School Leadership

Ms. Shan Green

Shan Whalen Green is excited to be continuing her career in education at VIS as the new Head of School. She has served VIS over the last year as the Lead Principal for the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions.  

Shan moved to Qatar from Dover, Delaware, USA in August of 2022 and has been taking the time to get to know the area and community. Shan also lived in Pittsburgh, PA and West Palm Beach, Florida where she did most of her schooling.

Shan has Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University in Sociology and a Minor in Ethnic Studies. She earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Delaware State University and her Principal Certification through the Delaware Leadership Project.

Shan worked as a Middle School Principal for 10 years before moving to Qatar.  She has a decade in the classroom as a Middle/High School teacher and served as a case manager and Educational Diagnostician in Special Education for a combined 7 years. She is certified to teach English/Language Arts, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Special Education, and is certified as a Special Education Director.

Her passion for Secondary Education comes very naturally and is created by building strong relationships with her students and families. Shan knows that it takes teamwork to truly make the gains as a school that she wants to see at VIS and feels strongly that the students deserve nothing but the best. This school year, Shan will work on Vision’s 5-year Strategic Plan and will reach out to engage the community in this process. 

In Shan’s free time, she enjoys the beach, reading, playing with her adopted dog, and talking with her daughters’ ages 21 and 25.  Family is the true north in Shan’s life and it is important to her that she builds relationships with the community and families at VIS.  She lives by the statement that “it takes a village to raise a child”.  

Shan looks forward to the future of VIS knowing that the staff is working hard to offer the best Academic Program available to the students.  As she steps into the Director’s role, she has focused much of her energy in hiring quality staff and developing programs focused on college and career readiness, intervention, and extension of student learning.  

Shan is truly looking forward to meeting each of you and she wants you to feel confident that while your children are at VIS, she will care for them like they were her own. Shan has an “open-door” policy and will work to be available for her students, staff, and the families at VIS. She is here to support you and your students and welcomes you to contact her about any questions or concerns you may have during the school year.

Ms. Samar Yassin

Dear Vision Community,

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Boys Division Principal at Vision International School and I am truly honored to join this exceptional community. Born in Brazil and of Lebanese heritage, I hold a bachelor’s degree in general physics from Lebanese University, a Teaching Diploma in High School Science from Modern University of Business and Science MUBS, and a Master’s in Multidisciplinary Sciences from SUNY Buffalo, New York.

With over 16 years of experience in education, my professional interests and expertise encompass curriculum instruction, inclusive education, and project-based learning. Inspired by the words of Aristotle: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” This quote resonates deeply with me because true education goes beyond academic achievement and involves nurturing students’ emotional and ethical development. I believe that by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment, we empower students to grow not only as learners but as well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make positive contributions to society.

I am excited to be part of Vision School and eager to work alongside the talented educators and dedicated families here at Vision to ensure our students thrive academically and socially. Looking forward to contributing to VIS continued success and excellence !!

Dr. Brenell Ferguson-Saunders

Dr. Brenell Ferguson-Saunders is a dedicated and accomplished educator with over eight years of experience in teaching and educational leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Science Education (teaching biology, chemistry and physics up to the college level), a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Educational Leadership.

Throughout her career, Dr. Brenell Ferguson-Saunders has gained extensive experience across various curricula, including the British Curriculum, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, American Curriculum, and Cambridge programs. Dr. Brenell Ferguson-Saunders has worked abroad in Asia and brings a wealth of experience in terms of instruction, management, and strategic decision-making. Her deep passion for instruction, promoting effective teaching practices, and collaborative work drives her to be a strong leader who motivates those around her to achieve their best.

Dr. Brenell Ferguson-Saunders is well-versed in secondary education and is deeply committed to creating an environment that fosters both high-quality learning, effective communication, data-driven decisions, and community for all students. She looks forward to working with the staff and students at VIS, where she is eager to contribute to the continued growth and success of the school.

Ms. Victoria Placeres

Victoria Placeres – Foege is from Montevideo, Uruguay. She is the new Early Childhood/ Elementary School Principal at VIS. She has  served in Leadership roles for the past 15 years such as K-12 Curriculum Coordinator, Assessment Coordinator, Advanced Placement Coordinator, and as an EC/Elementary School Principal for the past seven years at the Uruguayan American School. Her husband, Michael, and her daughter, Erika, will join her in Doha. Michael is originally from Walla Walla, Washington, in the United States, and he has traveled the world for as long as he can remember due to his father’s work. He is a Secondary Social Studies, Psychology and Sociology Teacher. They met teaching at the Uruguayan American School 14 years ago in Montevideo. Their daughter Erika is eight years old. She will join the Grade 3 class at VIS next August. 

