6th GRADE Learning Community

Welcome to the Grade 6 Learning Community! Click here for the Quarter 1 newG6 LC Quarter One sletter!

The Grade 6 LC teachers have compiled this Newsletter to communicate with parents of Grade 6 students. In this newsletter, you will find an overview of the topics and themes that will be covered in the core classes this quarter. You will also find pictures of many students working in their core subject areas of Social Studies, Science, English, and Math.

Please note that Courtney Berry and Nathan Berry are the team leads for this Learning Community, and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you have any queries, please contact Courtney at cberry@jisedu.or.id or Nathan at naberry@jisedu.or.id. You may also contact any teacher directly if the question is specific to their class.

Here are some resources that can help from home:

PowerSchool (Go to JISnet to access) - Attendance and performance grades/comments are recorded here. It is recommended that you and your child check this together to see how they are progressing.

Google Classroom - Teachers use this to support learning in class, this is a tool which students can refer back to for support at home as well. Parents, please ask your child to show you their Google Classroom.

MS Student Handbook

Online/Home Learning Guidelines for Students and Parents

Meet the Teachers in Grade 6:

Courtney Berry - Math + Grade Level Leader

This is my 13th year teaching internationally and my 8th year teaching at JIS. I am returning to grade 6 mathematics again this year. Before coming to JIS, I taught in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. I hold a bachelor's degree in education from Black Hills State University as well as a master of teaching degree in mathematics education from the University of Alaska Southeast. I love volleyball and am fortunate to be the head coach of our middle school girls.

When I am not teaching or coaching, I enjoy being in my yard attending to plants, reading, SCUBA diving, and golfing.

I am very excited to continue teaching in the middle school and look forward to working with you and your child.

Please email me at cberry@jisedu.or.id.

Nathan Berry - Social Studies + Grade Level Leader

We've lived in Jakarta on and off for seven years, and it’s a city we enjoy. My wife also teaches at JIS, and together with our two children, Nahla (10) and Taj (8), we love the unique and vibrant experiences Indonesia has to offer and the warmth of the JIS community.

With many years of experience teaching 6th grade, I'm excited to return to this age group and join the Middle School division to teach Social Studies. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, watching Formula 1, and cooking. I’m looking forward to working with you all!

Simon Williams - Drama

Stay tuned for more information!

Moon Jang - English

Your children will call me Miss Moon ” and I sincerely hope they will learn from and love our time together. I will be one of the grade 6 and grade 7 English teachers this year. I am a Korean-American teacher who was raised in the “south” (Northern Florida/South Georgia) and who may, at times, have a ‘twang’ to my words, which tends to confuse students (at first). I was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States when I was a child. I know first-hand how it felt to not understand nor to be understood; and these perhaps have shaped the value I place on communication and possessing the confidence to share one’s thoughts and ideas.

I have been a teacher at the Pattimura campus for 7 years before moving to the middle school. In addition to my years at JIS, my instructional experience includes teaching in the United States and teaching grade 5 at the American International School of Bucharest, Romania, and the Anglo-American School of Moscow, Russia. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Arts in Literacy and Curriculum, and a Master of Arts in Gifted Education. Beyond the years and degrees, I hope you will soon learn that I love working with kids. I will do my very best to help each child realize and reach their potential.

Contact: mjang@jisedu.or.id

Tim Garrett - Math

Stay tuned for more information!

Shelby Fowler - Social Studies

Stay tuned for more information!

Shaneika Johnson - Science

My name is Shanieka Johnson, and this is my second year at JIS. I am originally from Huddersfield, UK, but I now call Nottingham my home in England. I earned a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Nottingham and a PGCE in Science with Chemistry Specialism, and I am currently pursuing an MA in Special and Additional Learning Needs.

I taught in Nottingham for five years before moving to Cairo American College, Egypt, where I taught DP Chemistry for three years. I then joined the International School of Dakar, Senegal, as a Middle School Science Teacher for four years before moving to Jakarta.

In my free time I enjoy exploring new countries, learning about different cultures, and trying new foods. I am an avid reader, and I also enjoy playing basketball and netball.

If you have any questions please contact me at: sjohnson@jisedu.or.id

Robert Setiawan - PE

My name is Roberts Setiawan, and I am excited for another amazing year teaching physical education at JIS.

I started teaching PE in 2011 and have had the privilege of being a part of the JIS community since 2019. I'm passionate about guiding young individuals to understand the advantages of exercise, which include building strong bodies, enjoying the process, and fostering teamwork!

In my classes, I hope to encourage sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth, over a must-win attitude. I find sport/exercise to be a great stress reliever, an escape from frustrations, and an opportunity to strengthen one’s self no matter winning or losing.

