Primary

Supriyanto

Reception & Year 1 Class Teacher

Supri has been working in Semarang International School for 6 years. He started his position in the administration office as our receptionist. Then Supri was given the opportunity to teach in the Infant class from 2005- 2009. Last school year Supri has been our special subject Bahasa Indonesia teacher in all classes, teaching children from ages 3-12 years. Supri also enjoys assisting in our Physical Education program and has been involved with futsal coaching. Supri has a great personality he is a fun and easy going person and works very well with the children.

Serena Cross

Reception & Year 1 Class Teacher

Serena is from Kailua, Hawaii. She is a graduate of the University of Redlands with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and of Chamidade University of Honolulu with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Serena has been teaching for seven years at Ewa Beach Elementary and Ka’elepulu Elementary in Hawaii. She has taught Kindergarten, Reception, Year 1, and Year 2. Prior to becoming a primary teacher, Serena worked as a gymnastics coach for 10 years. Her strengths are primary literacy education, physical education, and community/teambuilding activities.   Serena believes that the school is a place to help students excel in the unfolding journey of their lives by challenging them to develop their minds and characters. School is a place where learning how to learn is equally important as acquiring general knowledge. Serena strongly believes that children should learn through practical application and the learning process should be dynamic and engaging for all students. Her overall goal is to cultivate lifelong learners and global citizens.

Robert Brandt-Marsden

Year 2 & 3 Class Teacher

Robert Brandt-Marsden was trained in Primary Education for four years at York Saint John University in the county Yorkshire, Northern England. During his time at University, he trained in a variety of urban, sub-urban and rural settings, and also did further experience in a Special Needs school. The time that Robert spent in school placements and at University allowed him to work with a variety of children and develop into fully qualified teacher.   Following University, Robert began his induction year at Forest of Galtres Primary School in North Yorkshire working with year 4 and then year 5 for the following two academic years. During this time he had developed a wider variety of skills, coordinated subjects and worked along members of the community on exciting topics and projects.   Now Robert has entered the great opportunity of working in Semarang International School where he looks forward to teaching year 2 and 3. For a number of years, he has wanted to move abroad and further develop his career in an international school and feels that SIS is the place to do this.

Paramita Kusuma

Year 2 & 3 Class Teacher

Paramita has been working as a local teacher for about six years. Before joining Semarang International School, she worked for an International Preschool in Salatiga as a main teacher for Toddlers then Kindergarten and as a tutor in an English Course Institution in Ungaran as an English trainer for teachers in school training. Mita also had experience in company training, teaching classes from primary level to adults. Paramita has been working in Semarang International School for about 3 years. During her time in Semarang International School she had been worked with the High School students, Infants - as a shadow teacher for children with special needs, Juniors - taught Maths and part of IPC and recently has been working with our Year 2 & 3. Paramita really loves teaching, communicating with people, especially children. She enjoys challenges and new experiences.

Jordan Jonaisse

Year 4, 5, 6, 7 Class Teacher

Jordan Joanisse is from Ottawa, Canada. Before coming to Indonesia, he taught Years 3 through 7 in Canada, Australia, and South Korea. He received an Honors BA in Philosophy from The University of Western Ontario, and a Masters of Teaching Degree from Griffith University.   His goal at Semarang International School is to instil a life-long love of learning in his students, while equipping them with the skills, knowledge and understanding in the 21st century. His teaching is informed by the latest theories and research in the field of education. He believes in a student-centered classroom, with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy. He has a particular interest in integrating technology into his teaching, using a range of resources to facilitate learning in all subjects.   Jordan’s classroom is a safe and supportive learning environment, based on mutual respect and a celebration of diversity. He encourages close and productive relationships with parents, maintaining frequent communication via a class website, e-mail, telephone, and daily availability before and after class. This year, he will use the Cambridge and IPC curricula to develop a rigorous learning program in which all students achieve success and are challenged to reach their highest potential.

Betty Caraen

Year 4, 5, 6 Class Teacher, Head Senior Teacher

Betty comes from Manado, North Sulawesi. Betty studied at Hasanuddin University in Makassar South Sulawesi. When she heard there was a position at Semarang International School and the position involved teaching a small group of children from international backgrounds she was immediately interested and extremely pleased to be appointed. In 1996, Betty started to work at Semarang International School. A few years later she was asked to teach maths, ESL, science, social studies in addition to Bahasa Indonesia to the senior students from year 4 to 8. This year Betty will continue to work in the senior class with Mr. Jordan.   In June 2004, she was appointed to be the Head Indonesian Teacher. One of her important tasks is to be the role model for Indonesian teachers, demonstrating attitudes of carrying, professionalism, support, and high academic expectations for all students. She knows that this is not easy but she always wants to try her best.   In June 2011, Betty was invited to attend the Teacher Exchange Program at Macaulay Primary School in the United Kingdom. It was really a valuable experience for her. She learned a lot of things there especialy the way Macaulay Primary School implements the International Primary Curriculum. Betty believes the best things about working at Semarang International School are the students, the professional and supportive staff, and the great community atmosphere that comes from being a small school. It is lovely to see many age groups learning and playing together. It is certainly an excellent place for children to develop appreciation of different cultures and positive social skills. She is looking forward to more enjoyable and challenging years at Semarang International School.

Siti Ayu

Year 4, 5, 6, 7 Class Teacher

Ayu is our local teacher in the Year 4, 5, 6, & 7 classes. She graduated from Semarang State University (UNNES) majoring in English Literature. She is from the small town of Demak. She has 4 years experience teaching. Before she joined to Semarang International School, she taught at another International School in Semarang. She had also been stayed in Bogor for 3 years and taught at an international school and at an English course in Bogor. She had also taught Bahasa Indonesia for foreigners. She enjoys teaching and likes to work in a school environment. She is very happy to join Semarang International School because she has already made a lot of friends and feels homey. Ayu has a great personality and she loves teaching, especially children.

Years 1 to 6 from ages 5 to 11 years of age.

At Semarang International School we recognise that children have different needs and learning styles. We aim to select teachers who are able to identify and meet the different needs of children in their classes, thus ensuring that each child is given the opportunity to develop their full potential.

Teachers provide a caring, supportive environment based on mutual respect which enhances students’ self esteem and academic progress.

An important aim of our learning program is to motivate and empower students to take responsibility for their own learning, thus better enabling them to succeed in a rapidly changing world. We aim to develop the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of each child by involving students in purposeful, relevant and challenging learning activities and research projects. Computers are used regularly and are an integral part of the learning program.

Children also study the language and culture of their host country, Indonesia. This enriches the learning program and develops students’ appreciation and understanding of their local environment. Additionally, the History and Geography learning areas are modified to include an Indonesian as well as a global context.