Al Yasat Private School - Staff Section | Al Yasat Private School, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | One place, countless opportunities

Born in the United Kingdom, Mr Carnochan and his parents moved to Hong Kong, where his family stayed for almost 20 years, prior to spells in Thailand and Laos. Mr Carnochan returned to school in the United Kingdom for his education. Following school (where he played international rugby for Scotland Schoolboys and Students), Mr Carnochan undertook a BEd(Hons) at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. He then entered the teaching profession and began his career in the United Kingdom, prior to embarking on another overseas venture, this time in Africa. On his return to the United Kingdom, he started the next chapter of his career with senior roles at both St John’s College School, Cambridge and Repton School, Derbyshire, prior to being appointed to his first Headship at the age of 34. Mr Carnochan undertook his postgraduate studies in Educational Leadership at the University of Nottingham and was most recently Headmaster of Brighton College Al Ain, where the school was graded ''Outstanding'' in all areas by ADEK.

Mr Carnochan very much believes in the importance of schools as communities, where the positive relationships between the teachers, parents and pupils allows us to get to know and understand the individual needs of each and every child. He believes that schools must foster children's talents and nurture their growth through a broad, balanced, challenging and exciting curriculum and, in doing so, create an environment where each child is provided with every opportunity to fulfil their potential. He believes that emotional and social well-being, self-esteem, happiness and confidence are of prime importance and are in themselves inextricably linked to academic progress.

Mr Luke Wiedeman comes from the United Kingdom and is an experienced Senior Leader. Having graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Science Luke then completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Education to move into the education sector. Having worked for 5 years in the UK, Luke moved to the UAE in 2018, working in Dubai for 5 years as an Assistant Principal before moving to Abu Dhabi as Deputy Headteacher. Luke joins the Al Yasat family as Assistant School Superintendent (Vice Principal) and is excited to join the family and continue to support the school in this exciting time in its journey and development. Aside from spending time with family and friends, Luke enjoys participating in a variety of sports mainly football, padel and golf as well as relaxing by spending time cooking.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Mrs. Reem Rekieh has been an esteemed member of the Al Yasat family since 2007, bringing a wealth of expertise in instructional leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology specializing in Education from York University, and later completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Education with distinction from the University of Warwick in England. Reem continued her academic pursuits with a Masters in Innovation in Education, focusing her thesis on enhancing student writing through assessment for learning strategies in the UAE context.

Throughout her career at Al Yasat, she has demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of K-12 education. She has held various leadership roles across all phases of the school before transitioning to the role of Secondary Vice Principal. As the current High School Principal, she continues to innovate and advocate for effective educational practices tailored to meet the diverse needs of all learners and their personal career aspirations.

Reem's leadership extends to overseeing the successful graduation of multiple high school cohorts at Al Yasat. Her strategic oversight ensures that each graduating class receives a comprehensive and enriching educational experience, preparing students not only for academic success but also for future endeavors beyond their time at Al Yasat.

Beyond her professional commitments, Reem enjoys spending quality time with her children and maintaining an active lifestyle with her passion for basketball.

Mr. Mark Duffy, originally from London, England, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical and Coach Education from the University of Plymouth, St Mark and St John.

Since relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2018, Mark has gained valuable experience working as Deputy Safeguarding Lead, House Master, and PE Teacher at Brighton College Abu Dhabi. Over his 12-year career in education, he has developed a strong track record in pastoral leadership, having organized numerous House competitions and rewards trips designed to boost student engagement and morale. He is particularly excited about continuing and expanding these initiatives at Al Yasat Private School, where he will take on the role of Vice Principal. In this capacity, he will lead the grade-level leadership team across both middle and high school, focusing on fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.

Outside of his professional role, Mark lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife and son. The family is passionate about traveling and often explores the Middle East and Asia, immersing themselves in the diverse cultures of these regions. A dedicated and enthusiastic PE teacher, Mark enjoys staying active through sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, and golf. He looks forward to contributing his expertise to coaching the sports teams at Al Yasat Private School and engaging with students in their athletic pursuits.

Mr. Mostafa's journey as a teacher began in 2004 when he started his career as a maths and science teacher having graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. Since then, he has taught and led in a number of schools in London, England. His passion has always been about creating a learning environment where all students are happy and supported to reach their full academic potential. He gained a Postgraduate Certificate in SEN Coordination in 2018 and this, along with a Professional Qualification in School Leadership, provides him with a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience, which he brings to his role as Middle School Principal. Mr. Mostafa relocated with his wife and four children to Dubai in 2021, where he worked as a Head of School before joining the Al Yasat School community in 2024.

Victoria is an accomplished educator with over fifteen years of post-certification experience, including eight years in the United Arab Emirates. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, and holds a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Curriculum & Instruction. Additionally, Victoria has obtained Level 1 and Advanced Leadership Certifications from the National Society of Leadership and Success, demonstrating her commitment to educational leadership.

