Leadership

I am Amal Al-Minawi, Senior Principal here at American Baccalaureate School. I have been working at ABS since 2006. I remember when the advertisement for a principal was in the newspaper and, without hesitation, I sent my CV to the “brand new” American school opening in Kuwait. I interviewed with the School Director and that was my first step in the journey that I have taken with ABS.

The accomplishments, achievements, and successes that I have been able to witness while working here at ABS have been truly amazing. It has been an honor to be able to work for this well reputed educational institution. I have always believed that ABS is the best place for students, teachers, and administrators.

Each day in ABS adds a new challenge for me. The school has built a strong organization from the very beginning and this has helped them create a community where the staff can meet goals and reach the targets that they have set for themselves. I have been able to develop my leadership skills and cultivate a positive learning environment among the staff, as well as with parents.

Here at ABS, we believe in teamwork. Innovative learning is encouraged in the classroom, as well as professional development and collaborative thinking at the teacher level. This is part of the teaching process and has helped many teachers succeed and grow. We partner with and include various school programs such as STEM and UNESCO where students can participate in various activities. ABS has shaped the right conditions, policies, and procedures for all the stakeholders to learn, work and succeed.

Finally, as we all look forward to the continued impact that American Baccalaureate School will have, I hope that ABS will keep glowing and growing as they continue to be a positive and constant progress in the school culture and community here in Kuwait.

Amal Al-Minawi - Senior Principal

As Vice-Principal of the Kindergarten Department, I am fortunate to be a part of the American Baccalaureate School team. My experience in the field of education spans over twenty years and I am proud to say that a number of those years have been with ABS. During this time, I have been able to build relationships with my colleagues and members of the community. Creating those strong bonds is paramount to me and I look forward to continuing many years of building sustainable relationships. In order to achieve this, I believe communication is a key element which is one of the many strong suits of the American Baccalaureate School. My commitment to and passion for student learning success, especially for my sweet kindergarten students is in line with the principles of our school. Teaching, learning, and community is the foundation upon which our school resides. I believe that school success is a team effort at all levels and is the reason ABS excels in the education community. Lastly, my philosophy as an educator is best summed up by Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn”. 

Jennifer Naser - KG Vice Principal

I joined the American Baccalaureate School in the Summer of 2015 as a homeroom Kindergarten teacher. Those years I spent teaching our youngest learners, having just arrived in Kuwait for my first time, remains such a fond memory to this day. The Kindergarten Department is a wonderful and bright environment to be a part of for staff and students alike. It is full of engaging and lively programs and activities all year-round. I joined the KG Administrator Team in 2017 and can honestly say that my skillset in Education and Leadership has grown more than I could have imagined, thanks to the training and resources made available to us by the school. ABS places great value on communication and continuous improvement, which ultimately pushes us towards significant growth and success on both an individual and school-wide level.

Rachelle Parsons - KG Coordinator

What a challenging year! It is a privilege to be working with an upward reaching school, ABS. Since the countrywide lockdown this spring, ABS rapidly delivered a high-quality online system for student learning. This academic year, ABS has further invested in faculty, equipment, online resources, and technology, including full usage of Microsoft Teams for Education Programs. Ongoing training has been available for all stakeholders. ABS maintains high academic standards and extra support for lost learning time.

As a seventh-year employee with 23 years in teaching and school administration, this year has been significant. It is an honor to be working at ABS with a motivated and dedicated team. We have partnered with students and families to work in new, innovative ways. This has had long-reaching positive benefits for our students. Thank you for being with us in this learning journey.

Alicia Szydlowski - Elementary Principal

For the past eight years, I have been a proud member of the ABS family. There is no dull moment at ABS, with each day bringing exciting challenges with new goals for me to strive towards. The positive energy and sheer kindness that I have experienced from our students, parents, and staff here in Kuwait, can make anyone feel at home!

