Senior Leadership Team
Michelle is currently fulfilling the role of the acting principal at the Multinational School Dhahran. She is an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and experienced educationalist with a history of successful leadership. She has been in education for more than 28 years, of which 20 years was spent serving in senior leadership capacity in international schools in South Africa, Sweden, Poland, China and now in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Michelle is currently fulfilling the role of the acting principal at the Multinational School Dhahran. She is an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and experienced educationalist with a history of successful leadership. She has been in education for more than 28 years, of which 20 years was spent serving in senior leadership capacity in international schools in South Africa, Sweden, Poland, China and now in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Michelle comes from Cape Town, South Africa but having worked across the world in such diverse cultures and countries she completely embraces the school motto, ‘Distinction in Diversity’. She strongly believes that teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.
Michelle was awarded the Nord Anglia Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education in 2010. The same passion and energy she exhibited then is what drives her to deliver outstanding learning opportunities for the students at MNS Dhahran. Michelle believes that no child should be left behind and together with our fantastic staff, she intends working hard to ensure student success by building strong relationships with parents and all our partners in education.
Dr Wafa strongly believes that her mission in life is to empower disadvantaged children globally and improve their quality of life and wellbeing in all aspects of education, behaviour, and health through focusing on providing updated, high-quality education that is built on evidence-based research and best practices in order for these children to become independent and productive members in their societies. During her journey, she worked in different countries such as the US, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia, and held different positions including but not limited to:
Working with typical children and children with special needs, ages 18 months - 15 years old, in countries mentioned above.
Working on one of the biggest projects in Jordan called “Strengthening Early Childhood Education in Jordan” which was funded by the USAID.
Developing the Brighter Future Program, implementing it, and evaluating its effectiveness for children aged 3-11 years in the United States. Participating in the Bassi Pathana Community Collaborative Development Project in India to identify the health-related and educational needs of young children in the nine villages of the District of Punjab and also designed and implemented developmentally appropriate health and educational activities to help these communities on a regional basis.
Working as the Supervisor of Development and Training of Special Education in Hayat Center/Al-Ahsaa, as the Supervisor for the Administration of Child and Family Care and Development in Al-Ahsaa Girl Benevolent Society and as The Director of International Empowerment Office for Educational Consulting in Dammam. Being awarded the title of “Consultant of Education” by the government. Her philosophy is to work together as parents and school, hand-in-hand, to craft the first stone in the children’s brighter future.
Dr Kadoura enjoys meeting with her family and close friends on a regular basis. She believes that reading develops knowledge beyond the limits of time and space, so it is a core element in her routine as she spends 4-8 hours a day reading. She encourages the use of technology but not to the extent that it controls people’s life. She acknowledges the beautiful scenery, including the trees and the sea as she gets a sense of peace and happiness from them. The world is her home and all the good people, regardless of differences, are her big family.
Hanan Kanj, is the Early Years Foundation Stage Coordinator as well as the FS2 Homeroom Teacher. She has been working at MNS-D since its very beginning and feels very privileged to be part of the MNS family. She was born and raised in Australia and then moved with her family to Lebanon where she received her two bachelor’s degrees. She has lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for the past 8 years where she gained her EYFS teaching experience from different international schools.
Hanan Kanj, is the Early Years Foundation Stage Coordinator as well as the FS2 Homeroom Teacher. She has been working at MNS-D since its very beginning and feels very privileged to be part of the MNS family. She was born and raised in Australia and then moved with her family to Lebanon where she received her two bachelor’s degrees. She has lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for the past 8 years where she gained her EYFS teaching experience from different international schools. She also earned a Professional Teaching Diploma with distinction and is currently enrolled in the iPGCE course delivered by TES institute in partnership with the University of East London. Hanan loves teaching children and all the exploring, learning and fun they get to have. Working with the little children and watching them grow fills her heart with joy.
When she is not at school, she enjoys cooking and baking and likes to spend time with family and friends. She also loves to travel and explore new places and destinations. Her philosophy is that each child is unique, therefore they learn and thrive at their own pace, and therefore programmes and activities are differentiated to meet the needs, abilities and interest of each and every learner. As the Deputy Safeguarding Lead at MNS-D, she strongly believe that no child shall fall behind or slip through the cracks, which is why she is determined to be ambitious to ensure that every child is seen, safe and able to succeed. We value our learners, set high aspirations for them and put in place the right support so they can achieve.
Together with a team of amazing and creative teachers, she is committed to create and maintain an environment where our children can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them. Hanan feels fortunate and blessed to be teaching in an amazing school that has a nurturing and loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play.
