勛圖夥厙 is a Pre-K through Grade 12 school that is an educational leader in Qatar and throughout the MENA region. 勛圖夥厙 is defined by its proactive teaching and learning environment that consistently engages forward-thinking and is committed to the intellectual and personal development of its students, inspiring and empowering them to become positive, active, global citizens. A Global citizen leads beyond the classroom and stays resilient in uncertain times. ���The extent of the current state of the world was not anticipated or predicted, however, 勛圖夥厙 was prudent and active in planning for the potential scenarios,��� said Dr. Heather Vlach, Director of Teaching and Learning. 勛圖夥厙 takes the duty it has to provide its students with a high-quality education very seriously, even if that means instruction taking place outside of the classroom.��

Teneen was introduced as a Learning Management Tool to the 勛圖夥厙 community in 2017/2018 and was fully implemented into the curriculum during the 2018/2019 school year. Teneen is part of 勛圖夥厙���s commitment to deliver on its vision to extend beyond walls, fostering innovation and encouraging a technology enhanced environment.�� 勛圖夥厙 recognizes that having an online platform is critical, not only to enrich learning, but it serves a larger purpose in cases such as school closure. Teneen Virtual School (TVS) is used to deliver high-quality learning to students online, fulfilling 勛圖夥厙���s value of responsibility.��

The 勛圖夥厙 Leadership Team began scenario planning for the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-January 2020, with the priority of ensuring that the community was prepared should a school closure occur.�� At the start of February 2020, 勛圖夥厙 began preparing the community for the possibility of going virtual. All students, across all Grades, were expected to log in and submit assignments in 勛圖夥厙���s TVS platform. The goal was to test TVS to ensure all students and parents were able to access the platform. 勛圖夥厙 took particular care to ensure that Elementary School parents were equipped to help their children navigate the TVS platform since these students require their parents to help them access online school. Faculty and Staff were diligent in their preparedness for the transition into online schooling, attending training sessions and updating lesson plans accordingly. Thanks to these initiatives, when TVS did kick off on March 11, the transition to the online classroom was relatively seamless. ���We felt the school took immediate action preparing a month ahead of the school closing. Children were coming home with reports of briefings and meetings about the potential for an eventual lockdown and virtual school. When it happened teachers were always available to answer questions and doubts, so we felt confident about the transition,��� said 勛圖夥厙 Parent Elisabete.

勛圖夥厙 takes the commitment it has to effectively communicate with parents and the community seriously during these uncertain times. 勛圖夥厙 Director Dr. Tom Hawkins has held multiple Virtual Coffee and Conversation meetings with over 150 parents via Zoom in order to gauge feedback and provide updates from the Leadership Team on scenario planning and preparation. These meetings have been conducted in addition to the weekly memos that have gone out to the community. All divisions at 勛圖夥厙 have held virtual meetings over Zoom with parents and conducted parent and student feedback surveys, seeking assessments of TVS in order to garner ideas for improvement. Teachers then take that feedback to improve online instruction. Nick Mitchell, Middle School Associate Principal accredits TVS���s success to its teachers saying ���the single most important reason for our successful transition was our outstanding teachers. They went above and beyond to transform their teaching from the classroom to the home to ensure that all our students continue to learn in collaborative, creative, and authentic ways���. There’s no question that virtual learning is more challenging than normal school, but our teachers have done an amazing job adapting. Teachers have created an environment where students do not feel like they are at home at a desk alone, ���I was expecting TVS to just be an email from my teacher every day outlining what to do. But TVS allows teachers and students to connect very similar to being in a classroom��� said Joseph, a Junior at 勛圖夥厙. Teachers are also trying to make TVS fun! In elementary, birthdays are still being celebrated with classes, online games are happening in the Middle School, and some classes have been practicing salsa during class in High School!