Lamees Alnagar - Elementary Vice Principal

Since joining the ABS community as an educator and leader, I have strengthened the many skills that I developed over my years of experience in schools abroad. With continuous training and support, ABS has given me the opportunity to challenge myself as a leader, mentor, and coach. The ABS community creates an environment for growth for both students and teachers. This is a learning atmosphere you cannot miss! Moreover, as we navigate and explore the unknown, our team upholds a positive outlook as we work together to get things done and keep ourselves and our students moving forward. I am proud to work alongside a diverse community of team players.

Shereen Kroutz - Elementary Vice Principal

ABS’s vision includes educating lifelong learners-including its staff. I formally started my career in education at ABS as a Grade 1 self-contained teacher. With training and support, I was then promoted to a position as Head of Department. After a couple years away from ABS, I was invited back as a Vice Principal for the Elementary Department. My journey in education has been enhanced by my exposure to the global community promoted in our vision. I know I am here today because of the ones at ABS who believed in me. 

Jaclyn Guzman - Elementary Vice Principal

ABS is an exciting place to work where school management encourages everyone to do their best. Here at ABS, teachers, administrators and students are destined for a great future. ABS is a true reflection of Kuwait in terms of cultural ethics, religious norms and moral values. We educate our students not only to be successful professionals but also to be future leaders. We provide every opportunity and facilitate our students to face the challenges of 21st century education. We also understand the importance of the digital world, so to meet future requirements, we have introduced multiple technology-aided programs at ABS. Our students compete in every field of education whether it be related to Science, Technology or Arts. ABS provides countless opportunities to all staff members to grow professionally and contribute to communities after they move on to other parts of the world. I highly value my stay at ABS for multiple reasons. For instance, the knowledge and skills I am gaining over the years, supports my long-term leadership career. Thirteen years ago, my journey started at ABS as a middle school math teacher and within years, the school recognized me as the Middle School Principal. I’m glad to share that ABS has always appreciated my work and provided me with ample opportunities, from local or international conferences to professional development workshops. I feel honored and proud to be part of an institution that considers every employee to be an integral part.

Mian Sadiq - Middle School Principal

My belief is that ABS provides an environment where students are given the opportunity to explore many pathways. During this exploration they are taught the necessary skills for which they can develop and display their god given talents. Staff are here to cultivate an atmosphere where students are encouraged to collaborate, discover, and expand their understanding of real-life experiences. It is through these experiences that we strive to produce lifelong learners.

The purpose of education should be to equip students with the knowledge and essential skills for them to actively participate and contribute to the society in which they live. Education can unlock many doors and provide a pathway for individuals to achieve their goals and dreams. ABS provides an environment where students can set goals, seek support and assistance, and ultimately achieve their dreams. We aspire to produce students, that are fully prepared to accomplish their dreams and goals while becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Marlayna Randolph - High School Principal

It has been a pleasure to have been a member of the ABS family for the past two years. Making the decision to move to Kuwait and continue my career at ABS was massive personal decision but one I most certainly will never regret. I felt welcomed to my new home from the moment I arrived at the airport and have continued to be supported from this time. Working with the teachers at ABS and watching them develop their skills has been an absolute privilege. The school provides teachers an intensive pre-service program each year, followed up with monthly Professional Development Days and a supportive Induction Program. Watching teachers use the content of this training in their classrooms to continually develop and improve the quality of teaching and learning for our students is a delight to witness. Working with the ABS students as also an honor. After 25 years of experience as an educator, I can say that the ABS students are some of the most fantastic young people that I have ever worked with. They

are enthusiastic, keen to learn, hardworking and eager to succeed. Outside of the classroom, they are willing and open to volunteering their time to support school events and to be involved in extra-curricular activities. An example of this would be the NHS student's involvement in supporting local charitable organizations. The ABS parents are also an incredibly supportive part of the ABS family. They are keen for their children to be the best that they can be and support our school, teachers and Administrators to achieve this goal. It has been an honor to be a member of the ABS family.

