Executive Leadership team

My name is Hannah McDonald, and I am delighted to introduce myself as your new teacher and to be joining the wonderful school community at Dubai British School Jumeira. I’d like to share a few things about myself so you can get to know me before we meet!

I completed my Bachelor of Education Degree in DCU in my hometown of Dublin in Ireland in 2022. Since then, I have had the privilege of teaching many young children, mainly under the age of 7. Working with children at this age has shown me the crucial impact play and social interactions have on children’s learning journey and development, and I’m dedicated to creating a classroom environment where every child feels valued, inspired, and excited to learn. I believe in making learning experiences interactive, hands-on, and fun! Get ready for plenty of engaging activities, storytimes, and opportunities for us to explore new ideas together. My goal is to nurture a genuine love for learning in children and create lasting memories in our classroom. Outside of the classroom, I love spending time outdoors, running, and spending time with family and friends. I enjoy walks with my Australian Shepherd, Blue, who has one blue eye and one brown eye. I also love reading, especially with my classes! One of my all-time favourite children’s books is Elmer by David McKee. It’s such a fantastic story that celebrates how everyone is unique and special. Another book I love is The Invisible String by Patrice Karst.

My name is Mrs. Natalie Hutchison, and I am proud to be joining this welcoming community as both a parent and teacher.

After graduating from University of Gloucestershire in 2004, I began my teaching career in London, working in a vibrant and diverse community. Fifteen years ago, I moved to Dubai, which has been my home ever since. Over the last twenty years, I have primarily taught in Key Stage One and the Foundation Stage. Additionally, I have taken on leadership roles focussed on my passion for early literacy. My teaching philosophy focusses on nurturing meaningful learning experiences and celebrating each child’s unique interests. As a mother of two young girls, I witness every day the power of play and how children are natural learners. By igniting their curiosity about the world around them, we can foster a love of learning. My classroom is a place to feel safe, explore and grow at your own pace. In my spare time, I love swimming, yoga, and spending time with my two daughters and husband. We are avid readers, and Julia Donaldson is a favourite author in our house. Whether we’re hiding from a bear or escaping from a scary mouse, we cherish the moments when we can escape the busy world through books.

I’m Ms. Ciara Quinn, and I am so excited to be joining DBSJ this year. From a young age, I knew I wanted to teach children.

I pursued this passion by studying Early Childhood Education at the Technological University of Dublin, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree. I have been teaching Foundation Stage 2 for the past two years, here in the UAE. I have also had the privilege of teaching young minds in Ireland. My teaching philosophy involves fostering a love of learning through play and exploration. I believe every child has unique strengths, and I work hard to establish a nurturing environment where each student feels valued. Outside of teaching, I love traveling to different countries and spending time with my family and friends. One of my favorite children’s books is “Ruby’s Worry” by Tom Percival, which beautifully illustrates how children experience worries and fears, helping them with emotional regulation.

Hello, my name is Ms. Nikki Fowler and I am so excited to be joining you as a founder member of this amazing new school community!

I would love to share a bit about myself so you can get to know me before the new term begins.

I am from Sheffield in the UK. I began my teaching career 17 years ago when I moved to Hong Kong to be an EFL teacher. A few years later I completed my PGCE and found my love of teaching Early Years and KS1. I have been teaching FS2 in a British school in Dubai for the past 7 years.

My teaching philosophy is centered around providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where young children can thrive, and learn through play. I believe in the value of child-led learning, where children are encouraged to explore their interests and be curious. I cannot wait to find out your children’s interests and help them launch into their love for learning.

Outside school I love travelling and exploring new places. I’m wondering if I will travel to my 60th country this school year! I also like hiking and reading my book by the pool or the beach. My favourite children’s book is ‘The lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’. I like this book because I remember building a scene from it with my dad when I was little. It also demonstrates how we can persevere and solve problems.

I am looking forward to getting to know each of your children and helping them grow into curious, independent learners.

