School Leaders
JOHN JALSEVAC
School Director
John Jalsevac joins American International School (West Campus) with over 30 years of leadership experience in local, district, and international education. Originally from Toronto, John embarked on his career in education as a secondary school physical education/geography teacher, department head, and athletic director. Early in his career, John was inspired to capitalize on his leadership skills and pursue administrative positions. For many years, John served his district as a principal at three large secondary schools and later as a curriculum coordinator and superintendent of education for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, which at the time had 240 elementary and secondary schools.
John moved to Hong Kong in 2004, where he was employed as principal at the Canadian International School, founding head at Bromsgrove Mission Hills International School, and founding head at American School Hong Kong, also an Esol Education school.
In the many school communities that John has worked in, he has been regarded as a keen advocate for the need to have a balanced, holistic approach to education. He places great value on academic excellence, as demonstrated by the leadership role John played in the launch of the International Baccalaureate program at three different schools, but he will also ensure that a school under his stewardship places significant emphasis on pure and applied arts programs, clubs, leadership activities, community service ventures, and sports.
John obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from York University, his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto, his Supervisory Officer's Certification from the Ministry of Education in Ontario, and his Master of Science in Education degree from Niagara University in New York.
John is married to Joanne, and they have two children who reside in Hong Kong and New York, respectively. They are also blessed with three grandchildren!
SUE WILLIAMS
Elementary School Principal
Our Elementary Principal, Sue Williams, has 30 years experience as an educator; 20 of those years as an international educator in The Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and now at AIS West. With a bachelors and a master's degree in education and another master's degree in Educational Leadership, she has been a teacher, professional development specialist in math, science and technology, a director of teaching and learning and a principal. Sue brings her knowledge of curriculum design and implementation, learning and teaching and school improvement to her work.
Sue believes the social and emotional development of our students is just as important, and often more so, than their academic knowledge.
DINA TAHER
Middle School Principal
Dr. Dina B. Taher joined AIS in its first years of operation as a fresh graduate to teach computer science. She then went to the US to get her Ph.D in economics and taught at the college level before returning to AIS. She has served many roles over the years. She has taught IB economics, served as an IB coordinator, an assistant principal in the high school, and a middle school principal. Dr. Dina Taher joined the AIS West Campus in 2022 after being part of the AIS Main Team for over fifteen years. Dr. Taher has also served many roles with the IBO, including those of Deputy Chief Examiner and workshop leader.
Dr. Dina Taher is a firm believer in the positive impact a holistic education can have on children and strives to give students opportunities to understand the common values that unite all human beings.
CRAIG ROSS
High School Principal
Dr. Craig Ross has served in leadership positions both in the United States and internationally. Dr. Ross has served as a superintendent and assistant superintendent of school systems in the United States. In addition Dr. Ross has served as an elementary, middle and high school principal. Most recently he served as the director of teaching and learning in Maui Hawaii. Dr. Ross earned his undergraduate and masters degrees from Indiana University and his PhD from Auburn University.