Meet the ISY Coaches: Leading in Athletics and Education

Coach Eagan
Email: ceagan@isyedu.org

Coach Eagan has dedicated four years to coaching High School Boys Volleyball at ISY, in addition to her experience in coaching swimming and dance. She strongly believes that “teamwork makes the dream work,” and she enjoys watching her players unite to face challenges. A memorable moment for her was witnessing the team’s resilience during a tough match, where their collaboration led to victory. Coach Eagan values the transformation in her athletes’ confidence and teamwork from the beginning to the end of the season.

Having coached basketball and volleyball for four years at ISY, Ms. Zarchi also serves as a PE Assistant Teacher. She focuses on helping players build confidence by leveraging their strengths and improving weaknesses. One of her favorite memories is winning first place against her former school, ISM, which underscored the joy of competition. Ms. Zarchi believes that participating in sports and activities is essential for every student’s well-being and serves as a powerful tool for stress relief and personal growth.

With over twenty years of coaching experience, Mr. Just works with HS and MS teams in volleyball and basketball while teaching secondary physical education. He believes that students should enjoy the process of improvement and teamwork. A memorable aspect of his coaching career is when students successfully implemented what they learned throughout the season, demonstrating their growth and understanding. He encourages participation in various activities, as these experiences foster teamwork and develop vital life skills.

Coach Zaidi
Email: izaidi@isyedu.org

With nearly 32 years of coaching experience, Zaidi is in his first year at ISY, leading the High School Running Club and volunteering with Elementary School Basketball. He has coached a wide variety of sports, including cricket, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, football, and track and field, with several SAISA championships to his name. Zaidi’s coaching philosophy emphasizes developing the whole person—fostering academic achievement, emotional well-being, and social skills alongside athletic performance. He is passionate about helping students build confidence, resilience, and teamwork through sports.

Coach Sturmey
Email: nsturmey@isyedu.org

With over 20 years of coaching experience, Coach Sturmey leads the HS Girls Football (soccer) team at ISY and teaches HS social studies. He emphasizes a positive approach to coaching, focusing on building students’ skills and self-awareness. His team often wins the sportsmanship award at SEASAC, showcasing their exemplary conduct on the field. Coach Sturmey believes that participating in sports is not just about winning but also about personal growth and developing valuable life skills.

Coach Kaung
Email: kko@isyedu.org

Having coached the HS Girls Soccer team for over a year at ISY, Kaung works as the Special Projects and Student Services Coordinator. He focuses on developing both athletic skills and personal growth in his players. His coaching approach is rooted in mutual respect and teamwork, aligned with ISY’s values. A proud moment for him was winning the YAC Tournament Champion Award and the Sportsmanship Award at SEASAC. Kaung believes soccer fosters confidence, discipline, and lasting friendships, creating cherished memories for students as they grow.

Mr. Andy
Email: apozniak@isyedu.org

In his second year at ISY, Mr. Andy brings a decade of coaching experience in football, cricket, and rugby while teaching High School English. He aims to help students learn new skills while competing at their best and having fun. A highlight of his coaching journey was winning two out of three tournaments in Myanmar, which brought joy to both high school and middle school teams. Mr. Andy believes that football fosters teamwork, discipline, and lasting friendships, making it an invaluable part of students’ lives.

Coach Albert Stages
Email: akamara@isyedu.org

With seven years at ISY and eleven years of coaching experience, Coach Albert focuses on HS Boys Football while working as a Student Monitor and Assistant Activities and Sports Coordinator. He is proud of the team’s first-place win at the ES soccer tournament, which highlighted their hard work and dedication. Coach Albert loves sharing his knowledge of soccer and encourages students to engage in sports, recognizing the broader benefits of teamwork and community that extend beyond the game.

With ten years of experience coaching HS Boys Soccer and more than twenty-five years coaching Softball, Maung Maung Tin also teaches PE. He brings a sense of humor and camaraderie to his team, finding joy in encouraging students during the SEASAC tournaments, where he witnesses their passion for the game. He believes that participating in sports is essential for reducing stress and building resilience, helping students develop strong, healthy bodies and lasting friendships.

Mr. Stuart
Email: cstuart@isyedu.org

In his second year at ISY, Mr. Stuart coaches golf while teaching HS Science and Math. He champions the idea that sports should be fun while also challenging students to push their mental and physical limits. A highlight for him was witnessing the joy of his golfers at the SEASAC tournament, where the camaraderie and spirit of the game shone through. Mr. Stuart sees golf as a unique opportunity for students to build lifelong friendships and confidence.

Coach Steven
Email: tjiang@isyedu.org

With three years at ISY, Coach Steven coaches MS Basketball and teaches Mandarin. His coaching philosophy centers on character building, teamwork, and resilience—essential qualities for success in sports and life. A memorable moment for him was when his team came together to achieve a comeback victory, showcasing their unity and determination. Coach Steven emphasizes that sports teach vital life skills, such as communication and problem-solving, which students can apply in various aspects of their lives.

Coach Smith
Email: gsmith@isyedu.org

With seven years coaching experience, Coach Smith serves as a coach for both MS and Varsity Basketball teams while teaching IB Economics and Math. His holistic approach emphasizes inclusivity and the balance between academics and athletics. A standout moment for him was witnessing his team turn a 9-point deficit into a victory at the SEASAC Basketball tournament. Coach Smith believes basketball not only improves physical fitness but also teaches crucial life skills like leadership and perseverance, fostering a sense of community among teammates.

