School Leadership

Bobbi Donison Charles

Bobbi is from Canada. She is passionate about her students and prior to her appointment as HS Assistant Principal was the Dean of Academics. Prior to ACS, Bobbi held various teaching leadership roles in Canada and China. Bobbi holds a Master of Arts in Education, Learning and Technology from Royal Roads University. She is joined in Abu Dhabi by her husband, Jason Charles, who teaches Science at ACS High School and her two children, Elijah and Coco, who attend ACS Elementary School.

Rob Desormeau

Rob is from Ontario, Canada, and has been an educator in international schools for 12 years in China and Saudi Arabia. He enjoys living overseas and the many traveling experiences that have helped him continue to be an open-minded, lifelong learner. He is also an avid sports fan who grew up playing multiple competitive sports. Rob is joined by his wife, Amy Mulvihill, who teaches Grade 3, and their two children Bryon and Cleo, who attend ACS Elementary School.

Dr. Ann Peterson

Ann has held teaching and/or leadership positions in the USA, the UAE, China, Japan, Singapore, and Bangladesh. Ann holds a Master’s degree in History and a Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership. She began her career as a bilingual elementary teacher, and has had the privilege of working in fascinating and inspiring international settings throughout her career. Her professional passion lies in being a lifelong learner - modeling and fostering an innovative mindset. Ann enjoys reading, theater, cycling, and group fitness classes. Ann's husband, Neil Griffiths, teaches PE at ACS, and they have a son Rocket who graduated ACS in 2021 and a daughter Jazz in High School. They are thrilled to be a part of the ACS community of learners.

Jean Rueckert

Jean is an experienced international learning leader and World Language specialist in K-12 education with three decades of service in highly regarded independent and international schools. Before joining ACS, she worked in Minnesota, India, Singapore and Ethiopia, in schools valuing the development of multilingual, global citizens. Jean holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Secondary Education, a Master of Arts in Spanish, as well as Ed. leadership certificates in Understanding by Design and International School Leadership. Jean thrives as a learner and contributing member of a team. She is passionate about empowering other learners, young and adult. When outside of school, Jean enjoys walks with her husband, dance classes and traveling.

Dr. Hanadi Dayyeh

Hanadi is a specialist in Arabic language and linguistics and has taught Arabic to native and non-native speakers for more than 14 years. She led and audited Arabic programs in several international and American schools in countries including Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE and has trained Arabic language teachers in international conferences and private schools. She chaired the Near East South Asia (NESA) Arabic Advisory group and is also a member of the American Education Reaches Out (AERO) World Language team that oversees the development, implementation and review of world languages standards and benchmarks in international and American overseas schools. She also has developed Arabic programs for both heritage and non-native speakers from KG1 through middle school. Hanadi and her husband moved from Beirut where she was the Curriculum and Arabic Program Coordinator. They have two daughters, one starting university in the fall and another will be joining our Middle School.

MeMe has worked in education for 24 years, five of those being in Kuwait. She believes that fairness is not about giving everyone the same thing, but about giving each student what they need to be successful. This is what drives her as an educator and a leader. Her experience with special education prompted her to create and author a direct-instruction program. She has served in various leadership roles in grades K-12 and holds a Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her greatest reward is that she plays a role in the lives of so many students, by helping them surpass milestones and overcome barriers many people thought were impossible. Outside of school, she enjoys outdoor activities both on land and in the water. MeMe is an avid reader and does not go anywhere without her Kindle. She also likes to attend concerts, plays, and any theater-based activities and is ready to take full advantage of the numerous activities offered in Abu Dhabi.

As an international educator, Preben has more than 10 years of experience in providing students of all ages with opportunities to participate in sports and in developing co-curricular activity offerings. He has worked in schools of all sizes and in many different cultural settings. Preben's personal background - being born in Germany, having grown up in an international environment in Belgium where he obtained the International Baccalaureate diploma and attending college as a student-athlete in the United States – allows him to appreciate the value of cultural diversity within a school’s community and the role co-curricular engagement plays in developing a young person’s character. He holds a Master of Education in Athletic Administration from Endicott College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark University. Preben will move to Abu Dhabi with his wife, Emily, and their two-year old daughter, Mia. Preben enjoys being active, listening to a wide range of podcasts and has recently developed an interest in cooking, which Emily hopes is not just a fad.