Robert Rinaldo has been appointed as the new Head of School at GEMS American Academy – Abu Dhabi, boasting more than 20 years’ school leadership experience and well over three decades in education. He spent seven years working as General Director of Lincoln School in San Jose, Costa Rica, where he unified the school community by leading a regeneration of student participation in academic, athletic, artistic and service learning programs.

Prior to that, Robert held numerous leadership positions in schools across Central America, including Head of School at International School of Tegucigalpa and Middle School Principal at The American School of Tegucigalpa in Honduras. He also acted as a consultant to Del Campo International School, where he coordinated and led the school improvement process, AdvancED SACS CASI initial accreditation process and curriculum development.

As a student-centered educator, Robert is adamant that there is more to teaching and learning than just academic rigor and a teacher’s ability to cover material or content. He firmly believes that education is about meaningful experiences that focused on inquiry and student interest, and that successful learning requires an emotional connection, a motivating challenge, a self-paced experience with trial and error, a desire to achieve mastery, and an inspiring teacher.

Robert’s numerous distinctions include being invited to serve on the AdvancED 2016-2014 Standards and Indicators Revision Committee, serving as part of the school-accreditation Quality Assurance Review visiting teams for AdvancED (SACS) for the past 10 years, being named Vice President of the Association of American Schools in Central America, and being elected to serve as President of the Association of Bi- Lingual Schools of Honduras.

Robert holds a BA in Secondary Social Studies Education and an MA in History from The State University of New York, Cortland, as well as an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In 2018, he was also awarded the Klingenstein Heads of School Fellowship from Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York.

In addition to his extensive education sector experience, Robert acted as International Development Consultant at the UN Industrial Development Organization in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Learning Coordinator at Oneida County BOCES in New Hartford, New York. For three years, he also volunteered with the US Peace Corps in Siguatepeque, Honduras.

Mrs. Samah Awad has been the Director of Arabic Studies KG-G12 at GAA since 2015. For the past ten years, she has worked as an Arabic teacher, Head of the Secondary Arabic Department, and Director of Arabic Studies at GAA.

Mrs. Samah graduated from the Arabic University of Beirut in 2009 with a high honor with an Arabic language and literature bachelor's degree. She embodies being a lifelong learner and continually seeks out further learning opportunities. Mrs. Samah received her master's degree in educational leadership from Abu Dhabi University-Distinction with Honor. Moreover, to the Coaching Master certificate from the UK.

Before joining GAA, Mrs. Samah worked as an Arabic teacher in different international schools in Abu Dhabi and Lebanon.

Mrs. Samah's positive attitude enables her to be solutions-oriented to any obstacle she or the school may encounter. This approach helped her be an impactful leader at GAA and a valued member of our community.

With over a decade of experience in school leadership, Leia has dedicated her career to leading and learning. As a principal, Leia has focused on leveraging the potential of a building by identifying and building on adult strengths. She is trained in IBDP, Cognitive Coaching, and has led professional development focused on school culture, professional learning communities, and change models to help promote engagement in cycles of continuous improvement. Leia has served in the United States as a district coordinator responsible for training and supporting novice building administrators. She has worked in Title 1 school districts and has successfully led turnaround efforts as well as leading her school into a performance-based model.

Leia is currently leading the Primary Years Programme and American Curriculum efforts as the principal of Emirates National School in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Leia is a compassionate leader and listener with a collaborative approach and we look forward to welcoming her in the coming year as a member of our GAA community.

Lauren comes to GAA with over 10 years of Early Years experience and best practice. Coming from the University of Georgia system, she began her teaching career in Kindergarten in the United States, followed by experience in international teaching in Korea and the UAE (both in Abu Dhabi and in Sharjah).

Graduating with a Masters in International teaching, with an IB advanced teaching and learning certificate, she moved into coaching and leadership- growing the kindergarten program from 3 classes to 12 classes over 5 years. She is highly trained in the IB early years, HighScope methodology, and the American Common Core Standards..She is passionate about play-based learning, rooting her leadership in best practice and maintaining high interest/ achievement both inside and outside the classroom environment.

