INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHTS
“At the heart of this philosophy is Dr. Gregory A. Hedger, whose leadership since joining ISY in 2016 has helped strengthen the school’s commitment”
San Francisco, CA – For more than seven decades, The International School Yangon (ISY) has played an important role in Myanmar’s educational landscape. Established in 1955, ISY is one of the country’s most respected international schools, offering an American-based curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Its mission extends beyond academic achievement, encouraging students to become compassionate, responsible global citizens.
At the heart of this philosophy is Dr. Gregory A. Hedger, whose leadership since joining ISY in 2016 has helped strengthen the school’s commitment to educational excellence and community engagement. With a distinguished career in international education, Dr. Hedger believes that learning should inspire young people not only to succeed academically but also to recognize their responsibility to others.
His dedication is particularly meaningful in Myanmar, where many underprivileged children continue to face barriers to education and essential care. Through his leadership, Dr. Hedger has encouraged the ISY community to look beyond the classroom and embrace opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
Photo collage highlighting Dr. Hedger’s community involvement beyond his day-to-day responsibilities at ISY.
The Chinthe Fund:
Dr. Hedger has championed the Chinthe Fund, an ISY initiative uniting students, faculty, and families to support three charitable organizations across Myanmar.
The Care to the Least Center (CLC) provides care and support for vulnerable children in Yangon. Through its partnership with ISY, students have participated in recreational activities, donated essential supplies, and supported improvements to the children’s living environment.
The Kalihtaw School, a monastic school located approximately two hours north of Yangon, provides educational opportunities for children from surrounding communities. ISY’s involvement helps strengthen access to learning resources and encourages meaningful student engagement.
The Yangon Animal Shelter (YAS) provides care and protection for hundreds of abandoned and vulnerable dogs. Supported by ISY volunteers and fundraising activities, the shelter reflects the importance of extending compassion to all living beings.
The Community
he school’s 7th Annual Fundraising Gala, held on March 28, 2026, at the Pan Pacific Hotel Yangon, beautifully reflected this shared commitment. Under the theme “Future Focused, Timeless Care,” the evening brought together ISY families, faculty, alumni, and friends to raise funds supporting the ongoing needs of the three Chinthe Fund beneficiaries.
What makes Dr. Hedger’s leadership particularly inspiring is his ability to unite the school community around a common purpose. By encouraging students to participate in service-learning activities and inviting parents and faculty to contribute their time and resources, he has helped cultivate a culture where compassion becomes an essential part of education.
“Community is the bedrock of the ISY experience.” — Dr. Gregory A. Hedger
Collection of photo collages
A memorable highlight of the evening was the presentation of ISY’s 2026 Community Service Award to Dr. Gregory A. Hedger, recognizing his years of dedicated leadership and contributions to the wider community.
The recognition celebrated not only his professional achievements but also the meaningful relationships he has helped build between ISY and the communities it serves. His example demonstrates how educational leadership can create a lasting legacy through compassion, service, and social responsibility.
For the Mary K. Yap Foundation, Dr. Hedger’s dedication to vulnerable children and community development closely reflects our own mission of improving the lives of orphaned and underprivileged children in Myanmar. Through initiatives such as #Road2Digital, #HighSchoolEssential, and #TeachOneEachOne, the Foundation continues to expand.
