Our Team

Mrs Emma Shanahan has worked in education for almost 25 years, starting as a primary school teacher in London. A graduate of the University of Durham, Emma considers herself a 'lifelong learner', being awarded NPQH (National Professional Headship Qualification) in 2013, and receiving a MA (ed)(distinction) from Liverpool Hope University in 2016.

She has held strategic leadership roles in high performing schools both in the UK and internationally, with significant Middle-East regional experience. The impact of Emma’s leadership is regional, and externally validated with her school being graded ‘outstanding’ in every category in the unified inspection framework in 2015-16.

Passionate, focussed and ambitious, Emma has exceptionally high expectations of herself and others. She is experienced in establishing and facilitating processes for personal and organisational continuous evaluation and improvement, exemplified by the organisational attainment of the International Investors in People award.

Emma's philosophy of education is centred around building positive relationships, and

Miss Laura Stevens is a dedicated and enthusiastic educational practitioner with over 14 years of teaching and leadership experience in both the UK and the UAE.

Miss Stevens has been living in Abu Dhabi for the last nine years working in outstanding primary schools and more recently, supporting the transition and set-up of Aspen Heights British School, which is now in its second year.

Miss Stevens really enjoys the experiences that she has encountered living here in Abu Dhabi and the relationships that she has developed within this vibrant and multicultural community.

Miss Stevens believes that in order for a school to be successful in Abu Dhabi, strong community links and positive relationships are vital. She is committed to leading and supporting staff in creating an enjoyable, inspiring and personalised curriculum, as she wants all children to reach their potential and develop a real love for learning.

Dr. Kate Plumb has worked in education for over 15 years, with considerable experience in UK schools, having started her career teaching Science in Surrey, UK.  She is a Science graduate of the University of Nottingham and then went on to complete her Doctorate at Keele University where she wrote her thesis on Inorganic Chemistry.

She has worked for many years in the UK and then for a period in Australia before moving to Abu Dhabi.  Dr. Plumb has held senior leadership roles in the region for the past 7 years, with a focus on improving schools, especially the secondary sections. During this time, she completed her Masters degree in Education.

Dr. Plumb is enthusiastic and passionate about education.  She believes that a successful secondary education is underpinned by the simple principles that children are offered quality learning experiences through innovative, enquiry based learning and that they are keenly aware of what

Mrs Helene Francis is a graduate of University College, Dublin, Ireland, and has been in education for nearly 40 years. She spent the first half of her career teaching Mathematics and Geography to students in KS3 and KS4 in Dublin, Ireland and St Alban’s, UK. With the challenge of state examinations every year, Helene combined a deep knowledge of her subjects with a passion for teaching and learning, and had high expectations of her students. However, she also promoted a holistic education, organising various field trips, outdoor activities and charitable work.

Over time, Helene developed a passion for working with children who have additional educational needs and so she returned to University College, Dublin to qualify in Special Education. Since then she has held SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator) roles in a number of schools. She brings patience and humour to her work, always encouraging children to ‘have a go’, promoting

Miss Leanne Faulkner has been a primary teacher for 7 years after graduating from Worcester University with a PGCE. Before this she studied English at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland for three years. She taught across all primary ages in schools in the UK before moving to Abu Dhabi in August 2017.

Leanne has a particular passion for engaging children in phonics, reading and writing and has had some fantastic opportunities to work with Pie Corbett, who created the Talk 4 Writing approach to learning. She has been able to implement this in schools in England and is now very much enjoying doing the same at Aspen Heights British School.

Driven and passionate about the progress of children, Leanne works hard to ensure her colleagues are supported and that the children’s learning in all subject areas is a top priority.

Miss Ouassila Knani has been a primary teacher for 15 years. After graduating from university in Tunisia in 2000, she completed a Bachelor's degree in Education from Al Hosn University in Abu Dhabi. She has taught across all primary ages in schools in Abu Dhabi.

Ouassila has a passion for engaging children in reading, writing and speaking in Arabic; she has some fantastic teaching strategies to use in the classroom. She has implemented these strategies in an outstanding school in Abu Dhabi, and is now very much enjoying doing the same at Aspen Heights British School.

Ouasilla is committed to collaborating with families to ensure home and school work together to raise standards in all Arabic subjects.