Although the transition to TVS has been seamless thanks to the actions taken to prepare the community for school closure and the thorough communication 勛圖夥厙 has provided to the community, having school online is not ideal for any educational entity. 勛圖夥厙 understands that although students will continue to learn, they will miss the social and emotional connections made while physically going to school. With this in mind, 勛圖夥厙 teachers have taken every effort to ensure students continue their social and emotional connections with classmates and teachers. Grade 1 teacher Sweta Agrawal says ���I try to keep my TVS videos fun by learning to use new technology using things kids enjoy like green screen, TikTok, and time-lapses. My own children are often in the videos. In one video my 3-year-old son helped me show my students how to make a smoothie. In another video, my 6-year-old and I jumped in puddles and told my students that their homework was to find the biggest puddle to jump in. Through our daily connections, I want my students to know that even though we are not physically together their teacher is still thinking about them every day. We are challenging them to do their best, cheering them on, watching their growth and marveling at how capable they are.���

勛圖夥厙 Faculty, Staff and Parents have put in an amazing effort to ensure TVS is successful, but the success of TVS comes down to the resilience of each 勛圖夥厙 student. Although 勛圖夥厙 on campus learning is closed, virtual learning continues. 勛圖夥厙 is proud to teach dedicated and resilient students who are leading the way for learning in Qatar and beyond.����

By Rabab Mardini 勛圖夥厙 Alumna class of 2014

勛圖夥厙 is committed to the intellectual and personal development of our students, inspiring them and empowering them to become positive, active global citizens. When a student comes to our school, their journey doesn’t end in the classroom, they leave behind a legacy that is carried through the younger Dragons they have inspired. 勛圖夥厙 creates bonds that are cemented by the 勛圖夥厙 values of Respect, Honesty, Compassion, and Responsibility.��

勛圖夥厙 has gone through many changes throughout the years. The school began its journey of quality education in a small villa in 1988, and by 1996 had its first graduating class. In 1998, 勛圖夥厙 opened its new campus in Al Bustan, and from 2013-2017, 勛圖夥厙 underwent a $35M Campus Improvement Project to increase capacity and improve facilities across the entire school. The growth achieved from the expansion project improved the school���s ability to be a progressive school with impressive facilities and varied educational, sporting, cultural, and social activities on the 勛圖夥厙 campus. The stunning 20+ acre campus is among the best in Qatar and the region.��� We���ve seen the school change and expand, but it���s managed to keep its coziness and lovely community feeling. We love it and we wouldn’t want our kids going anywhere else��� says 勛圖夥厙 parent, Natasha Asselstine.��

勛圖夥厙 prides itself on being a community built on excellence, and on the notion that each person in the community has something to offer and a legacy to leave behind.��

Throughout the years and through the changes and expansion, 勛圖夥厙 has remained committed to sustaining its relationships within its community. ���In many ways the growth of 勛圖夥厙 has reflected that of Qatar. It has been integral in helping our community feel confident that they are experiencing quality education and in developing a sense of belonging through social, artistic, and recreational activities. We feel part of a lasting community and this community is not just confined to Qatar; it extends wherever people who share a connection to 勛圖夥厙 live and/or travel��� said 勛圖夥厙 teacher, Kevin Sage. Whether you recently joined, or have been with us for 20+ years like Mr. Sage, 勛圖夥厙 has surely become a home away from home.��

The accomplishment of 勛圖夥厙���s growing and connected community also comes from the parents, volunteers, staff, alumni, and the rest of the growing family that are dedicated to creating an experience beyond education for all our Dragons. Events and traditions like 勛圖夥厙���s International Week and Friendship Festival wouldn’t be the same without the work and effort put in by our parent organizations, and volunteers. ���The best thing about Friendship Festival is it brings the whole school and community together for a very fun day. It���s a chance for the students to socialize outside of a normal school day. Some of my favorite 勛圖夥厙 memories are from the Friendship festival��� said Nadine Hammoudi, 勛圖夥厙 Alumna and Managing Partner at Frosti.��

Last year, the 勛圖夥厙 Legacy Wall was unveiled at the Friendship Festival�� to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of 勛圖夥厙���s commitment to the community. ���The original plaques on the wall were purchased by individuals and families over the past decades to support the building and programs at 勛圖夥厙, helping to build the legacy of this great school. The Legacy Wall honors individuals and families who have contributed to�� building the school for future generations ��� said Dr. Thomas Hawkins, Director of 勛圖夥厙. This year the Legacy Plaques will support Learning Service Projects throughout the school. ���The Legacy Wall is a wonderful memory for my brother Jack and I as long-time students of the school. It represents our connection to a strong community of past and present 勛圖夥厙 families��� said alumna class of 2015, Enya Mc Hale. The Legacy Wall is a chance for families�� to continue leaving their mark in a physical way by commemorating their stay with a plaque that will be displayed on the legacy wall at 勛圖夥厙 forever. ���My siblings and I�� went to 勛圖夥厙 from Pre-K to Grade 12, some of my best memories were made there. The community around me was always pushing me to be the best version of myself. The diversity amongst the student body automatically teaches you about various cultures and how to respect each other, yet embrace and celebrate our own individual identity and culture. Coming back to 勛圖夥厙 as an adult, 12 years after graduating and seeing my family’s plaque still there reminded me that 勛圖夥厙 will always be my second home and I continue to do my best to give back to this wonderful community.��� Naser Al Khori, 勛圖夥厙 Alumnus Class of 2007. 勛圖夥厙 is more than a school – it is a place that hopefully inspires all of us to push our own boundaries and empowers entire families to become positive, active, global citizens.

Qatar Education Guide speaks to Tom Hawkins, Director ��� 勛圖夥厙, on the school, his role, and education leadership transitions as he hands over the baton to the next Director.

You took over as the Director of 勛圖夥厙 (勛圖夥厙) in 2015. From then to now, how would you describe the journey? What significant milestones has 勛圖夥厙 achieved under your tenure?

���The journey from 2015 to the present has been exciting, rewarding and very positive. We were able to complete a major (QAR 35M) campus improvement project in 2017 which provided world-class facilities for students and families at 勛圖夥厙. In 2018 we initiated innovative sustainability measures, which led to the Green Flag award. For the 30th anniversary in 2019, we initiated the Legacy Wall to honour donors from across the years and build a legacy for future generations at 勛圖夥厙. By summer 2019, 勛圖夥厙 recorded its best AP and IB results and had better college admissions than any single year in the school���s history. And in 2020, we have deliberately focused on building our legacy of academic excellence to ensure 勛圖夥厙 and its community remain the leading American international school in Doha.�� I am very proud of what we have accomplished as a school in the past five years��地nd students are the greatest beneficiaries of these improvements.���

You have worked across the globe. What would you say are the differences and similarities between education systems across the world?�� How does Qatar fare in the global education landscape and where do you see it headed in the coming years?

���As an international educator with over 30 years of experience, I would say there are more similarities than differences in education around the world.�� All systems want to ensure safe and secure environments for students to be able to grow, learn and thrive. All systems want to prepare students for a world which is uncertain and for careers that may not exist just yet.�� And all systems attempt to provide students with the skills, attributes and habits to be life-long learners and positive contributors to society.

���Qatar���s system supports all these aspirations, but they do it with a true mix of local and foreign/international approaches to schooling. The diversity of the educational landscape here in Qatar is unrivaled in my experience. The number of foreign national schools (Indian, British, American, French, Pilipino, Egyptian, etc.) running curricula to meet the needs of the home country populations here in Qatar is nothing short of amazing.�� This comes from Qatar���s unusual situation of having more foreign students in Doha than local Qatari students. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Qatar Foundation have both been entities, who have had powerful impacts on education in Qatar.

