Teachers

Elementary teacher

Sirkku Huuska

Sirkku Huuska is an elementary school teacher at DAS. She studied in the USA and UK. She has a master’s degree in sciences of education from The University of Helsinki in Finland. She has more than 15 years of experience in professional teaching in Finland and Denmark. 

Elementary Teacher

Alice Wilkinson

Elementary EAL & French Teacher

Anniina Kapanen

Anniina Kapanen is a French acquisition teacher.  She taught French, Spanish and literature in Finland for the last ten years. She has also worked as an educator in Portugal and Mexico.

Elementary Art Teacher

Andrea Larsen

Andrea Larsen is the elementary art teacher at DAS. She has an BFA in Studio Art and a MS in Art Education. She has taught art for over a decade and is an award winning ceramic artist in the United States.

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

Demi Aulos

Demi Aulos is a Finnish PreK3 teacher at DAS. She has a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Helsinki. While this is her first international teaching role, she previously taught a range of early years grade levels in Finland.

Wellness TEACHER

Angel Araoz

Angel Araoz is originally from Cuba where he taught physical education for 9 years. He came to DAS from Finland where he worked for the past four years.

IBDP English Language and Literature teacher

Ben Gibbon

Ben Gibbon is an English Language Arts and IB English Language and Literature teacher at DAS. He has over ten years experience delivering British curricula in the United Kingdom. He has also taught internationally at several universities in Japan.

Middle School Math Teacher

Mark Martin

Mark Martin is from Athens, Georgia, United States. He has 15 years of experience as an educator in mathematics and has served on several departments like School Improvement Leadership Team, Mathematics Chair, Curriculum Writer Committee, Data Team Leader, and Benchmark Assessment Committee member.

Elementary Teacher

Rashida Ajani Hall

Rashida Ajani Hall is an elementary school teacher at DAS, she holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and has years of experience teaching grades k-5th in the United States.

Secondary science and biology teacher

Rhiana Meade

Rhiana Meade is a science teacher in grades 6-9. Prior to working at DAS, she worked in international development in Ghana, and taught middle school science in the United States

Elementary Teacher

 Henni Kuoppasalmi

Henni Kuoppasalmi is a 5th Grade Class Teacher at DAS. Originally from Finland, she has 10 years of experience as a class teacher. Most of her teaching career has been in Finland, but she has also taught internationally in Kazakhstan and the Maldives.

Secondary IBDP French Language & Literature teacher

Loic Charton

Loic is the IBDP French Language & Literature teacher at DAS. He will be teaching students from 6th to 12th grade. Since 2004, he has been working as an IB French A and B teacher mainly for prestigious international American schools like Shanghai American School, International School of Prague and International School of Bangkok. He is thrilled to be part of Dar Essalam American School and aims to have a positive impact on students and significantly contribute to DAS’s growth

Dean of Students

Katell Dodd

Katell Dodd is joining DAS as the Dean of Students with over 25 years of experience in international schools across the UK, Kenya, Qatar, Bermuda, Zambia, and Germany. She holds a Masters degree, as well as a teaching qualification from Goldsmiths, University of London. Having grown up internationally and educated in the French school system, Katell brings a global perspective to her work.

Athletics and Activities director

Ali Bougrine

Ali Bougrine is the Athletics and Activities director at DAS. He is from Morocco and has taught at international schools in Morocco and Indonesia for the past 7 years.

Elementary teacher

Eeva Sirkku Konola

Ms. Eeva has a master’s degree in education. She is also a qualified subject teacher of mathematics, English, Finnish, Literature and has a diploma in leadership and administration in education (Principal’s qualification).

She has more than 35 years of teaching experience in all grades, from KG to Middle School, mainly the Finnish educational system. She has been teaching overseas for 8 years, in the UAE, Oman and Maldives.

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

Chantal Butzbach

Chantal Butzbach brings over 25 years of teaching experience, having taught in California, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, and Beijing, China. She has served as both Head of Kindergarten department and a Homeroom Teacher throughout her career. Ms. Butzbach was also a member of the MSA accreditation internal team in Congo and part of the WASC accreditation team in Beijing. She is originally from the United States and has been a dedicated Kindergarten Teacher at DAS since the school’s founding.

Elementary Teacher

Riikka Rajala

Riikka Rajala is a 1st Grade Homeroom Teacher at DAS. Originally from Finland, she brings over 10 years of teaching experience in her home country as well as international experience in Qatar. She is excited to bring her Finnish educational background to DAS and to be part of the vibrant school community.

