Malak Rahal has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and has been a passionate Early Years teacher for 12 years in both Lebanon and the UAE. As an Early Years practitioner, Malak provides a happy, safe and stimulating environment in which children can inquire and learn. Malak’s teaching style is founded on the understanding that every child is unique and has different learning styles and she is passionate about discovering and facilitating each child’s individual needs. 

During her time in UAE Malak has enjoyed both teaching and running after school clubs. In her free time she loves to cook, using new recipes and recipes from around the world. Malak actively goes to the gym and enjoys taking boxing classes. She is the mother of two beautiful children - a 12 and 3 year old, her eldest child is currently in Grade 6 at Dwight. 
 

Bonita Smith (Ms. Bonnie) is an experienced Early Years educator with 18 years of experience working with children from birth to 6 years old. Since moving to the UAE in 2015, she has been an Assistant Manager and Head Teacher of two Nursery schools in Dubai. During her time at Dwight School Dubai, Bonita has been a PreK teacher, supported as a Health and Safety Officer and been Early Years Leader. 

Ms. Bonnie completed her 3-year Early Years Diploma in South Africa in 2005 and studied for her Cache level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Children and Young People Services. Bonita achieved Merit status in her PGCE(i) through Nottingham University, England. She achieved her certificate in ‘Making the PYP Happen’ and has multiple professional development certificates ranging from Child Protection, Raising an Early Reader, Fire Safety Training and First Aid. 
She has published various articles regarding the Early Years and has promoted Dwight on “Dubai Eye” radio station after posting an article on “The Importance of Bedtime Stories”. 

Bonita has a passion for teaching young children and always aims to maintain her knowledge in the constantly changing world of early years education, as well as maintaining strong relationships with parents and students. 
 

Outside of work Mrs Smith can often be found at the swimming pool or beach enjoying time with her family.

An experienced primary school teacher, Lisa Collery brings Irish, English and IB teaching experience in early years and primary years education, with additional expertise in Special Educational Teaching. 

Lisa completed one year of Montessori teaching at the Montessori College of Ireland, before gaining her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Care and Education at the Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland. Lisa then completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London. 

Lisa enjoys getting involved with after-school activities such as soccer. She also believes it is vital to promote a positive mindset in the classroom to encourage students to receive their full potential. 

Outside of work Ms. Collery loves adventures, sightseeing and travelling. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and relaxing with a book. 
 

Reem Kotob graduated from the Lebanese American University with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, before pursuing her Master's degree in Education (Leadership and Management) at the University of Reading in the UK. Reem has been a Preschool Teacher for the past six years between Beirut, the UK and the UAE, teaching in different International Baccalaureate (IB PYP) and American curriculum schools. 
Reem is passionate about teaching young children and takes pride in contributing to the development of the whole child, by offering an inquiry-based and fun learning environment. 
Reem really enjoys spending time with her family and friends; she also enjoys yoga, meditating in nature, travelling and exploring new places. 
 

Ms. Valerie Jansen joined Dwight School Dubai in August 2021, having previously worked at an international IB school in Northern Italy for four years. 

Valerie completed her Bachelor’s Degree in International Teacher Education for Primary school (ITEps) at Stenden University in The Netherlands. ITEps is the first Bachelor's Degree course that trains students to become teachers in international schools. During her time at university, Valerie gained valuable teaching experience in both Dutch and international schools. She did internships at international IB and IPC schools in London, Como, Amsterdam and The Hague. She completed an academic minor in Special Needs Education which she studied for half a year in Denmark and completed a course in Mathematics in The Netherlands. 

Valerie previously taught in the Early Years in an IB school based in Juventus Village. She had several other roles at this school during her first year as an assistant, such as teaching after-school support lessons in Mathematics and being a mentor for a Juventus College student. As a teacher, she also led workshops to encourage and educate colleagues during staff training and has completed several courses related to the IB, Apple, Child Development and Behavioural Management. 

Outside of work Valerie loves to travel, enjoys eating out, hiking and spending time with friends and family. She also loves art and particularly enjoys teaching children to use their creativity at school. Valerie strives to create a positive classroom environment, bringing her own enthusiasm and by promoting her students to be confident individuals, through an inquiry-based approach to learning, teaching students to freely explore the world around them.

Homeroom Teacher & PYP Science Leader Dalia Mahouk completed her undergraduate degree in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of Sharjah, UAE, and worked in the medical field for 4 years before making the transition to education. She studied for her PGCEi at the University of Nottingham, England. 

Dalia has been teaching Grade 1 for the last 3 years and has a solid background in supporting children transitioning from the Early Years Programme to the Primary Years Programme. Her teaching ethos is focused on differentiating learning and meeting the varying academic and social-emotional needs of children. Dalia focuses on building strong foundation skills across all subject areas in an IB style of teaching where the students are encouraged to lead their own learning process. Dalia has been the PYP Science Leader for the past 12 months and has worked on various elements of the PYP Science programme which include curriculum mapping, teaching and assessment. 

