School leadership – VIS Vision International School Qatar

Head of School Ms. Sarah Griffiths

Welcome to Vision International School. It is an honour to welcome you to our learning community. As Head of School, I am proud to lead a school where academic excellence, personal growth, and strong values come together to create a place where every learner can flourish.

Ms. Sarah Griffiths Head of School

At Vision International School, we believe that education is about far more than achieving outstanding academic results. It is about developing compassionate, confident and resilient young people who possess the knowledge, skills and character to make meaningful contributions to an ever-changing world. Through our American curriculum, enriched by the culture, traditions and values of the State of Qatar, we provide students with the foundations to succeed both locally and internationally.

One of our greatest strengths is the diversity of our school. Students and families from many nationalities, cultures and backgrounds come together with a shared commitment to learning, respect and excellence. We celebrate this diversity because it broadens perspectives, enriches understanding and prepares our students to thrive in a global society while remaining deeply connected to the values of their own heritage.

At the heart of Vision International School is a simple but powerful belief: every child should be known, valued and inspired to achieve their very best. We are committed to fostering a culture where every learner feels safe, respected and challenged; where curiosity is encouraged, kindness is expected, and high expectations are matched with unwavering support.

Education is most successful when schools and families work in partnership. We deeply value the trust our parents place in us and believe that open communication, mutual respect and shared aspirations are essential to every child's success. Together, we nurture confident learners, responsible citizens and future leaders who demonstrate integrity, empathy and a lifelong love of learning.

Our dedicated staff are passionate educators who continually strive for excellence in teaching and learning. They inspire students to think critically, solve problems creatively and embrace challenges with confidence. Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to discover and develop their talents through leadership opportunities, sports, the arts, technology, community service and a wide range of extracurricular experiences that enrich their educational journey.

Vision International School is more than a place of learning; it is a place where every individual belongs, every voice is valued and every achievement is celebrated. Here, ambition is encouraged, character is nurtured and lifelong friendships are formed.

I warmly welcome you to Vision International School and look forward to working alongside our students, families and staff as we continue to build a culture of excellence, innovation and opportunity. Together, we will empower every learner to realise their full potential, embrace future opportunities with confidence and make a positive difference in the world.

Ms. Laila Abbasi

Operations Manager

Ms. Laila Abbasi Operations Manager

Ms. Laila’s bio will be short and to the point, just like her.

Originally from New Jersey, USA; Ms. Laila’s family relocated to the lovely State of Qatar in 2009. She has a husband and two sons. Previous to becoming Director of Operations at VIS, she had the opportunity to work with the infinitely gracious Al Muftah family at English Modern School in Doha as a Learning Support Coordinator.

She holds degrees in Business Management and Special Education and is fluent in both Arabic and English. She has experience teaching, in licensed realty, and has also managed/co-owned a lucrative embroidery factory with her husband. Ms. Laila has also run her own business: ABA Logic, for special needs and autistic children.

When asked to describe how she feels about VIS, Ms. Laila has stated that VIS is a school which is truly near and dear to her heart. She had the unique experience of witnessing the school’s opening in September of 2014. Even before that time, Ms. Laila can recall when the floors weren’t even installed and she is proud to have been part of the pre-opening operation and founding family of Vision International School.

Ms. Laila’s position as Director of Operations entails most of the operational intricacies of running a school. The enabling factor of her success throughout her tenure at VIS has been her extensive career experiences and challenges which have required creative solutions.

In her personal life she enjoys reading, assembling and solving puzzles and music of all genres. She also enjoys playing darts with family and friends.

Her professional motto is “Stabilize – Systematize – Optimize.”

Ms. Laila is honored to be an integral part of the VIS family and strives for excellence in everything she does. Her aspiration and goal is to contribute in every way possible to make VIS one of the best educational institutions in Qatar’s bright future.

Ms. Chenese Manikram

Chief Academic Officer

Ms. Chenese Manikram Chief Academic Officer

Chenese is honored to serve as the Chief Academic Officer at Vision International School. She is a dedicated educator and academic leader; she is passionate about curriculum development, instructional excellence, teacher development, and student-centered learning. She is committed to strengthening teaching and learning through innovative practices, data-informed decision-making, meaningful professional development, and a collaborative school culture.