Secondary Mathematics TEACHER

Wilson Ashton

In his 13th year of teaching both in the United States and overseas, Wilson Ashton has taught secondary and IB math. Wilson holds master’s degrees in both math education and public administration, and has previously taught in Texas, China, and Colombia, in subjects ranging from Algebra to Calculus. Aside from math, Wilson has two United States Soccer Federation coaching licenses, and has also coached volleyball, table tennis, and the math team.

Elementary Teacher

Ruta Baskevica

Ruta Baskevica is an early years educator from Latvia. She has worked in diverse locations such as Bangladesh, China, Qatar, Zambia, and France.

Life-X-perience teacher

Sanna Nousiainen

Sanna worked for about 25 years as a home economics teacher in a Finnish comprehensive school, inspiring students to develop everyday life skills and wellbeing. Her experience also includes international cooperation projects, such as the Erasmus programme.

Secondary Counselor

Alison Pluim

As a secondary school counselor at DAS, she is here to support our students’ social and emotional well-being. Her previous experiences include working as a DP psychology teacher and upper school counselor in other international schools in  Indonesia, UK, & Marrakesh. At home in Canada, she has worked in private therapy and as a counseling therapist with children & youths in clinical mental health settings.

Secondary Physical and Health Education Teacher

Olli Suhonen

Olli Suhonen is the Physical and Health Education teacher for Secondary students at DAS. Originally from Finland, he spent the past 13 years in Helsinki, where he taught and led one of the country’s largest international Erasmus programs.

Secondary curriculum and instructional coach

Rebecca Painter

Rebecca Painter is the secondary curriculum and instructional coach at DAS. She has worked in education for 25 years in the United States, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan before coming to Morocco.

English Language Arts teacher

Emily Kovacs

Emily Kovacs is an English Language Arts teacher for grades six through nine. She also teaches Theory of Knowledge as part of the International Diploma Programme team. She has taught in Japan and the United Kingdom

Secondary English as an Additional Language teacher

Laurence Paul

Laurence Paul is the grade 6 & 7 English as an Additional Language teacher working with students who need extra support in core classes. She is arriving from the Awty International School in Houston, Texas where she has taught French, EAL, Creative Writing, Middle & High School Language & Arts.

College Counselor

Sandi Engler

Sandi Engler is our College Counselor. Originally from the USA, she has a great deal of experience working overseas where she has served as a teacher, Director of English, and Director of College Counseling. Sandi is a member of both IACAC (International Association of College Admissions Counselors) and NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counselors). Her expertise spans across setting up and managing college counseling departments; advising and preparing students for university applications worldwide, as well as maintaining strong relationships with university representatives.

Elementary Principal

Johanna Winberg

Johanna Winberg is the Elementary School Principal. She is a teacher and principal from Finland, and she has a master’s degree in Education. Johanna has previously worked in Sweden, Qatar and Lebanon. This is her second year at DAS, overseeing the Elementary School.

Elementary Teacher

Tuuli Naalisvaara

Tuuli Naalisvaara is an elementary school teacher at DAS, holding a master’s degree in Education along with a qualification in Health Education. She has more than ten years of experience in teaching, mainly within the Finnish education system. She has also taught internationally in the Maldives and supported teacher training projects in Uganda and Kenya as a Teachers Without Borders volunteer.

Secondary Social Studies teacher

Andrew Painter

Andrew Painter is the grade 6-9 Social Studies teacher at DAS. He has worked internationally for over 15 years in Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

Elementary French Teacher

Melodie Rochery

Passionate French teacher, Mélodie brings over 7 years of teaching experience across Asia. After teaching in Vietnam and Bangkok for 5 years, she further enriched her journey by working in India and Nepal. As a French native, she combines linguistic expertise with deep intercultural understanding, offering her students a dynamic and engaging French learning experience adapted to international contexts.

Elementary Music Teacher

Liz (Elizabeth) Wolden

Liz is the Elementary Music Teacher at DAS and has taught in the US, Egypt, Myanmar, India, UAE and Vietnam.

Elementary Teacher

Kelly Guthrie

Kelly Guthrie is a Grade 5 teacher at DAS. She has over ten years experience teaching upper primary in New York State. She brings with her a love of teaching and learning and is dedicated to helping her students become life-long learners.

