Staff Directory

Staff are listed in alphabetical order by first name. To find a particular staff member by Name: search by Last or First name in the keyword box and press the tner key or click on the search button. For school specific departments use the drop down list to filter by school sections and subjects.

  • Colin Bibby

    Secondary School Principal

    Departments: Leadership, Secondary School

  • Darren Stanbury

    Grade 5 Teacher

    Departments: Primary School
    Darren was born in Perth, Western Australia. He is married to Adele and has two teenaged children, Nikita and Thomas. He attended Edith Cowan University in Perth and graduated in 1986 with a Diploma of teaching. Darren went on to further educational studies with a Bachelor of Education, Graduate Diploma of Arts in Religious Education and more recently in 2006 a Master of Education.
    Darren has been fortunate enough to have been involved in Elementary education for 30 years and has worked in three states within Australia as a teacher and administrator. Darren has had leadership roles as a Deputy Principal and has had 16 years as a principal in four different primary schools in Australia. In 2017, Darren and Adele extended their teaching horizons moving to Ajman Academy, their first International teaching position.
    Darren has developed many skills over the years and particularly enjoys working with other teachers in the field of coaching and mentoring and believes in a collaborative approach to education.
    In his spare time, Darren enjoys tennis, golf, hiking, cycling, travelling and spending time with his family.

  • Deborah Vincent

    MYP Coordinator

    Departments: Leadership, Secondary School, Individual & Societies
    Secondary Title: Individuals and Societies Subject Leader
    Originally from Durban in South Africa, Debbie has spent many years teaching in countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Qatar, Oman, Mauritius and the UAE.
    After graduating from the University of Natal with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Geography, Debbie completed her Higher Diploma in Education in English as a First Language, English as a Second Language and Geography. Debbie has a wealth of experience in teaching all levels of Secondary School, from year 7 to year 13. She has experience in the National Curriculum, the IGCSE and AS/A levels, as well as the MYP and Diploma Program. In her previous schools, Debbie held the posts of Head of Humanities Faculty and Head of Year 7. She is currently the MYP Coordinator at Ajman Academy and Head of the Individuals and Societies department.
    Debbie is passionate about teaching and helping her students to develop a positive learning experience. After 33 years in education, she continues to feel privileged to work with young adults and to watch them grow and develop.

  • Diego Lopez

    Science Teacher

    Departments: Secondary School, Science
    Secondary Title: IA and Student Leadership
    Other Titles: Grade 8 Boys Mentor
    Diego is an experienced educator with a passion for sciences and sports. He grew up in Brazil as a competitive swimmer and a talented hockey player. These activities enhanced social and communication skills. Diego has worked with the IB programme for over six years and has been teaching in the UAE since 2018.
    Diego is a natural inquirer, and this attribute has guided his academic life into the world of sciences. In 2009, he completed his degree in general Biology from the University of “Vale do Paraiba”.
    His primary goal as a teacher is to provide opportunities to engage students in the learning environment as well as to guide learners to approach concepts and skills with autonomy and excitement."

  • Dorcas Kahoni Hassan

    HR Assistant

    Departments: Administration

  • Edna Naya

    Bus Nanny / Cleaner

    Departments: Primary School

  • Ekhlas Barakat

    Admission Assistant & Ministry Liaison

    Departments: Administration

  • Eleanor Walters

    Grade 1 Teacher

    Departments: Primary School
    Eleanor was born in Wales, U.K, later moving to England. She has many years experience teaching a variety of grades from Pre-K through to lecturing college students.

    Eleanor has a passion for outdoor learning, studying the positive benefits of an outdoor learning environment on students’ development. She designed an outdoor education that has been successfully implemented in a PYP primary school in Indonesia.

    Eleanor has lived in the UAE since 2010, first in Dubai, then moving to Ras Al Khaimah where she worked for RAK Free Trade Zone’s Academic Zone as Head Teacher and Manager of Kids Zone nursery. After this she became a full time KG2 teacher at RAK Academy PYP School, with a focus on developing the outdoor learning provision.

