I first visited Timor-Leste in 2009, and after seeing the importance of education, I decided I wanted to become a teacher. I then completed my double degree in Bachelor of Teaching Secondary / Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and worked in Sydney as a teacher, followed by a position as an officer in the NSW Teachers Federation. In 2018 I returned permanently to Timor-Leste, initially thinking it would just be one year, and volunteered at St Francis of Assisi College in Fatuberliu, Manufahi before joining the DIS team in 2020. Starting out as an English teacher, I then became the Deputy Principal (Secondary) and took on the Secondary Principal role in 2022. This year, I will work as the School Principal and am excited to form closer relationships with our students and families across the whole school.
I have been teaching for more than 15 years and worked across three schools in Melbourne, Australia and now Timor-Leste. I moved to Dili in 2025 with my wife and children. I teach Mathematics and am passionate about fostering a “learning for life” mentality amongst students and creating good problem-solvers. Beyond the classroom, I have worked in many roles, including year level coordinator, curriculum coordinator, sports coach and leadership trainer. I am a sports fanatic with a particular love for cricket and Australian Rules Football and have been involved in coaching amateur football and schoolboy cricket for many years.
I have had many careers, including Remedial Massage Therapist, Cook and Bar Manager. My teaching career started with adult education, and I worked at TAFE NSW for nearly 20 years as a Head Teacher for Health and Recreation. Since then, I have been teaching IB science at an international school in Singapore. I am a keen cook and love to explore culture through food. I enjoy the outdoors and have interests in fishing, surfing and skiing.
I’m from Bali, Indonesia, and currently teach Mathematics and Science, with a particular focus on VCE Physics for Years 11 and 12. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Physics Education and a Master’s degree in Education, and have over 10 years of teaching experience. I’m passionate about creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students can be creative, develop a love for Physics, and explore the fascinating world of science and our universe. As I’m still relatively new to Timor-Leste, I enjoy exploring the country and spending time in nature. Outside the classroom, I love hiking, diving, climbing, and watching the sunset with a good cup of coffee.
I was born in Sweden, raised in England, and moved to Australia when I was a teenager. I have been a Visual Arts teacher for over 29 years, working across various independent and government schools in Sydney and most recently in Singapore. I have a house in Berowra Waters, a small area 45 minutes outside of Sydney, which can only be accessed by boat. It’s a beautiful region, rich in Aboriginal culture and wildlife. As a keen environmentalist, I successfully campaigned to save a pristine local wetland area from development. My art teaching experience has been diverse, covering both junior and senior students from Years 2 to 12. I have a passion for travel and love visiting art galleries and museums around the world.
I’m delighted to be part of the DIS community again, having previously taught at the school before COVID. After spending several years teaching in Lismore, NSW, I’m excited to reconnect with students and colleagues in Dili and continue sharing my passion for Science and Mathematics. I particularly enjoy helping students develop curiosity, confidence and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
I began my career as a professional singer/songwriter before returning to university in 2011 to study Environmental Science. After discovering that many opportunities in the field were connected to the mining industry, I completed a Diploma of Education in 2014 and began teaching Science and Mathematics, later specialising in Health and Physical Education (HPE) in 2021.
I came to Dili to experience a new culture and embrace the holistic approach to education at DIS. I have loved sharing important health knowledge and life skills with our wonderfully diverse students, while also introducing them to new and exciting sports. I introduced cricket to the secondary school, and despite starting with no knowledge of the game, our DIS team went on to win a series against the national team!
I’m from Mumbai, India, and I have eight years of corporate experience in HR, Quality & Training. I have been working as a teacher in Timor-Leste since 2017. Currently, I’m teaching Business Management and Accounting for Units 1 to 4, as well as Grade 9 English. I’m currently pursuing my Masters in Teaching (Secondary) at Charles Darwin University. I’m passionate about reading and exploring global current affairs, reading research journals and articles, listening to classical music, and travelling.
I am the Humanities teacher at Dili International School, with main teaching areas in History and Geography. I hold a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education from Macquarie University and have spent the past 10 years teaching at a variety of schools in Sydney, Australia. Having been involved for the past four years with Friends of Soibada, a charity working in Timor-Leste, I chose to relocate after falling in love with the country, and this is now my fifth time in Timor-Leste.
I’m excited to join the DIS community as a high school English teacher. I have also taught History and Geography and enjoy helping students develop communication skills that they can apply to their everyday life. Outside of teaching, I enjoy playing netball and exploring new cafes and restaurants.
I am passionate about all things drama-related, I have more than 20 years of teaching experience, particularly in drama. Currently, I am teaching VCE English, and I have also enjoyed teaching humanities for grades 7-10. I am Sri Lankan by birth but I have lived in Timor-Leste for 16 years and Timor has truly become my home.
I’m from Portugal and I began my teaching career in Macau, where I lived and taught for eight years. I have since called Timor-Leste home for the past eight years and have been proud to be part of the DIS community for the last five. I am passionate about creating engaging learning experiences for students and contributing to the diverse and welcoming community at DIS. Outside of teaching, I enjoy playing football (soccer).
I was born and raised in Klaten, Java. I spent half of my life in Java and started my adventure when I graduated from university. After graduating from university, I worked in a mining company in Sulawesi for a few years. I continued my adventures by moving to Kalimantan for two years and then to Bali, where I worked for seven years in an international school. Wanting to broaden my horizon and experience new cultures, I decided to move to Timor-Leste in January 2024. Currently, I’m working at DIS teaching Indonesian grade 3-12. Outside the classroom, I enjoy dancing, singing, watching movies and gardening, as well as exploring my interests in archery, perfume making and culinary arts.