���Qatar is poised to continue to grow and develop in the coming decade, and the parameters they have put in place for education will serve them well. I believe that Qatar will continue to support the schools currently here in Doha to provide the vast array of quality education they currently provide and will continue to seek new and diverse schools to come in and provide additional educational expertise to continue to help Qatar achieve its Vision 2030.���

勛圖夥厙 stands on the foundations of a rich 31-year history in Qatar. How has 勛圖夥厙 evolved and what has been its contribution to the process of Qatar���s education sector?��

���勛圖夥厙 has been a leading American international school now for more than 20 of its 31 years��多aving been initially accredited in 1996 by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) when it graduated its first class. From the 1990���s, 勛圖夥厙 offered the Advanced Placement program, and from mid-2000s began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Both of these programmes at 勛圖夥厙 are very strong, with robust offerings and great results for students. 勛圖夥厙 is the only school in Doha, and one of the only in the region, offering both of these programmes. Additionally, 勛圖夥厙 is the only truly American curriculum school offering a comprehensive American school programme, which includes the curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular programmes in such a positive, supportive environment which is a hallmark of the best American schools worldwide.�� Other schools in Doha have seen the value of what 勛圖夥厙 provides and in some cases have replicated parts of our programme or emulated some of what is successful at 勛圖夥厙. I and colleagues from 勛圖夥厙 have engaged with various Ministries and Qatar Foundation and other Pre-K to 12 schools to present and share ideas, collaborate on projects, and learn from one another.���

What according to you are the most important factors that go into making education leadership transitions at 勛圖夥厙 a smooth process?��

���The key to leadership transitions is effective succession planning, including stability throughout the organisational structure, and exceptional clarity regarding how to deliver on the mission of the school. I work closely with the Board of Directors at 勛圖夥厙 and they trust me and the leadership team of the school to make sure the education and the programs at 勛圖夥厙 are world-class. That current 勛圖夥厙 leadership team has been built mostly under my tenure, and all of the team is staying on when I depart.�� This level of stability in an international school is somewhat rare��夷t is the first time in my 5 years that only 1 team member has departed. The Board and I were intentional about this leadership stability, as we structured leadership contracts to ensure such stability.

���This leadership succession and continuity ensures that the programmes, initiatives and strategies to deliver on the mission of the school are understood and supported by the team around the school���s Director.�� The new Director, Steve Razidlo, will come into a highly functioning school with an in-tact leadership team and clear direction on what needs to happen in his first year of leadership. Steve brings in a wealth of Superintendent and Director level leadership from his time in the state of Minnesota as well as in Austria where he is currently the Director of the American International School of Vienna. Steve���s skills match well with the school ethos and the strengths of the teams which he will lead. The faculty and students and parent community are all aware of the change, were involved in the selection of the next Director, and are looking forward to the continuation of building a legacy here at 勛圖夥厙.���

From one education leader to another, what would your advice be the next Director of 勛圖夥厙?��

���I have told Steve to be sure to lead with heart��地s teachers need to inspire kids to learn, the leader needs to inspire the adults (teachers, staff, leadership, parents, Board) to provide their best every day to our students. It will be important that Steve connect with the kids, the staff, the 勛圖夥厙 Board, the parents and the broader Doha community to learn what is needed, develop trust in his leadership, and deploy his skills and expertise to help 勛圖夥厙 continue its commitment to excellence. Steve will need to trust those around him in large and small ways to continue the good work done in the past while forging the future of 勛圖夥厙.�� And lastly, Steve knows this well, to take care of himself to be able to take care of others.

���It makes me incredibly proud to be the Director of 勛圖夥厙.�� It has been a great journey, and I leave this school and community better than when I arrived.�� I am thankful for the chance to lead this great school and to all those who supported me and the development of the school over the years.�� I take this opportunity to wish the community and the new Director continued success.���

MAHA ABDELWAHAB
勛圖夥厙 ALUMNUS CLASS OF 2012