Secondary principal

Nancy Shay

Nancy Shay is the International Diploma Programme Coordinator and an English teacher at DAS. She taught in the United States for over three decades and has also taught internationally in Israel and the Cayman Islands.

University Application Specialist

Anggita Putri

Anggita Putri works in the Counseling Office as a University Application Specialist. Originally from Indonesia, she holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from universities in the United States. She also worked as an Academic Advisor and Testing Coordinator at a college in Texas, USA.

ELEMENTARY COUNSELOR

Lyubov Borisova Waters

Lyubov Borisova Waters is our Elementary School Counselor. She is an American citizen with over 27 years of experience working as a school counselor and principal.

Elementary TEACHER

LaShonda Terry

LaShonda Terry started her teaching career as an elementary school teacher in the U.S. She later earned her MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and went on to teach in the UAE and Mauritania. She also taught online classes to students in China.

Elementary Physical Education teacher

Sandijs Baskevics

 Sandijs Baskevics joins DAS as an Elementary PE teacher.

Originally from Latvia, he brings over 23 years of experience teaching in IB international schools. For the past 10 years, he has also served as Head of PE Departments and Athletics Director. Sandijs has worked in schools across Latvia, Bangladesh, China, Qatar, Zambia, and France.

Elementary School Learning Support Teacher

Taru Liukkonen

Taru Liukkonen is the Elementary School Learning Support Teacher at DAS. Before coming to Morocco she was for several years a Special Class Teacher in Finland. She has also previously worked as a Learning Support Teacher.

Director of operations

Nabil Zafati

He brings over 25 years of experience in education and school leadership across international settings. He has served in key roles such as Head of Department and Athletic Director, contributing substantially to curriculum review cycles and accreditation processes in several international schools. His leadership journey includes serving in China as Head of Department and Athletic Director; in the Republic of Congo as Athletic Director and Head of Physical Education; and in Morocco as Evening Activities and Pool Coordinator, as well as a member of the Physical Education and Athletics departments. He also served as Project Manager for the construction of a school dormitory, where he promoted teamwork, professional growth, and a supportive learning environment.

Secondary School Learning Support Specialist

Jessica Cellura

Jessica Cellura is the Learning Support Specialist for the Secondary School at DAS. 

She brings over a decade of experience supporting diverse learners in schools across the United States, where she worked closely with students, teachers, and families to foster academic growth and personal success. Jessica is committed to helping every student reach their full potential. She is excited to continue her work at DAS and to contribute to the school community in Rabat.

ELEMNTARY ARABIC TEACHER

Adil El Megaless

Adil El Megaless teaches Arabic to students from Pre-K3 through Grade 5 and has been a dedicated member of the DAS community since its first year. Originally from Morocco, Adil brings 19 years of teaching experience from various educational institutions across the country.Adil has also taught internationally. In the United States, he served as an Arabic instructor at the University of Iowa through the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship program. In addition, he worked at the Concordia Language Villages’ Al-Waha Arabic camp in Minnesota, contributing to immersive language education.

SECONDARY MUSIC TEACHER

Allison Klein

Allison Klein is the secondary music teacher at DAS, where she has started a string orchestra program. Before coming to Morocco, Ms. Klein taught music for 13 years in the United States. In addition to school teaching, she teaches private music lessons and she is also a professional musician. Ms. Klein holds a Masters in Music Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education, graduating with distinction.

Elementary Teacher

Tavi Riddle

Tavi Riddle is a Grade 1 teacher at DAS .She has taught in five countries over a span of 19 years. Tavi’s teaching and leading mission is to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and courage in classrooms and communities.

Secondary English as an Additional Language teacher

Fraser Dodd

Fraser Dodd is an English as an Additional Language teacher at DAS. With degrees in language acquisition and music education, he has taught previously in international schools in Germany, Zambia, Bermuda, Qatar, Kenya, UK and NZ.

Librarian

Melanie Tahan

Melanie Tahan is our PK-12th grade school librarian. She has been a teacher and school librarian for over 25 years. She has taught in the United states, Japan, Morocco, Scotland and Myanmar.

Elementary Assistant Principal

Jyrki Rajala

Jyrki Rajala has over 10 years of experience in education, both internationally and in Finland. He has worked in diverse roles supporting teaching, curriculum development, and school leadership. Passionate about creating meaningful learning environments that foster collaboration, innovation, and student growth.