Our Team

Raquel Nahas

Originally from Canada, and Lebanese by origin, Raquel bridged her interest of different cultures and passion for education by embarking on a career in international education. Raquel has worked in various educational capacities for the past 15 years across the region including teaching, consultancy, teacher training and executive educational leadership.

Raquel began her IB experience as a founding member of an IB continuum school in the UAE later to serve as an educational consultant with a focus on driving school improvement. Raquel has developed nationally recognised vocational teacher training programmes, in Early Years, Primary and Secondary Education.

Raquel has served as an executive leader of an IB continuum school for many years, leading strategic plans to achieve operational excellence and superior results across student learning, faculty professional development, parent & community relations and school evaluations.

Raquel is a strong advocate of the principles that an International Baccalaureate Education fosters and believes that a school is a hub for the community where all stakeholders must work together to ensure students become the best versions of themselves, physically, emotionally, academically, and socially.

Cara Wallace McHugh

Ms Cara Wallace is an experienced educational leader from London, UK, with over a decade of experience working in international schools in the UAE. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of East London and a Master’s degree in Special and Additional Learning Needs. With seven years of senior leadership experience, she brings a wealth of expertise in educational improvement and supporting outstanding outcomes for students.
Throughout her career, Ms Wallace has held a range of leadership positions, including Head of Year, Head of Department, SENCO, Assistant Headteacher, and, for the past two years, Whole School Deputy Principal at Greenfield International School. In these roles, she has successfully led school improvement initiatives and fostered learning environments where both students and staff can flourish. She has overseen strategic developments in teaching and learning, curriculum, pastoral care, safeguarding, staff development, and whole-school operations, consistently focusing on raising standards, strengthening student outcomes, and promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and commitment to educational excellence, Ms Wallace believes in empowering staff, building strong relationships with families, and fostering a culture of high expectations, innovation, and continuous improvement.
As Secondary Headteacher, Ms Wallace is excited to lead the next stage of the school’s journey. She is passionate about developing future-ready learners and creating aspirational school communities where every student can succeed.

Brenda Coughlan

Originally from Ireland, Brenda completed her BSc in Biomedical Science at the National University of Ireland, Galway before entering the field of education. While obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of East London, she honed her skills in teaching and curriculum development. Brenda has held a range of roles within the field, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the profession.
As a class teacher, Brenda ensured her students received a well-rounded education while fostering positive and inclusive learning environments. This commitment led to her appointment as a Year Leader and subsequently as an Assistant Head, where she was responsible for the progress and wellbeing of multiple year groups.
Building upon her leadership experience, Brenda joined Greenfield International School as Head of Early Years, where she implemented strategies to enhance school performance and student outcomes. As Deputy Head of Primary, she led on learning and teaching, wellbeing and pastoral care, student achievement, and contributed to whole-school improvement initiatives.
Stepping into the role of Head of Primary this academic year, Brenda is committed to academic excellence and nurturing a supportive, dynamic learning environment where every child can thrive.

George Huteson

George Huteson graduated from the University of Birmingham in the UK with a BSc (Hons) degree in Food & Consumer Management, before gaining over 10 years of experience in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry in the UK and New Zealand, in a range of sales and marketing roles.

He completed his post-graduate teaching qualification at the University of Manchester, specialising in Business and Economics education.

George completed six years of experience as a teacher of Business & Economics, Head of Department and Career Academies coordinator at a high-performing Secondary school in East Cheshire in the UK before moving to Dubai.

Initially joining Greenfield International School in 2019 as the Head of Individuals & Societies, George occupied the role of Career-related Programme Coordinator and CAS Coordinator prior to moving into the role of Deputy Head of Secondary.

Niall Crowley

Originally from Ireland, Mr Niall Crowley graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Trinity College Dublin. He went on to complete a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Bath, as well as the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). He also facilitates the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).
Now in his tenth year in Dubai, Niall has held leadership roles across a variety of curricula and has extensive IB leadership experience in Early Years and Primary. He is also an inspector for British Schools Overseas (BSO). Niall believes in supporting students’ aspirations through a culture of excellence and ambition, both inside and outside the classroom, fostered within an enriching environment. He is a qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and believes strongly in the collective responsibility for well-being and inclusion. Niall is currently undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQSENCO).
In his role as Deputy Principal (Whole School Teaching and Learning), Niall oversees teaching and learning across the Primary and Secondary Schools. In his role as Deputy Head of Primary, he supports all aspects of the Primary School, including pastoral care. “I’m most looking forward to collaborating and building relationships with students, parents and staff and, together with the entire team, continuing to create an environment where the Greenfield community thrives – together.”

