Advisory Council
The EIS-J School Advisory Council (SAC), is a team of stakeholders including: parents, administrators, alumni, educators, business/industry personne. The role of the SAC is to support the school leadership to increase student success by ensuring that the school provides the best possible education for every student at the school. The SAC works as a team, involving other members of the school community as required, in the school improvement process. The SAC works alongside the school’s senior leadership team through the establishing of effective and regular communication. It is their role to provide constructive feedback to the school.
Dr Lejla (Leila) Vrazalic – Further Education Ambassador
Lejla joined EISJ in 1992 and was in the first cohort of IB graduates in the UAE in 1994. She went to the University of Wollongong in Australia where she spent 10 years and completed her PhD, working as a lecturer at the University. She also taught in Malaysia and Hong Kong.
In 2004, she joined the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), first as a lecturer and later as the Chair of the College of Undergraduate Studies. In 2014, she set up an educational consultancy and now works for the Ministry of Education in the UAE and the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority.
Chris McDermott – Leadership Ambassador
Chris has worked as Group Director for the Athena Group in Dubai, with responsibility for raising academic standards across all their schools. Previously, Chris worked for many years as a School Principal, having led schools in London and Dubai at primary and secondary level, following the English National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate.
He qualified as a school inspector and National Leader of Education in England and Wales. He has led school inspections for the GEMS Education Group in the U.A.E. Chris has also founded his own successful E.F.L. school, which was recognised by the Department for Education in England and Wales.
Chris has been successful academically, having passed a Master of Education degree at the University of Cambridge in Educational Leadership and School Improvement in 2020, with a mark that would enable him to continue on to a Ph.D. Chris is passionate in his educational philosophy, believing that the role of the leader is to inspire and enable others, because all success is achieved by the whole school community.
Noora Al Dowais – Emirati Parent Ambassador
My name is Noora Al Dowais from Dubai, UAE. I am a parent of 2 students at the school. I am a working mother, working in DEWA specifically in Budgets and Knowledge Management. My hobbies are diving, skiing, and padel tennis. As a working mother, I always balance my time between my children, work, and my hobbies.
I value family gatherings and spending time with them. As well as always letting my children to explore new things and try new activities to build their personalities and characteristics in a healthy way.
Zahra Al Jasmi – Inclusion Ambassador
Zahra Al Jasmi is the Managing Director of Georgetown Early Intervention Center. Georgetown Early Intervention Center is a child focused Early Intervention and Therapy Center located in the heart of Dubai, proudly serving families and schools in Dubai.
She embarked on Autism journey which led her to co-admin Autism Support Dubai Group, She’s also AL Jalila’s hospital Blue Café ambassador, and a Family Support member of ASD.
She has found a great passion in helping other parents by providing information, advocating for Neurodiversity, importance of early intervention and family engagement. In 2015 Mrs. Aljasmi launched www.netaawon.com a platform to provide resources, support, and POD services info in Dubai.
Deepa Vinayy – Parent Ambassador
Deepa Vinayy has been an EISJ parent for 9 years now, where her 3 daughters have collectively completed EY, PYP, MYP and IB. She has an MBA in finance and worked as a currency analyst. She has authored a book with 11 other Expat women in UAE and is also active in organizing Indian musical concerts.
Jannie Nielsen – Parent Ambassador
Jannie has been a parent at EISJ for 9 years, her 3 children are in Early Years 2, Year 4 and Year 8. She was a member of the Parent Support Group until 2019. Jannie is originally from Denmark and has a Master’s degree in International Development Studies and Geography, from Roskilde University. Prior to moving to Dubai she worked with the Danish Immigration Authorities.
Fatima Ghura – Arabic Language Ambassador
My name is Fatima Ghura, I am a mother of 2 children in EISJ. I am Argentinian with Syrian origins. My mother tongue is Arabic, I speak English and I am an intermediate level in Spanish. I studied in the University of Damascus for 4 years; I have a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. I have a great interest in Arab literature, and I take interest in these forms of literature and explored many books, poems, stories etc. etc.
I am passionate about helping the community, especially the school and the general education activities. I always liked to be able to connect between parents of EIS students and the school management in order to assist the school and understand the parents’ and students’ needs and expectations to achieve the best results of our EIS community as a whole.