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Leadership
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Dr. Alexandar Pethan
Dr. Pethan’s educational career took root more than 25 years ago when he volunteered to teach elementary school students to read. From that experience grew his appreciation for the craft and artistry of teaching. He taught Spanish and coached sports in the United States before continuing the profession in the Philippines. There, benefiting from examples and mentorship of fellow teachers, coaches, and skilled administrators, he increasingly took on school leadership responsibilities. He then put these skills to use by serving as an administrator for dynamic school communities in Saudi Arabia, Beijing, and Kuwait. He feels fortunate to now serve as the Raffles American School Superintendent where he hopes to build on the solid foundation of those who have come before him.
Demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning, he earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University, and a doctoral degree in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Alexandar Pethan
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James Elliott
Mr. James Elliott is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and he joined RAS in 2020 as a teacher and admissions representative. Mr. Elliott holds a BA in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as well as Professional Teaching Licenses for Elementary Education and ESOL. His career in education began back in 2014 as a Pre-K teacher at a private school in Wisconsin, where he discovered his passion for teaching and mentorship. Since then, he has taught students at every level, from early childhood to university. Since joining RAS, Mr. Elliott has taught ELL, 4th grade, 5th grade, and a multitude of CCAs while also assisting the admissions department in enrolling hundreds of new students. James believes that authenticity is the key to properly pairing families with a school to ensure that it suits their child’s educational needs, and he utilizes his experience as an RAS teacher to educate prospective families about the opportunities that Raffles American School can offer them.
James Elliott
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Darla Her
Mrs. Darla Her is from Missouri, USA, and she joined RAS in 2022 as the Elementary School English Language Learner (ELL) teacher and Learning Support Specialist (LS) before becoming the Elementary School Assistant Principal. Darla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education, a Master’s in Special Education from Nyack College, and an Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Southeast Missouri State University. Her career began in 2016 as a special education teacher at a charter school in New York City, where she worked closely with parents, teachers, and students to ensure all students had access to a quality and rigorous education. She has also taught special education and assisted in leadership roles in public schools in Missouri. Since joining RAS, Darla has assisted in various projects for the school, including yearbook, founding the sewing club, and organizing standardized testing across the school. Darla believes that all students can learn and achieve their potential if the right supports are in place, and she is a passionate advocate for students to be lifelong learners in both academic and nonacademic skills.
Darla Her
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David Hornby
Mr. David Hornby began his education career in Vancouver, Canada, as a Social Studies and PE teacher. His first experience abroad to Japan was a 2-year plan; it’s now his 26th year of teaching and leading international schools. His international experiences expand to China, Indonesia, and now Malaysia. David studied for a master’s degree in educational management and has held roles as Pastoral Coordinator, Vice-Principal, Secondary Principal, and Head of School. He is keen to support RAS students and families in reaching their unique goals and further developing RAS’s academic and extracurricular programs both on and off-campus.
David met his South Korean wife while teaching in Japan. They have two sons who graduated from the IB diploma program and are studying at the University of Toronto, Canada.
David Hornby
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Sok Wee Kho
Mr. Sok Wee Kho, a Singaporean native, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the National University of Singapore. As our Secondary School Curriculum/IB Diploma Programme Coordinator with teaching expertise in Cambridge, IB, and AP curricula, he is excited about our teachers delivering high-quality education aligned with the latest standards and research-based approaches. As the Dean of Students for the Secondary School, Mr. Kho’s passion lies in empowering students to embrace continuous growth in 21st-century skills. With a strong belief in fostering confident decision-making, he creates a supportive learning environment that encourages students to embrace challenges and become lifelong learners.
Sok Wee Kho
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Herman Kruger
Mr. Herman Kruger is the Boarding Director at Raffles American School, joining the team in 2024. He oversees the daily operations of the boarding program, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for all boarding students.
Mr. Herman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics from Northwest University, South Africa, as well as a PGDE. He completed specialized training in adolescent development and residential life management and is a certified Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) member.
Before joining Raffles American School, Mr. Herman served as the Director of Boarding and Head of Residential Life at various international schools in Africa and Asia, where he implemented successful student wellness programs and improved boarding facilities. His career also includes roles as a school counselor and residential advisor, which provided him with a well-rounded perspective on student needs and support systems.
As the Boarding Director at Raffles American School, Mr. Herman oversees all aspects of the boarding program, including student supervision, activity planning, and boarding staff management. He has introduced several new initiatives to enhance the boarding experience, such as weekend enrichment activities and global awareness programs.
Mr. Herman believes in creating a home-away-from-home environment where students feel supported and valued. He is committed to fostering a community emphasizing respect, responsibility, and personal growth. His approach focuses on open communication, holistic development, and building strong relationships with students and their families.
Outside his professional responsibilities, Mr. Herman enjoys sports (rugby), the outdoors, and cooking.
Herman Kruger
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Andy Manion
Mr. Andy Manion, an Australian educator, joined Raffles American School after spending three years at the Australian International School in Vietnam. With a Bachelor of Education and over 38 years of teaching experience in Physical Education, Andy has held significant roles as Head of PE Departments in both Tasmania and Queensland, as well as Director of Sport at a P-12 school on the Gold Coast. Recognized for his excellence, he received the Australian ‘National Excellence in Teaching Award’ in 1997 and was awarded Life Membership of ‘School Sport South Coast’ in 2015. Andy’s passions include cricket, golf, SCUBA diving, motorcycle touring, surfing, cycling, camping, and gym activities. He firmly believes that enjoyable active participation is key to personal, social, and physical development, and he is excited to share his experience and enthusiasm with others.
Andy Manion
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J. Casey Hammond
Mr. J. Casey Hammond joined Raffles American School in August 2022 as College Counselor. He brings a wealth of experience to this position. He previously worked at the university level in the United States and Singapore, where he developed and taught undergraduate courses for first-year students and helped them transition into tertiary education. A speaker of Mandarin Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia, he is a longtime resident of this region. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame, a master’s degree from MIT, and a Ph.D. from Penn.
J. Casey Hammond
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Dewi Pritchard
Dewi Nurcahyani Pritchard joined Raffles American School in November 2022 as a school counselor. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology from James Cook University Australia. Additionally, Dewi has attained a Master of Education in Leadership and Management from The University of Sydney, Australia which provides her with a well-rounded perspective and commitment to nurturing the growth and well-being of students.
With a diverse professional history, Dewi has honed her skills and passion for working with students over the years. Her career journey includes valuable experience in the law enforcement training center, followed by working in the education aid programs under the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia; and Childcare Centres in Sydney Australia. As a school counsellor, Dewi firmly believes in the inherent potential and uniqueness of every student. She is dedicated to guiding and supporting students on their journey towards acquiring the essential skills needed to reach their full potential.
Dewi Pritchard
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Ian Nenke
Meet Mr. Ian Nenke, hailing from Perth, Western Australia. He became part of RAS in 2018, engaging actively in various capacities including Admissions, Communications, and our International Camps program. Ian recently completed a Master of Business Administration from Monash University in Melbourne. With over two decades of experience in management, communications, and business development within the education and agri-business sectors, Ian brings a wealth of expertise to our community.
In addition to his current responsibilities, he closely works with Raffles Parents for Education (RPFE) to help plan and orchestrate diverse events such as International Day celebrations, Beach Clean-ups, Carnivals, and more. Beyond his professional commitments, Ian dedicates time on his weekends to enriching experiences like rock climbing and planetarium visits for our Boarding students.
As a devoted father of four, Ian fervently believes in inquiry-based learning and the cultivation of clear, concise communication skills, alongside nurturing character traits such as compassion, honesty, and integrity in education.