Chenese has been working in education for the past 10 years and has spent her professional career in international education. She began her career teaching the British National Curriculum at a primary school in England before moving to Qatar, where she has continued to grow as an educator and academic leader. Her international experience has equipped her to work across diverse curricula and engage meaningfully with multicultural communities of students, educators, and families.

Originally from Durban, South Africa, Chenese holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the Embury Institute for Higher Education in South Africa and a Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Education from SUNY Buffalo State University in New York.

Beyond education, Chenese is passionate about reading and traveling. She enjoys exploring new countries, experiencing different cultures, and trying new cuisines. She looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the VIS community to strengthen academic programs, empower educators, enhance student outcomes, and inspire excellence in teaching and learning.

Ms. Charlotte Verrell

Division Principal

Ms. Charlotte Verrell EC/ES Division Principal

Charlie is honored to serve as the Early Childhood/Elementary School (EC/ES) Principal at Vision International School for the 2025 – 2026 academic year. She has been working in education for the last 18 years, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence. Charlie is a passionate and child-focused educational leader who believes that every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and inspired every day at school.

With a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Education from the University of Auckland, and a Master of Education from Curtin University in Australia; Charlie leads with the belief that strong relationships are the foundation for meaningful learning, and that every child has unique strengths worth celebrating. Charlie is deeply passionate about designing meaningful, student-centered learning experiences that promote inquiry, critical thinking, and a love of learning. She believes in fostering strong parent partnerships, working collaboratively and engaging with the community, and most importantly spending time with the students.

Outside of school, Charlie enjoys unwinding at the beach, getting lost in a good book, and sipping Karak! She has a deep interest in the Middle Eastern region, drawn to its rich cultural diversity and warm, welcoming communities.

Charlie feels proud to be a member of the VIS community and with a strong foundation in child-centered leadership, she will continue to work in close partnership with the elementary and early childhood team to create a safe, inclusive, and dynamic environment where every child can flourish both academically and socially.

Ms. Samar Yassin

Division Principal

Ms. Samar Yassin Boys' Division Principal

Dear Vision Community,

Samar Yassin is honored to serve as the Vision International School Boys Division Principal. Born in Brazil and of Lebanese heritage, she holds a bachelor’s degree in general physics from the Lebanese University, a Teaching Diploma in High School Science from the Modern University of Business and Science (MUBS), and a master’s degree in Multidisciplinary Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

With more than 17 years of experience in education, Samar’s professional interests include curriculum development, inclusive education, and project-based learning. Her educational philosophy is inspired by Aristotle’s words: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” She believes that true education goes beyond academic success and must also nurture students’ emotional, social, and ethical development.

Samar is eager to collaborate with the talented VIS staff and engaged families to cultivate an environment in which every student thrives academically and develops into a well-rounded individual prepared to make meaningful contributions to society. She is fully committed to supporting the continued growth and sustained excellence of Vision International School.

Ms. Stephanie Woods

Division Principal

Ms. Stephanie Woods Girls Secondary School Principal

Stephanie is honored to serve as the Vision International School Girls Secondary School Principal. Originally from Ireland, Stephanie brings more than 10 years of experience in education, including extensive experience in school leadership in the UAE.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s degree in Leadership in Education, both from Dublin City University. She is also currently completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), reflecting her continued commitment to professional growth, research-informed practice, and effective school leadership.

Stephanie began her career in education in Ireland before moving to the UAE, where she has spent the past eight years working in international education. Throughout her career, she has held a range of teaching and leadership positions, with experience spanning teaching and learning, pastoral leadership, student wellbeing, safeguarding, curriculum development, and whole-school improvement. Most recently, she served as Assistant Head of Secondary in Abu Dhabi.

Stephanie’s educational philosophy is centered on the belief that every student should have the opportunity to reach their full potential within a school where they feel safe, supported, known, and valued. She is passionate about the holistic development of young people and believes that academic excellence and student wellbeing must work hand in hand. For Stephanie, education extends beyond academic achievement; it is about developing confident, compassionate, resilient, and responsible young people who are prepared for the opportunities and challenges of life beyond school.