Having coached basketball and volleyball for four years at ISY, Ms. Zarchi also serves as a PE Assistant Teacher. She focuses on helping players build confidence by leveraging their strengths and improving weaknesses. One of her favorite memories is winning first place against her former school, ISM, which underscored the joy of competition. Ms. Zarchi believes that participating in sports and activities is essential for every student’s well-being and serves as a powerful tool for stress relief and personal growth.

With over twenty years of coaching experience, Mr. Just works with HS and MS teams in volleyball and basketball while teaching secondary physical education. He believes that students should enjoy the process of improvement and teamwork. A memorable aspect of his coaching career is when students successfully implemented what they learned throughout the season, demonstrating their growth and understanding. He encourages participation in various activities, as these experiences foster teamwork and develop vital life skills.

With eleven years at ISY, Coach A-G coaches Varsity Basketball and Softball while working as a Secondary Counselor. He focuses on teaching fundamentals and fostering teamwork. A standout moment for him was winning the SEASAC basketball tournament, which showcased the team’s hard work. He enjoys watching students exceed their own expectations and believes that participation in sports enhances mental and physical health while building connections among peers.

Coach Chu
Email: nchu@isyedu.org

With six years coaching experience, one and a half years at ISY, Coach Chu focuses on swimming and teaches the Learn to Swim program while serving as the Assistant Aquatic Supervisor. She creates a positive and active environment that encourages students to achieve their goals and enjoy each swim meet. She emphasizes that swimming promotes both mental relaxation and physical fitness, helping students develop concentration and resilience. Coach Chu believes that participation in swimming fosters not just strength but also a greater sense of well-being.

Coach Kyaw Phyo Wai
Email: kpwai@isyedu.org

With six years of coaching experience, Coach Kyaw leads the swimming program at ISY, bringing 14 years of competitive swimming experience to the team. His coaching philosophy centers around ensuring athletes enjoy their training while developing their skills step by step. A proud moment in his coaching career was at the 2019 competition in Cambodia, where many swimmers achieved personal bests and the team earned a commendable ranking. Coach Kyaw believes that swimming is a vital sport for all age groups, encouraging every student to participate.

Coach Patty (Ms. Patty)
Email: pamundson-geisel@isyedu.org

In her twelfth year at ISY, Coach Patty leads the Girls’ Softball team while while counseling Chinthe Cub-Grade 6 as Elementary Counselor. She believes that sports should be fun yet challenging, fostering a love for the game while teaching the importance of teamwork and personal excellence. The smiles of her students during games inspire her, and she values the quick bonds formed through participation in softball. Coach Patty encourages all students to get involved in sports for both enjoyment and personal development.

With eleven years at ISY, Coach A-G coaches Varsity Basketball and Softball while working as a Secondary Counselor. He focuses on teaching fundamentals and fostering teamwork. A standout moment for him was winning the SEASAC basketball tournament, which showcased the team’s hard work. He enjoys watching students exceed their own expectations and believes that participation in sports enhances mental and physical health while building connections among peers.

With ten years of experience coaching HS Boys Soccer and many more coaching Softball, Maung Maung Tin also teaches PE. He brings a sense of humor and camaraderie to his team, finding joy in encouraging students during the SEASAC tournaments, where he witnesses their passion for the game. He believes that participating in sports is essential for reducing stress and building resilience, helping students develop strong, healthy bodies and lasting friendships.

Ms. Rentia
Email: rsmith@isyedu.org

With three years at ISY, Ms. Rentia coaches Girls’ Touch Rugby while teaching Biology and Environmental Systems and Societies. She is deeply committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where athletes can take risks and grow. One of her proudest moments came during a SEASAC tournament, where her small team with no substitutes courageously drew against a much larger school in a drop-off situation, displaying tremendous perseverance. Ms. Rentia enjoys the fast-paced, strategic nature of touch rugby, which promotes teamwork and is accessible to all students. She believes that participation in sports can inspire a lifelong love of fitness and personal development.

Ms. Stacey
Email: swotton@isyedu.org

Ms. Stacey has been coaching the Girls Touch team for 4 years and serves as the Associate Principal Prek-12 at ISY. She emphasizes growth, collaboration, and sportsmanship within her teams, fostering an energetic and inclusive atmosphere. One of her proudest moments was when the Girls Touch team reached their goals including a drop-off situation during the previous season, showcasing their dedication and teamwork. Ms. Stacey believes that touch rugby is an exciting sport that builds endurance and camaraderie, making it a great option for students to play globally.

Coach Zaw
Email: zawmaungmaungsoe@gmail.com

With over 12 years of experience coaching badminton at ISY, Coach Zaw currently contributes to the ISY program as a non-ISY staff member. He believes that a good trainer not only instructs but also serves as a role model, inspiring athletes to develop both their skills and character. One of his favorite memories was hosting a Division 1 badminton event at ISY before COVID, where the boys’ team secured a second-place finish. Coach Zaw advocates for badminton as a low-impact sport that promotes stamina, agility, and strategic thinking.

Coach Min
Email: Nil@gmail.com

With a remarkable 30 years of experience in tennis, Coach Min has been coaching at ISY since 2015. He is dedicated to training students in tennis and aims to provide them with strategic insights to enhance their skills. A rewarding aspect of coaching for him is witnessing students successfully manage their training and acquire essential skills. Coach Min believes that focusing on one sport, like tennis, promotes physical fitness and helps students relieve stress, making it a crucial part of their well-being and development.