New GJS Faculty Bios

Hello Global Jaya School community! My name is Dana Ashley Sherwood, it is a privilege to be able to join Global Jaya. I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. I spent six years working in public schools in the United States and then moved overseas in 2013 to become an international school administrator. Most recently, my international experience includes serving as a Primary Dean of Students in Vietnam. I have experience with the IB Program and I strongly believe that the IB curriculum supports our students as lifelong learners, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

When I am not in school, I enjoy spending time with my family. My son, Rory, will join Global Jaya this year, in grade 1.  My family enjoys the outdoors and going to the ocean, whenever we get a chance.  

Most importantly I am honored to have this opportunity to get to know all of our students, families, and community members at Global Jaya this school year.

Hello, my name is Angga Sri Prasetyo, but you can call me Angga. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Driyarkara School of Philosophy and another Bachelor's degree in Theology from Wedabhakti Pontifical Faculty of Theology. Additionally, I completed my Master's degree in Sociology at the University of Indonesia. My academic background has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of philosophical, theological, and sociological perspectives, enabling me to approach education with a broad interdisciplinary approach.

I am excited to join Global Jaya School as a Catholic religion teacher. Prior to my role here, I taught at Pahoa School and had the privilege of educating children in remote areas of Papua and Kalimantan. These experiences have not only enriched my teaching methodology but also reinforced my commitment to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments. I am dedicated to nurturing students' spiritual growth and facilitating thoughtful discussions that encourage critical thinking and empathy. I look forward to contributing positively to the educational community at Global Jaya School and inspiring students to explore and embrace their faith journey.

My name is Devine, and I bring 19 years of dedicated teaching experience to the classroom, having had the privilege of teaching in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. With a doctorate in education, my passion lies in making learning enjoyable and ensuring every student is actively engaged and supported. I eagerly anticipate the start of each new school year, ready to inspire and empower my students.

Hello, my name is Irene. I am the new Art Teacher at Global Jaya School.

It is truly a great opportunity to be able to work together in a new environment. This is my 8th year teaching art at various levels. There is not a single day where I do not feel grateful throughout my teaching career because it has always been my passion. 

Every moment in the classroom is very valuable. It's all such a beautiful experience to watch students grow and share their unique ideas into something practical and impactful for both themselves and their surroundings, and I am sure there will be many positive surprises waiting for me later at Global Jaya School. Find me in the art room, and let's work together on the new journey ahead!

Hello, My name is Alexandre Alves, and I am originally from Portugal. I have dedicated the past 15 years to teaching, with 11 of those years spent internationally. My teaching journey has taken me to diverse locations including the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and Germany, where for the last 6 years, I also served as an Athletic Director and After School Activities Coordinator.

I hold a Master’s degree in Sports Science with a focus on Physical Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Sports Management. Beyond academics, I am passionate about surfing, photography, and literature.

I am committed to empowering students to reach their full potential and strive to be a positive role model. I am excited about the opportunity to meet and collaborate with everyone and contribute to our fantastic school community! Let's go Hawks!

Hello Global Jaya! My name is Gregory Johnson, and I will be teaching in the Secondary Humanities department.  Within the department I will teach DP Business Management as well as MYP Individuals and Society.  I am from the United States, and Portland, Oregon is where I call home. This upcoming academic year will be my eighteenth as an international school educator.  In addition to Indonesia, I have taught in South Korea, Bahamas, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and most recently Bangladesh.  I am joined with my wife and five year old son who will be joining Global Jaya.  When I am not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring different travel destinations, especially beaches.  I also enjoy fishing, and other outdoor activities.  Ultimately, I am very excited to join the Global Jaya School community and work with everyone to provide the best educational experiences possible. 

Hello, wonderful people of Global Jaya School. My name is Frederick Kwame Sakyi, and I am thrilled to begin a new journey at Global Jaya School. I am from Ghana, West Africa, and have been teaching the IB DP and Cambridge Science curricula for a combined period of 10 years. Supporting each student in all aspects of their development - academic, socio-emotional, and language - is a challenge that I am honored to embrace every day. I am married and have two lovely daughters. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, playing table tennis and soccer, and unwinding at the beach with family and friends. I am genuinely eager to be a part of the Global Jaya School community, which has earned a stellar reputation for its commitment to providing high-quality education. I am looking forward to collaborating with you as we work together to nurture and empower the students.