Outside of work Dalia manages a teaching blog on Social Media where she gets to share ideas and collaborate with teachers from all over the world. 

Mrs Alana Fisher is an experienced primary educator with 10 years of teaching experience and has enjoyed working at Dwight School Dubai for the last two years teaching both grades 1 and 2. 

Alana completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Sir Wilfred Laurier in Canada. She then completed her studies for her Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. 

Alana has called Dubai home for the last 11 years and loves all that the beautiful city has to offer. Outside of work Alana enjoys learning new culinary skills and, on most weekends, she can be found at the beach with her husband and busy toddler son! 

Hooda Adnan has been living in the UAE for the last 8 years and has been in the teaching field for the same amount of time. She has been working at Dwight School Dubai since January 2022, but will be officially joining the school as a Homeroom Teacher in August. Her experience includes teaching in the British and IB curriculum in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, she is also has a varied experience working with different age groups. Hooda completed her PGCE(i) from the University of Nottingham, England and has gained the knowledge and understanding of how to teach children from different backgrounds throughout her career. She has also completed her Bachelors in Business from St. Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore. 
Hooda has two small children of her own and spends most of her time with them - if there’s any free time, it’s normall spent catching up on lost sleep! Hooda enjoys travelling and trying out different cuisines. 
 

As a teacher Roel Roberts’ philosophy is putting the student first and focusing on student centred learning. Roel completed his undergraduate degrees in Social Sciences and Education at the University of Windsor. Roel went on to obtain his Masters of Educational Leadership and Management at the University of Royal Roads.

As a teacher that has taught both Canadian and IB curriculum, Roel definitely sees the benefits of student-initiated learning and student voice. As education continues to change and shift the centre of that is student empowerment and engagement which comes with the challenges and student interest. Coming from Asia where English is a second or even third language, he knows the importance of developing understanding with languages and using specific techniques to help his E.A.L Learners and embrace their mother tongue as well. 

Focusing on the student, giving his expectations and creating class expectations in a safe learning environment is pivotal. Roel believes with the role of a Primary teacher the PYP attitudes and attributes are a great way to help shape young minds and create global citizens. Helping make independent lifelong learners and really focus on the development of the whole student. 

Roel’s goal is to cultivate and inspire his students and school community. He aims to include parents in the learning environment and keep consistent communication with the parents about what is going on in class. Also celebrating the successes of students instead of only the negatives. Working with colleagues to plan units and share ideas in a collaborative environment is a great way to connect and improve the learning environment. Building relationships are a huge part of Roel’s beliefs as a teacher and he believes in creating positive relationships with administration, colleagues, parents, and students. 

Roel finds extracurricular activities a great way to connect with students outside of the classroom, and get to know them, especially with coaching sports in high school as well. 
 

A dynamic education veteran with thirteen years of experience, Teonna Lee, will be starting her second year teaching at Dwight School Dubai. Teonna is an experienced school leader whose excellence in teaching the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Common Core Curriculum has contributed to greater-than-expected growth in her students. She has held leadership positions in US schools and offers peer support through her collegiality and judgement-free expertise. 

Teonna completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA, she then went on to obtain her Master’s degree in Educational Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. During her time in college, Teonna made a lifetime commitment to service the world through her sorority, contributed to her community through a variety of impactful projects, and was a student-athlete with recognized success. 
Teonna brings a variety of experiences to the classroom, with 6 of her 13 years of teaching experience being in the UAE. She has obtained her TESOL, International Baccalaureate Certification, and International Driver’s Licence for computer essentials, online essentials, and word processing. Understanding success in athletics is about confidence as well as skill, which is something Teonna knows all too well having successfully coached her student-athletes to multiple awards, including the Double Dutch State Championship twice. 

Teonna is also a social media influencer and has been featured in an online magazine article regarding international travel. She has currently been to 43 countries and plans to resume travel as soon as possible, with only 152 countries more to go! She enjoys helping others plan their travels, sports, adventure outings and trying foods from other cultures. 

David Highcock has been at the school since 2018. Originally from the west coast of Scotland, David has an honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science (Bsc Hons) as well as a Primary Teaching Diploma from Dundee University. After teaching in Scotland, he relocated to the Middle East, Qatar, to begin his international experience. Since starting at Dwight, he has attended numerous IB workshops and is continually trying to grow as an educator. 

David has played an integral role in the development of the Lower School maths curriculum, including standards development, and assessment tracking and scrutiny. David helps to evaluate the educational provision to ensure consistency and improvement of practice in mathematics. In August, David starts his new leadership role, Dean of Student Affairs (Grades 1 to 5). 

