Salam Aleikom!  My name is Fadila Bennai.  I am very excited to be part of The Children's Garden Family.  I originate from Algeria and received my degree from The University of Algiers.  I speak three languages: Arabic, French and English.  I have been teaching in Dubai for the past three years at International and American schools.

Dubai is my first expat experience where I have the chance to be part of different cultures.  My goal is to create a wonderful and fun environment to help the children learn Arabic.  I am looking forward to a wonderful year working with the adorable children, parents and staff at TCG Jumeira.

My name is Jacqueline Hagenaar and I have the pleasure to be the Movement teacher at The Children's Garden Jumeira.  I am Canadian, born in Montreal.  I have practiced yoga for 11 years and I am now a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher.  In addition to yoga, I have participated in many types of dance from 5Rhythms to Zumba and enjoy very much folkloric dance from around the world.

I worked 20 years in investment banking, 12 of which were in London, England during which time, I completed 2 years of a History of Art degree at Birkbeck.  I was fortunate to be able to stop banking once I had my child and I am now relearning to live life through her eyes.  As such, I enjoy how yoga, dance, and art affects a child and his ability to concentrate on and control his own body, mind and creativity.

Hello, my name is Nuket Solmaz and I'm from Turkey. I graduated from Istanbul University as a Mathematician and I also have a teaching certificate from Marmara University in Istanbul. While still in Istanbul, I worked for 10 years as a maths teacher in high schools. Eight years ago I moved to Dubai, and I've been working at TCG since it opened in the Green Community. I am the TCG Maths Coordinator for both the Green Community and Jumeira. Working for TCG has given me the opportunity to teach younger children and this experience has meant that I am now writing a book about how to teach Maths to little ones in a fun way.

Maths Secrets

My name is Esré Kannemeyer.  I obtained a B Mus degree at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa and I also hold a PGCE from the University of Sunderland.

I have been in Dubai for almost six years and have taught music to various age groups, both in group and individual contexts.  One ot the things I am very passionate about is children's theatre which I was able to undertake as a musical director.  Another particular interest of mine is aiding the development of the intellectual, emotional and physical maturity of young children.  Music is a very powerful medium for children to express themselves and it is extremely rewarding to observe their progress over a period of time.  My goal is to inspire children to develop an appreciation for music which would remain with them, and benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Hello everyone!  My name is Christina Feind and I am the new Art Supervisor and Coordinator for TCG Jumeira.  I have a MA in Media & Communication and Psychology, aquired from the Free University in Berlin, Germany. 

I grew up in Germany and England and prior to my move to Dubai, 2 1/2 years ago, I lived in St Albans, UK for five years.  For over eight years I have worked as an Event Manager and am therefore extremely organised.  Since coming to Dubai, I have explored my creative side and have started working as an artist, specialising in creative and individual art for children.  I have a four year old daughter, attending PS1 at TCGJ, who is my best teacher.  She comes up with new ideas on how to see things and to translate them into art.  My hobbies - beside my passion for art - especially the Impressionists - are cooking, reading and travelling.