
Mr Dean Winders
Assistant Principal Primary – Personal Development, Welfare and Behaviour
Dean joined GEMS World Academy - Dubai in 2015, having already spent 22 years working in numerous schools in the UAE. Dean obtained his Bachelor of Education at Reading University, UK, and specialised in Primary Years Classroom Education and Physical Education. Dean’s first two years after graduating were spent in a UK inner-city school in Reading where he solidified his training and gained valuable experience. Dean’s adventurous curiosity then saw him travel to the UAE where he continued his role as a classroom teacher and Key Stage 2 coordinator, adding depth his classroom teaching and giving him an opportunity to apply classroom routines and differentiation, and use data to inform teaching and learning. Dean then moved into the specialism of PE teaching as a stand-alone subject, quickly coordinating departments, and finally becoming whole-school Director of Sport and PE at GEMS World Academy – Dubai. These years allowed Dean to work with a wide variety of age groups with differing needs, gain experience in organising small and large sporting events for the wider communities including overseas trips, and lead teams of staff to continue to grow themselves as teachers and leaders.
Dean was drawn to GEMS World Academy – Dubai thanks to the Academy's many professional development opportunities. It is through GEMS World Academy – Dubai that he was able to complete his middle leaders' training and continue to develop his senior leadership skill set. This training has given him the skills to mentor and coach teachers and teams to work collaboratively, giving them the best possible opportunities to deliver outstanding lessons, creating caring and exciting environments to allow students and teachers to flourish and excel.
Dean feels very fortunate to be part of the management team at GEMS World Academy – Dubai, where he is very well supported and will be able to continue to grow. Having spent most of his teaching career in the UAE, Dean feels that GEMS World Academy – Dubai matches the UAE's fast and exciting pace of life and he is grateful to be part of an Academy that aspires to succeed as part of a world-class education system.