middle School Principal
chenry@jisedu.or.id

I am a Canadian: born in the East, worked in the West, employed at a school that I love Best! Go JIS!  I value that the Middle School at JIS is committed to a focus on student learning and well-being.  Students are the primary reason for the existence of schools, and as such, their interests should be at the heart of everything we do as educators. As far as learning spaces go,  I enjoy sitting atop a hill, next to the Wilson’s farm, overlooking the Bay of Fundy. This is a space that allows for deep reflection, the essence of learning.  I have a six-year old daughter and a loving wife. They are my passion.  Mountain air and spectacular scenery constantly beckon. Skiing is my hobby.  Middle School students keep me sane. They are my interest. 

Anthea Clifton

MS Vice Principal
aclifton@jisedu.or.id

From the small communities, blue skies and wide-open spaces of Australia my husband, eldest daughter and I found ourselves driving through the streets of Jakarta in January 1997. Since then there have seen so many changes: we’re now a family of five, and Jakarta has grown bigger and busier than ever.The rich and diverse culture of Indonesia has nurtured our family and challenged us to grow and evolve into true global citizens. For me JIS has been a place that has allowed me to work with outstanding educators and also provided my own children with a truly special education. My favorite learning space is when I’m outdoors riding my bike and I have the opportunity for some uninterrupted moments of self-reflection.

Steve Clark

HS Principal
sclark@jisedu.or.id

Born, raised and educated in Australia, I have worked in education for the past 26 years with the most recent 11 years being spent in international schools in Munich and Jakarta, where my wife Margaret teaches Health in the Middle School.  My philosophy on education is deliberately simple – design learning to be wondrous and rewarding, always project yourself into the mind of a young learner and make school a special place for the whole community.  I feel blessed to serve JIS as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend.  In the small amount of spare time I have, I enjoy being physically active, reading, traveling and watching my own children enjoying life as young adults.

Peter Round

HS Vice Principal of Academic Affairs
pround@jisedu.or.id

I began my working life as a weather forecaster before moving into teaching in the UK. A desire to  travel and explore the world led to teaching in Geneva, Aleppo, and Muscat before arriving here at JIS in 2000 where I was bitten with the management and leadership bug. As a place from which our own three children graduated I feel strongly attached to JIS, and I value the students and their self-directedness most of all. I have two favourite learning spaces in the world: the Physics Lab and the Internet. Both allow extraordinary experimentation of very different sorts, are places to ask questions and provide ways of seeking answers. I'm attached to hills, mountains (walking in, skiing down and looking at) and clouds (just looking at!), as well as France and most things French.

Doreen McCarthy

HS Vice Principal of Student Affairs
dmccarthy@jisedu.or.id

I am Scottish and very proud of my Celtic roots, and have thoroughly enjoyed the past 35 years as an English teacher and Head of Department. Where JIS is concerned, I most value the diversity, the energy, the respectfulness  of the student body and the ability to interact with such outstanding teachers. My favorite learning space has to be the Bodleian Library in Oxford; in that room, I can learn by osmosis. I love reading -- choosing classics over contemporary literature -- and while traveling is high up there as a love of mine, I am truly passionate about home and family.