At the heart of Stephanie’s leadership is a commitment to high expectations, strong relationships, and an inclusive and supportive school culture. She believes that when students have a genuine sense of belonging and know that the adults around them believe in their potential, they are empowered to challenge themselves, grow, and succeed.

Stephanie strongly values the partnership between students, staff, and families and believes that working together is fundamental to creating the best possible educational experience for every student. She is delighted to join the VIS community and looks forward to working alongside students, colleagues, and families to build upon the school’s successes and support the continued growth, achievement, and excellence of the Girls Secondary School.

Ms. Arwa Mohammed

Assistant Principal

Ms. Arwa Mohammed Assistant Principal, Girls’ Division

With a deep passion for education, student success, and school leadership, Arwa Mohammed brings over 20 years of experience in education to her role as Assistant Principal for the Girls’ Division at Vision International School. Known for her warmth, professionalism, and commitment to excellence, Arwa is dedicated to creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where students and staff can thrive.

Arwa brings extensive experience across teaching, instructional leadership, and school administration. Throughout her career, she has served as a Teacher, AP and SAT Coordinator, Head of Department, Instructional Coach, Discipline Lead, Vice Principal, and Assistant Principal for Early Childhood and Elementary School. In her previous role as Assistant Principal for EC/ES, she supported student wellbeing, instructional excellence, teacher development, behavior management, and strong partnerships with families and the wider school community.

In her current role as Assistant Principal for the Girls’ Division, Arwa is committed to supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally while fostering a culture of high expectations, respect, responsibility, and student leadership. She works closely with teachers, counselors, families, and school leaders to ensure that students receive the guidance and support they need to achieve their full potential.

Arwa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Pharmaceutical Studies and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Planning from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. Her academic background, combined with extensive experience in education and school leadership, enables her to approach her role with both academic rigor and a compassionate understanding of the diverse needs of students and staff.

With a rich multicultural perspective and extensive experience working with diverse school communities, Arwa is passionate about fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Arwa is honored to continue serving as part of the Vision International School leadership team and looks forward to contributing to the continued growth, achievement, and wellbeing of the Girls’ Division and the wider VIS community.

Mr. Anthony Jackson

Assistant Principal

Mr. Anthony Jackson Assistant Principal, Boys’ Division

Anthony Jackson is honored to serve as Assistant Principal of the Boys’ Division. A UK-trained educator and Russell Group alumnus, Anthony holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Queen Mary University of London, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a Master of Arts in Education from University College London (UCL).

His career has taken him across three continents. Having worked in Europe, Asia, and Africa, he has developed a leadership approach grounded in genuine international experience and a deep understanding of diverse school communities.

Anthony believes that education is transformative, extending far beyond academic achievement alone. Education ought to develop compassionate leaders who are dedicated to serving their communities. He hopes to help young people grow into thoughtful, principled individuals who carry what they learn into the world to make a meaningful difference.

He views his role as a bridge, connecting students, teachers, families, and the wider community in shared purpose. This way, every learner is supported to do their best. Above all, Anthony is a family man. He is delighted to be back in Qatar, a place that holds deep personal meaning for him and where his children grew up. He looks forward to serving this community and supporting every student’s journey.

Mr. Stephen Leeper

Assistant Principal

Mr. Stephen Jamal Leeper Boys Division Assistant Principal

Stephen Jamal Leeper is honored to serve as the Boys Division Assistant Principal at Vision International School. He began his journey as an educator in the United States fourteen years ago as a secondary social studies teacher and curriculum developer. Over the last seven years, he has served students and families across the Gulf region as a teacher, Head of Department, and Head of Curriculum.

Stephen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University, and a Coaching and Supervising Teams Certificate from the Principals’ Training Center for International School Leadership. He is also currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) with a concentration in International Education Administration.

Beyond his formal studies, Stephen’s work with young people and adults across diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds has taught him that leadership is, above all, a relational practice grounded in deep and abiding cultural humility. He regularly seeks counsel from mentors, stays current with educational research, and engages in reflective dialogue with students, families, colleagues, and other stakeholders to better understand and serve the diverse needs of the school community.

Ms. Hadir Shafik

HR Coordinator

Ms. Samira Hamdy

Registrar