At MNS-D, our curriculum is play-based as we believe that play is a child’s most important work and we strive to create and maintain a fun and safe environment where the child can explore, learn and grow. Within the EYFS framework, we provide activities that cover the seven areas of learning to aid the intellectual, personal, physical, social and emotional development of the children.As the EYFS coordinator, she strongly believes that learning takes place not only in classrooms and always tries her best to enrich the child’s learning experience.
Continuous provision is implemented in a challenging and engaging environment where learners get the opportunity to explore, innovate, create and become independent learners, critical thinkers and problem solvers.At MNS-D, we strongly believe that parents are our partners and play an active role in the child’s learning journey. Hence, we support each other and work together to enable our children to achieve their ambitions and reach their full potential. She finds joy in witnessing a child learn something new, knowing she was a main influence in their doing so.
“The impact I make in their lives makes for an even bigger and completely gratifying impact in my own life”. Hanan looks forward to continuing to have a positive impact on the children's growth and to new discoveries with an amazing team of dedicated teachers and staff.
We look forward to your family joining the MNS family!
Ashwaq Saeed Badgaish is our new Saudi leader originally from Saudi Arabia. Ashwaq holds a Master’s degree in Education of Instructional Media and Tech, from Eastern Washington University, she had her Bachelor’s degree in the Arabic literature, from the University of Dammam. Ashwaq is a dedicated, compassionate, and intuitive educator. She had a vast experience in one of the reputable schools in Khobar where she had worked as an Arabic coordinator and a vice principal.
Ashwaq Saeed Badgaish is our new Saudi leader originally from Saudi Arabia.
Ashwaq holds a Master's degree in Education of Instructional Media and Tech, from Eastern Washington University, she had her Bachelor's degree in the Arabic literature, from the University of Dammam. Ashwaq is a dedicated, compassionate, and intuitive educator. She had a vast experience in one of the reputable schools in Khobar where she had worked as an Arabic coordinator and a vice principal, during her dominion she strived to offer the staff the best possible leadership by creating a conducive and enabling environment for them to grow as individuals. She believes in the importance and value of honesty, integrity, patience, fairness, inclusivity, and credibility in leadership. These qualities of hers foster and cultivate trust among members of the team and therefore increase the level of group togetherness. Above all, she values most the concept of motivation, negotiation, and teamwork.
As a Saudi School Leader Ashwaq ensures that the school follows all of the Saudi Ministry of Education
Regulations and supervises the student registration ministry approval. She also plays a great role in leading the school to perform efficiently and enables the outgrowth of the school.
Her achievements are many, She has attended meetings + training to discuss curriculum + new teaching methods, at Western Washington University USA.
Besides these, she likes to drive, spend time with her family, surf the internet, read books, and do research.
Daphné van Huyssteen is Upper Primary Coordinator and the Year 5 Girls’ Home Room Teacher 7. She has been working at the Multinational School Dhahran since 2019. Her passion and dedication towards learning started at home; following in the footsteps of her parents who were both educators. She understands and values the importance of a supportive and nurturing educational environment since she had attended several different schools in her childhood.
Daphné van Huyssteen is Upper Primary Coordinator and the Year 5 Girls' Home Room Teacher 7. She has been working at the Multinational School Dhahran since 2019.
Her passion and dedication towards learning started at home; following in the footsteps of her parents who were both educators. She understands and values the importance of a supportive and nurturing educational environment since she had attended several different schools in her childhood. To her, it is essential that all learners feel that they belong and know they are valued.
She completed her Bachelor of Education (Intermediate and Senior phase Education) in 2016 with Cum Laude, ever since then Daphné has been doing what she loves most- teaching. She has taught many different year groups in the Upper Primary. Throughout her years of teaching, she has also attended many workshops, courses, and seminars to provide her students with the ultimate learning experience.
If not planning the next adventure in class, Daphné enjoys setting off on her adventures in nature.
Aisha Almubarak is the Arabic & Islamic Studies Coordinator as well as the Arabic teacher for non-native speakers. She has been in the field of education for over 6 years and is passionate about education. After she graduated from Dammam University, she studied English at the Highway Institute. She has worked in several reputable schools that increased her experience and passion in education and learned many modern education strategies.
Aisha Almubarak is the Arabic & Islamic Studies Coordinator as well as the Arabic teacher for non-native speakers. She has been in the field of education for over 6 years and is passionate about education. After she graduated from Dammam University, she studied English at the Highway Institute. She has worked in several reputable schools that increased her experience and passion in education and learned many modern education strategies.
As Aisha was educated in a multinational school, she considers herself lucky to teach in an environment such as the Multinational School Dhahran, where all students are treated in a unified, inspiring and creative way. Her passion for the education of different cultures and abilities has continued to grow. Teaching at the Multinational School Dhahran promotes delivering what fits every child’s needs and distinctively developing their skills.
Apart from teaching, she loves reading stories with her family. She is dreaming about having a tour around the world and learning more strategies from different cultures.
