Meet the team

I am a resident in the esteemed UAE for 18 years. I am a mother to three children—one in the Early Years, one in Secondary, and the oldest in university. This means I personally cover every single stage of the education system, giving me a 360-degree perspective on navigating the complex worlds of students, parents, and the institutional system itself! However, from all perspectives, two decades of dedicated service have reaffirmed my core belief that education represents both a profound privilege in shaping human lives and a critical responsibility in preparing future citizens for a continuously evolving world.

My professional journey began in the classroom as a language teacher, holding two degrees: one in Pedagogy followed by a major in French Literature. This academic background reflects two deeply held values that inspire my work every day: the science of how we learn and the stories that shape who we are, reminding us of the critical role of culture and ethical narrative in building character.

This dual focus on academic rigor and pastoral attention was the catalyst for my progression into senior leadership roles—advancing from leading academic departments to heading Middle and High School. In these roles, the aim was not only to guarantee academic excellence but also intentionally transcend it, equipping learners with the skills, values, and adaptability they need to thrive and lead with purpose and ethics.

Ultimately, my goal is to help cultivate an environment where every person feels seen, challenged, and inspired. To play a role in that legacy is what truly motivates me and drives my dedication to this profession.

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. 

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.

I am absolutely delighted to be joining Yas American Academy as Assistant Principal – Pastoral and feel incredibly privileged to become part of such a welcoming and ambitious school community.

With leadership experience in both the UK and the UAE, I have spent my career working alongside students, staff and families to create positive school environments where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive. Most recently, I have served as Assistant Principal in an American curriculum school in Abu Dhabi, and I am passionate about building a strong sense of belonging, nurturing positive relationships and ensuring every student is supported to achieve their very best—both academically and personally.

I believe that schools are at their best when students feel known, respected and encouraged to be the best version of themselves. I am looking forward to getting to know the students, meeting families and working closely with colleagues to continue strengthening the exceptional pastoral care and community spirit that Yas American Academy is known for.

I'm thrilled to be joining the Yas American Academy family as Assistant Principal (Data and Assessment), part of the Senior Leadership Team, and I can't wait to become part of this community!

I bring 14 years of international education experience across British/Irish and American curricula. Most recently, I served as Director of Assessments and Data at Summit International School in Abu Dhabi, where I was also a core member of the Senior Leadership Team. Over the years, I've led whole-school assessment strategy, championed data-informed instruction, and been fortunate to play a part in guiding schools through some really rewarding inspection improvement journeys.

I'm originally from Ireland, where I completed my Bachelor of Arts at University College Cork and my PGCE at Hibernia College, Dublin. I'm currently working on my Master of Education in Educational Leadership, and I'm also a certified school inspector under the ADEK framework.

I serve as the Head of MOE Subjects at Yas American Academy. I have more than 17 years of experience in education and educational leadership, gained through working in international schools and across a range of educational frameworks, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), Middle Years Program (MYP), British Curriculum, and the Ministry of Education (MOE) Curriculum.

I began my professional journey with Aldar Education at Al Mamoura British Academy, where I developed extensive expertise in curriculum development, educational leadership, and academic excellence. Throughout my career, I have been committed to empowering teachers, improving student learning outcomes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in education.

My professional and personal goal is to enhance and elevate the quality of MOE subjects at Yas American Academy by strengthening teaching and learning practices, improving educational outcomes, and ensuring that students achieve the highest academic standards while developing the knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

I firmly believe that high-quality education is the foundation for building confident, responsible, and successful future leaders.