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.

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  Safraz Gulam Mahomed

  Grade 3 Teacher

  Departments: Primary School

  Safraz was born and raised in the United Kingdom. He graduated from St. Martin’s College, Lancaster with a Bachelor's Degree in Primary Education and Religious Studies with Qualified Teacher Status. During his 13-year teaching experience, Safraz has had the wonderful opportunity to work with students ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 6. He initially started working as a class teacher in Kindergarten with a subject coordinator role in History. He then progressed into becoming a Children’s Centre Teacher, where his role was to improve the quality of Early Years provision across a cluster of Kindergartens. He was then fortunate enough to work in the UAE at Wesgreen International School, Sharjah for the past four years and bring his enthusiasm and early years’ principles to a Grade 6 classroom. Most recently, he became a Grade 5 class teacher as well as a Head of Year.
  Safraz’s mission as a teacher is to instill the belief that students are able to achieve anything. He plays great emphasis on treating students as individuals and in trying to meet their emotional and intellectual needs. He strives on moulding students into becoming independent thinkers so that they can find solutions for themselves. This is something that Safraz would like to continue at Ajman Academy as part of the IB Curriculum. Safraz places high importance on classroom environments and firmly believes that it is an important factor that affects students learning. His goal is for students to view their classroom as positive and supportive to maximize learning taking place.
  In his spare time, Safraz enjoys traveling and exploring new places both in the UAE and internationally. He enjoys socializing with his friends. He also likes to speak to his family and friends back home in the United Kingdom.
  
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  Saima Ahmed

  PA to Primary Principal

  Departments: Primary School, Administration
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  Sam Coghill

  KG1 Teacher

  Departments: Primary School
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  Samia Nimmer

  Islamic Teacher

  Departments: Secondary School, Arabic, Islamic

  Secondary Title: Grade 6 Girls Mentor

  Samia was born and raised in Jordan. She graduated from the University of Jordan with a Bachelors Degree in Islamic Education, and recently finished her higher diploma in teaching from Ajman University.
  Samia is a bilingual teacher who, through her experience, taught Islamic for both Arabs and non-Arabs for primary and secondary. She has 11 years of experience with the IB curriculum.
  She has been in the UAE since she graduated and has worked in international schools in Dubai, such as Dubai International School and the IB World School, Greenfield Community School, where she gained her first IB experience, and taught Arabic and Islamic for non-Arabs. Samia loves working with students, supporting them academically and encouraging them socially.
  She believes that with enough encouragement and support , students will rise to what is expected of them and eventually exceed in challenges that we set for them.
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  Sandra Kellec

  Primary School Principal

  Departments: Leadership, Primary School
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  Shahid Ehsan

  Maths Teacher

  Departments: Secondary School

  Shahid Ehsan obtained his master's degree in Physics in Pakistan and his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Nottingham, UK.
  Prior to Ajman Academy, UAE, Shahid worked at the Swiss International school (SIS), Germany (British and Bavarian curriculum). At SIS, he acted as vice-principal and the IT administration, in addition to teaching Mathematics and Physics in secondary school for the IB Diploma Programme.
  At the International school Frankfurt, Germany, Shahid taught Mathematics in the secondary school for IBDP Maths HL, SL and AP Calculus. He is also a certified examiner for SAT exams.
  At Roots School System in Pakistan, Shahid taught Physics and Mathematics to O-level and A-level students preparing for the Cambridge International Examinations. He also headed up the Department of Mathematics.
  As a teacher, Shahid is open-minded, patient and establishes a safe learning environment by communicating openly and being transparent with the students in both academic matters and extra-curricular activities. As an international educator, Shahid works together with the students to build a strong foundation of mutual understanding, respect and trust.
  In his spare time, Shahid loves to travel and play football.
  
