Translate:
Leadership
Ms. Tabitha De Silva (M.Ed)
Principal & Director
Ms. Tabitha strongly believes that “every child has a right to education and to live a meaningful and purposeful life”. She returned from the middle east after more than a decade in the special needs industry. She established Sapphire Academy to help meet the needs of many families in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Her experience both locally and internationally has allowed her to create a space that welcomes diversity not only with her kids but with her teachers. Her passion and love to see all children thrive in life drive her leadership and direction for Sapphire Academy.
Chief Consultant
Dr. Susan O'Rourke
Doctorate in Instructional Design & Technology and a master's degree in Special Education, University of Pittsburgh, USA.
Dr. specializes in the teaching and learning of children with autism spectrum disorders, multiple disabilities, and children with social, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Her current research focuses on the power of the Arts to transform learning environments for children with special needs.
Business Head
Sanjay Sachdeva (MBA, HRM)
Mr. Sanjay looks after support functions ensuring that daily operations run smoothly and educators get the necessary support to perform their best. At the same time, he strives to provide a safe and stimulating environment, where children feel respected, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
He comes from a very diverse background, he has gained experience & knowledge over the past 20 years, working in different industries and with organizations based in various countries.
He believes that having responsibility for growing a business, and creating jobs while making a difference in society can be incredibly satisfying. He enjoys his role and looks forward to contributing to the lives of Special Needs Children & their families. He is the Director and also the Co-Founder of Sapphire Academy.
Parent & Supporter
LAILATUL ZUBAIDAH HUSSAIN
Zubaidah hails from Brunei Darussalam. She served her country as a Magistrate and Intermediate Court Judge for almost twenty years before resigning from public service in April 2020 to focus on her 2 youngest children diagnosed with special needs in 2018.
Within her community, Zubaidah is particularly committed to serving underprivileged special needs families. Her community platform, “The Impian Project”, in collaboration with dedicated private sector Allied Health Professionals has provided supplementary therapy services to severely disabled children in the comfort of their own homes, made possible by funding from generous donors and supporters of the Special Needs community in Brunei Darussalam.
Zubaidah is hopeful that her own experiences, hopes, and aspirations will help shape the landscape of special needs education across all borders to provide greater accessibility and fulfill the basic right to education to even the most severely disabled child.
She is also the Founder and Managing Director of Elfera Health & Nursing Care Sdn Bhd (FERA Nursing) a Brunei-incorporated private hospital/home-based nursing and caregiving service for patients across the board from geriatrics, special needs/pediatrics, post-stroke care, post-operative care and end of life care.
Our Team
Kavishalinee Pillay
Sumanja binti Ahmad Nizam
Sumanja binti Ahmad Nizam
Deputy Head
BPsych (Hons), Dip (Special Education)
Ms. Kavishalinee's expertise includes planning material, activities, and appropriate instructional and learning strategies that benefit each student’s physical, social, and emotional development. She has close to 8 years of experience in modifying existing curriculum to help facilitate each child's learning process. Furthermore, she assesses and generates IEPs tailored to each student’s needs besides conducting enjoyable and engaging activities that meet their developmental goals.
Besides the love and dedication, she pours into her students,
Kavishalinee coaches and facilitates teachers in planning and implementing various social activities for parents and the general public.
Sumanja binti Ahmad Nizam
Sumanja binti Ahmad Nizam
Sumanja binti Ahmad Nizam
Special Needs Teacher
Early Childhood Education
She was given an opportunity to work at Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation for 5 years. This has given her great understanding and knowledge in working and engaging with children with special needs. Her experiences engaging with children with special needs have enhanced her spirit to work with them. She believes that each child has the opportunity to learn and grow like every other individual given adequate guidance, and exposure. She has immense passion and patience for children with special needs.
She loves to take pictures and travel during her free time.
Asako Mitani
Sumanja binti Ahmad Nizam
Gheethaanjali a/p Ramamoothie
Music Therapist
Bachelor in Sociology, Masters in Education for Special Needs, Certified Music Therapist registered under Japanese Music Therapy Association Music Therapy.
Ms. Asako decided to become a Music Therapist because she wanted to work with people who lacked the opportunity to learn music. Her course of therapy has seen a positive impact on students with disabilities such as reduced anxiety, improved cognitive function, promotion of physical motor skills, and the enhancement of interpersonal communication. With her love for music and background in Special Needs, she continuously works to create a safe space for children to explore various skill sets, while being immersed in the fun.