    Eleanor joined Ajman Academy in 2018 as a supply teacher working throughout the Primary School grades, before taking on the role as full time Grade 1 teacher in January 2021.

    Eleanor’s philosophy is to provide a learning environment where children feel safe and secure to explore their learning and to take risks. She strongly believes in the benefit of students having a sense of belonging in the classroom to foster this philosophy.

    In her spare time, Eleanor enjoys experimenting with cooking and trying out exciting new recipes. She also enjoys working out to keep fit and especially stand-up paddle boarding.

  • Emily Ray

    French Teacher

    Departments: Secondary School
    continued in the French education system in two other countries until she was 17. She then had a gap year at Disneyland Paris before studying for her BSc (Hons) in International Management with Modern Languages (French) at the University of Bath in the UK.

    Emily worked in customer relations and in sales and production for engineering companies before making a career change into teaching and gaining her PGCE from UWIC in Wales. Her first teaching job was in an independent boarding school in the UK and Emily then came to the UAE in 2006 to work in Fujairah. She has since worked at two schools in Dubai.

    Emily has experience of the UK curriculum, IB (EYP, PYP, MYP and DP) and the American curriculum. She enjoys teaching French and seeing students learn to both express and receive language, whilst also being exposed to various cultural aspects associated with French. She really likes to see her students make progress and believe in themselves.

    Emily is a single mother who has two young children, a daughter aged 7 who will be joining AJAC and a son aged 6. He has a rare, genetic condition called Angelman Syndrome and he stays at home. In her spare time, Emily takes photographs, bakes and reads. She loves spending time with her children and also enjoys being outdoors, e.g. driving in the desert, camping or hiking. Travel has always been a huge part of Emily’s life.

  • Eric Corcoran

    Business Studies Teacher

    Departments: Secondary School, Individual & Societies
    Secondary Title: Individual & Societies Teacher
    Eric was born and raised in the sunny south east of Ireland, hailing from the city of Waterford. He is a qualified secondary school teacher whose subjects include Business Studies, History and Economics. Eric completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in University College Cork in 2013, where he majored in the subjects of Economics and History. He then went onto complete a Professional Diploma in Education in the University of Limerick in 2014, and is due to complete a Higher Diploma in Business Studies from the National University of Ireland this coming year. Eric began his teaching career in Ireland where he worked in Ard Scoil na nDéise and St. Colman’s College before moving to England, where he taught at the Bishop of Rochester Academy. Prior to taking his post at Ajman Academy, Eric worked for four years in an international school in Dubai. Outside of his passion for teaching, Eric has a keen interest in sports. He enjoys playing Irish sports such as Hurling and Gaelic Football, and often plays competitively with a prominent Irish team in Dubai. Eric believes that creating a safe and inclusive learning environment is imperative to a student’s development. He feels obligated to ensure his students' needs are being met, and aims to create a classroom environment that both challenges and supports students of varied abilities.

  • Farah Mahmoud

    Head of Secondary Maths Department

    Departments: Secondary School, Maths
    Secondary Title: Maths Teacher
    Other Titles: Grade 6 Boys Mentor
    Farah is originally form Jordan, she was born in Kuwait and has spent most of her life travelling with her family. She is happily married and is a proud mum of two children, Elena and Omar.
    In 2012, Farah graduated from Isra Private University, Amman, Jordan with a Bachelor’s degree of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In the same year, she started her teaching career as a whole school Computer Studies Teacher in one of the international schools in the UAE. She found a passion in teaching and was keen to work on her professional development towards her new path in the educational field.
    Farah joined Ajman Academy at the beginning of 2015 as a Primary Classroom Teacher for three years in a row. In 2016, she managed to successfully complete her teaching certification PGCEi from The University of Nottingham, London, UK.
    Farah participated in the Incyte Learning Leaders/ Leaders of Learning Programme that was offered by the school in 2017 to develop teaching and learning methodologies that are on an outstanding level. In 2017/2018 she handled an additional responsibility as the Grade 2 Grade Leader, where her main role was to contentiously provide support to staff and look after pupils on both pastoral and academic levels.
    In 2018, having had experience with PYP and a very strong background in Maths and Physics, Farah joined the Secondary department. She is currently teaching MYP Mathematics and a class of International Advanced Mathematics. Farah is very passionate about creating lessons that are very meaningful and in sync with the practical requirements of the real world experiences of students.

