Globally Experienced Educators

With more than 40 years of experience in international education, Tammy Murphy has led some of the world’s most respected schools, including Dubai American Academy, Montecito Union School District, Ross School District, and Cherry Hill School District, where she served as Assistant Superintendent.

A highly respected educational leader, Tammy has been recognised with numerous state and national awards in the United States for her contributions as both an educator and a school leader. She brings deep expertise in the International Baccalaureate, having overseen the development and implementation of multiple IB programmes across primary and secondary levels.

Tammy is widely known for inspiring strong school cultures built on collaboration, continuous improvement, and high expectations for both students and faculty. Her vision and leadership continue to guide XCL World Academy in delivering an education that prepares every learner for future success.

With over 20 years of international education experience, Justin Kirby is a dedicated and accomplished leader in the field of education. His career has spanned multiple countries, including Canada, England, Australia, South Korea, Sudan, Thailand, the U.A.E., and now Singapore, giving him a broad and global perspective on student achievement and academic pathways.

Justin holds a B.Ed from the University of Regina in Canada and an M.Sc in Education from Walden University in the United States. His commitment to professional growth and leadership is further demonstrated by a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard.

Throughout his career, Justin has been recognised for his ability to drive change and inspire students, parents, and educators alike. At XCL World Academy, his leadership is focused on academic excellence, personalised pathways, and preparing every student for long-term success.

With more than 30 years of experience in international education, Maria Sweeney has taught and led in schools across the United States, Italy, and China. She began her career in 1990 as a Grade 5 teacher and has since taught nearly every primary grade, as well as middle school English, Social Studies, and English as an Additional Language. Her deep classroom experience later expanded into leadership roles, including Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Elementary Principal.

Maria most recently served as Director of Curriculum at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City. Before this, she was the Founding Head of an independent school in Southern California, shaping its academic vision and community from the ground up.

A dedicated advocate for student-centered learning, Maria believes that every child should feel valued, known, and supported in order to grow and succeed. She brings extensive experience in International Baccalaureate (IB) education and a personal connection to the programme as the spouse of an IB teacher and the parent of three IB Diploma graduates. Maria is committed to creating warm, nurturing, inclusive, and high-performing learning environments at XCL World Academy, where she champions an Early and Primary Years experience that inspires children, builds their confidence, and empowers them to flourish.

Mark Petterson has been a valued leader within the XCL World Academy community since 2016, first as Deputy Principal and, since 2020, as Secondary Years Principal. With more than a decade of experience across educational leadership, counselling, and teaching in both Australia and Singapore, Mark brings a strong blend of academic expertise and student-centered leadership to the secondary school.

He holds a Master of Educational Studies, a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Queensland, as well as a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School. Mark also contributes to the global education community as an accreditation evaluator for the Council of International Schools (CIS).

Mark’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to fostering a dynamic, high-performing secondary school environment. At XCL World Academy, he continues to champion a learning experience where students are challenged, supported, and empowered to grow as globally minded, resilient, and purpose-driven young adults.

Yashna Harilela brings over 22 years of experience in international education, specialising in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Having worked in international schools across Indonesia, China, and Singapore, she brings a rich, global perspective to her role at XCL World Academy. She supports students and staff across Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5, shaping dynamic, student-centered learning experiences.

Throughout her career, Yashna has worked as a homeroom teacher, EAL specialist, literacy coach, and curriculum coordinator in leading IB schools. Her expertise in inquiry-based learning and transdisciplinary practices fosters curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning among students.

At XCL World Academy, Yashna ensures the PYP cultivates curiosity, creativity, and the skills students need to grow into confident, lifelong learners.

Rachel has over 15 years of experience as an IB educator, spanning the PYP, MYP, DP, IGCSE, and AP pathways. She currently serves as MYP and AP Coordinator at XCL World Academy while teaching Language and Literature in the MYP. In her role, she works closely with teachers, students, and parents to design rigorous, student-centered units, support assessment, and ensure smooth learning pathways.

Rachel holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership. She has led schools through IB accreditation processes, implemented MYP eAssessment, and coordinated curriculum transitions, giving her deep expertise in international education.

Rachel is dedicated to fostering a learning environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired. At XCL World Academy, she ensures the MYP and AP programmes help students build confidence, pursue their passions, and develop the skills needed to succeed in a global context.

Michael Fletcher brings extensive international experience to XCL World Academy, developed through years of teaching and living in the UK, Thailand, and Singapore. He serves as IBDP Coordinator and Head of Grades 11 and 12.

He holds a MA in Education, a BA (Hons) in Business, and a PGCE, combining strong academic training with practical teaching and leadership skills.

Michael is a passionate advocate for the International Baccalaureate and is committed to guiding students through the final, critical phase of their secondary education. He blends academic rigour with real-world business and economic insights, helping students build the skills and mindset needed for success at university and beyond.

Rae Ming Lei has over 25 years of international experience in language education, working in leading schools across Shanghai, Beijing, Dubai, and Singapore. She holds a Master’s in Developmental Psychology from Nanyang Technological University, giving her valuable insight into how students learn and stay motivated.

