Administration
Dan Keller
Head of School and Chief Executive Officer
Dan Keller is the Head of School and Chief Executive Officer of GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is a Workshop Leader with the International Baccalaureate Educators Network and serves on the European Council of International Schools Administrators Committee. Mr. Keller has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy (Beloit College), a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (University of Washington), and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Curriculum and Instruction (Bilkent University) and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education Leadership and Learning Group. His research interests include international education, international school marketing, and pedagogical leadership. With his wife Lara, daughter Maddie, and son Forrest, he enjoys time in their permanent home of Riverwood, in the Cascade Mountains outside Seattle, Washington (USA).
Head of School and Chief Executive Officer
Dan Keller is the Head of School and Chief Executive Officer of GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is a Workshop Leader with the International Baccalaureate Educators Network and serves on the European Council of International Schools Administrators Committee. Mr. Keller has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy (Beloit College), a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (University of Washington), and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Curriculum and Instruction (Bilkent University) and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education Leadership and Learning Group. His research interests include international education, international school marketing, and pedagogical leadership. With his wife Lara, daughter Maddie, and son Forrest, he enjoys time in their permanent home of Riverwood, in the Cascade Mountains outside Seattle, Washington (USA).
Josh Doubleday
Vice Assistant Principal of Operations
Josh Doubleday is the Vice Principal Operations of Gems American Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is experienced in IB PYP as well as DP having been trained as a CAS Coordinator. He has been through the PYP accreditation process twice before coming to Gems American Academy. Mr. Doubleday has an Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Studio (York University), a Bachelor of Education, Art Specialist (University of Windsor) and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Teacher Leadership (Walden University). He is also a practicing artist with two paintings in the National Collection of China. Mr. Doubleday is here with his wife JoAnn, who teaches Art at Gems American Academy, and his two daughters, Ella and Aydia.
Vice Assistant Principal of Operations
Josh Doubleday is the Vice Principal Operations of Gems American Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is experienced in IB PYP as well as DP having been trained as a CAS Coordinator. He has been through the PYP accreditation process twice before coming to Gems American Academy. Mr. Doubleday has an Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Studio (York University), a Bachelor of Education, Art Specialist (University of Windsor) and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Teacher Leadership (Walden University). He is also a practicing artist with two paintings in the National Collection of China. Mr. Doubleday is here with his wife JoAnn, who teaches Art at Gems American Academy, and his two daughters, Ella and Aydia.
Tim Fryer
Vice Assistant Principal for Teaching an Learning K-11
Tim Fryer is Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning K-11 at GEMS American Academy and is also responsible for Secondary Pastoral Care. He is an Assistant Examiner for Chemistry in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and has previously worked in Hong Kong, Germany, England and Botswana. Dr. Fryer has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Chemistry (Nottingham Trent University), a Master of Arts Degree in Education (University of Bath) and a Doctorate in Education Degree (University of Leicester). Originally from England, Tim enjoys playing and watching Soccer, walking his French Bulldog, Basil, and exploring the world with his wife Ryoko (from Japan) and daughter Minori.
Vice Assistant Principal for Teaching an Learning K-11
Tim Fryer is Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning K-11 at GEMS American Academy and is also responsible for Secondary Pastoral Care. He is an Assistant Examiner for Chemistry in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and has previously worked in Hong Kong, Germany, England and Botswana. Dr. Fryer has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Chemistry (Nottingham Trent University), a Master of Arts Degree in Education (University of Bath) and a Doctorate in Education Degree (University of Leicester). Originally from England, Tim enjoys playing and watching Soccer, walking his French Bulldog, Basil, and exploring the world with his wife Ryoko (from Japan) and daughter Minori.
Ben Vorborsky
Elementary Principal
Ben Voborsky is the Elementary Principal (KG3-G5). He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Loyola Marymount University, a Postgraduate Certificate of Education and Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Southern Queensland, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. He has held a variety of positions in international education, including classroom teacher, ELL program coordinator, Learning Center coordinator, and principal. Most recently, Ben has served as the Elementary Principal at Khartoum American School in Sudan. Having lived and travel to over 80 countries, Ben continues to enjoy the international experience with his wife, Sarah, and son, Winston. Their summers are spent in Nakusp, British Columbia outdoors.
Elementary Principal
Ben Voborsky is the Elementary Principal (KG3-G5). He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Loyola Marymount University, a Postgraduate Certificate of Education and Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Southern Queensland, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. He has held a variety of positions in international education, including classroom teacher, ELL program coordinator, Learning Center coordinator, and principal. Most recently, Ben has served as the Elementary Principal at Khartoum American School in Sudan. Having lived and travel to over 80 countries, Ben continues to enjoy the international experience with his wife, Sarah, and son, Winston. Their summers are spent in Nakusp, British Columbia outdoors.
