Shawna Carnahan

K12 Instructional Coach

American Community School of Abu Dhabi

Shawna is a collaborator and coach who brings a wealth of experience as a K12 educator. She is passionate about the transformative potential of co-teaching within varied classroom communities. As an instructional coach, Shawna partners with educators to amplify teaching practices and student learning. She has a strong commitment to strengthening pedagogical practices and cultivating collaborative learning communities.

Rory Courlander

K12 Teaching & Learning Coach

GEMS Dubai American Academy

An ACC coach with the ICF, licensed facilitator for CoachU Coaching Clinic, and a teaching and learning coach at GEMS Dubai American Academy. Additionally, I teach IB Psychology. My role includes providing coaching for all leaders and teachers, facilitating coach training programs that foster a coaching mindset for educators. 

Jenny is an international educator who currently serves as a K12 Learning Innovation Coach at ACS Abu Dhabi. She has spent the last eighteen years designing innovative teaching and learning experiences through instructional design, coaching, and professional development. Jenny thrives on finding synergies between interdisciplinary approaches, student agency, service learning, social emotional learning, and designing innovative learning spaces. 

Christina Devitt

Director of Learning Innovation & Technology

American Community School of Abu Dhabi

Christina is an advocate for empowering learners with technology.  Having taught in five schools spanning two decades of revolutionary technological change, she brings experience in curriculum and technology leadership to her current role as Director of Learning Innovation and Technology at The American Community School of Abu Dhabi. With an educational background in computer science and philosophy, Christina enjoys grappling with the opportunities and challenges that impact schools in our digitally connected world.

Christy Bender El-Jerby is an experienced staff developer committed to empowering educators and increasing student learning. She is currently an instructional coach at ACS Abu Dhabi and has served in international schools as a curriculum and accreditation coordinator. She is committed to supporting teacher well-being, which is informed by her studies in psychology and training as a life coach.

Cindy Kaardal

K12 Learning Innovation Coach

American Community School of Abu Dhabi

Cindy is a dynamic educator and coach, dedicated to nurturing creativity and student agency. Her passion is evidenced by her recognition as an Apple Distinguished Educator (2019), ISTE Certified Educator, and Google Certified Coach. Cindy values collaboration and open-mindedness to will create new and meaningful experiences for students and the future of education.

Evelyn Lucero

Elementary Assistant Principal

American Community School of Abu Dhabi

Evelyn is an agent of change through her work as a leader, coach, presenter, and educator of 24 years.  She has worked with thousands of teachers around the world to nurture innovative learning experiences in every classroom.  She presents practical techniques and methods for organizational change while empowering others to find growth and perseverance in their educational development.

Dr. Jen Ricks

Director of Learning

American Community School of Abu Dhabi

For the last twenty-five years, Dr. Ricks has designed and led innovative programs in schools, districts, and state departments of education. She is currently the Director of Learning at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi, a premier, non-profit, U.S. accredited school comprising 67 different nationalities. In addition to serving as a senior leader in top tier international schools for more than a decade, she is also an experienced speaker, coach, author, and consultant.

Terence Tong

MS/HS Instructional Coach

The American School of Kuwait

Father, husband, learner, leader, and contributing author to #100StopSeries - After 22 years as an MS Language Arts teacher and middle leader in Canada, Kuwait, and South Korea, I returned to Kuwait to embark on a new journey as an instructional coach.