  • Fatima AlShehhi

    Receptionist

    Departments: Primary School, Administration

  • Filipinas Macalalad

    Accountant Assistant

    Departments: Administration

  • Fiyaz Ahmed

    Director

    Departments: Leadership, Primary School, Secondary School

  • Genalyn De Leon

    Teaching Assistant

    Departments: Primary School, Administration
    Secondary Title: KG2CMA

  • Georgina Temple-Smith

    AEN/EAL Teacher

    Departments: Primary School, AEN
    Georgina is married with two teenage daughters. She has a Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Education and has taught in the UAE for a total of 7 years in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Before that Georgina worked in two prestigious private schools in the UK and was a Senior Biomedical Scientist in the NHS for 11 years. She enjoys living in the UAE and particularly appreciates the year-round sunshine and the friendly atmosphere. Georgina’s passion is language, and she never tires of seeing how children make progress and flourish in a nurturing environment. She is proud to be part of the team at Ajman Academy.

  • Ghada Ata Mahmoud Samara

    Social Studies Teacher

    Departments: Secondary School

  • Ghadeer Ahmed

    Receptionist - Primary School

    Departments: Primary School, Administration
    Secondary Title: Bus Coordinator

  • Gillian Power

    English Teacher

    Departments: Secondary School, English
    Secondary Title: Grade 9 Boys Mentor
    Gillian was born and raised in Limerick, Ireland. After graduating from university, she began her ventures across the globe and has travelled as far as New Zealand, China, Fiji, and most recently the Middle East.
    Gillian graduated from University College Cork in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Sociology. After a 5-year break, she returned to university to undertake a Master’s degree in English in 2012. Upon completion of her studies, Gillian took up a teaching position in the United Arab Emirates working for the International School of Choueifat in Ras Al Khaimah. Since 2014, she has taught across Key Stages 2-5. She has recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education with the University of Sunderland.
    Gillian believes education should focus on character development just as much as on academic improvement. A child’s time in school should be an enjoyable and engaging one, and it is the role of the teacher to provide an environment that achieves this outcome. Gillian consistently aims to create a learning environment that encourages students to find their voice and to be comfortable in expressing their perspectives in a scholarly fashion.

  • Goma Thapa

    Classroom / Bus Nanny

    Departments: Primary School, Administration

  • Gurpreet Singh Joginder Singh

    Security

    Departments: Facility

  • Gurwinder Singh

    Security

    Departments: Administration

  • Hala Sweilem

    PYP Coordinator

    Departments: Leadership
    Hala Sweilem
    Hala was born in Jordan to an Arab American mother and a Jordanian father. Hala is married with two young daughters.
    Hala is a certified IB educator with 12 years of teaching experience. She holds a master’s degree in International Education from the University of Bath (UK). Hala is also a certified IB Workshop Leader who values sharing and gaining experience from other educators. She is bilingual, speaks English and Arabic, and enjoys learning and speaking other languages. Hala has recently held teaching and a PYP Lead position at Amman Baccalaureate School in Jordan.

    Hala believes that children must have a stimulating educational environment where their curiosity and interests are nurtured and developed so they can strive to be agentic lifelong learners. She believes that every educator should aspire to create a safe and happy environment for students so they can grow in all aspects and become well-rounded citizens who will make a positive impact on the world.

    In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Hala enjoys meeting new people and gaining new experiences; she is delighted to join Ajman Academy Team.