David has led soccer, basketball and sailing clubs as after school activities. When he is not working, David enjoys golf, sailing, cycling and skiing and is enthusiastic to grow the sailing community at Dwight next year.

Daniel McGrath is an experienced educator entering his 10th year of teaching. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Emory University and holds a Masters in Education from the University of West Florida. Most recently, Daniel has been teaching at a PYP School in Muscat, Oman. Prior to that, he taught in Singapore and South Korea. 

Daniel enjoys teaching internationally and especially enjoys being an IB educator. Having graduated from the IB Diploma programme himself, he uses his experience in the IB DP programme to inform his instruction in the PYP.

Daniel also brings along his varied experience in the entertainment industry, having over a decade’s experience in show production for both amateur and professional theatre and comedy shows. 

Noha Shehab has a passion for teaching and 10 years of experience as an educator in both Lebanon and Dubai. 

Noha completed her undergraduate degree in Education, with an emphasis in English, at the American University of Beirut and then pursued her Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and Counselling. Noha has pursued professional development through Harvard’s Project Zero and has participated in workshops about differentiation and research.

Prior to joining Dwight School Dubai, Noha taught English as a PRE-IB teacher. She was actively involved in curriculum review and design. She also designed authentic tasks for collaborative problem solving by collecting, analysing data in classroom contexts and developing material for professional development. 

Noha brings with her an experience in teaching and the passion for it to guide learners to become inquirers who ask questions and find answers through research and reflection.

Outside of work, Noha likes to spend time playing basketball, hiking and reading as a way to maintain a positive mindset and a healthy lifestyle. 
 

Marwa Koujan started her teaching career 5 years ago as a PYP Homeroom Teacher. She made her move to Dubai as a Learning Support Teacher, where she was passionate about inclusiveness and always strives to construct learning opportunities that cater to the complexities of diverse learners. 

Marwa made a switch from the corporate world to the world of education and has never looked back. She earned her CELTA certificate and later pursued a teaching diploma and a Masters of Education in Educational Management. She received certified training from the International Baccalaureate and attended workshops like Making the PYP Happen, Making Space for Learning and Learning Diversity and Inclusion. Marwa is a Google certified educator and a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator. She continues to be a life-long learner, actively furthering her own education and professional development. 

She is a passionate PYP educator who believes in encouraging agency in her classroom through inquiry-based learning experiences and is committed to making each learning engagement interesting resulting in authentic learning. Marwa strongly believes in making IB a lifestyle rather than an educational curriculum. 

In her free time, Marwa enjoys reading, playing badminton and spending time with her family. She is excited to continue her journey as a PYP homeroom teacher at Dwight School. 
 

Elizabeth Fairleigh has 6 years' experience teaching the International Baccalaureate Programme in Dubai schools and is trained in both PYP and MYP curriculum delivery. 

Elizabeth holds a Masters of Visual Art, with a specialty in Painting and Art Theory, from Sydney University, and a Bachelor of Education from Charles Sturt University in Australia. After graduating, Elizabeth worked in the commercial art world for several years before embarking on a career in education. Elizabeth feels passionate about the need for quality art education and advocates the importance of the creative arts in motivating and progressing young people in both their creative and academic lives. 

When not teaching, Elizabeth is an enthusiastic traveller, particularly to art centric destinations with galleries and museums. She also loves hiking in nature and sharing adventures with her family. She has lived in Dubai with her husband and three teenage sons for over 8 years and loves being part of a dynamic and multicultural community in the UAE. 

Samar Khalil is an experienced Arabic teacher, with experience in the development and delivery of language programmes to a wide variety of students with diverse backgrounds, from beginners to advanced language learners. 

Samar worked in Syria as a teacher of the Arabic Language for preparatory and high school for 7 years. In 2017, she moved to work in Dubai and has been teaching Arabic for native speakers. 

Samar has a diploma in education and a bachelor degree in Arabic Language and Literature, from Syria. Samar is also a certified Apple Teacher. She has attended many courses that contribute to the development of her teaching skills in accordance with the requirements of the United Arab Emirates and the International Baccalaureate curriculum. This includes PYP and IB training. 

Samar often takes students outside the classroom to enjoy reading Arabic stories in the sunshine or on the green grass by the playground. 

Safeera Aslam has 13 years experience working as an IB Librarian and regularly attends professional workshops for the Librarians. Safeera was born and raised in Doha, Qatar, and has been living in Dubai for the past 15 years. 

Safeera completed a Bachelor's Degree in Education, and a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science, whilst working as a Science teacher. Safeera has completed PYP CAT 1, 2 and 3 IB training and also completed the DP Librarians training. 
Safeera is passionate about supporting students and providing them with the best possible resources and skills, so that they are empowered to become the leaders of the future. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading and trying out new recipes. 

Ms. Aslam is from India and speaks English, Hindi, Malayalam and Arabic.