Mariette Williams
IB PYP Coordinator & IB PYP Workshop Leader
Hello! My name is Mariëtte Williams and I have been working in International Schools since 1987 as Teacher, PYP Coordinator, Deputy Principal and IB PYP Workshop Leader. I am originally from The Netherlands and my husband (Andy) is British. We are a typical International Baccalaureate family: I have been involved with the PYP since February 1999 when I started work in a pilot school for the IB PYP Progamme in Buenos Aires. My two daughters have both followed IB programmes around the world and are fluent in several languages. During the 90s my husband worked for the IB in Cardiff in the Curriculum and Assessment Centre and is still involved as Diploma team leader and moderator for Biology. I left Holland with my family to go international in 1994. We have since lived in Wales, Argentina, Peru, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and we have now been here in Abu Dhabi for six years. I enjoy working in an inquiry-based way with students and feel that the IBO Primary Years Programme totally facilitates this kind of education, appropriate for the 21st Century. I am very excited to be part of the PYP journey at GAA and to be part of its history. Together we shall extend & build on current worldwide good practice in Teaching and Learning and I’ll share my expertise with the whole community. I look forward to our communications.
KInd regards,
Mariette Williams
IB PYP Coordinator & IB PYP Workshop Leader
Hello! My name is Mariëtte Williams and I have been working in International Schools since 1987 as Teacher, PYP Coordinator, Deputy Principal and IB PYP Workshop Leader. I am originally from The Netherlands and my husband (Andy) is British. We are a typical International Baccalaureate family: I have been involved with the PYP since February 1999 when I started work in a pilot school for the IB PYP Progamme in Buenos Aires. My two daughters have both followed IB programmes around the world and are fluent in several languages. During the 90s my husband worked for the IB in Cardiff in the Curriculum and Assessment Centre and is still involved as Diploma team leader and moderator for Biology. I left Holland with my family to go international in 1994. We have since lived in Wales, Argentina, Peru, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and we have now been here in Abu Dhabi for six years. I enjoy working in an inquiry-based way with students and feel that the IBO Primary Years Programme totally facilitates this kind of education, appropriate for the 21st Century. I am very excited to be part of the PYP journey at GAA and to be part of its history. Together we shall extend & build on current worldwide good practice in Teaching and Learning and I’ll share my expertise with the whole community. I look forward to our communications.
KInd regards,
Mariette Williams
Kathryn Head
KG Coordinator
Kathryn Head is the KG Coordinator for the Kindergarten of GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Mrs Kathryn Head has a Teaching Degree and a Post Graduate in Educational Administration (Melbourne University, Australia) Mrs Kathryn Head has extensive experience in Leadership including 5 years as a Deputy Principal and 8 years as a Learning/ Teaching coordinator. Mrs Kathryn Head also owned and operated a Playcentre and Child Care facility in Australia where she won numerous awards including Best Business Person of the Year, 2005 and Most outstanding Entertainment Centre for the region in which it operated. Mrs Kathryn Head has been in education and working with children for more than 20 years. Mrs Kathryn Head has worked in 3 International schools including Gems World Academy , Abu Dhabi and is currently beginning her second year at Gems American Academy after having taught KG5 last year. Mrs Kathryn Head is passionate in creating an enriched, inclusive and positive environment for the children to learn and grow. She has 2 children, Bailey in grade 7 and Cooper in Grade 4. Mrs Kathryn Head enjoys keeping fit, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
KG Coordinator
Kathryn Head is the KG Coordinator for the Kindergarten of GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Mrs Kathryn Head has a Teaching Degree and a Post Graduate in Educational Administration (Melbourne University, Australia) Mrs Kathryn Head has extensive experience in Leadership including 5 years as a Deputy Principal and 8 years as a Learning/ Teaching coordinator. Mrs Kathryn Head also owned and operated a Playcentre and Child Care facility in Australia where she won numerous awards including Best Business Person of the Year, 2005 and Most outstanding Entertainment Centre for the region in which it operated. Mrs Kathryn Head has been in education and working with children for more than 20 years. Mrs Kathryn Head has worked in 3 International schools including Gems World Academy , Abu Dhabi and is currently beginning her second year at Gems American Academy after having taught KG5 last year. Mrs Kathryn Head is passionate in creating an enriched, inclusive and positive environment for the children to learn and grow. She has 2 children, Bailey in grade 7 and Cooper in Grade 4. Mrs Kathryn Head enjoys keeping fit, traveling and spending time with family and friends.