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This year, 2024 , marked my 41st consecutive year in education since qualifying as a Physical Education teacher and working at a secondary school in the UK. I still remember my first ever lesson, stood in the rain on a freezing day in Coventry, trying to teach a class of 15-year-old boys how to pass a football, it seems a very long time ago! I learned a great deal from my earliest teaching experiences, I always wanted my students to enjoy their lessons, to have a sense of achievement and to feel that they had learned something. I have kept these priorities with me, as I embarked on a career that has taken me around the UK and from Hong Kong to Qatar, on a journey where I continue to learn every day. I believe that we are all lifelong learners and that this goes beyond formal education, allowing us to keep acquiring new skills and capabilities and developing an openminded, positive attitude about the world. I want all our students to have opportunities whereby they can expand their knowledge and understanding and be as well-equipped as possible for a future society where I am sure the workplace will look very different from today. I am often asked what is the best thing about working in Qatar, the answer is always the same, the opportunity to work with such amazing young people and their families, this is both a joy and a privilege. I am also very fortunate to be so well supported by a dedicated team of leaders, teachers and support staff who are all committed to doing their best for our students. We are also extremely well-supported by QatarEnergy, with the schools at Dukhan and Mesaieed being a vital part of the communities they serve. As I write this introduction, I am looking out of my office window in Doha, that muddy football pitch in Coventry is far away, but my desire to ensure all our young people can be high achieving, healthy and happy individuals, well prepared to take their place as global citizens and leaders of the future, is as strong as ever.
| Teaching has always been my passion, a profession that I have loved for over thirty years, which has afforded me many wonderful memories and career highlights. I have worked in QatarEnergy schools for more than half of my career, previously working in the UK, Malaysia, and Italy, arriving in Qatar late August 2008. I have been incredibly fortunate to work at both MIS and DES, having opportunities to develop as a leader and return to MIS as Principal. Being a member of staff at MIS is a pure privilege, working with some of the most talented and dedicated students you will ever have the pleasure to know who are supported by teams of hard working and dedicated teaching and non-teaching staff. Our parents are invested and engaged in all aspects of school life to ensure the very best outcomes for our students. Our school partnership works to ensure our students aspire to be the very best they can be. I enjoy working at MIS and some of my most fun and memorable times have been at school community events, international days, sports days, spring fairs, choir of the year competitions, internal house competitions and collaboration events with our sister school, DES. From a very young age, I always wanted to be a teacher and enjoy working with many families and their children, to play a small part in supporting their dreams. Never in a million years did I think this would be on such an international platform, having the fortune to live and learn in such diverse, caring, and thoughtful communities. For anyone thinking about teaching overseas, come and join us, you will only wish you made your decision earlier!
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A decade has passed since I first entered the classroom, and now I take immense
pride in serving MIS as the Head of Secondary. It is an honour to lead such a
unique and diverse school.
Before moving to Mesaieed, I worked predominantly in the United Kingdom. My
curiosity to work internationally eventually brought me to Doha, where I spent two
enjoyable years before joining our wonderful community in 2021.
Being part of this community is an absolute joy. It is something rare within
schools worldwide and offers us a unique opportunity. By working together—our
talented staff, dedicated students, and committed parents—our school can
harness the diversity and cultural vibrancy of our community to ensure Mesaieed
continues to thrive. By embracing this diversity, we create a dynamic and
inclusive environment that fosters personal growth and understanding
We are a community where excellence, growth, and a nurturing environment
converge to offer a unique educational experience. At the heart of our school, we
set high expectations for every individual, believing that each student has the
potential to achieve greatness with the right guidance and support. Our
educational approach is grounded in the foundational QatarEnergy values of
responsibility, excellence, respect, collaboration, safety, and integrity, which guide
us in every aspect of our work.
Being part of this school’s journey is a true honour. I feel privileged to work in a
community that continues to nurture healthy, happy individuals who are wellprepared to take their place as global citizens and future leaders.
| I am now well into my second decade as an educator. My career journey began in
the United Kingdom, where I worked in challenging inner-city schools, gaining
invaluable experience in diverse contexts. After several years, I made the decision
to broaden my horizons internationally—what was intended to be a two-year
adventure has now turned into nearly a decade of living and working in different
parts of the world!
Before joining Mesaieed, I served as Head of Primary in Ecuador, and prior to
that, I worked as an Assistant Headteacher in Jordan, which was my first
experience of the Middle East. These varied experiences have not only shaped
the leader I am today but have also deepened my passion for creating inclusive,
thriving educational environments where students can flourish. The mantra of
MIS, ‘Every Child, Every Lesson, Every Day,’ resonates with me deeply, and I am
honoured to contribute to ensuring the very best for our students.
I feel privileged to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community. Working
alongside our dedicated staff, engaged students, and committed families, I look
forward to contributing to the ongoing success of Mesaieed International School
and to helping our students grow into high-achieving, healthy, and happy
individuals.
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 | This academic year marks my seventeenth year in education and my third year at
Mesaieed International School. From Coventry, to Bedworth, to London, to Qatar, I have
had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful and diverse young people and
families and these experiences have shaped the leader that I am today.