My name is Miss Carter and I am thrilled to be catching a one-way flight from the UK to join the founding team at Dubai British School Jumeira.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies at Christ Church Canterbury University and have been teaching in the UK across Year 1 and Early Years for the last five years. In my classroom individuality is valued and children feel heard, respected and loved. By building positive and nurturing relationships, I equip children with the skills to take risks and overcome challenge. I seek to develop children’s curiosity in learning and make every day a fun and memorable experience. When I am not teaching, I enjoy playing netball and going for coffee with friends. It will be my first time in the UAE so I am very much looking forward to exploring all that Dubai has to offer. Story time is my favourite time of the day and a children’s book that is always on my shelf is The Book with No Pictures written by B.J. Novak because it is so silly and demonstrates the power of words alone.

My name is Ms. Rachael Burns, and I am thrilled to join this wonderful school community.

I’d like to share a bit about my background, interests, and educational philosophy so that you can get to know me better. In the UK I am from a pretty little village in The Cotswolds called Bourton on the Water. I began my teaching career at a private school in the UK where I taught for two years; however, I have now been teaching internationally for nearly 10 years in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and most recently Thailand. I hold an Undergraduate Teaching Degree and a Postgraduate Degree in Education from two UK universities. In addition to my teaching role, I have served as Deputy Head of Mathematics, Head of Pre-School, and acting Special Educational Needs Coordinator. Before qualifying as a teacher, I participated in various voluntary projects and international summer camps, this includes volunteering at a township and orphanage in South Africa, being a Special Needs Counsellor for Camp America and attending a University teaching placement in Budapest, Hungary.

In my spare time, I lead an active lifestyle. My favourite sport is football, and I enjoy engaging in various sports and fitness activities. One of my greatest achievements is trekking to Everest Base Camp without experiencing altitude sickness! I am also an avid runner, and a lifelong dream of mine is to run the London Marathon. Additionally, I love travelling, with my favourite destinations to date being Hawaii, The Bahamas, Australia, and The Maldives. One of my favourite childrens books is We’re Going on a Bear Hunt because it is so versatile, interactive and fun. At the heart of my educational philosophy is play based learning, curiosity and creativity. In my classroom I endeavour to create a fun, nurturing atmosphere where all pupils feel valued and equipped to grow.

I am delighted to introduce myself, I am Holly Westpfel. Growing up, I spent lots of time with my Nan who was a teacher. We used to play schools and she would show me all the fun things that she would teach her class.

This piqued my interest in teaching as my Nan always spoke so positively about school. I went onto study Primary Education at University and have now been teaching for 10 years, teaching between FS2 and Year 4.

I love to learn myself and try to foster a love of learning to all who I teach. I also believe that to be academically successful, we must foster secure and meaningful relationships and ensure that children feel safe and happy. One of my favourite parts about teaching is spending time creating learning environments that are engaging and evoke curiosity. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the beach and reading books. My favourite book as a child was ‘Esio Trot’ by Roald Dhal. I still hope that one day I will have a tortoise of my own.

My name is Ms. Harriett Baxter, but everyone calls me Hattie, and I am delighted to join this wonderful school community.

I studied Primary Education at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, England, and have been nurturing young minds for the past 8 years. Since 2021, I have been living and teaching in the vibrant city of Dubai. My experience mainly lies with children aged 3-6 years, specifically in Foundation Stage and Year 1. As a teacher, I have a passion for crafts, creativity, and storytelling. I love to base my lessons around engaging stories, making learning a fun and imaginative journey for my students. I believe that each child is unique and my goal is to create a warm, encouraging environment where every child feels valued and excited to learn. In my spare time, I enjoy playing netball and caring for my two fluffy cats. One of my favorite children’s books is “”We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.”” I love how the entire class can join in on the actions, making it a joyful and interactive experience.

My name is Mrs. Lorna Holvey, and I am beyond excited to be a part of this wonderful school community.

I have been in the education sector for over 15 years, and my passion for teaching truly ignited when I had my own children. Before becoming a qualified teacher, I worked in various roles within a school environment, including several years as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant and an Unqualified Teacher. These experiences provided me with invaluable hands-on experience and a deep appreciation for the unique needs and potentials of early learners. My passion lies in helping young children develop their literacy skills through engaging and interactive activities.

As a teacher, you can expect me to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where your child can thrive both academically and emotionally. I believe in fostering a love for learning and encouraging each child to reach their full potential.

One of my all-time favourite children’s books is “”The Very Hungry Caterpillar”” by Eric Carle, which I adore for its delightful illustrations and the wonderful lesson it teaches about growth and transformation. I am looking forward to getting to know each of your children individually and creating meaningful connections with them.