Throughout her career, Victoria has been recognized for her exceptional service and leadership. In 2016, she was honored as Teacher of the Year for both her local school and the entire school district due to her dedication to student success and her ability to increase rigor in all classrooms.

In her current role at Al Yasat Private School, Victoria serves as the Vice Principal for Secondary Curriculum Development and Instructional Leadership. She has played a pivotal role in aligning the school's curriculum with external assessment benchmarks, organizing continuous professional development programs, and implementing standardized assessment procedures. Victoria's innovative approach to education has been further demonstrated through her workshops on flexible assessment practices, presented at the AP Summit in March 2023.

Victoria is passionate about fostering a diverse and engaging classroom experience, empowering students to take ownership of their learning, and developing their analytical skills. Her belief in the importance of feedback in the teaching-learning process is evident in her approach to curriculum and instruction. As a transformational leader, she not only impacts the educational practices at Al Yasat but also contributes to the wider educational community in Abu Dhabi through her leadership and expertise.

Ms. Norma is an accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience in the field of education, including 9 years of senior leadership experience in the UAE. As the principal of an elementary and early years school, she brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and a proven appreciation track record of fostering academic excellence and holistic development in young learners.

Throughout her career, Ms. Norma has consistently demonstrated a commitment to creating nurturing and inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive. Her expertise spans curriculum development, teacher training, and innovative educational practices, ensuring that the school remains at the forefront of educational advancements.

In her previous leadership roles, Ms. Norma has successfully led teams, implemented strategic initiatives, and cultivated strong relationships with students, parents, and the wider school community.

With a deep understanding of the unique educational landscape of the UAE, Ms. Norma is well-equipped to guide the school toward new heights of achievement. Her vision for the school includes a focus on personalized learning, embracing diversity, and integrating technology to enhance the educational experience.

As principal of Elementary and Early Years, Ms. Norma is dedicated to inspiring a love of learning in students, supporting the professional growth of staff, and ensuring that Al Yasat continues to be a beacon of excellence in the community.

Alberti Strydom completed her teaching degree in both English and Accounting from the North West University (South Africa) in 2010.She was an English teacher for five years and Head of Performing Arts in Hartbeespoort High School in South Africa. Alberti loves drama and music and is keen to perform in community theater. She enjoys the arts, traveling and spending time with family. Alberti aspires to advance her studies in Education and teaching English as a second language.

Rachael graduated with an honours degree from Mary Immaculate College in Ireland. During her time in university she had the opportunity to specialise in the area of Special Education Needs, an area which has helped her to identify the learning targets and needs of many of her past and current students. Rachael has been teaching for ten years in total. She has been teaching in Abu Dhabi for three years now and her most recent post was at an ADEC school where she was the Year Lead for the Grade 4 classes. Rachael also taught at Belvedere British School where she was responsible for teaching Grade 2 for two years. Rachael enjoys creating a positive, and supportive learning environment for her students which promotes high expectations for both the learning and behaviour of students. Rachael provides ongoing support and assessment in her classroom which allows room for growth and feedback on the children's progress. In her spare time Rachael enjoy keeping physically active in the gym, cooking and travelling the world.

Dina hails from Egypt and has lived in Abu Dhabi for the last 7 years. She is a holder of Kindergarten Faculty Bachelor degree from Alexandria University Egypt. She has worked as a kindergarten Arabic teacher for seven years at the Egyptian English Language School, Egypt. In 2003, she started working at Abu Dhabi at Castle Private School. Dina has been at Al Yasat Private School since August, 2013. During this period she has held the position of Arabic teacher for KG classes. She was engaged in workshops that are related to classroom management, learning using technology and advanced learning classroom structures, special Needs Education. She has advanced her career by applying the 21 century skills. In order to develop the students’ spoken and written Arabic, Dina works closely with her team to ensure all planning is completed and submitted in a timely fashion. Her lessons are practical and positive and her students are enthusiastic to learn. Dina is a caring and supportive member of our team. Her lessons are taught in a manner appropriate for KG and enjoys communicating with parents regularly. She likes to prepare her class for significant school events performance.

Stephanie started her teaching career in 2010, teaching nursery school learners and studying Early Childhood Development. In 2012, she left teaching to study full time at the University of Johannesburg, where she obtained a Bachelor of Education degree, with distinction. She has always had a passion for working with children and did charitable work for a number of years. Stephanie has since taught Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade R at Private Schools in Johannesburg. Her teaching philosophy is to create a safe, positive learning environment in which learners are able to thrive. She focuses on the children in her class, not only learning academically but also learning social and life skills to better contribute to the community. She enjoys partaking in extra-curricular activities and has coached both table tennis and netball.