For me, education is opportunity, and I feel so fortunate to have experienced working in
schools with pupils from a range of backgrounds and to have worked with teams that
are passionate about building a lifelong love of learning. My own love of learning began
at primary school and continued into adulthood, and I know that I will want to continue
to learn for the rest of my life; it is that learning journey that I hope for, for all children.
During my career, I have taught from EYFS through to Year 6 as well as leading and
being an assistant headteacher and deputy headteacher in a number of schools. Most
recently, before moving to Mesaieed International School, I worked across a group of
schools in East London and led one of the forty Maths Hubs funded by the Department
for Education. Mathematics is a huge passion of mine but so is curriculum in general.
I made the decision to move to Qatar when I saw the job advertised at Mesaieed
Primary School and I felt that the job description had been written for me. And it was!
Starting my role here as Maths Lead and progressing to Assistant Headteacher, has
enabled me to work alongside our amazing teachers, support staff and leadership team
to provide a learning environment that is always moving forward, always focused on the
children and always filled with excitement about what is to come next
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With seventeen years of experience in education, I am originally from Ireland and
have had the privilege of working in Qatar for the past eleven years. I have been
in school leadership roles for the last 8 years, guiding teams in diverse school
environments. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with
students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, which has significantly
shaped my approach to leadership and education.
Now in my fifth year at MIS, I remain inspired by the school’s strong sense of
community and the fantastic children we serve. MIS’s vision—to help students
become high-achieving, healthy, and happy individuals, well-prepared to take their
place as global citizens and future leaders—resonates deeply with my own
educational values. I am committed to supporting this vision and to helping every
student thrive in a dynamic and inclusive learning environment
| Teaching for the last 21 years I have had the opportunity to work with wonderfully diverse
students and colleagues all over the world. Working at MIS for the last 5 years has been a joy
because our school is at the heart of our community.
I started my career teaching teenage refugees and have since worked in London, Doha, Ho Chi
Minh City and Beijing. I’ve held various positions, pastoral and academic, leading on curriculum
development, pedagogy, enrichment and running a teacher-training programme.
Returning to Qatar in 2018, I wanted to be part of a school which shapes a sense of belonging,
promotes happiness and fulfillment and embraces diversity whilst providing students with a
quality education that gives them the tools to succeed academically and go on to lead
purposeful lives. I found this at MIS. I enjoy walking around our school when lessons are taking
place, as, I can not only hear the learning taking place, I feel the warmth of my colleagues
towards our students. The energy and enthusiasm shown at sports day, international day, Qatar
National Day, spring fairs and all our house competitions is infectious; the commitment to
learning and aspirations of our students leads to success; and singing the school song in award
ceremonies and assemblies demonstrates our community spirit – ‘we are one’.
After many years of pandemic restrictions, it has been a pleasure to welcome our parents back
into our building as they are a vital part of our community ever eager to support school
initiatives, share ideas, attend workshops and volunteer. It is a privilege to serve MIS as senior
leader for assessment and curriculum, to continue to live and work within a community that
supports our students’ to be well prepared to take their place as global citizens and leaders of
the future.
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I have 15 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and educational
management across the UK, Sweden, Qatar, and Morocco. With a B.Ed (Hons)
in Post-Primary Education from Stranmillis University College, my specialist
subject is Business, including fields such as Accounting and Enterprise.
I am passionate about empowering students to achieve their personal best by
fostering meaningful pastoral connections. My career includes leadership roles
in curriculum and pastoral development, supported by my completion of an
Empowering Middle Leaders course, NPQ Senior leadership, and currently my
NPQ Headship.
Before joining the MIS community, I served as Head of Secondary, where I
implemented a successful pastoral system to enhance student well-being. I’ve
always been involved in youth work, dedicating time to community groups and
working with disadvantaged youth in both the UK and Ireland. In 2020, I hosted
a two-day international IB conference in Qatar.
In 2018, I earned my Mindfulness certification, allowing me to incorporate a
mindful and reflective approach to mentoring, coaching, and counselling. I
believe strongly in mental health awareness and creating a safe, nurturing
environment where students can thrive.
My aim is to nurture students into well-rounded individuals ready to engage
with both their local and global communities. Joining the MIS community allows
me to contribute to one of the best schools in the world, ensuring that every
child feels seen, heard, understood, and has a strong sense of belonging.
| After 17 successful years teaching in different parts of the UK, I made the
decision to challenge myself and work internationally. Already I know this is the
best choice I could have ever made. The opportunities that have already come to
me make me feel so confident that I can develop as a leader in school, in the
classroom and in the community.
The ambition of Mesaieed International School is aligned with my own and the
vision of collaboration and cohesion is mirrored with colleagues and students
alike. It’s a wonderful experience to watch fantastic teaching and learning happen
each day within MIS, and this allows me great opportunities to develop my own
leadership and teaching each day with the support of colleagues. I now know
working at MIS will give me the best platform to reach personal goals and
ambitions.
I have a passion for making each day a ‘learning day’ for everyone at MIS. My aim
is to make sure our teaching and learning opportunities for both staff colleagues
and students are ‘world class’ and we can provide enriching experiences for all
our young people. Like all staff at MIS, I am fully committed to making sure all
students reach their potential and broaden their horizons, so they can fulfill their
ambitions and be leaders of tomorrow!
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