I am very enthusiastic to be the first Finance Manager for Aspen Heights.

I have 11 years’ experience within the finance departments of international educational institutions. All my knowledge gained will be used to make Aspen Heights an exceptional school.

Nature and the protection of our environment is close to my heart, thus it excites me to work at a school that will incorporate these values into the education of the children.

Ange has 18 years marketing experience, since graduating in BA (Hons) Business Studies in Aberdeen, UK in 2001.

Working as a Global Marketing Manager for an oil supply company in Aberdeen, Scotland for 11 years, Angela has experience across the sales and marketing mix.  In Abu Dhabi, Ange has enjoyed marketing and customer service roles in business, relocation and a long-established British school, before joining Aspen Heights in summer 2018.

Ange is delighted to join the team at Aspen and looks forward to meeting and welcoming our current and prospective families.

Krishna Doherty has over 15 years’ of human resources experience including: recruitment and retention, change management, salary administration, performance management, benefits and employee relations across a number of industries.

Krishna holds a Higher National Diploma in Business Studies with Human Resource from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College in Buckshire. She is also certified as a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Human Resources (CIPD).

She is very passionate and enjoys helping employees reach their goals, building relationships and ensuring best HR practices. Krishna also enjoys mentoring up-and-coming HR professionals where she shares her knowledge and passion for HR.

Rasha has diversified experience across Education, Customer Service and Administration . She holds a BA in English Literature from AAU in Jordan. At Aspen she is very active team player, playing a pivotal role in the Admissions Team with specific focus on building relationships with parents and helping them understand Aspen Heights values, and ensuring smooth admission for their children.
As an active sociable individual Rasha enjoys staying fit and going to the gym. She says her friends would describe her as spontaneous, easy going, loving, thoughtful and a good listener.

Over the last 13 years, Martine has continually strived to gain experience and knowledge in order to help her to have a stronger understanding of the teaching profession. She has held various roles in early years settings and primary schools, these being; Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Setting Based SENCO, Behaviour Co-ordinator and now Teacher. During her employment in these roles, she also studied to obtain a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a Master's Degree in Education.

Although classroom learning and development is at the forefront of a child’s education, Martine is a firm believer in providing pupils with the skills to communicate in the wider world. Her experience in the UK has given her the opportunity to instill understanding and cohesion of different cultures in her teaching. An inclusive curriculum that gives all children an opportunity to learn is vital.

Eimear has worked in primary education for over 7 years. She has worked in schools across Ireland and the U.K. before coming to the UAE.

She strongly believes in an educational pedagogy that puts children first in order to allow them to reach their full holistic potential. She is passionate and enthusiastic about ensuring teaching and learning is tailored to the needs of each individual child while also developing positive relationships with the children. Eimear tries to instil a love for learning in the children in order to help children develop a positive attitude to education.

Miss Meghan Manica is an organised, passionate and dedicated educator who has a great love for learning and inspiring young minds. This being her 15th year of teaching, she has taught in the UK and South Africa before coming to Abu Dhabi.
Meghan is loving her time in the UAE and is thoroughly enjoying embracing all this amazing country has to offer.
Meghan has a passion for learning about new insights on the various aspects of teaching, improving her knowledge and skills through courses and workshops that she has attended throughout her career. She is keen to share this knowledge in the development of Aspen Heights, ensuring that every child is given a happy safe environment to learn and develop to their full potential.

Ms Samantha Ribbens joins us from Liverpool, UK, although she has previously taught in the Middle East in Bahrain. She has a degree from Edge Hill university in Early Years education. She has taught both FS2 and Year 1 and 2, and is a passionate teacher of Literacy, co-ordinating this in her previous school.

Mrs Hilary Harris has lived in Abu Dhabi for many years and is joining Aspen with her two sons. Hilary joined us from another British curriculum school and has worked in education in Abu Dhabi for 13 years. She is committed to supporting children to develop healthy lifestyles and has an interest in nutrition.

Mrs Amy-Leigh Buckley has joined Aspen Heights from Cape Town, South Africa. She taught as a Creative Arts educator, and then as a Grade 3 (Year 4) educator, before moving to Abu Dhabi. Amy-Leigh is a lover of the Arts and is extremely passionate about incorporating the Arts into the Teaching and Learning of her class.

