Donagh Murphy

Assistant Principal at AJYAL International School

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

About

I am a qualified and passionate primary school educator with a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management, awarded with First Class Honours. With five years of teaching experience, including three years in the UAE, I have taken on roles as a classroom teacher, year leader, and Assistant Principal of Primary. I am dedicated to supporting both student development and whole-school improvement. I believe in nurturing the whole child and building meaningful, supportive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. I approach each role with energy, purpose, and a commitment to continuous growth. Living and working in the UAE has given me a deeper appreciation for the culture and traditions of the country. This cultural awareness has helped me foster stronger community connections and create more relevant and engaging learning experiences for my students. My leadership is grounded in research and reflective practice. My Master’s thesis focused on how distributed leadership can build leadership capacity in schools, an area I believe is essential for long-term success in education. I have worked closely with senior leaders and teaching teams to improve the quality of teaching and learning, lead planning, mentor staff, and contribute to the school’s improvement journey, including supporting the successful move from a Good to a Very Good ADEK rating. I bring strategic thinking, compassion, and high standards to every aspect of my work.

Experience

  • Year Leader at AJYAL International School

  • Classroom Teacher at AJYAL International School

  • Classroom Teacher at Ballintemple National School

  • Assistant Principal at AJYAL International School