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  Sharif Ullah

  General Maintenance

  Departments: Primary School, Administration
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  Sharon Rose

  Bus Nanny / Cleaner

  Departments: Primary School, Administration
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  Shilpa Sharma

  Teaching Assistant

  Departments: Primary School, Administration

  Secondary Title: KG1 RDO
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  Shireen Eneim

  PA to the Secondary School Principal

  Departments: Secondary School, Administration
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  Sinead Kelly

  Grade 1 Teacher

  Departments: Primary School

  Sinead was born in Belfast, Ireland. Sinead attended the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, just outside Belfast and graduated in 2012, with honours in Language and Linguistics. She then pursued her love of travelling and moved to Qatar to teach for five years in The International School of Choueifat and completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education, with the University of Sunderland, England. Sinead then moved to the UAE in 2017 to teach in Ajman Academy.
  Sinead loves to see the development of students, from the beginning of the year to the final day. To watch a child, expand their fountain of knowledge and for their confidence to grow so they can use it, is the reason she became a teacher.
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  Sophia Amanda Wilson

  Head of English Department

  Departments: Secondary School, English

  Secondary Title: English Teacher

  Sophia Wilson is British but spent her formative years living in Libya, where she was educated at an American School in Tripoli. On moving to England she studied for a Degree in English followed by a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Over 20 years, she has held leadership posts in several schools. Sophia is committed to lifelong learning and during this time, completed a Masters Degree in Education Leadership and Management. Sophia believes in challenging students to aim high, regardless of their ability. She is delighted to be part of the Ajman Academy academic team.
  
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  Soumaya El Rifayi

  Arabic Teacher

  Departments: Primary School, Arabic

  Soumaya Mustafa El Rifai was born in Tripoli - Lebanon. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Arabic Studies from Lebanese University and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Arabic Studies. She has five years of experience teaching in Lebanon and has attended many educational workshops. Soumaya also has four years experience in Dubai, at an International Baccalaureate School teaching the Primary Years Programme. During her career, she has taught Arabic language and Islamic Studies. She uses a wide range of technological teaching techniques to captivate the interest of her students. Soumaya has experience interacting with special needs students and forms good relationships with them. She thinks creatively, which helps her in finding creative teaching techniques to use with her students. Soumaya likes swimming and enjoys most of the sports.
  
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  Sukhwinder Karam Singh

  General Maintenance Operative

  Departments: Administration
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  Sulene Rheeder

  Physics Teacher

  Departments: Secondary School, Science

  Sulene Groenewald (nee Rheeder) is from South Africa, and she is married to Johan Groenewald – an I&S teacher at Ajman Academy. She graduated from the University of South Africa with a Bachelor Degree in Education in 2014 and with a Bachelor degree in Chemistry and Physics in 2017.
  They moved to the UAE in April 2018 when they both joined the AJAC team. Sulene’s teaching motto is a quote from Einstein - “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is inadequate”. In her classroom students work towards realising what their unique abilities and talents are. They are then challenged to reach their full individual potential. Sulene encourages students to treat each other with respect and kindness and to help each other to succeed. There is also a strong emphasis on commitment, responsibility and hard work in the class.
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  Sumesh Babu Manohar

  Payroll Officer

  Departments: Administration
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  Surinder Singh

  Security Supervisor

  Departments: Administration
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  Suzan Issam Abu-Ra'ad

  Admissions Manager

  Departments: Administration

  Suzan Issam is from Jordan and was born in UAE, She has studied in Computer College in Dubai and she is fluent in Arabic and English, she has over seven years experience as she worked as an executive and administrative coordinator at Arab Bank PLC. Suzan works within the admissions department.
  
  Suzan joined the Ajman Academy team in the first year and is very proud to be part of a leading school in the emirate of Ajman and in the whole country.
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  Suzan Maki

  Human Resources Manager

  Departments: Leadership, Administration
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  Tamara Salkhady

  Grade 1 Teacher

  Departments: Primary School

  Tamara was born and raised in Jordan. She graduated from Jordan University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy. Tamara has worked in Jordan for two years, and in UAE for six years. She has been in the UAE since 2012 and has worked at Al Mawakeb School in Dubai. She is married and has one daughter.
  Tamara has the potential to understand and apply different teaching methods. She can motivate and inspire students to be able to succeed. She can take care of their health and safety and nourish their knowledge and understanding.
  
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  Thomas Wonzeri

  Design and Technology Teacher

  Departments: Secondary School, Arts
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  Vanessa Macapia

  Grade 1 SKE

  Departments: Primary School, Administration
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  Veronica Panuga Badilla

  Teaching Assistant

  Departments: Primary School, Administration

  Secondary Title: Grade 2
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  Victoria Almazol

  Bus Nanny

  Departments: Primary School, Administration
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  Wael Abdulkhalek Sawan

  Islamic Teacher

  Departments: Secondary School, Islamic
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  Waheed Akhtar