Dr Sanja Vičević Ivanović

Dr Sanja Vičević Ivanović brings more than 20 years of experience in education. Her career has included roles as a specialist teacher, head of department, teacher trainer, school leader and researcher. She holds a double major in Italian Language and Literature and German Language and Literature from the University of Zagreb, as well as a PhD in Language Teaching.
Before moving to Dubai, Dr Sanja Vičević Ivanović developed extensive teaching and leadership experience in Croatian primary schools, including bilingual curriculum, and successfully managed her own language school. As PYP Coordinator at Greenfield International School, she led the school’s participation in the International Baccalaureate Wellbeing Action Research Programme, partnering with Harvard University in 2023–2024 alongside 100 schools globally, and with University of Oxford in 2024–2025 alongside 15 schools worldwide.
An active researcher and international presenter, Dr Sanja Vičević Ivanović has authored and co-authored more than 20 publications, including Young Learners Online: A Guide for Foreign Language Teachers. Her work is grounded in a strong commitment to bridging educational theory and practice.
Dr Sanja Vičević Ivanović serves as the PYP Representative on the UAE IB Association Steering Committee. In her roles as an IBEN Consultant, School Visit Team Leader and Team Member, she also supports schools across the International Baccalaureate community.
Away from education, Dr Sanja Vičević Ivanović enjoys spending time with her family, camping and reading.

Cherine El Khatib

Ms. Cherine El Khatib is the Deputy Principal at Greenfield International School, leading Ministry of Education (MOE) subjects including Arabic & Islamic Studies across the whole school. She brings extensive leadership experience alongside a strong background in the International Baccalaureate framework, with a passion for inquiry-based and student-centered learning.
Having held key roles including Assistant Head Teacher, Primary English Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Ms. Cherine has made a significant impact on pastoral care and teaching and learning, particularly in literacy. Under her leadership, the school’s reading culture has flourished, culminating in GIS proudly receiving the ‘Reading Without Limits Award’, reflecting her commitment to fostering a lifelong love of learning.
She is dedicated to delivering high-quality, meaningful MOE provision aligned with UAE priorities, while embedding IB principles to ensure learning is both locally grounded and globally connected. Ms. Cherine is particularly passionate about promoting Arabic as a living language, strengthening students’ understanding of Islamic values, and nurturing a deep appreciation of UAE heritage and identity.
Central to her leadership is a commitment to amplifying student voice and leadership, empowering learners to actively shape their educational experiences within a culture where all subjects are valued, relevant, and engaging.

Aaron Purcell

Mr Aaron Purcell is an experienced educator who has taught at premium IB and UK curriculum schools. Holding the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders, he boasts over seventeen years of teaching and leadership experience in the UK, Italy, and the UAE. Mr Purcell is passionate about the holistic development of a child, and this passion has been the foundation for all his roles throughout his career. He has held various leadership positions, including Head of Year, Head of PE, Director of Sport, and BTEC Quality Nominee. Mr Purcell joins Greenfield from our sister school, DBS JP, which is rated outstanding by the KHDA.

Emma Radojkovich

Mrs Emma Radojkovich is a passionate educator with over 15 years of teaching and leadership experience across Ireland and the UAE. With more than a decade in Dubai, she has developed strong expertise in inclusion and personalised learning through her role as a Primary SENCO and Inclusion Teacher at Greenfield International School.
Emma holds a Bachelor of Education (Honours) from Trinity College Dublin. She is an evaluator for the Council of International Schools, regularly supporting school improvement worldwide. Emma has held leadership roles across a variety of curricula, including Head of Year, Action & Service Lead, and SENCO.
Committed to creating inclusive, student-centred environments, Emma works closely with students, families, teachers, and specialists to ensure every child feels supported, challenged, and empowered to thrive. As a mother, she understands the importance education holds for every family and the value of strong home–school partnerships.