Prior to becoming a Principal, Victoria taught English in every Elementary School Grade level. She completed her University Degrees in Uruguay and in the United States. She holds a B.A. in Educational Sciences from Uruguay’s National University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, USA. She has lived in Uruguay and the United States. 

In her free time, she enjoys traveling. Victoria and her husband have traveled extensively in South East Asia, Europe, and the Americas. They are now looking forward to exploring the Middle East. She also enjoys learning about cultures through their languages. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She has also learned French, Italian, and Japanese. Learning Arabic will be her goal as she prepares to join VIS. She looks forward to becoming part of the VIS community and experiencing life in Qatar. She believes that the parent-school partnership is the key to unlocking children’s potential. Please know that your child’s safety and well-being will be Victoria’s utmost priority.

Ms. Charlie Verrell

Charlie Verrell has been working in education for the last 15 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, English, and Education, and a Graduate Diploma in (Primary) Teaching from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. She then went on to study her Masters of Education from Curtain University in Australia. Charlie is originally from Australia but lives in New Zealand when she is not in Qatar with her two beautiful cats. She has taught in both primary and secondary schools, predominantly as an Assistant Principal.

The majority of her career has been spent working in New Zealand, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. She has experience in British Curriculum, New Zealand Curriculum, International Baccalaureate (Primary Years Program), American Curriculum, and Cambridge.

Charlie has worked for the Qatar Petroleum schools in both Mesaieed and Dukhan as Assistant Principal and is joining Vision from one of our network schools (English Modern School) where she held the position of Teaching and Learning Coordinator. 

Her passion for building strong relationships, collaboratively working with teams, and spending time with the families of VIS is something she is looking forward to this academic year. She is passionate about the Middle Eastern region and the Qatari culture which has empowered her to take Arabic lessons for Speaking, Reading, and Writing in her spare time and she now holds a Level 2 in Arabic. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach (Maroona and Fuwairat), drinking Karak, and spending time with friends.

Charlie feels extremely privileged and proud to become a part of the VIS family and to begin working with the students, parents, and teachers. 

Ms. Dionne Huffman

Dionne Huffman is an international educator from Cleveland, Ohio in the United States. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Masters in Teaching degree from Hampton University.

During Dionne’s more than 20 years in education, she has been a classroom teacher at all levels K-12. She has also worked as a math intervention specialist, instructional coach, distance learning coordinator, and Middle School Assistant Principal. She moved to the Middle East in 2011, working in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait before moving to Qatar.

She is passionate about collaborating with colleagues, teachers, and students to ensure that all students have the best possible education. During her free time, Dionne loves traveling, spending time with family and friends, and having new adventures.

Dionne is excited to continue her work in education at VIS as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation.

Ms. Laila Abbasi

Ms. Laila’s bio will be short and to the point, just like her.

Originally from New Jersey, USA; Ms. Laila’s family relocated to the lovely State of Qatar in 2009. She has a husband and two sons. Previous to becoming Operations Director at VIS, she had the opportunity to work with the infinitely gracious Al Muftah family at English Modern School in Doha as a Learning Support Coordinator.

She holds degrees in Business Management and Special Education and is fluent in both Arabic and English. She has experience teaching, in licensed realty, and has also managed/co-owned a lucrative embroidery factory with her husband. Ms. Laila has also run her own business: ABA Logic, for special needs and autistic children.

When asked to describe how she feels about VIS, Ms. Laila has stated that VIS is a school which is truly near and dear to her heart. She had the unique experience of witnessing the school’s opening in September of 2014. Even before that time, Ms. Laila can recall when the floors weren’t even installed and she is proud to have been part of the pre opening operation and founding family of Vision International School.

Ms. Laila’s position as Director of Operations entails most of the operational intricacies of running a school. The enabling factor of her success throughout her tenure at VIS has been her extensive career experiences and challenges which have required creative solutions.

In her personal life she enjoys reading, assembling and solving puzzles and music of all genres. She also enjoys playing darts with family and friends.

Her professional motto is “Stabilize – Systematize – Optimize.”

Ms. Laila is honored to be an integral part of the VIS family and strives for excellence in everything she does. Her aspiration and goal is to contribute in every way possible to make VIS one of the best educational institutions in Qatar’s bright future.