Gheethaanjali a/p Ramamoothie
Gheethaanjali a/p Ramamoothie
Gheethaanjali a/p Ramamoothie
Deputy Head
Learning Disorders Management
With a foundation in Learning Disorders Management, Child Psychology, Speech/Language, and Child Counseling, Ms. Anjali is an educator specializing in the instruction of neuro-divergent individuals. She crafts personalized teaching plans known as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), collaborates closely with parents and support staff, and evaluates student progress to facilitate the attainment of crucial learning milestones.
Boasting a 25-year history of aiding children and young adults aged 4 to 21, she adeptly guides them through the transition to mainstream classes while nurturing personal development.
Ms. Anjali's professional history encompasses roles within Special Education institutions as well as private schools. Noteworthy among her strengths are her exceptional teaching acumen, compassionate demeanor, patience, effective supervision, adept communication, and a talent for cultivating relationships that inspire her students.
Abigail Kuffour
Gheethaanjali a/p Ramamoothie
Natrah binti Abu Bakar
Special Needs Teacher
MA Guidance Counselling (Ghana), PGCE: Special Needs Co-Ordinator (UK)
Ms. Abigail is an enthusiastic, effective, and passionate teacher with over 10 years of proven record of helping children progress, providing positive learning experiences as well as building and maintaining effective behavior management systems. She enjoys sharing knowledge and inspiring both children and adults. She has experience in leading teachers, adept at training and recruiting, motivating, and developing others. She has worked in both International schools and private schools in Ghana and Malaysia teaching 5-18-year-olds over the last 10 years. She loves to cook, travel and shop.
Natrah binti Abu Bakar
Gheethaanjali a/p Ramamoothie
Natrah binti Abu Bakar
Special Needs Teacher
BSc (Hons) Psychology-Child and Family
Ms. Natrah binti Abu Bakar has 6 years of work experience working with autism spectrum disorder children and 2 years of experience as an assistant coordinator at an autism center. Students range from age 4 to 10. I have experience in preparing instructional materials and lesson plans according to Individual Educational Plans (IEPs). I also develop and implement necessary interventions and strategies to promote the achievement of student objectives. I believe every child has their talent. They have different abilities, not disabilities.
Mable Lai Yue Qin
Nor Azura Bt Ibrahim
Nor Azura Bt Ibrahim
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
M.Sc. in Applied Behaviour Analysis (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland) Mable is a passionate educator with 12 years of experience specializing in autism and special needs education.
Her area of expertise includes parent and professional training in behavior management by employing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) techniques. Mable started practicing ABA Therapy in 2008 working in various teaching placements and other local NGOs in Klang Valley.
In 2015, She proceeded to obtain her Masters in ABA and spent four years working at the local autism community in Dublin before returning to Malaysia. In 2021, she’s officially certified as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA).
Nor Azura Bt Ibrahim
Nor Azura Bt Ibrahim
Nor Azura Bt Ibrahim
Teacher Assistant
I am Azura, I have always been passionate about special needs education and teaching children. I have a Diploma in Physiotherapy and I am currently working as a teacher's assistant. I am a hard worker and I am very sincere in my work.
I have experience in taking care of children with special needs and helping the classroom teacher. I love teaching children and I am very patient with them. I love reading and writing, and I enjoy learning new things. And I love my job at Sapphire Academy.
Lyn C. Gabatin
Nor Azura Bt Ibrahim
Lyn C. Gabatin
Teacher Assistant
I am Lyn C. Gabatin. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I finished my undergraduate degree and then went on to get my teaching certification. I have always loved children, so working with them was a natural choice for me.
I began my career working in a regular classroom, but soon realized that my true passion was working with children who have special needs. So, for the past few years, I have been working as a teacher assistant in a special needs school. It is very rewarding work, but it can also be challenging. I am a hard worker and I take my job very seriously. I am fortunate to get an opportunity to work with Sapphire Academy.
I am also very sincere in my desire to help these children reach their full potential.
Rema Rabanillo
Rema Rabanillo
Lyn C. Gabatin
Teacher Assistant
I am Rema Rabanillo. I help children with their daily activities and also help my classroom teacher with basic academic skills. I love my job because I get to help children and see them progress and achieve their goals. I am originally from the Philippines.
I moved to Kuala Lumpur five years ago to pursue my dream of working with children with special needs. I am a hard worker and I am very sincere in my work. I believe that every child has the potential to achieve great things, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. I love working at Sapphire Academy as all the staff and management is very supportive and helpful.