My name is Amadea, and you can call me Bu Dea! 

I have worked at several school as a primary and secondary counselor, providing support for students' academic and social emotional development. In my spare time I like to play  with my two big puppies and jogging around South Jakarta. Is anyone interested in joining me ?

I’m very honored to be a part of the Global Jaya Family and hoping to contribute my social emotional support for each students success

Please drop by my office and say Hi; I would like to get to know you :)

Hello, my name is Azizah Suli Kawalian but you can call me Azizah, or Suli. I have been working in the education field for 6 years in counseling and learning diversity roles. I have earned my bachelor’s degree from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, and master’s degree from Leiden University, Netherlands, both in Psychology. In my leisure time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and doing puzzles. I am honored to join Global Jaya School as the new Learning Diversity Teacher and help cater for individual learning needs and varied learning styles. Looking forward to meeting you all!

Hello! My name is Bagas Tri Satria, and I will be part of the Religion Department as an Islamic subject teacher for the whole school. I am a lifelong learner who secured a Bachelor of Religious Education in Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy from the University of Darussalam Gontor and have been teaching in the Islamic studies field for the last ten years.

I'm extremely excited and honored to be part of the Global Jaya community. Also, looking forward to kicking off the wonderful journey along with all of you.

I’m Eugene from Russia. I have a PhD in Early Childhood Education and over 11 years of teaching in China, Macau, Egypt, Bahrain, and the Philippines. These opportunities have enriched my understanding of different cultures and educational systems. I’m passionate about creating fun, nurturing learning environments for young children.

Hello, I am Ian. I am originally from Portland, Oregon but have lived, studied, and taught all over the world. This is my 10th year in education and Sixth year as an IB teacher. My role this year is as the year 7 Head of Year and as an MYP and DP English teacher. Throughout the year, I hope to inspire my students to gain the skills they need to develop lasting knowledge and understanding of their local and international community. I look forward to getting to know you all and am very thankful to the Global Jaya family for providing me with the opportunity to grow with you as an educator and life-long learner. 

Hi! I’m Elvin. I am going to be teaching MYP Science for the upcoming academic year. I have been teaching since 2016 in various schools with an international curriculum. I hold degrees in both Biotechnology and Psychology, and I am very passionate about both, more specifically in human development and experiences. I believe every human is unique and all human experiences are fascinating. 

I am really looking forward to meeting you to share our experiences and explore the world of science together.

Hello! My name is Lasin Ilbay, and I am thrilled to join Global Jaya School as the PYP Coordinator. Born in Germany and raised in Turkiye, my educational and professional journey has been enriched by experiences in various countries including the USA, Thailand, China, UAE, and Iraq. These diverse environments have shaped my educational philosophy and strengthened my commitment to the IB framework.

I hold a Master's in Education - Leadership and Management from the University of Reading-UK and a BS in Sports Sciences and Technology.  I am passionate about fostering an inquiry-based educational environment that not only challenges but also engages our young learners in meaningful ways. Additionally, I conduct PYP workshops for educators in IB schools, promoting inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning approaches that are pivotal in the IB curriculum.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling to discover other cultures, experimenting with healthful cooking, diving, and participating in various sports to stay active. At Global Jaya School, I am excited for an amazing year of collaboration with children, parents, and staff to create a supportive and creative learning environment.

Pak Jake was born in rural Wisconsin and spent a great deal of his time growing up hunting, fishing, and farming. He discovered movies at a young age and spent a great deal of his time watching them before going to college in Chicago where he spent even more time in front of cinema screens. Pak Jake has been a video artist for over a decade and many of his works have shown in film festivals and solo shows around the world. He has lived and taught in Czechia, China, and now Indonesia, where he is incredibly excited to be part of the Global Jaya community. When not teaching, Pak Jake can be found at home watching movies and listening to vinyl records with Sara, his beloved wife of twenty years, and their world-traveling cats.