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.

Welcome to Yas American Academy! As the Dean of Students, it is my pleasure and privilege to ensure that all students in the Academy are supported to fulfill their academic and social potential. With nearly 15 years of experience in the pastoral and educational setting in both UAE and UK systems, I am now proud to lead an outstanding pastoral team that includes Heads of Grade and Heads of House to guide our students from KG through to Grade 12. My passions include celebrating students who adhere to our values and principles on a daily basis of ‘Achieving Together’. Collaboration, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Determination are central characteristics to success here at the Academy and for contributing to communities outside of school. I am proud to have developed a ‘Character Curriculum’ that recently received international recognition to make us an accredited ‘School of Character’ through the Quality Mark program. This curriculum allows us to develop well-rounded, employable young men and women, and promote the aspects of individuals that make them unique. I have also ensured that Yas American Academy has implemented a thriving rewards scheme to enhance student experiences and ensure those in my care feel valued, listened to, and appreciated.

As the Assistant Principal at Yas American Academy, I am dedicated to shaping the educational landscape for our students, ensuring that they are well-prepared for their future pathways in college, university, or any other path. In my role, I am responsible for the development of the Secondary curriculum, a task that involves creating a holistic and comprehensive learning environment that caters to the diverse needs and aspirations of our student body. Serving as the Advanced Placement (AP) Coordinator, I am passionate about expanding the opportunities of our students by introducing new courses that enrich their learning opportunities. I have always looked to create an environment that inspires academic excellence, innovation and critical thinking.

With close to two decades of experience in education, including roles as a teacher, school counselor, and administrator both in the USA and UAE, I have been able to use my educational experience to not only equip students with the academic knowledge needed for success but also instill in them the skills, values, and cultural awareness necessary for thriving in a global society.

I am excited about the continuous journey of shaping young minds and preparing them for a future full of possibilities at Yas American Academy.

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.

Mrs. Melissa Patrick brings over 18 years of educational experience living and working in Abu Dhabi, UAE, including 11 years in leadership positions. She is a PYP-qualified Educator and has experience in US, IB, and Australian Curriculums. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education Studies from Universities in Australia. Melissa has been married for 21 years and has two sons.

This is Melissa’s 7th year at Yas American Academy. Since joining YAA in 2018, Melissa has held multiple roles including Head of Pastoral, Head of Department for grades 1-5, and Child Protection and Safeguarding Lead.

As Head of KG & Elementary, Melissa has been integral in developing the house system at YAA and believes it provides a sense of family across the school and develops a sense of pride and belonging among students. She advocates for the YAA values of collaboration, integrity, respect, innovation, and determination as guiding principles for staff and students not only inside the school but outside in the wider community and as students graduate and move on to the next phase of their lives.

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.