Staff Reflections
Aled Jones
My name is Aled Jones and I’m 24 years old. I’m from a small country called Wales in the United Kingdom. My parents still live in Wales and I have a twin brother who lives in Australia. I moved to the UAE a year and a half ago and have had a fantastic time. I enjoy learning about the different cultures and history, this country has to offer. I enjoy travelling and seeing the world. My goal is to live in as many different countries as possible before i turn 30. I love staying active and doing any form of sport. I love rock climbing and have a big passion for skiing.
Alex Butler
Since starting teaching at Al Ain English Speaking School, I can honestly say I have never been happier. Not really knowing what to expect when I set out on this journey was as much daunting as it was exciting. Like many others, people had told me stories of the UAE and what to ‘expect’. Admittedly, these people in most cases have never visited this amazing country and had a chance to explore all it has to offer. This country, and the city of Al Ain are amazing places. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. From the moment I set foot off the plane, I was made to feel at home.
Teaching at the school is a different experience to what I am use to, but a positive one. Having so many different cultures in one classroom is such a joy to teach. Every child offers their own unique input in lessons which makes every day, every lesson exciting and different. The support I have received has been second to none. The HR team have been outstanding and I feel very lucky to know that if I have a problem, no matter how small, they will deal with it right away. The same can be said for the SLT at the school. Their doors are always open for discussions around teaching, but equally for a laugh and a joke which is always appreciated.
On reflection, this has been the best decision I have ever made and that is down to everyone at Al Ain English Speaking School. I would 100% recommend AAESS to anyone wanting to try a new experience within teaching.
Angela Ledger
My name is Mrs Ledger and I am from England. I have been living in the UAE since 2013 and am really enjoying the experience. Prior to moving to AAESS, I taught for over 15 years in both the north and south of England. Over those years I was lucky enough to have taught in all areas of primary including foundation stage.
Leading the Year 3 department is a role that I cherish. I am dedicated to the pastoral support of all of our children as well as their academic achievement. All children should be happy, confident and cared for; only then will they make the full progress they are capable of.
Away from school I enjoy walking, reading and sailing. I have always loved the outdoors and used to play netball, football and hockey. A number of years ago I qualified as a FA referee, and keep up to date with netball by working at both the Rugby 7s and the Intergulf competitions.
My family are extremely special to me and I relish the times we spend together in various parts of the world.
Barry Doherty
Originally from Derry City in Northern Ireland, I studied French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese at The Queen’s University of Belfast and then received a PGCE at The University of Liverpool.
I am a Spanish specialist who has taught the subject to advanced level and French and Italian to GCSE. I taught in several schools in England and was Head of Faculty of Modern and Classical Languages in previous school in rural Somerset.
Additionally, I have 12 years experience as an assistant boarding housemaster and coached rugby throughout my career.
My personal interests include trying to keep fit – cycling, swimming and the gym; foreign travel and learning new languages.
Beverly Abass
I remember arriving at Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) in March 2002 and being quite vociferous in reply to questions asked about how long my husband and I planned to stay in Al Ain. The answer was an adamant and very sincere, “Five and a half years!” Fourteen years later, and we are still here!
At the time, many of my colleagues tried to impress on me that they had arrived at the school with similar thoughts, but they, too, had allowed the school to creep under their skins and become their family! I think this is testament to the fact that we, like many before us, have been and continue to be happy in Al Ain and at AAESS. The city is just big enough to provide a range of entertainment while being a mere stone’s throw away from the “bright lights” of either Dubai or Abu Dhabi! The school provides a friendly and an accommodating environment in which to work, while the students, who hail from far and wide are mostly, well-mannered, respectful and keen to learn. A further advantage of being exposed to so many different nationalities is that students and teachers alike, learn very quickly, to be tolerant and accepting of one another.
I can honestly say that teachers considering taking up a position at AAESS should be very happy here – you’ll experience a warm (and I’m not referring to the desert heat!) and inviting atmosphere here with plenty of opportunity for exploring what the UAE has to offer, as well as travelling abroad.
