Dr. Sean Areias is passionate about learning and leadership and has been an educator for nearly three decades, with the last twenty-two years spent in international schools across Mexico, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. Originally from California, USA, he began his education career as a primary school teacher assistant while studying at the university level.

He holds a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of San Diego, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (with an emphasis in Bilingual Education) from the same institution, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University. Outside of school, Sean dedicates most of his time to his family. He is accompanied by his wife, Imelda, an Early Childhood teacher, and their three children. Together, they enjoy outdoor activities, sports, and traveling.

Marwa Nsouli holds both a BA and MA (Honours) in Education from the American University in Beirut. She is a Child Development specialist by both training and experience. Marwa has taught in many different countries, including Lebanon.

She has over 12 years of experience working with children and their families from around the world. Marwa especially loves learning about the different cultures that families bring to the learning environment, and helping them to maximize their child’s growth and development, while respecting the cultural values they treasure.

Roula Haj-Ismail, an accomplished IB educator, holds a BA in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Sydney and an MA in Philosophy from the American University of Beirut. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) with Bath University. With 30 years of experience across Lebanon, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, Roula has served as an IB PYP Coordinator, workshop leader, and evaluator for over 15 years.

She also develops IB curriculum, webinars, and documentation. Roula has presented at the IB Global Conference and NESA and has a background in visual and performance art, having showcased her work at festivals in Europe, the USA, and locally. Her interests include art, media literacy, music, and cross-country skiing.

Leigh Anne attended Texas A&M University for a B.S. in Geography and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. She earned her Teachers' Training Center (TTC) Certificate of International School Teacher Leadership, and completed her final Principals' Training Center (PTC) course this summer to earn the PTC Certificate of International School Leadership. She was the Upper Years Leader and Academic Coordinator at the British School of Brussels.

Before this role, she served in other divisional and whole school learning leadership positions in international schools in Uganda, Lebanon, and Russia. As an educator, she is passionate about school culture and systems-building, global citizenship, transition support within highly mobile school communities, and fostering learner agency. She is an avid baseball fan and loves coffee, puzzles, movie nights, and baking! Leigh Anne is thrilled to have joined the ISL Qatar community!

Scott Schaffner holds a Post-Master's Certificate in Educational Administration and Leadership, a Juris Doctor, and a Bachelor's in History. Throughout his career, he has led high schools in Dubai, Hanoi, and Amsterdam, while also teaching in New York City and Warsaw.

Scott is thrilled to take on the role of Head of High School at ISL Qatar, especially given the school's ambitious Strategic Plan that prioritizes student-centered learning. With both Irish and American citizenship, he is eager to bring his diverse experiences to ISL Qatar. His wife, Aga, who is a PYP teacher, will be joining him along with their two children, aged 14 and 11. In his leisure time, Scott enjoys quality moments with his family, as well as fishing and swimming.

Joanne Gillan holds a bachelor's degree in Primary Education, with a specialization in Mathematics, and a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Management. Originally from the UK, Joanne has an extensive teaching background, with experience in various international locations including England, France, Japan, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Qatar. Beyond the classroom, Joanne is known for her enthusiasm for water sports, particularly Stand-Up Paddle-boarding and Scuba Diving.

In the current year, her personal goals include completing a Triathlon and furthering her proficiency in the Arabic language. Joanne Gillan strongly advocates for the empowerment of both students and teachers, actively encouraging individuals to explore their personal passions, ambitions, and unique potential. She inspires them to set their goals for learning and personal development.

Dounia is the Head of Operations at ISL Qatar. In her current role, Dounia oversees critical aspects of our school's functioning, from operational matters to the professional development of non-academic staff. She plays a pivotal role in budgeting projection and cost-effective management to foster an efficient work environment. Her fluency in Arabic, French, and English offers a valuable advantage in our diverse educational setting at ISL Qatar. Dounia's journey began with a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Ben M'sik University in Casablanca, Morocco.

Dounia holds an MBA in Operations Management from the University of Salford and a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Ben M'sik University in Casablanca, Morocco. She began her career in education while studying, with roles in teaching and translation. Over the past decade, her strong leadership and broad contributions have been instrumental across various departments at ISL Qatar.