“Through my journey here at ISKL, one thing remains clear: being a part of this vibrant community is a privilege and a delight. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities, challenges, and experiences that have shaped my journey.”
Meet Daphne Edvad, the HS PowerSchool Specialist cum Secretarial Support in the HS Counseling department, who has been a part of the community since 2011. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Daphne is a proud mother of one son and enjoys reading, exploring KL’s food scene, and spending time with family and friends.
Here is Daphne’s story:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
Hello, fellow Panthers! Join me as I take you on a journey through my life, passions, and aspirations. I come from a place where unicorns roam freely, and the laws of physics take coffee breaks (I wish!).
Being from Kuala Lumpur, I think of myself as a bit like the city itself – a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, with a dash of spice thrown in for good measure.
I have a 16-year-old son who is my living, breathing reminder that parenting is a lifelong journey filled with equal parts joy, challenges, and the occasional ‘aha’ moment. Together, we’re mastering the art of mutual understanding, one eye roll at a time.
When and why did you join ISKL?
I stumbled upon ISKL during a quest for adventure. The year was 2011, and the stars aligned, guiding me to this remarkable institution. The allure of a vibrant community and the promise of new horizons beckoned me, and I’ve been joyfully exploring those opportunities ever since.
What is your most memorable moment so far at ISKL?
It’s like trying to choose the best flavor of ice cream – there are so many! If I had to pick, it’d be navigating through the Covid storm while working from my home fortress. It’s been a wild ride from battling Zoom fatigue to mastering the art of virtual teamwork. The pandemic threw us all for a loop, but every obstacle was another chance to flex my creativity muscles and find inventive ways to make virtual magic happen.
Can you tell us about your job role and daily activities?
As the PowerSchool Specialist and Secretarial Support staff in the High School Counseling office, my days are an eclectic mix of excitement and sprinkled with just the right amount of chaos, from tackling students’ inquiries, coordinating events that blur the lines between education and entertainment, to taming tangled spreadsheets and ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities. And let’s not forget the occasional office shenanigans – because what’s a day at work without a bit of laughter?
Can you tell us about anything exciting or interesting happening at ISKL that you’re a part of (something you are working on right now)?
Two of my proudest achievements to date are launching the Looker Studio interactive dashboard and enhancing processes within PowerSchool. The Looker Studio integrates student data from PowerSchool, Open Apply, and Placement Test sheets into a unified platform. This comprehensive dashboard serves as a centralized hub to streamline intake meetings. I am working on enhancing PowerSchool processes, particularly regarding placement tests and enrollment certificates.
I am also developing a site dedicated to sharing resources and documenting procedures to foster transparency and preservation of knowledge. These projects showcase my technical skills and exemplify my commitment to using technology as a tool for innovation.
Can you tell us more about your hobbies and interests? What do you do after work?
When I’m not lost in the pages of a good book, I’m on a gastronomic expedition through our city’s culinary delights or indulging in some serious relaxation at the spa. And, of course, my heart swells with joy when surrounded by the warmth of family and the laughter of friends.
Who or what inspires you?
I draw inspiration from a diverse range of sources. The unwavering spirit of our students and the dedication of my team at the HS Counseling office, a.k.a. Team Awesome, fuels my passion. Their relentless pursuit of excellence reminds me every day of the endless possibilities that lie ahead and the role I can play in shaping a better future.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
I’m trying to convince the computers that I’m the one in charge! I’m a tech-savvy wizard, and a multitasking ninja rolled into one. Balancing the demands of a dynamic environment while striving for perfection can be daunting. However, these challenges fuel my drive and push me to exceed expectations.
What does ISKL’s vision, “Know yourself, care for all and create a better world,” mean to you?
ISKL’s vision is a roadmap to being a superhero. Knowing yourself is where you discover your superpowers, caring for all is how you use them for the greater good, and creating a better world is, well, when you save the day! It’s about embracing your inner superhero (cape optional!) and using your strengths to improve the world—one act of kindness at a time!
Through my journey here at ISKL, one thing remains clear: being a part of this vibrant community is a privilege and a delight. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities, challenges, and experiences that have shaped my journey. This is a reminder that life is meant to be lived with a healthy dose of laughter and a willingness to embrace the absurd in a world that often takes itself too seriously. So here’s to unicorns, laughter, learning, and life—may we embrace them all with open arms and twinkles in our eyes.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always have an anecdote to tell, love to share some insights into their passions and interest, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.