Charlotte McIlroy
I had never been to the UAE before accepting the job at Al Ain English Speaking School. I had heard a lot about Dubai, a little about Abu Dhabi and nothing at all about Al Ain so I didn’t know what to expect. I told myself I would see how the first year or so goes and then reassess …. I am now in my third year and still haven’t got to the reassessing part; I can honestly say that it is one of the best decisions I have made.
Since arriving as a PE teacher I have had the opportunity to enhance my career to a Head of Year role which now sees me in charge of both Year 10 and Year 11. This pastoral role has given me the chance to build effective relationships with a wide variety of students.
At Al Ain English Speaking School, I have had the wonderful opportunity to teach students from such a wide array of different countries. I once took a group of students to a sports fixture and not one student was from the same country as another, they spent the whole commute discussing each other’s cultures and traditions. The students are a delight to work with; they are hard-working, cooperative and passionate about their education. We have seen some outstanding results by our students and therefore go on to well renowned universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard amongst other notable institutions.
Staff at AAESS are very welcoming and supportive. Almost everyone has made the move to a different country so the staff community is extremely supportive, friendly, helpful and like a second family.
Living in Al Ain has many advantages; Dubai and Abu Dhabi are only a short drive away, the climate is slightly more tolerable than other places in the UAE and it’s also much quieter and friendly than the bigger cities.
The UAE as a country has so much to offer – you never get bored. However, if you do have the passion to see the world it’s such a central place to be based in to travel to other parts such as Asia, Africa and Australia for example.
Emma Quick
After arriving in the UAE just under a year and a half ago I am now in my second year of teaching at Al Ain English Speaking School. Prior to moving, I had always wanted to teach in the UAE and am so glad that I had followed through with this. From being initially offered my job until I arrived, the whole process was made easier due to the helpfulness of everyone involved at school. When I made the move everyone was so helpful and friendly and made my big move feel less scary! Al Ain English Speaking School is a friendly environment to work in, everyone is so kind and helpful and made me feel welcome since arriving.
I am now in my second year as an FS2 teacher here and am thoroughly enjoying it, this year I was appointed as the Deputy Director of Early Years and since January have been appointed as Director of Early Years and am really enjoying the challenge! I love working at Al Ain English Speaking School because we really do have every child’s best interest in mind and strive hard so that every child has the potential to achieve and succeed in the future. We promote life-long learners who have a passion for leaning and I love working in a school that has caring and nurturing environment!
The UAE is a great place to live and is so central to the rest of the world and is great base for travelling. Al Ain itself is lovely and feels like a big family. When I arrived in Al Ain I joined the local netball team and have really enjoyed playing, we play every week in Abu Dhabi and have travelled to tournaments in Dubai and Fujairah! I have found Al Ain to be extremely safe and welcoming to all and I look forward to continuing to live here in the near future!
Maniue Vilsoni
At the end of my short stint at Abu Dhabi University in October 2007, I visited AAESS to thank the administration officer for enrolling my daughters Harieta and Sylvia. Ray, a New Zealander married to Dr. Viliame Sotutu, greeted me with an unforgettable sunshiny “Bula!” welcome. That first impression of AAESS convinced me to join this wonderful school.
I had taught in Fiji for 26 years at primary, secondary, teachers college and lectured part-time at the University of the South Pacific but teaching here is a totally new experience. Teaching small classes, empowering students from over 54 nations, fostering a wonderful rapport with parents, being a sixth form tutor, supervising extra-curricular activities, accompanying students to Paris and London, celebrating their successes, coaching rugby at the Amblers Club, interacting with an international staff (from Fiji, New Zealand, Ecuador, Colombia, South Africa, Canada, UK, USA and Europe) and watching our students win the U-19 rugby 7s at the showcase Dubai tournament are highlights of my time here at AAESS.
I have enjoyed every moment! The students are a delight to work with – they’re open-minded, innovative, caring, respectful and generous. They support charities and take on challenges their international peers would engage in. They also enroll at universities around the world including Oxbridge and the ivy league colleges. Recently one of our students was invited to Brasenose College, Oxford for an interview. AAESS is a renowned secondary school in this Oasis City! Join the faculty and be enriched by its students, staff and the Al Ain City community.