Rae has led Modern Languages and Chinese departments across multiple pathways, including the IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP), Advanced Placement, and IGCSE. She is highly experienced in designing cohesive, vertically aligned programmes that build strong language skills, cultural understanding, and confident communication.

Her approach is grounded in developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive teaching, creating inclusive classrooms where students feel supported and engaged. Alongside her teaching, Rae has extensive experience mentoring teachers and strengthening collaborative, high-performing language teams.

At XCL World Academy, she guides the Modern Languages and Chinese programmes with a global perspective and a clear focus on student growth.

Angela Gao has been an educator in Singapore for over two decades. She currently serves as Head of Bilingual and World Languages at XCL World Academy, bringing extensive experience and expertise in Chinese language education to the school community.

Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Beijing Normal University, a master’s degree in International Chinese Education from Nanyang Technological University, and is currently pursuing her PhD in International Chinese Education at East China Normal University, Shanghai.

Prior to joining XWA, Angela spent 16 years at leading international schools in Singapore, where she taught both primary and secondary Chinese, served as a bilingual homeroom teacher, Chinese Literacy Coach, and IB PYP Coordinator. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to fostering bilingual proficiency, cultural understanding, and holistic development for all students.

Sreedharan brings extensive expertise in inclusive education and student wellbeing to his role at XCL World Academy. Based in Singapore, he has also lived, studied, and worked in diverse educational contexts, enriching his understanding of cultural awareness, adaptability, and community engagement.

He holds a Master’s in Inclusive and Special Education from Monash University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Sreedharan began his career supporting students with specific learning differences and has since expanded his experience to teaching English, Math, and Student Support. He has led initiatives in social-emotional learning, behavior support, safeguarding, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensuring that classrooms are inclusive, supportive, and student-centered.

At XCL World Academy, Sreedharan focuses on fostering student wellbeing, inclusion, and a culture of learning readiness. He works closely with teachers, students, and families to embed social-emotional learning, PSHE, and inclusive practices across the Early and Primary Years, helping every child feel supported, confident, and ready to learn.

Claire has over a decade of international teaching experience, having worked in the UK, Doha, and Singapore. She brings a broad perspective to her role as Dean of Student Life at XCL World Academy, overseeing the holistic development and wellbeing of students across the school.

Trained as a Visual Arts and Design Technology educator, Claire has taught Art, Design, Drama, PHE, and Early Years Primary, and previously led the Visual and Performing Arts department. She holds a BA (Hons) in Product Design and Printmaking and a PGCE in Secondary Design Technology.

At XCL World Academy, Claire focuses on creating enriching experiences that support students’ personal growth, creativity, and engagement beyond the classroom. She champions programmes and initiatives that inspire curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging, helping students develop academically, socially, and emotionally.

Alejandro brings extensive experience in international and American education to his role as Dean of Students at XCL World Academy. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, he has lived and worked across the USA, China, Hawaii, and Singapore, giving him a rich global perspective on student development.

Alejandro holds a Bachelor’s in Communications from ITESO University in Mexico, a Master of Arts in Teaching from George Fox University, a Master of Educational Leadership from Trinity University, and completed Instructional Coaching training at RELAY School of Education. He has taught Spanish, Math, and Social Studies, and served as Assistant Principal in American public schools for over a decade.

At XCL World Academy, Alejandro focuses on fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaging school environment where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. His approach combines high expectations with guidance and care, ensuring every student has the space to progress.

Leslie is an experienced university and career guidance professional,supporting students as they navigate academic pathways and prepare for higher education opportunities worldwide. Originally from Maryland, USA, Leslie has lived and worked across the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, gaining a deep understanding of diverse educational systems and global university landscapes. Leslie has been part of teams setting up new international schools (Shanghai, Zhuhai) and has developed the University Guidance departments at 2 new school (Hong Kong, Singapore). She is an IB Diploma graduate herself and is tri-lingual in Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) and English.

She holds a Master of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Leslie works closely with students, parents, and educators to provide personalised guidance, enhance university readiness, and support scholarship planning.

At XCL World Academy, Leslie helps students identify their strengths, explore opportunities, and make informed decisions about their academic and career pathways. She is committed to empowering learners to achieve their goals and realise their potential on a global stage.

Sandeep oversees all technology, digital learning systems, and data operations at XCL World Academy. With more than 15 years of experience in IT and educational technology across leading international schools, he ensures that XWA’s digital environment is secure, reliable, and aligned with the needs of modern learning.

He leads a multi-disciplinary team supporting the school’s infrastructure, cybersecurity, classroom technologies, helpdesk services, and data systems. Sandeep also guides the school’s long-term digital transformation roadmap, helping to streamline processes and enhance the technology experience for students, teachers, and families.

Before joining XWA, Sandeep held senior technology roles in top international schools in the UAE. He is experienced in managing complex school systems, large device programmes, and major platforms such as PowerSchool, Microsoft 365, Azure/Entra ID, and Salesforce.

Sandeep holds a Bachelor of Science in IT, a Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, and professional certifications in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, ITIL, Apple Support, and PowerSchool. His work ensures that technology at XWA supports learning, strengthens security, and empowers the entire school community.