ECE Team
MS. SELINA COLLINS
ECE/Lower Primary Principal
I came to Qatar in 2012 from New York City (USA) to pursue a career in international education, and nine years later and now with two beautiful children Hudson 6 and Sage 8, I am still here loving Qatar. It has been an honor to become a part of the Khor family and community. I was previously Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at the EMS Doha campus, supporting the three EMS campuses. Therefore, EMS Khor is already somewhat familiar to me, but I’m looking forward to working more closely with staff, learners and parents. Throughout my 20-year career in education, I have held various roles within schools: Special Education teacher, Literacy Coach, Head of Teaching and Learning, Head of Learning Support & Inclusion and Vice Principal. I have a Masters degree in Teaching Students with Additional Needs and Certification in School Building Leadership from Pace University in New York City.
I am so thankful to have the opportunity to bring my experience to this wonderful community. I look forward to exploring and developing ideas with the talented and dedicated teaching team at EMS Khor. I believe wholeheartedly that every learner deserves a high-quality education which only happens in a joyful school where curiosity is encouraged and families work together for the children’s best interests. With that in mind, I will be calling on all faculty, staff, and parents to work collaboratively this year to best serve our learners.
MS. MARILOU & MS. MAILYN
KG1 A
My name is Marilou Hisoler-Fernando. I graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Education and have achieved additional units in Master of Education. I am also a qualified kindergarten teacher with a Diploma in Montessori Early Childhood Teachers’ Training (for 3 to 6 years old) and a Google Certified Educator. I have been in education for 28 years. I have taught in the Philippines for 14 years, 3 years in a nursery in Doha, and this is my 11th year in English Modern School, Al-Khor.
My learning assistant for this school year is Ms. Mailyn Rosas. This is her 3rd year working with English Modern School in the ECE. She has a degree in Bachelor of Arts majoring in History. She also worked in a nursery school in Doha as a receptionist, account secretary, and learning assistant. Ms. Mailyn loves working with children and is always ready to help others.
We work together as a team. The children rely on both Ms. Mailyn and me to provide a fun, safe, creative and stimulating educational environment. We believe that children need to be encouraged to express themselves through verbal communication, manipulation of objects in their environment, creative play and discovery of the world around them. This will help them to grow socially and emotionally to be better citizens and learn the everyday skills they will need throughout their lives. We also recognize that a strong partnership with parents makes a great difference in the child’s education. In order to be successful in learning, children need support from both home and school. We look forward to working with our EMS parents.
MS. ROSEBELL & MS. NENET
KG1 B
I am Ms. Rosebell Agapay, the Homeroom Teacher for KG1-B. This is my fifth year here in English Modern School, Khor under the Early Childhood Education Department. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing and finished my Teaching Qualification Degree from Buffalo State University of New York. Currently, I’m pursuing my Master of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with focus in Education from the same university. I have years of experience in working with diverse multinational companies having dealt with a variety of age groups, professionals and clientele.
This academic year 2022-2023 I will be working hand in hand with Ms. Nenet Lazarte who is the Learning Assistant for KG1B and this has been her ninth year in our school. She graduated from System Technology Institute, having a two year Diploma in Computer Programming in Business Systems.
As a team, we have a passion for early learning especially enriching young absorbent minds through play, exposures, creative and mindful learning experiences. We believe that every student is special and has a unique learning style and approach. They must be nurtured and honed in order to develop emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically. Our aim is to provide a safe and positive learning environment for students in order to achieve their fullest potential.
MS. LILIA & MS. RAQUEL
KG2 A
Hello dear Parents, I’m Ms. Lilia and I am a KG2-A teacher. I am from Moldova and this will be my 10th year at EMS Khor. I am a graduate of the Pedagogical University of Moldova, where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics. I’m a trained Montessori teacher from MONTITUTE which is a Montessori Training Institute from Virginia, USA. I continued my passion for teaching by receiving the Multidisciplinary Studies Master’s Degree and a Teaching Qualification Degree From Buffalo State University of New York.
