HS Counseling team

JoAnn Porterfield was born and raised by her loving parents in a small town in Ontario. Although she came from a small town, living and teaching abroad has always been a goal of hers and after graduating with a degree in Psychology/Sociology and a Bachelor of Education she began her dream of seeing the world. JoAnn has been living and working at DAA since 2017 and has truly enjoyed the experience. JoAnn has been working as the grade 9 counselor since 2020. She enjoys working with students to help them find success and plan out their dreams for their future.

Sulakshana Divekar has been a resident of Dubai for 20 years, and has witnessed the city's dynamic growth and evolving educational landscape. Her journey began in Mumbai, India, where she earned a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology.

During her early career, Sulakshana conducted impactful research on "The Use of Play and Art Forms with Children in Disaster," with a focus on supporting underprivileged children, abuse victims, and those affected by conflict zones. The findings were published in the Indian Journal of Social Science, highlighting her commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable youth.

Committed to holistic well-being, Sulakshana is trained in diverse therapeutic modalities including Yoga, Mindfulness, Dance Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Sulakshana holds certifications as a Global Career Development Facilitator, Mental Health Champion, and Safeguarding. This extensive skill set allows her to provide personalized support tailored to an individual's needs.

Passionate about helping individuals lead purposeful lives, Sulakshana believes in empowering the next generation to make informed career decisions that contribute to a brighter future for themselves and their communities.In her new role as a school counselor, Sulakshana looks forward to leveraging her expertise and dedication to support students in achieving their academic, personal, and career goals at DAA.

Ms. Chelsea Kearns has been a secondary school counselor for the past 17 years, most of which were in high schools, including 10 years at an IB school in Bellevue, WA. She finds fulfillment collaborating with a strong counseling team, which raises everyone up, including students. Chelsea loves helping students through all aspects of their development during high school, and finds it quite rewarding to help them understand their passions and navigate their future plans. Guiding students to discover their own worth, building relationships, and watching them hone their sense of identity keeps her energized year after year. 

Chelsea grew up in the Seattle area. She got her BA in Sociology at Principia College in southern IL. She enjoyed living in Boston in her 20’s, and then found her passion for working with teenagers when she was a dorm mother at a boarding/day school in St. Louis, MO. Following her tenure in the dorm she moved back to Seattle to pursue her MAEd in School Counseling at Seattle University.

Chelsea and her husband are excited to embark on a new adventure in Dubai with their young son! Their son will be entering KG2, so she will be looking for excuses to pop into DAA’s elementary school on occasion. Outside of work and family/friends she enjoys exploring, singing, listening to podcasts, walking, swimming, recreational rowing when possible, and attending a variety of performing arts events.  

Mrs. Yasmin Gabr is a dedicated and compassionate school counselor with over 20 years of experience in education, 16 of which have been in the UAE. She holds a Master of Education in School Counseling from Lehigh University and is a certified school counselor by the New York State Education Department, as well as a licensed counselor through the Dubai Community Development Authority (CDA).

Throughout her career, Yasmin has worked with students across a wide range of ages and backgrounds, always striving to create a safe space where young people feel empowered. Her approach is rooted in empathy, connection, and deep belief in the power of every student’s potential. She is committed to supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of students and is passionate about helping them discover their strengths, interests, and future possibilities. She is continually inspired by her students and the unique insights they offer.

Yasmin is looking forward to being part of the DAA community, where she can partner with students, families, and educators to help young people thrive.

Ms. Nedra Brown has nearly 18 years of experience in education and has served as both primary and secondary school counselor for the past 15 years, with a specialization in social and emotional and college counseling.  Ms. Brown earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Texas Southern University and both her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University.  Her teaching and counseling career began in Texas, where she taught in middle school and later became a school counselor.  Ms. Brown continued her counseling profession in the UAE, where she has been residing in Dubai for the past six years.

Ms. Brown believes in promoting the all-round development of students, academically, physically, and emotionally, and recognizes that the primary to young adult years are an important developmental period that builds self-awareness and social-emotional strengths. Ms. Brown’s motto for her students is “to live life to the fullest”, in which she helps them to discover their passion.

Ms. Brown is thrilled to be a part of the Dubai American Academy family, and looks forward to working with students, parents and community partners to help students accomplish their dreams by making more informed decisions and better educational and career choices.

Mrs. Fify Kassem is originally from New York City where she graduated with a Bachelor degree in Education from Brooklyn College, New York, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Alfred University, New York. Fify continued her education by obtaining an Extension in Special Education Certificate from The College of Saint Rose, New York.

Fify began her counseling career in 2016 in New York City. Seeking to broaden her horizons and gain international experience, she moved to Egypt, where she worked in an International school with students from diverse backgrounds. In 2023, Fify relocated to the UAE to continue her career as a school counselor.

Fify is passionate about promoting the well-being and growth of students of all ages and backgrounds. She takes great joy in helping students learn, develop, and achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. Fify’s approach is centered on providing support and guidance tailored to each student’s unique needs.

In Fify’s free time, she enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures, which enrich her understanding and connection with students from various nationalities. Additionally, she loves reading and taking long walks, activities that provide relaxation and inspire fresh perspectives in her counseling practice.

Ms. Jennifer Da Silva is excited to join the DAA family in August as one of the new High School Counselors. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology, Master’s in School Counseling, and Education Specialist degree in Professional Counseling from Seton Hall University. She has worked in public schools in New Jersey and is completing her 13th year as a school counselor. 

Over the years, Jennifer has honed her skills in counseling, career and college advising, and program development. She thrives in roles where she can mentor and support young adults, helping them navigate critical milestones in their academic and personal journeys. Her passion lies in fostering their growth and equipping them with the tools to succeed.  Jennifer firmly believes that the best lessons in life are learned through experiences that challenge us to step outside our comfort zones. As a school counselor, she often tells her students to “find comfort in being uncomfortable,” as it’s a surefire way to grow and learn. 

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, especially being the “fun” aunt. You can always find her dabbling in some DIY projects, enjoying all types of music, and traveling.

Meet Jennifer Gaffney, a dedicated professional with more than 23 years of experience working with young people aged 7 to 18. She started her career in therapeutic care in 2000, working with individuals and families from all backgrounds and denominations under the governing body of The Child and Family Agency. Throughout her career, Jennifer has led social and emotional groups, engaging in educational and life-skill-focused activities that help young people navigate the complexities of the modern world, enabling them to reach their full potential and happiness.

Jennifer's passion for traveling and exploring new places and meeting new people is evident in both her personal and professional life. She actively works on developing her social and emotional skills, which she believes are crucial in her line of work. Jennifer is thrilled to be starting a new journey with DAA, where she hopes to further hone her skills and contribute to the organization's mission to inspire and empower young individuals.

Crystel is an experienced Human Resources and Administration officer; she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism and began her career in the Hospitality industry. She is passionate about supporting teams and building positive workplace cultures.  On her rest day, she enjoys quality time with her friends and family.