  • Hamdy Mostafa Darwesh Mostafa

    Accountant

    Departments: Administration

  • Hashim KC

    MIS System Administrator

    Departments: Administration

  • Hayley Beresford

    KG2 Teacher

    Departments: Primary School
    Secondary Title: Grade Leader
    Hayley is from South Africa and has been living in the UAE for 18 years. Hayley has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology through The University of South Africa and her Post Graduate Certificate in Education through The University of Sunderland in England. Hayley has been teaching young children for 18 years, specialising in Early Years. Hayley taught in a Nursery school in Sharjah for seven years and then moved to a school in Dubai for another seven years. During her experience, she progressed to being the Foundation Stage Leader in her previous school. Hayley is currently the KG2 Grade Leader and KG Read, Write Inc. Co-Ordinator at Ajman Academy. She is married and has one daughter. Hayley enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors; in the pool, camping and having Barbeques.
    Hayley aims to create a fun and safe learning environment for her students who will be active, engaged and become independent learners. Hayley believes students learn best through real-life experiences and being involved in their learning as well as working in different areas including inside and outside the classroom.

  • Hayley Jean Reynolds

    Science Teacher

    Departments: Secondary School
    Hayley was born and raised in Sydney, Australia and is a graduate of the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Science (Major in Biological Science and Minor in Chemistry) and Bachelor of Education. She is a Science teacher with nine years of teaching experience in Australia; however, this will be her first time teaching outside of Australia, which she is very excited about. In Australia, she has been working within the Islamic school system at Al Faisal College for the last 2.5 years.
    Hayley is very passionate about science and encouraging increased female participation and enthusiasm for STEM subjects. She believes that all students, regardless of their ability, can foster a passion for science, and this can make them better global citizens and build a stronger understanding and appreciation for the world around them.
    Hayley is an avid traveller, having visited all continents except Antarctica and has recently been lucky enough to achieve a lifelong dream of visiting the Galapagos Islands.
    She is also a classically trained singer who has been a part of many choirs over the years.

  • Heidi Groesche

    Grade 4 Teacher

    Departments: Primary School
    Secondary Title: Grade Leader
    Heidi was born and raised in Germany. She graduated from the University of Oldenburg with a Bachelor Degree in Education and made her Masters in Science, German and English as a second language. She has worked in Germany and the UAE for over 11 years. She has been in the UAE since 2012 and has worked at the Indian University in Ras Al Khaimah and joined Ajman academy in 2017 and works currently as the grade 4 leader.
    Heidi’s emphasis in teaching is to provide a safe learning atmosphere for students. She wants the children in her grade to experience academic and personal growth during the school year that they are encouraged to develop the best skills to be contributing, respectful and happy members of their community and wherever they end up in the world!
    Heidi lives with her three children in Ras al Khaimah and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking in the mountains at weekends.

  • Helen Rhiannon Smit

    KG2 Teacher

    Departments: Primary School
    Helen was born and raised in Wales in the UK and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a PGCE in Early years education. She has 14 years of teaching experience spread across three key stages. She has taught for six years in the UK and a further eight years in the UAE.

    Helen's passion is working within the early years setting, and she believes that children are mighty learners capable of most things and eager to learn. Her teaching encourages excitement, curiosity and discovery, providing children with the tools for genuine enquiry.

    Helen is married with two children aged 11 years and three years and in her spare time, enjoys travelling, spending time with her family, socializing and reading.

  • Hoda Abu Hussein

    Arabic and Islamic Teacher

    Departments: Primary School, Arabic, Islamic
    Hoda Abu Hussein brings over 22 years of educational experience in the UAE across Ministry of Education and private schools. Hoda has both a Masters and PhD Degrees in curriculum and teaching methods and she has a bachelor’s degree in Arabic language and Islamic studies.
    Hoda believes that an interest in education at a young age gives us greater access to creative scientists and influential leaders in the future.
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Ajman Academy

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Sharjah - 15 mins
Mirdiff - 20 mins
Ras Al Khaimah - 35 mins
Silicon Oasis - 25 mins

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