This academic year 2022 – 2023 will be my 10th year in Qatar and at EMS al Khor, where I am going to work in a team with Ms.Raquel, who will be the Learning Assistant for KG-2A. This will be her 2nd year in ECE department of EMS, Khor. And as a learning assistant, she will support the needs of the young children in collaboration with the teacher and will create an enriched & safe learning environment for them.
As a team we share the responsibility for our student’s success.
Being a member of EMS Khor and teaching, it gives me a chance to work with many students and build a strong educational foundation for young minds; being responsible for integrating young children into the world of learning by teaching them social skills, personal hygiene, basic reading skills, art and music.
During this process, I get to witness children blossom into well-rounded students hungry to learn.
My dream is to continue to share my passion for learning, my love for students, and my enthusiasm and dedication as a teacher.
“Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” -Dr.Maria Montessori
MS. SAMEENA & MS. AMINA
KG2 B
I am Ms. Sameena Khalid, Homeroom Teacher for KG2-B, as well as the KG Team Leader. Teaching has been my passion and I have been working as a teacher for the last 15 years and this is my tenth year at English Modern School as a Kindergarten teacher. I have the pleasure of working with Ms. Amina Hassaine Daouji who is my Learning Assistant. She has been working as a learning assistant in our school for the last 8 years. She has a 2 year teaching certificate from Seraj center as well as LCDL certificate in computers.
I have a Bachelor’s degree with Psychology and English Literature as majors, and a teaching certificate (CICTT) from the UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE International Examinations (CIE). In addition to that, I have a Counseling Diploma from Banjara Academy, India. I am also a qualified kindergarten teacher with a Diploma in Montessori Early Childhood Teachers’ Training (for 3 to 6 years old) from Virginia, USA. Last year, I continued my passion for teaching and learning by receiving the Teaching Qualification Degree from Buffalo State University of New York.
Stories, letters, numbers, sharing blocks, puzzles, play, paint and play-dough make up the kindergarten world. Imagination and creativity are everywhere. The process is more important than the product, and learning is accomplished by doing, touching, and experiencing. Here your child grows socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. So at this early stage of learning, it is very important to set routines in your child’s life.
As an EMS team we aim to provide a safe, comfortable, stimulating, fun, and educational environment to achieve the developmental milestones necessary for a kindergarten student.
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six.” -Dr.Maria Montessori
MS. PAOLA
KG2 C
I’m Ms. Paola Jimenez and I am a KG2-C teacher. I am from Costa Rica and this will be my second year at EMS Khor.
I am a graduate of American International University, where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Bilingual Preschool Education. For six years I worked in North Carolina, United States of America. I have been a teacher for 23 years.
Being a member of EMS Khor, gives me the opportunity to work with our children and build a strong foundation that will help develop their young minds. My goal is to prepare well-rounded students: kind, respectful, confident and hard working in order for them to be ready for the world that is ahead. It is through love, and trust that I like to build a safe and secure environment for my students. With the help of art, music and basic reading skills, we will build a solid foundation for the years to come.
I love travelling and learning about different cultures and traditions. Working in Qatar is a dream come true and I hope to continue sharing my passion for teaching and learning with my students and colleagues.
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn .” Dr.Maria Montessori
MS. LIEZL
Music Teacher
My name is Liezl B. Ambaic. I’m the new Music Teacher responsible for handling KG 1 to Year 6 during this Academic School Year. I graduated with a Bachelor of Music major in Music Education and a minor in Piano from Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines.
I possess extensive teaching experience in the Philippines across various levels of learners, including Middle School and High School. I also worked as a part-time teacher in the College of Education. Furthermore, I have provided training to different performing groups, such as Choir, Instrumental Ensemble, String Ensemble, Rondalla, Band, and Marching Band.
EMS represents my third school experience in Qatar, and I am delighted to be part of this reputable institution, which boasts teachers of high caliber. I have previously taught Elementary level students at my prior school. This equips me with ample experience, bolstering my confidence in imparting my knowledge and skills to my students at EMS.
As a music educator, I am fervent and enthusiastic about working with students of all abilities. I firmly believe that impacting children through music is one of the most rewarding professions. Sharing my love and passion for music with students can inspire a profound connection between the mind, body, and intellect. This, to me, is the most incredible job I could ever hope for.