Jason Tiefel - Design Technology

My name is Jason Tiefel (I go by Mr. T), and I'm very excited to be working on the Grade 6 team again this year! This is my 18th year teaching overseas, and my journey has taken me to China (twice - Shenzhen and Shanghai), Thailand, and most recently Oman. I'm originally from Texas and am joined by my wife Jenny (an art teacher at PIE and former JIS student), our son Charlie (entering grade 6 this year) and our dog Georgie (the cutest dog ever).

I have a wide range of teaching experience all related to creating/making. I've taught Design Technology, Computer Science, Physical Computing, Robotics and Game Design. I'm passionate about promoting the joy of learning with your mind and your hands, and am very excited to introduce students to the Design Technology space.

When I'm not working I love video games, podcasts and traveling with my family.

Vanessa Ferra - EAL + English

Stay tuned for more information!

Ross Jones- Band

Stay tuned for more information!

Rahayu Matruno (Ibu Ayu) - Bahasa Indonesia

Hi! My name is Rahayu Matruno; I always go with Ibu Ayu. I am Bahasa Indonesia teacher for the 6th, 7th, and 8th - grade levels. This is my 4th year joining Middle School. Prior to joining Middle School, I taught Bahasa Indonesia at Pondok Indah Elementary (PIE) for seven years. I was born in a small beautiful village near Surabaya, East Java. I have two grown-up children and one grandson.

Outside the classroom, I love doing Bikram Yoga for my regular exercise, cooking, and gardening. I also like traveling, particularly exploring Indonesia, to get to know more about the cultures of my beautiful country. I look forward to getting to know each of you more.

If you have any questions, please contact me at rahayu@jisedu.or.id

Joanne Harris Rolls- EAL

Stay tuned for more infomation!

Dean Mossop- PE

Stay tuned for more information!

Ignatius Soedjadi (Ai) - Band

Hello! My name is Ignatius Soedjadi, and you may refer to me as Pak Ai. I am one of the band teachers here in middle school. This is my 10th year at JIS and my 18th year teaching music overall. I am from Indonesia and taught music at two local schools in Jakarta before coming to JIS. I graduated from the University of Indonesia in 1999 and Suling Bambu Educator's College with my degree in music education in 2014.

Outside of school, I am a professional bass player. I have been playing at many places in Jakarta since 2001. Besides music, I enjoy sports, particularly soccer. I am a happy husband with a lovely wife and a daughter.

I am looking forward to another great year in 2025-2026 and making some memorable moments with the middle school students. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at isoedjadi@jisedu.or.id.

Russell Jones - Learning Support

Hello, my name is Russell Jones and I am the Learning Support Specialist for 6th, 7th and 8th grade as well as the Support Services department head.

Prior to moving to Jakarta Indonesia I was an Assistant Principal and Supervisor for Special Education (Learning Support) in the state of Texas. In addition to my experience in the field of Student Support, I am also a musician with a background in Music Education and trumpet performance. I have served as the department head for both Pondok Indah Elementary school and JIS middle school.

I am proud to be a JIS Dragon and to have the opportunity to continue my 25 year career at Jakarta Intercultural School. I have two wonderful children who attend JIS and my wife teaches Visual Arts at JIS High School.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me anytime. rjones@jisedu.or.id

Nasherine Joson- Learning Support

Stay tuned for more information!

Kristin Wegner - Counselor

Hello! I am Kristin Wegner and I am from Wisconsin, USA - the land of cheese! I have been a school counselor for over 20 years, working with both elementary and middle school students. I have taught in the US, Qatar, Malta and Vietnam.

I have a husband, Todd, who teaches Theatre Arts in the States. We have a 26-year-old son, Will, who lives in NYC and is a musical lyricist. Here in Indonesia, I live with 2 rescue dogs - George and Gracie.

In my spare time, you can find me watching videos of dogs being adorable, reading, singing show tunes, travelling, or costuming theatre productions.

Kris Carlson-School Therapist

My name is Kris Carlson and I am the school therapist for the middle and high school. As a part of the Student Support Services team, I work to support the social, emotional and psychological well being of JIS students and their families by offering individual, group and family therapeutic interventions to those in need. I am originally from the United States, but I spent eleven years living and working in Taipei, Taiwan and am now in my eleventh year at JIS along with my husband, who works in the high school and my two children who are attending the HS . I feel grateful to be a part of this vibrant and supportive parental community and look forward to meeting you and your children. My door is always open so please feel free to contact me at any point in time at kcarlson@jisedu.or.id.

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