Sarah Al Zu’bi joined Al Yasat Privet School as Garde 1 & 2 Homeroom Teacher in August 2015. She has nearly 7 years of experience in teaching ICT, Mathematics, English and Social Studies courses. She joined Al Yasat from Jordan’s Mashrek International School, where she worked as an IB PYP ICT teacher responsible for teaching and leading the implementation of the PYP Technology program in accordance with the school’s Guiding Statements and IB Mission. Since joining Al Yasat Privet School; Sarah has been teaching Grade 1 and 2 pupils multiple subjects (Mathematics, English and Social Studies) through the use of a variety of instruction strategies, such as inquiry, group discussion, lecture, discovery to conduct lessons and translate lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction and create an effective environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, bulletin boards, and interest centers. Sarah has a strong verbal and written communication skills in Arabic and English, intensive experience working in multicultural and multilingual environments, a proven problem-solving and creative thinking skills. She also holds certification in IB PYP, Google Education and has attended various Kagan Corporative Learning Structures workshops hosted at Al Yasat Privet School. Sarah holds a bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS) from the University of Jordan. Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her small family. She is also an avid traveler and loves to broaden her experiences of world cultures.

Kevin came to Abu Dhabi in 2018 from Scotland where he studied a Post Graduate Diploma in Education with the University of Strathclyde. After graduating he spent a year teaching grade 3 in Holy Cross Primary School in Scotland. In the 2018-2019 Academic year Kevin was teaching grade 5 in Al Basma British School in Abu Dhabi. This is Kevin’s second time in the UAE, from 2012-2016 Kevin taught in Sabis International School of Choueifat Al Ain for 4 years. During his time here, he specialized teaching English and Social Studies for Grades 2-6. In 2011, Kevin was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from the University College Cork, in Economics and Geography. Kevin has always known that teaching is his passion as he loves to inspire and ignite an interest in education within students. For his own professional development Kevin went on to become a Manager for a Summer Camp for two summers with Kings Camps UK and in doing so built strong communication and leadership skills helping children develop their basic fundamental skills. Outside of school, Kevin enjoys keeping fit and playing team sports. Kevin is involved in a 5 a side soccer league which he continues to participate in every week.

Originally from Durban, South Africa, Brendza has been living and teaching at a private school in Dubai for the past 6 years. She thoroughly enjoys the diverse culture and warm climate of the UAE; and tries to be as active as possible through cycling, diving and any other physical activity. She loves reading and is a keen rugby and cricket supporter. Brendza is the proud mother of an adult son and daughter (twins).

Mrs. Shaima Sobhy Abdel Fattah El-Bealawy is an Egyptian Nationality 28 years old Graduated from the Faculty of Arats and Education Department of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies Menoufia University 2011 she is married and has two children She started her career in the UAE in 2013, She has worked in 3 schools before Alyasat school Private school. Her current job in al yasat private school as Arabic teacher started September 2018. Her favorite things are reading books on women's issues and following fashion news.

Mr. Chad Robinson hails from the radiant island of Jamaica where the beauty of nature is only matched by the warmth of its people. A firm believer in the value of humanity, Chad considers each life to be the most important resource this world has to offer. This philosophy translates directly into the classroom as he focuses on the holistic development of his students; training and challenging them to become their best social and academic selves. Chad believes that the classroom is a space for action research and that each lesson provides an opportunity to improve pedagogy and ultimately maximize the teaching and learning process. He is a lover of the literary arts who enjoys reading all genres of literature but is most passionate about poetic criticism. He devotes his time, effort and skills to imparting knowledge and impacting learners at the secondary and tertiary levels. For Chad, the most rewarding thing about the field of education is taking a student from the limiting shades of the unknown into the enlightenment of the known.

Mr. Mohamed Sayed Hassan is from Egypt. He studied Arabic and Islamic through the Faculty of Education at the Assut University in Egypt. He has 11 years’ teaching experience in Arabic and Islamic Studies in the UAE. His first teaching experience was teaching elementary, middle and high school students in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He joined the Al Yasat family in 2015 as an Arabic teacher.

Kellina Pillay is from Cape Town, South Africa. In 2016, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's in Education from Nelson Mandela University. She has over four years of high school teaching experience. The main reason Kellina decided to become a teacher is to make a difference in the lives of the children and ultimately the future generation. After 5 years of working in the financial sector, she decided to follow her dream of becoming a teacher. In 2019, Kellina graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with an Advanced Diploma in Mathematics. Her interests include traveling and experiencing new places, cultures and food. 

