Welcome to the Elementary School – American School of Kuwait – Seek Innovation – Practice Compassion – Learn for Life (original) (raw)

Home Welcome to the Elementary School

Academic Overview

The Elementary School at the American School of Kuwait seeks to inspire, foster and cultivate students from diverse backgrounds, who will make a positive difference in the world. We strive to nurture a strong relationship between home and school, recognizing the value in consistent and regular communication in the development of a trusting partnership.

The Elementary School community is characterized by care, compassion, and commitment to the educational, social, and emotional well-being of every child. Our educators work hard to ensure that the Elementary School is a safe, positive, and enriching learning environment for all children. On a daily basis, students are given opportunities to learn, grow, and develop skills and strategies to be successful global citizens of the 21st century.

The Elementary School curriculum is aligned with Common Core State Standards and follows a standards-based grading scale. The program includes core subjects taught in a homeroom class environment along with specialists (art, music, and physical education) and Arabic. Students are given ample chances to participate in a range of engaging, age-appropriate educational opportunities in the classroom, along with numerous school-wide events and a variety of after-school activities.

Meet the Administration

Leah Kingston, Elementary Principal

Mrs. Leah Kingston joined ASK as elementary school principal in August 2023. Leah spent the past 25 years in her hometown of Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada, and has taught in multiple cities including Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Throughout her 33 years as an educator, Leah has worked as a teacher, vice principal and principal of multiple schools from Kindergarten – Grade 12. She is consistently dedicated to the success and engagement of the greater school community.

With a solid background in educational leadership, Leah holds a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada, and a Masters of Arts in Leadership and Administration from Gonzaga University, Washington, U.S.A. Leah is trained in RESPECT in School & Sport, Skills for Leaders, and is also certified in VTRA, where she has a deep passion for school safety and staff/student well-being. Leah has also been engaged in working with teachers through leadership mentoring, taking great joy in developing future leaders.

Leah has shown a commitment to excellence in serving students and their families, and has expertise in developing supports aimed at enhancing student empowerment, high quality teaching, and learning. She enjoys coaching athletics, and immersing herself in a school culture where she finds great satisfaction watching students learn, grow and develop into successful global citizens.

Maryam Hassan, Elementary Assistant Principal

Maryam Hassan joined the American School of Kuwait in 2018 all the way from San Ramon, California. She has taught grades 1 and 3 and has been working in elementary schools for the past 10 years. Maryam received her Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California, Berkeley. In addition, she holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Stanford University. Maryam has received extensive training and coaching in balanced literacy practices, including reader’s and writer’s workshop. Her teaching philosophy includes a student centered approach to learning and she believes in meeting students where they are.

Rania Al Nakib, Elementary Assistant Principal

Dr. Rania Al-Nakib is an ASK alumnus and previously worked here from 2005-2008 as a grade 1 homeroom teacher and team leader. She rejoined ASK in 2023. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant Professor at the Gulf University for Science and Technology. As well as teaching teacher-training courses in their education program, she designed and taught courses in human rights and education for democratic citizenship. Rania holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Kuwait University, with a major in English Literature and Linguistics, and a double minor in French and Latin. She has a Master of Science degree (MS) from Georgetown University in Theoretical Linguistics, and a Master of Education (MEd) degree from Marymount University, VA. She also holds a PhD in Education from the Institute of Education, University of London. Rania also does work with NGOs and civil society groups and is passionate about the role of education in fostering caring, responsible citizens.