School Leadership Team

David Bolton graduated from the University of Chester in 1986 with a degree in physical education and English. He began his teaching career in Athens, Greece at Campion International School as Head of Primary PE and Year 6 teacher before moving back to the UK to teach at Holy Trinity School in Liverpool followed by becoming Deputy Headteacher at St.Brigid’s Primary School in 1998. He worked there for a period of eight years and was responsible for implementing a variety of initiatives including Healthy Schools, Investors in People and Eco Schools. Mr Bolton also established key relationships with a number of universities in the region to develop a thriving teacher training programme.

In 2006 Mr Bolton moved to teach at Dhahran British Grammar School. He has worked in various roles including Year 6 teacher, Primary Literacy Coordinator, key stage leader, Head of Primary and he has now moved into the position of Principal, He has seen many significant changes in the time he has worked for ISG, with a huge increase in pupil numbers and major structural developments around the Campus. He is looking forward to the the role of Principal and the opportunity to continue to work collaboratively with colleagues from the senior and primary schools.

Rachel Cannon is originally from Yorkshire in the United kingdom. She graduated from London University with a BSc honours degree in Biology. She then studied for her PGCE in the UK and took up her first teaching post at a large comprehensive school in Milton Keynes UK. She then travelled to Botswana to teach science in a government school and subsequently discovered International school teaching.

She has taught middle and high school science in: Sandford community school in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Anglo American school of Sofia in Bulgaria, International school of Tanganyika in Tanzania and the Bavarian International school in Germany. She joined ISG as the Head of science at DBGS in 2012 and is currently studying for her Masters in Educational Leadership from Buckingham University UK. She is now Vice Principal of DBGS senior school where her goal is to continue to promote effective teaching and learning amongst the DBGS community.

Dufney Botha is originally from Carolina, South Africa. She graduated from the University of Pretoria with a BEd degree in Early Childhood Education. Dufney is currently studying for her Masters in Educational Technology through the American College of Education.

Upon completion of her bachelors degree, Dufney taught in London, United Kingdom. She returned to South Africa where she taught mathematics in a public secondary school. Dufney then moved to the UAE where she taught Year 1 at Victoria English School and this is where she developed a love for the Middle East. She then joined the British International School of Al Khobar where she had the role of Key Stage 1 leader and taught Year 1 and Year 2. After 5 years at BISAK, Dufney and her family joined DBGS where she had the role of Foundation Stage Leader whilst teaching Foundation Stage 2. She moved on to teach Year 3 and also led the Lower Key Stage 2 team. Dufney will be the Head of Primary for the academic year 2018/19 where her goal is to continue to foster a culture of risk taking, celebrating successes as well as failures

Jana Barnhouse graduated from Ohio University in 1988 with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a minor concentration in Computer Science and Mathematics.  In 1998 she completed her Masters Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota.
 
Mrs. Barnhouse began her teaching career at the International School of Bethioua in Algeria.  She then moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where she taught elementary school for three years before moving to International Schools Group in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1991.  During her tenure in Dhahran, Mrs. Barnhouse has taught grades 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.  Her most recent appointment was as principal of the Dhahran Elementary Middle School in 2006.

Current initiatives at Dhahran Elementary Middle School

• Supporting the school’s AFG goals to improve student performance specifically in the areas of Reading and Listening.
• Working to ensure DEMS’ students’ grades convey meaningful and accurate information about student learning.
• Using NWEA’s MAP assessments school wide in an effort to inform and improve student learning.
• Supporting excellent site staff development as DEMS teachers work to ensure an excellent education for each student.

Nichola Smith is originally from Dunedin, New Zealand. She graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Dunedin College of Education, Otago University in 1999. She is currently completing her Masters in Educational Leadership from Buckingham University, UK. Before moving to Saudi Arabia and teaching physical education at DEMS in August 2015, she taught as both an elementary classroom teacher and physical education teacher in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Nichola is now Assistant Principal at DEMS.

Ronnie Caldwell has been an educator since 2001 and involved in international education since 2006. He began his teaching career at the American Institute of Learning in Austin, Texas and then spent several years working for the Houston Public School District. His career abroad began at the Almaty International School in Kazakhstan, followed by the American International School of Chennai, India and, in 2012, ISG. Ronnie worked as both a teacher and assistant principal at Yanbu International School before becoming the assistant principal at DHS and now the principal. Ronnie holds a master’s degree in educational leadership. 

Trevor Naidoo completed his Bachelor of Science (Math and Physics) and went on to complete the Bachelor of Education (Honors) as well as other Teaching Certificates in Durban, South Africa. This was followed by a Masters in Leadership and Administration through Buffalo SUNY in 2012.

He joined ISG in 2002, with his wife, Veron, and twin sons, Luschen and Leevan, after teaching Math, Physics and Computer Science for several years in Durban. During his time at ISG Dammam, Trevor has taught high school math, physics and IT as well as being the school IT Administrator since 2004.

Trevor was appointed High School Vice Principal in the fall of 2015.

Nehla Lejmi graduated from University Laval, Canada, with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical engineering; and from University of Montreal, Ecole Polytechnique, Canada, with a Master’s degree in Physics and Materials Science Engineering. She also earned a Master’s degree in Education/Curriculum and Instruction, from University of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Nehla Lejmi joined ISG Dammam, in 2003. She has worked since then as a Science Teacher, an AP Physics Instructor, a Professional Learning Coordinator, an Accreditation Internal Coordinator, and an Instructional Coach. She has attended and organized numerous professional learning sessions for teachers. Nehla Lejmi has been occupying the position of High School Vice Principal, since 2015.

Shina George joined ISG in 2000 as an Information Technology teacher after completing her Masters in Chemistry and Bachelors in Education. She believes that “Technology will not replace teachers, but Technology in the hands of a great teacher can be Transformational.”

She then pursued her education in Masters in Computer Application. Later she took over as the Digital Learning Coach, where she coached teachers to integrate technology into the classroom to make teaching-learning a meaningful experience. Shina was appointed as the Elementary School Vice Principal in February 2017, and she is currently pursuing her Masters in Educational Leadership.

Joining the ISG Dammam family in 2007, Safaa Ebrahim first served as an Arabic Language & Islamic culture teacher for both elementary and middle school students. Through the ISS coaching program offered by the school, Safaa became an accredited Literacy Coach by 2011. She also served as a Global Language (GL) coordinator before eventually earning the position of GL Vice Principal by 2014.

As an Architectural Engineering graduate from Ain Shams University of Egypt, Safaa joined the Arab Bureau for Consultant Engineering before moving to Saudi Arabia 4 years later, where she discovered her passion for teaching and education.