Rihua Jin is a passionate Mandarin teacher with 10 years of teaching experience in China and UAE. 
Rihua achieved her undergraduate Degree in Education at Hebei University, in China, and completed master’s degree in Educational Psychology at Yonsei University, in Korea, before working in a public school in Beijing. 

Rihua was handpicked by the school and sent to UAE public school sectors for having a comprehensive understanding of teaching and learning. She helped to establish Mandarin curriculum frameworks in all ADEK (Abu Dhabi) public schools. She also studied Making 
Learning Visible in Harvard Graduate School of Education and successfully applied her new understanding in her classroom to help children to reach their potential. 

Rihua enjoys calligraphy and drawing. She likes to use water ink to write in different artistic styles of Chinese words, and particularly write famous poems and draw watercolour paintings. 
 

Bertha Silot is a highly organised, outcome-driven and motivated professional Music Teacher with substantial experience in the classroom. She has been teaching Music across different ages from Early Years all the way up to University for the past 14 years in various places around the world from Cuba, Serbia, and in the UAE for the past six years. 
Bertha holds a BA in Music from the University of Arts in Havana, Cuba, and a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate in International Education from the University of Nottingham, England. She is enrolled to start her Master’s in Education (Leadership and Management) at Middlesex University, Dubai, in September 2022. She speaks Spanish, English, Serbian and basic Italian. 

Throughout her teaching career, Bertha has been driven to help students to achieve their very best. She believes that Music has the power to change lives – to enhance the social, cultural and spiritual lives of people, and serve as a profound medium of personal expression.

This coming academic year Bertha is planning to start an Upper School Choir with MYP and DP students that are passionate about singing. 
 

Anthony Washington is an experienced fitness instructor, basketball coach and former collegiate level basketball player. Anthony completed his undergraduate degree in Physical Education at Purdue University Northwest in Indiana, USA. 

Anthony brings with him a wealth of coaching, mentorship and fitness experience. Coaching and teaching in UAE over the last 6 years have given Antony the opportunity to work with students from various backgrounds, helping to shape his teaching style to fit the needs of all students. Anthony has a personal philosophy that he likes to apply to his relationships with the students; and that is to “Lead by Example”. He believes that by setting the proper example for the students, he is able to build rapport that encourages students to go the extra mile. 

Anthony has lived in the UAE since 2016 and outside of work he enjoys playing basketball, exercising every day and spending time with family.  

Patience Musandirire is a specialist musical arts teacher with years of experience teaching Early Years, primary and high school students. Patience completed his Diploma in Education at the University of Zimbabwe before completing his post graduate degree, (BMus Honours), in Music Education, at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. 
He is skilled in teaching voice and a variety of musical instruments and believes that music offers children a unique platform to develop personally and creatively. His students are encouraged to engage in their own learning, to explore music and art, musical instruments, and develop the confidence to participate in music performance and art creation. His methodology in musical arts is based on the ideas of Dalcroze (Eurhythmics) and the Orff approach, that allow him to teach concepts, knowledge and skills that link music with aspects of performing and visual arts that empowers students to make connections through a transdisciplinary curriculum, such as the Primary Years Programme or PYP. 
With more than 18 years of experience in teaching music, Patience believes that music and art serve as insightful mediums for human expression, and the development of communication, critical thinking and problem-solving. Patience has also been invited to lead musical arts workshops with organisations, communities and schools in the USA, Norway, and South Africa. He is looking forward to introducing contemporary dance, marimba and drumming as instruments of choice at our school, and designing learning that accommodate different interests, styles and learning for his students. 
Outside of classroom teaching, Patience enjoys working with organisations that deal with special needs children to give back to communities and serve others. He also enjoys playing the guitar and engaging in outdoor activities that involve his school families and the wider community. 
 

Farah Najjar is a French teacher with 13 years experience teaching the International Baccalaureate Programme (PYP) and French language in Lebanon and the UAE. She has also held examiner and trainer positions for both the IGCSE and DELF examinations. 
Farah completed her teaching diploma and bachelor's degree in French Language and Literature at Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon. She also holds an Advanced Diploma in French language (DALF) and an advanced English Language Certificate from Georgetown University. Currently, Farah is working to obtain her master's degree in the education of French as a foreign language.

Outside of work, Farah likes to cook, draw and write stories, she also adores spending time in nature by hiking in the mountains. 
 

Shamim Nakitende is a passionate Learning Support Assistant with 6 years of classroom experience in supporting elementary students with reading, writing, maths and science activities. Shamim considers herself to be privileged to be able to work with students and teachers in a variety of classroom settings. Shamim has a true passion for working with children and helping each child’s progress in all areas of their development — academic, social and language. 
Photography was one of Shamim's passions while growing up. She also enjoys reading, getting outdoors, travelling - seeing the world, its nature and cultures.