Mr. Lamon began his career as a science teacher in 2009 after completing a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Physics and Biology with a minor in education. It was his goal to be a physics and science teacher when he entered the University of Technology, Jamaica and he discovered that it suited him very well and his advisors recommended he continued his pursuits. On graduation he applied for a position as an adjunct Physics Lecturer in his faculty and was successfully appointed. His first assignment after that one year with the university was teaching at an all-boy school for another year before moving to an all-girl school where he taught Physics for four years. He then left to teach at a private school – Hillel Academy- to become internationally trained and gain that international experience. He also lectured at the University of the West Indies, Mona during this time while pursuing a Master’s degree in Medical Physics. He was a good physics student in college and quickly developed an ambition to pursue a gradu te degree in physics. He flirted with the idea of studying physics in the United States or Canada and then opted to consider his local university. He has travelled to many countries and hope his wealth of educational, cultural, social and psycho-emotional experiences will continue to make him an excellent educator.

Gabrielle Sewell was born in Dallas,Tx (USA), where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Prairie View A&M University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics(2016) and received her Master in Educational Administration(2017). She taught middle school mathematics for three years in Houston,Tx. As an educator, She have developed a philosophy to provide quality and meaningful education to all of her students. Appropriate practice exercises and hands on activities should be developed to assist in their exploration of the world around them. Providing positive guidance and positive reinforcement will give light to pleasant learning experience. Parents should be engaged in their child’s learning activities and form a team relationship to ensure a safe environment for their children. However, her focus is developing a program that will assist the child in growing to his or her fullest potential through each stage of development and fashioning a curriculum that will nurture and facilitate growth during each stage.As an effective mathematics teachers should be able to apply advanced learning theories, teaching skills, and technology in mathematics instruction in order to really promote students’ performance and understanding, improve out-of-data instruction of teaching, and align curriculum to standards.She also feel that each child must have the opportunity to move about in an environment filled with many attractive and stimulating things to do. The surrounding environment must evolve with the child to keep his or her interest alive. Finally, by respecting each child’s ability to create, She can help develop an independent, unique human being ready to face the world. Outside of teaching, Gabrielle’s interests are reading, sports, and Traveling. She is delighted to join Al Yasat team this year.

Rasha obtained Bachelor in Islamic Law - Sharia (Religion Essentials). Before coming to Al Yasat Private School she taught Islamic Studies for two years in Emirates Private School covering grades 5-10 for both boys and girls. Prior to emirates Private School, Rasha taught in Egypt for two years. She is a positive, hardworking teacher who does her best to develop students’ level in Islamic Studies in accordance with the vision, mission of ADEC and the vision and mission of the school, in cooperation with all parties involved in the educational process.

Nida has been teaching for the past 12 years, catering to multiple and diverse curricula. She is an experienced teacher, curriculum advisor and subject coordinator. Nida completed her Masters in Economics and Finance with first division. She went on to complete a Bachelors in Education and gained CELTA certification from the University of Cambridge. Nida has performed stupendously in her academic and professional life. She enjoys reading, watching movies and spending quality family time. Nida is looking forward to an exuberant learning year ahead to achieve year-end teaching and learning goals.

Joanne embarked on her teaching career in 2002, teaching for a school as part of a Learnership Programme, whilst studying part time toward her Bachelor of Education degree. In so doing, Joanne cemented her passion and love for teaching. Being determined to excel in her studies, but not able to take on a heavier academic load while teaching full-time, Joanne enrolled to complete her degree on a full-time basis. During her third year at university, Joanne was selected by the Dean of the Education Faculty to participate in a Student Teacher Exchange Programme in Scotland. This experience had a great impact on Joanne and planted a seed to teach internationally. Joanne went on to graduate Cum Laude, in the top four of her class, specialising in Intermediate Phase teaching. After graduating, Joanne took up a Grade 5 teaching position at a primary school in her hometown of Port Elizabeth. She thoroughly enjoyed this position and viewed her colleagues as her extended family. She took on many roles outside of the classroom, coaching mini-cricket and mini-hockey, being the Editor of her school magazine, being the Secretary of the school’s Sport Supporter’s Club, as well as being involved in preparing and rehearsing students for stage productions. After eight years of teaching at this school, her yearning to teach internationally prompted Joanne to seek a teaching position in the UAE. Joanne has taught in the UAE for the past three years and has gained very valuable experience.

Mr. Alaa Shalaby graduated from Cairo University with BA in Arabic Language and Islamic studies 1998. Hold higher Diploma of modern pedagogy for Arabic language issued by Tanta university- 2001. and hold second diploma of SEN teaching (intellectual disability and disorder) issued by Menoufia University - 2005 Mr. Alaa has worked in the Egypt Ministry of Education for 10 years teaching Arabic language and Islamic studies and then moved to the KSA to teach in International schools for about 5 years. and then moved to the UAE to teach in international schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for about 4 years. He is delighted to work with Al Yasat team. He is a social and open-minded person who likes to have friends from all over the world. He has the ability to deal with all the individual students and their differences easily by using the 21st century skills and using the student’s capabilities.