Kayleigh Biles has joined Aspen Heights from the UK where she has had experience of teaching both key stage 1 and foundation stage. Kayleigh is a keen sportswoman who is committed to being fully involved in the extra curricular activities in school.

Miss Charlotte Clark has been a primary school teacher for 4 years after graduating from the University of Gloucestershire with a BEd. She taught across KS1 in schools in the UK before moving to Abu Dhabi in August 2018. Since arriving in the UAE she has loved being welcomed by the fantastic community at Aspen Heights British School. Charlotte strives to provide rich first-hand opportunities, which are personalised, in order for all children to make progress and she enjoys watching the children grow and develop as learners.
Charlotte has a particular passion for enhancing children's learning by using technology as a tool within the classroom. She has had some fantastic opportunities to work closely with Microsoft to ensure that children become independent self-directed learners. She is excited to see that Aspen Heights British School engage well in using technology and is enjoying working towards developing it further across the school.

Ms Kassandra Bodenham recently joined Aspen Heights from teaching Year 3 in the Midlands, UK, and has taught year 2 and Year 3 for the past 4 years. Kassandra is committed to engaging children in healthy lifestyles and has high expectations of her children.

Ms Sam Green has joined Aspen from teaching Year 2 in Birmingham, UK, and has over 18 years experience in schools. Sam is committed to extending children’s learning in the locality and sports.

Ms Caroline Marrinan has previously taught in Dubai, New York and Scotland. Caroline has attained a masters degree in education in 2015, and is committed to ensuring children of all abilities make remarkable progress.

Joseph joined Aspen Heights this year from Kildare, Ireland where he taught in one of the biggest schools in the country. He has worked there for 3 years, mostly with Year 3. A native of Tipperary Town, he has a keen interest in Mathematics and sport.

Danielle joined Aspen this year from Devon, UK where she taught Year 5, she is committed to teaching creatively and enjoys art, design and Music.

Ms Baldoza has joined Aspen from teaching a Year 5 class in Buckinghamshire in the UK. Prior to becoming a teacher Miss Baldoza spent many summers doing voluntary teaching in countries around the world; Thailand, Cambodia and Kenya.

Ms Michelle Ralph has joined Aspen Heights from another school in Abu Dhabi, and is particularly passionate about teaching reading to children. Ms Ralph is originally from Ireland, and has also taught in South London before coming to the UAE.

Ms Jessie Joubert has been teaching in schools across Abu Dhabi since 2010 and has over 20 years experience in teaching English. Jessie is passionate about supporting children in developing their English skills, and supporting their personal development.

Mr Bishop joins us from Cranleigh School in Abu Dhabi, where he has been teaching Geography and supporting the inclusion team. Mr Bishop is a keen environmentalist who will be working to further develop our hydroponics garden and composting. At Aspen Mr Bishop is also our ECA Co-ordinator and Health and Safety lead.

Music Teacher - FS1 - Year 8
Computing Teacher - Year 7 and Year 8

Having graduated in 2005, Alison Glover has been teaching both in the UK and Internationally in countries including Kuwait, China and Malaysia ever since. After a short mum career break, she is delighted to have moved to Abu Dhabi with her husband and two children and to be back doing what she enjoys the most.

Alison believes that positive experiences of Physical Education can aid the development of healthy young minds and bodies and that a healthy mind enhances learning readiness and can therefore improve academic performance and achievement.

She has played competitive sports to a high level from a very young age in both netball and football and has competed in many other sports over the years. She still plays both netball and football competitively but now on a more recreational basis for fun and to keep fit. Alison likes to run and has completed many 5K, 10K and half marathon

Ms Basma Ahmed has been teaching Social Studies at Aspen Heights since we opened in 2017. She has ten years experience in teaching, since graduating from Ain Shams University. Ms Basma was a lead teacher for the Moral Education and Identity Program and participated in the partnership between the International Fund for the Protection of Houbara and its integration into the educational curricula and was honoured by the Minister of Education.

Elsie has joined Aspen Heights after working as a counsellor in several schools across South London. Qualifying in Psychotherapy and Counselling at the University of East London, Elsie takes an integrative approach to her therapy with both young people and adults