Leadership Team

Born and raised in Indiana, USA, Robert Jackson became a world citizen over the last 30 years, living, working, and studying in Ukraine, China, Austria, Belarus, the United States, Albania, and Saudi Arabia. He holds a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College and a Master of Education from Columbia University. In 2023, he completed his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Johns Hopkins University.

Robert received the National Distinguished Principal Award in 2014 while working in the State Department-funded school in Minsk, Belarus. Additional leadership experience includes Academic Coordinator at Kyiv International School, Middle School Principal at the QSI International School of Shenzhen, and School Head at Tirana International School. He worked as an instructional coach with Educational Training Services in New York City, as well as a Mathematics teacher in his earlier professional years.

Throughout the years, Robert has had the opportunity to work with numerous embassies, diplomatic corps, businesses, and NGOs across the globe. Robert’s mission is to provide high-quality education to both expat families and host-country nationals, ensuring that all children are able to reach their full potential as unique learners. To reach that goal, Robert believes the main responsibility of school leadership is to develop teachers by providing support, opportunities for growth, and a spirit of challenge under a shared vision. Additionally, Robert embraces opportunities to influence the educational trends in the countries where he lives and works. Since 2017, he has partnered with the Balkan Youth Council to provide professional development in instructional practice to local educators from Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Macedonia. Robert strives to promote excellence in education and leadership in the local and international context.

Robert has been married to Dr. Olena Jackson for nearly 30 years, and together they have raised two children, Abigail and Jeremiah, who are both happily in university.

Michael is honored to serve as the MHS Principal of the ACS
Doha community. This marks his first year at ACS and his first in Doha, and he is thrilled to join such an inspiring and dynamic learning environment.

As an educational leader, Michael is passionate about engaging both students and educators in deep, meaningful learning. He believes in the transformative power of a strong community to create an environment where every student is challenged, supported, and empowered to pursue their passions and develop their unique strengths. Collaboration is at the heart of his leadership philosophy, believing that by working together, they can overcome challenges and uncover new possibilities.

Michael is committed to fostering a school culture that is supportive, nurturing, challenging, and fun. He believes this type of environment is essential for uniting students and staff around the shared vision of ACS. Michael is ready to collaborate, listen, and lead as the school continues to build on its success and moves closer to what school “ought to be”—a place where every student understands who they are, what they excel at, and how their passions and talents can positively impact the world. At ACS, the focus is on building future-ready, caring leaders.

Education has always been a calling for Michael. Over the past 24 years, he has had the privilege of serving as a history and social studies teacher at both the middle and high school levels, in addition to a variety of leadership roles. These have included positions such as Partnership and Community Relations Specialist and District Program Facilitator. For the past eight years, he has served in school leadership roles, most recently as the Secondary School Principal at the American United School of Kuwait.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Minnesota K–12 Principal License from Minnesota State University, Mankato, as well as a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, St. Paul.

Christie is a seasoned educator with a deep passion for inspiring pupils to reach their full potential and equipping them with the skills and mindset to thrive in an ever-changing world. With a strong background in international school teaching and leadership, she has developed a reputation for creating engaging and challenging learning experiences that prioritize academic excellence, resilience, and personal growth.

At ACS, Christie is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning community where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Her approach is rooted in the belief that meaningful learning happens when children are encouraged to inquire, think critically, and take ownership of their learning. She places equal importance on academic rigor and well-being, ensuring that each child is both challenged and cared for in equal measure.

Christie’s leadership is underpinned by a commitment to developing strong, research-informed practice across her teams. She focuses on curriculum design and implementation that ensures continuity and progression, while also promoting the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning throughout the Primary Years Programme. Her goal is to create a dynamic, collaborative environment that celebrates diversity, builds confidence, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.

Christie holds a Bachelor of Arts and a PGCE from the UK. She has successfully completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at the University of Chester. Through this continued study, she is deepening her expertise in school culture, leadership strategy, and organizational development—ensuring that her work continues to make a positive and lasting impact on the ACS community.

Shannon Klaft brings more than 20 years in education to ACS Doha. Originally from the United States, she has worked in schools in Chicago, Phoenix and Detroit, as well as in the UAE, Guatemala and Saudi Arabia, before joining us in Qatar.

Shannon has worked across almost every part of school life. She has been a classroom teacher, an English Language Interventionist, an Instructional Coach, an Assistant Principal, a Director of Student Services and a School Director. That range gives her a clear view of what students need to thrive, both in the classroom and beyond it.