John Mcgrath - High School Vice Principal

My ABS journey started with being a Curriculum Coordinator and I quickly became a HS Vice Principal. It is a true blessing to be part of the ABS community; moving to Kuwait was the best decision I have ever made. It has been wonderful learning a new culture and meeting so many inspiring people. Needless to say, there is never a boring moment at ABS. The career path I have chosen is challenging but it brings about so much joy and has helped me to fulfil my life’s purpose. Observing and assisting in the progression of students and teachers is one of the many amazing things that ABS delivers. Our vision is to ‘educate lifelong learners with ethical values who will develop into leaders’. Each and every day this vision is at the heart of everything we do! The ABS family all work together in pure solidarity to ensure that we achieve this purpose. Although this vision applies to students, ABS has a tremendous way to fulfil this motto for staff also.

Calicia Daniel - High School Vice Principal

ABS is a community of educators and leaders, determined to prepare students for successful lives. Beyond that, ABS fosters an atmosphere of personal development where we as educators have opportunities to grow as well. When you work in an environment where this is the obvious goal, each year you feel motivated. I have found this to be true since I came to ABS in 2016. Each year that I've worked here, I've encountered new opportunities for professional growth and feel supported in all that I do. Staff are given the confidence to be the best that they can, and in turn, continually strive to improve. Even in the face of a pandemic, ABS rose to the challenge of educating in a virtual setting and supported the staff every step of the way. I find this to be a great testament to the care this school takes in preparing our students for the real world, and to the care they take with their staff to ensure each and every person has the means and support to perform at their highest capability. Go Wildcats!

Duncan MacMillan - High School Counselor

I first became a member of the ABS community in 2018 as part of the High School English Language Arts Department, where I proudly served our students for two consecutive years. This year, with the training and support of administration, I joined our team of High School College Counselors. The opportunity to work closely with our high school student body is a sincere privilege and easily the best aspect of my work at ABS. I find assisting our students in developing the academic and social skills needed to succeed personally and professionally, and counseling them in making defining decisions for life after high school to be deeply meaningful. Professionally, ABS has provided me with a tremendous amount of continuous support and opportunities for development within the field of education. Since my start at ABS, I have learned exponentially from a diversified and talented team of professionals and I am excited to continue finding innovative ways to better assist ABS students and fellow staff members in the future.

Diana Garcia - High School Counselor

ABS is a diversified community that brings educators and leaders together with one common goal to prepare the next generation of students beyond the classroom. ABS has allowed me to develop both individually and professionally as Dean of Students with various and unique challenges faced each day. I have learned from a diverse group of educators and leaders in preparing students to not only be successful in school but in life as well. Working with young students in the Elementary Department who are energetic, filled with dreams and hopes, aspires me to become the best educator that I can possibly

be. I thoroughly enjoy working with parents, students, and management here at ABS, as we are all one big community.

Mahad Ahmed - Elementary Dean of Students

Joining the ABS family has been one of the best career decisions I have made! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the ABS close nit family, the awesome students, and amazingly supportive staff. The level of education that ABS provides is phenomenal and rewarding to the students and parents. As the Girl’s campus Dean of Students, I have greatly enjoyed getting to know the students, while building positive rapport to include healthy boundaries and communication. The level of trust that has grown between myself and the students since the 2019 school year has been tremendous. Not only have they learned from myself, but I have also learned a vast amount of information about ABS, Kuwait living and the culture from the students! I look forward to continuing this great journey with ABS for many more years. Thank you ABS for the astronomical opportunity to help guide and direct the future leaders of Kuwait!  

Arilisha Bailey - MSHS Dean - Girls

Being a part of the ABS team has provided me with immeasurable experiences and professional growth. Watching our students realize their educational dreams has been the most fulfilling part of my job. The support that ABS provides to its students, has allowed them to explore opportunities that they never thought were possible. Each year the number of students that become more in tuned with their goals has grown. This is a direct result of the care and strength of our teaching and administrative staff. Our students look to us to help them set and reach their goals. As a counselor and College Seminar teacher, I have been able to work with the students in two capacities. This dual role has allowed me to not only invest in their futures, but to invest in them as individuals. I look forward to the new and innovative initiatives that ABS has in store for our students.

Sharinet Lee- High School Counselor