Ms. Lauren is deeply engaged in the GCC culture and traditions, within the school and within her own life. She is moving to Abu Dhabi with her husband.

Douglas comes with more than 16 years of experience in the field of education. Graduating from Arcadia University, Mr. Sherrill began his career as an art teacher before moving into homeroom instruction. During this transition time he earned his Master's degree in Curriculum and instruction from the University of Southern California. Douglas has taught in both American and UK curriculums. He has taught all ages from early years (2 years old) all the way to grade 5. A majority of his teaching years were in the United States and at international Schools in Korea.

Mr. Sherrill moved to Vietnam after earning his administration credential. While working in Vietnam he served as both deputy elementary principal and as elementary principal at an American curriculum international School. Douglas is moving to Abu Dhabi with his wife Violet and his two elementary-aged daughters.

Garth’s passion in life is to help students own their education, develop passions and build a life of service and purpose. In his opinion, the American philosophy of teaching the whole child is the best avenue to accomplish this goal. Garth is looking forward to further developing, with the Secondary team, the implementation of GAA’s vision statement - We Inspire. We Challenge. We Innovate. We Care.

Garth began his teaching career as a Physical Education instructor at the Landon School for Boys. He and his spouse Jackie decided to take their three children on a grand adventure and teach internationally. Since that point they have taught in the Philippines, Nigeria, Ecuador, Indonesia and very soon that list will include the United Arab Emirates. Garth has been an administrator at each of the international postings, working as a Secondary or High School Principal at IB Diploma Programme and World Schools.

Monica Martin will celebrate her 20th year as an educator this year at GEMS American Academy. In the upcoming school year, she will continue to serve GAA students, families and stakeholders as the Vice Principal for grades 11 and 12. She was previously the IB DP Coordinator. She will continue to enhance curriculum and extracurricular opportunities for our students. Her education philosophy is centered around seeing the whole student in the academic process and engaging them in multiple ways so as to help them find their “why” and see themselves in the learning journey. She believes that teamwork is an integral component of leadership and looks forward to working with her peers to further achievement of GAA’s Five Priorities.

Prior to joining GAA, she worked in Zhuhai, China as IB Coordinator and English teacher for two years. Although originally from Nashville, Tennessee, she has served in different instructional and leadership capacities in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System in Charlotte, North Carolina for 15 years. Her academic focus is on ensuring that a rigorous education is available for all students and designing post-secondary pathways for all students.

Monica holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Post Baccalaureate Certificates in Secondary English for grades 9-12, School Leadership (Principal K-12), and Gifted and Talented. Additionally, she is currently studying Education Policy at American University.

Ms. Zahra Bhatty joined GAA as a High School Psychology teacher, and since then has worked as the Head of Social Studies Department, Head of Grade 12 and most recently Grades 6-12 Dean of Students.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Nottingham, her Post-Graduate Certificate in Education from Canterbury Christ Church University and has attained her National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. Zahra is currently completing her Masters in Applied Leadership at University College London.

Prior to moving to GAA, Zahra worked in London as a Science and Psychology teacher.

Ms. Alicia Bakey joined GAA as an English Language Arts teacher, and since then has supported the school as a Head of Grade 8, the Secondary Instructional Coach, and Secondary Curriculum Coordinator.

She originally obtained both her undergraduate degree of English Education, specializing in English Language Learners and her graduate degree of Teacher Leadership from the University of Central Florida. She went on to teach at both the middle and high school levels in Florida, and then to work as a teacher trainer and district specialist before moving overseas. As an international educator for ADEC, Ms. Bakey taught English to grades 6 and 7 students and also worked as the Head of Department, and school-wide Teacher Trainer. She spent time in Shenzhen, China as an Academic Dean and Vice Principal, Curriculum Writer, and School Consultant and Trainer before returning to Abu Dhabi and joining GAA.