I’m from the Central Coast in NSW Australia and am the PS1 teacher in the Early Years centre at Dili International School. I have mainly worked across secondary high school in various teaching roles in Australia, mostly in Visual Arts and as a casual teacher, but I have fond memories of my early days as a young teacher in a small primary school in country NSW and am happy to be back in an early years setting, singing, dancing, storytelling, and playing with the little ones.
I have 22 years of teaching experience, including 11 years across international schools here in Timor-Leste. I hold a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education (Mathematics), as well as double Master’s degrees in Educational Management and Cultural Education. I am also a National Awardee for innovative curriculum design in Cultural Education and a teacher-scholar with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in the Philippines.
Having previously taught at DIS from 2019, including Preschool and upper primary, I am thrilled to be part of the DIS family once again, teaching Preschool 2 and Grade 1/2 Creative Arts. Guiding young minds and embracing diversity in early childhood education is a calling I take to heart, and I am passionate about creating a supportive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to thrive.
I’m from Auckland NZ. I’ve taught year two for the past couple years and this year will be teaching preschool 2! I’m passionate about building children’s confidence so they see themselves as curious and capable learners from a young age. I also particularly enjoy using structured literacy principles to set learners up for literacy success in ways that are best suited for them. Before moving to classroom teaching, I worked as a dancer and then as a musical theatre teacher at a number of studios.
I have been teaching since 2010 and I’m trained in secondary drama and music. I have worked in the UK, Australia and Timor-Leste. I’ve predominantly taught secondary English in Australia before transitioning to primary teaching when I relocated to the UK. More recently, I have worked as a whole-school drama and music specialist in Queensland before moving to my current role as teacher of transition at DIS.
My teaching philosophy centres around the idea that all behaviour is communication and relates directly to feelings. I see my role as supporting and guiding children to discover their authentic selves through identifying with their feelings and creating a safe space that encourages them to express those emotions in healthy ways. This approach leads to high self-esteem and a strong sense of self and well-being.
I’m from London and am now in my third year at DIS, where I teach grade 3/4. Previously, I worked in Indonesia and Myanmar, teaching primary students. Outside of school, you will find me cooking up a storm in the kitchen and then trying to work it off by playing sports such as football or badminton. I also love incorporating music and movement into the classroom.
I hold a Bachelor of Education from Swinburne University, graduating in 2024, and currently teach Grades 3 and 4 at DIS. Before entering education, I spent eight years working in the hospitality industry across distilleries, bars and restaurants, gaining valuable experience in diverse and fast-paced environments. Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time outdoors, particularly snowboarding and surfing. I also have a keen interest in strategy games and enjoy playing backgammon and chess.
I completed my teacher training at the University of Auckland in 2021, following an earlier career in construction science and quantity surveying. Moving to teaching was the best switch. I have spent two and a half years in New Zealand teaching Year 1 students developing a strong passion for working with young learners. Outside the classroom, I enjoy running and have competed in numerous long-distance triathlons. I also enjoy playing guitar and exploring new opportunities for creativity and learning.
I am from Timor-Leste and was born in Lospalos district. I now live in Dili and I’ve been working at the Dili International School for 12 years. I have worked for several years as a specialist teacher in health and physical education. I believe health and physical education is very important for everyone, not only for children but also for adults. It is essential for everyone’s well-being, helping us to be strong and live longer. I enjoy learning from others.
I am from Ethiopia and used to be a professional soccer player back in Ethiopia since I was 13. I joined DIS last year as a preschool teacher assistant, and then I started working as a PE teacher. I am also a finance market analyser, digital market manager and fitness trainer.
I am Timorese and live in Dili. I have been with DIS since 2019, right after I graduated from university. I studied Educational Studies at the University of Newcastle in NSW. I work as a learning assistant, language teacher and learning support. Before that, I worked as a bank teller at ANZ bank in Dili. I enjoy working with children because of their honesty and authenticity, and I especially value the unique perspectives and personalities that each stage of development brings.
I am from Australia but have also lived and taught in England and Chile. I am passionate about inclusion, and for the past five years, I have worked in a high school support unit in Northern New South Wales, teaching students with moderate and severe developmental delays. I have over 20 years of primary school teaching experience, mostly in the upper primary level. One of my biggest passions is travelling and exploring places not on the usual tourist route. I also love food, reading, cycling, hiking, tennis and touch rugby.
I grew up in a small country town called Mt Barker in the southwest of Western Australia. I have lived in several different areas in Australia, including Perth, WA; Batemans Bay, NSW; Melbourne, VIC before moving to Dili in 2007. I was involved in voluntary Bible education work from 2007 to 2012. Since returning to Australia, I lived in a rural town 1 hour East of Perth called Northam; it is part of the Avon Valley and beginning of the Wheatbelt region.
My working background consists of several roles within the education department, providing learning support for students and working with indigenous students, teaching Tetun language classes through Canberra Institute of Technology, and working as an Allied Health Assistant collaborating with occupational therapists, speech therapists and physiotherapists.
I’m from Sydney, Australia and am proud of my Timorese heritage. My Avo was born and raised in Fatubessi, Ermera, and I have maintained a strong connection to Timor-Leste through annual visits to my family. I have also represented Timor-Leste in Australia, competing in international Oztag tournaments and helped form the first Timor Tag Women’s Team!
With a lifelong connection to Timor-Leste, living and working here has always been a dream of mine. I hold a Bachelor of Communications (Social and Political Sciences) from the University of Technology Sydney. I am passionate about empowering young people through education to develop the skills, confidence and independence to support themselves and build bright futures.
I’m from the central desert of Australia, after almost 10 years volunteering back and forth in different projects around Timor-Leste I’m happy to be settled here permanently. I’m glad to be a part of the Inclusive Education team here at DIS, bringing 8 years of experience working with Trauma Informed Practice model and inclusive education both in remote parts of the Northern Territory as well as Darwin.