She holds a B.S. in Psychology, a Master’s in Teaching and a K-12 School Leadership Certification.

Corrine is a dedicated and dynamic South African educator with more than a decade of international teaching experience in South Africa and Qatar. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase from the University of South Africa and has extensive experience in both the British and IB curricula. Currently, she serves as the PYP Coordinator at ACS Doha.

Corinne is recognized as a collaborative and reflective leader who fosters a culture of inquiry, innovation, and student agency across the Primary Years Programme. In her role as PYP Coordinator, she partners with teachers to design and implement transdisciplinary learning experiences that integrate technology, promote critical and creative thinking, and empower students to take ownership of their learning. With a commitment to continuous improvement, Corinne actively supports the school community in aligning teaching practices with IB standards and principles, ensuring a dynamic and future-focused learning environment.

I’m excited to be joining ACS Doha as the Early Childhood Coordinator. This is my 23rd year in international education and my first year living and working in Qatar.

I’m originally Lebanese and grew up in Orange County, California. Over the years I’ve lived and taught in the USA, Venezuela, Lebanon and Kuwait, and each of those places has shaped me personally and professionally. My husband is Venezuelan, and together we have three daughters. As a multicultural family, we speak three languages at home and love travelling, exploring new cultures and learning from the people and places we encounter.

My educational philosophy is rooted in nurturing a love of learning. I want to build children’s confidence and agency within a safe, supportive community where they feel empowered to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

Outside of work, I like to stay active and love going to the gym. It’s one of my favourite ways to recharge and keep a healthy balance in life. Our family is excited to call Qatar home, and I look forward to getting to know the ACS Doha community and working alongside all of you!

Nastazia is a dedicated educator with 17 years of experience in Lebanon, Egypt, and Qatar as an MYP Science teacher, Service as Action Coordinator, and Head of Science Department. She is currently serving as the MYP Coordinator at ACS. With a deep commitment to student learning and development, Nastazia brings extensive experience in international education. She has a strong belief that education can transform lives and shape a better future. She continues to guide the school through the implementation of the MYP, driven by a collaborative leadership approach that ensures alignment with the IB standards while fostering inquiry-based learning and reflection. Nastazia works with students, parents, and teachers in building meaningful experiences. By enhancing their agency, students gain more ownership of their learning, leading them to become responsible citizens and lifelong learners. Nastazia holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Education.

Cynthia holds a Master’s degree in Commerce with a specialization in Finance and Accountancy. She is driven by a passion for building financially sustainable, high-performing educational environments where both students and staff can thrive.

With more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in finance, human resources, and operational management within the education sector, she aligns financial strategy with organizational goals to foster long-term growth. Her international and not-for-profit background provides a comprehensive understanding of school operations and strategy.

Before her current role as Business Manager at ACS Doha, where she collaborates with the Board and Senior Leadership Team on strategic financial planning, budgeting, and operational oversight, Cynthia spent two decades in the Middle East. During this time, she held leadership positions as Business Manager and Head of Finance at a prominent British international school in Riyadh, managing financial operations across five campuses serving more than 2,000 students and playing a key role in strategic planning. Earlier in her career, Cynthia gained key experience in Wellington, New Zealand, working in finance and operational roles across both public and private sectors, where she developed a strong foundation in compliance, risk management, and stakeholder collaboration.

Deeply committed to operational excellence and financial stewardship, Cynthia consistently strives to make a significant, positive impact within the education community.

Salman has been working at ACS Doha as Head of Digital since 2012, bringing over 20 years of experience leading edTech initiatives in K–12 schools worldwide. He has a Master of Science in Computer Science from Pakistan with a major in software engineering and a Master of Arts in Education from the UK with a specialization in technology and learning designs.

At ACS, Salman plays a key role in developing edTech strategy to ensure students and teachers are equipped and trained to use state-of-the-art technology tools and applications. As a member of the leadership team, he works closely with colleagues to develop a positive culture that inspires everyone to think beyond what they thought was possible.

There is no doubt that technology plays a crucial role in all aspects of our lives, especially in K–12 education. It enhances student engagement in the classroom, connects teachers across divisions, streamlines administrative tasks, supports assessments for learning, and, perhaps most important, provides an efficient way to communicate with the ACS Doha community. With that in mind, Salman’s focus is always on developing modern classrooms, efficient and robust IT systems, and a dynamic edTech tool kit that enhances teaching and learning practices while preparing students for the future.

Salman is passionate about using technology to spark innovation and creativity in teaching and learning to enrich the classroom experience and drive meaningful outcomes for students at ACS Doha.