Meet the team

Mr. Nelson brings more than eleven years of educational and leadership experience, with over six years within the Middle East. He maintains a Master of Arts qualification in Educational Leadership, accompanied with a plethora of pedagogical expertise, blended across pastoral and curriculum leadership positions. Furthermore, he has taught and led curriculums across the US, GCSE, BTEC, and IB frameworks throughout his career to date.

Initially trained and qualified as a teacher in the United Kingdom, Mr. Nelson taught Physical Education in various educational settings. After relocating to Dubai in 2015, he was appointed Head of Boys; Physical Education at a large multi-cultural international school. During this time, his career progressed to becoming a Head of House, leading pastoral initiatives to heighten students support and wellbeing within the school.

In 2019, Mr. Nelson joined Yas American Academy as the Dean of Students, leading change in student wellbeing and behavior for learning reforms. He is passionate about developing students holistically, equipping them with the skills required for students to flourish within an ever changing global society. As Head of Secondary, he is passionate about driving improvements at Yas American Academy, with the relentless energy to work in partnership with parents, staff, and the school community to ensure a high-quality education is made available to every child at Yas American Academy.

I joined the Yas American Leadership team this year as the Assistant Principal for KG & Elementary.

I am from the United Kingdom where I have completed my studies, holding a BA in Human Rights with History, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, and a Masters in Leadership in Education. 

I have worked in private schools in Abu Dhabi for over 12 years and I am invested in the development of education in the region. I bring with me extensive knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and understanding of the local culture.  

I am a firm believer that parents are our partners in education and will ensure that I work towards building excellent relationships with them by building the capacity for parents and educators to connect.  

I am passionate about ensuring all students reach their full potential and that we use their interests to drive our curriculum and learning experiences at school. I advocate for and implement ways that students can take more responsibility for their learning. 

I am proud to work at Yas American Academy as a Secondary Assistant Principal for Data and Assessment. I have extensive experience in high-performing schools in both England and Dubai. I began my teaching career working in an outstanding school in London, where I became an Advanced Skills Teacher and was given the responsibility of supporting teachers to improve their practice. I then moved to Dubai for five years where I worked in senior leadership roles in two fantastic schools. Across these schools, I held responsibility for the quality of teaching, supporting student learning and pastoral care as well as overseeing secondary assessment. In 2019, I returned to England to take up a post working within a high-performing trust of schools. In this role, I have been able to utilize the latest educational research to support the development of the curriculum. Whilst I have enjoyed my time in the UK, my family and I missed the UAE enormously and were desperate to return.

During my career, I have come to realize that all children are capable of truly amazing things and that to make this a reality, it is our job as educators to expose them to the possibilities, encourage self-belief and expect hard work. My responsibilities at Yas American Academy focus primarily on ensuring that our students have the experiences and skills they need to reach their incredible potential. I will be responsible for supporting our staff to continue to develop and deliver high-quality lessons as well as ensuring that students have the skills they need to engage with their learning successfully. In addition, I will work with students and staff to develop a shared understanding of the importance of data and assessment in both their teaching and learning.

As the Dean of Students, it is my priority to ensure that all students from Pre-KG to Grade 12 are supported in their social, emotional, and academic development in our wonderful school community. With over a decade of experience in education, I am proud to lead a dedicated pastoral team that consistently puts the interests of our students first, creating an environment where every child can thrive. I am deeply passionate about giving students opportunities beyond the classroom such as extra-curricular activities, student council, and educational trips both nationally and internationally.

I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management, which has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to effectively guide and support both students and staff. My commitment to student welfare and holistic development is at the heart of everything I do, and I am dedicated to inspiring and leading with integrity and care.

As a pastoral team, our vision is to encourage strong, positive relationships between students, staff, and the wider school community, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit. We aim to promote values such as empathy, resilience, respect, and responsibility through various programs such as ‘Character curriculum’ and activities that help students develop strong moral and ethical foundations.

Hello everyone! My name is Kate Healy and I am delighted to be serving as Acting Assistant Principal here at Yas American Academy. I come to this role with 17 fulfilling years in education. I am from Cork, Ireland and began my teaching career in my hometown of Mallow in 2007 after graduating from Mary Immaculate College. I spent 10 years teaching in the early years department of my school before making the move to Abu Dhabi in 2017.

I joined Yas American Academy as a KG1 teacher; witnessing the awe and wonder of young learners as they grasped new concepts was incredibly rewarding. The following year, I was promoted to Head of Department for Kindergarten. I had the opportunity to nurture not just young minds, but the teachers who shape them. Since then, I have been afforded the opportunity to progress my career as Head of Department for Grades 1-3 and most recently as Acting AP to Misi Gill. Creating a collaborative, healthy and supportive environment where teachers can thrive and develop is key to providing an exceptional education for our students. The journey continues, and I’m constantly learning and evolving alongside our dedicated team.

Together, we aim to build a strong foundation for our students, igniting a spark that will illuminate their lifelong love of learning. I look forward to working with you all this year and am excited for what this year can bring!

With over 15 years of experience in education and leadership, I am excited to be moving into the role of Assistant Principal of Middle and High School. I join the team following my time at Aldar Education Head Office, where I served as Manager of School Inspection, Improvement, and Teacher Training, working across more than 30 schools delivering the British, IB, and US curricula.

My career began in the UK, where I worked as an Advanced Skills Teacher, supporting both new and experienced staff across a trust of schools. I led curriculum development and collaborated with local teaching schools to improve teaching standards and classroom practice.

After relocating to the UAE, I held leadership roles in an outstanding-rated school, including Head of University and Career Guidance, Gifted and Talented Lead, and Non-Academic Achievement. These experiences strengthened my belief in the importance of inclusive, student-centred education.
In my new role, I bring a deep understanding of high-impact teaching strategies, inclusive education, curriculum design, and student pathway development. I am a trained school inspector (Tribal, NEASC, BSO), a qualified Head of Inclusion, and recently completed an MBA with a specialism in training and leadership.

I am passionate about ensuring every student receives the support and opportunities they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. I look forward to working closely with students, staff, and families to continue building a culture of excellence and care.