  ICT Teacher

  Departments: Secondary School

  Waheed was born and raised in London. He graduated from Kingston University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Waheed then completed his PGCE at the University of Bedford. He has since spent nine years working at Leyton Sixth Form College as a teacher of IT and Computer Science as well as being E-Learning coordinator. 
  Waheed enjoys making use of technology to help facilitate learning and has overseen new initiatives such as iPads and
  Google Classroom into his school. He is always looking for new ideas and enjoys helping and supporting other teachers and
  students in the use of technology to help facilitate learning. 
  He is a passionate teacher who likes to encourage, support and motivate his students. He believes every student is unique
  and has the potential to achieve their goals. He wants to keep himself up to date with his subject knowledge and the latest
  technology by attending professional development days. 
  In his spare time, Waheed enjoys cycling, playing football and he enjoys travelling all around the world. He most recently visited Croatia and Plitvice National Park. He had the opportunity to visit Dubai once before when he brought a group of students from London on a school trip.
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  Willem Smit

  Head of PE Department

  Departments: Primary School, Secondary School, PE
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  Yasmeen Ali

  Public Relations and Communications Manager

  Departments: Administration

  Secondary Title: University Counsellor

  Yasmeen Ali is the PR & Communication Manager, working closely with local media, MOE and community professionals building strong, loyal connections with Ajman Academy.
  
  Yasmeen Ali was born and raised in Jordan, Amman; where she received her high school education there.
  
  Yasmeen always knew that she had the opportunity to make a positive change through her ventures. She speaks fluent English as a second language in addition to her mother tongue Arabic.
  She is considered to be highly dedicated, organised hard worker and accepts nothing less than perfection. She has accumulated more than twenty years of administrative experience. Yasmeen is holding a bachelor degree in Business Management field. She was the 2nd employee to join Ajman academy when the school was still under construction.
  
  Before joining Ajman Academy, Yasmeen worked in one of the largest public relation agencies in Jordan where she started her professional development. Later, she held a position as an Office Manager for the Dean of the College of Dentistry at Ajman University of Science & Technology. For three and a half years Yasmeen was the Executive Assistant to the Director of Ajman Academy, where she has been considered a valuable team player. “If it isn’t perfect there must be a better way to do it.” Education is an interactive dynamic process and life necessity, where morals, manners, knowledge and science all come together in such a perfect blend.
  
  Her motto to live by is that “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”.
  
  
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  Zacharias David

  HOD Design and Technology

  Departments: Secondary School

  Zach graduated with honors at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he obtained his first degree in Industrial Technical Education (BSc (Ed) Hons). He then went on to obtain his post-graduate degree in Educational Management (MA) at Brunel University London.
  Zach’s aim of being a teacher is to make a positive impact in young people’s lives, having had a similar experience from one of his own teachers. Zach believes that every child - regardless of his/her cultural and social-economic background, physical or mental ability - has the potential to achieve and make progress. And making this possible for every child in a school, regardless of the background and natural ability, is the calling of any school leader. It is this belief that prompted Zach to obtain the National Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).
  Zach has worked for twenty-seven years as a teacher and school leader across a range of establishments, including a Sixth Form college, independent secondary schools, maintained schools in Africa and the United Kingdom, plus three years in the private industrial sector.
  In his spare time, Zach loves to travel, read, cycle, take part in outdoor activities, and spend time with friends and family.
  
  
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  Zakra Bibi

  Maths Teacher

  Departments: Maths

  Email Address: z.bibi@ajmanacademy.com

  Zakra was raised in the UK and after completing her studies in Mathematics at Imperial College London and originally spent 4 years working in finance. However, during her school days, her aspiration was to become a teacher. Over the years this feeling never faded and she still felt her calling was to teach. This way she could share her value for her subject with young people, as well as all the transferable skills that teaching develops and really make a difference to others. Hence, Zakra left her job to embark on a teacher training course.
  Zakra successfully gained her PGCE in Secondary Mathematics with the University of Bedfordshire and has never looked back. Now, with over 8 years of teaching experience in UK schools, she is confident of working with children from ages 11 to 18, and with all levels, strengths and abilities.
  Zakra has a strong sense of belief in all individuals and their potential as learners and future citizens. This helps her to ensure she does what she can to help develop their understanding, skills and wellbeing. She is excited to bring her knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to Ajman Academy, her first post in the UAE. Furthermore, she looks forward to making the most of the many opportunities the post will bring.
  In her spare time, Zakra enjoys being with her family, gardening, walks in the park and trying to keep fit.