Ceanlia Vermeulen

Having worked in the UAE since 2012, Ceanlia is delighted to be appointed as the Head of Inclusion at GCS. Ceanlia’s career to date has exposed her to the corporate, small commercial and public service environments. She’s passionate about education, teaching, especially curriculum development and teacher training. As the Head of Inclusion (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) she believes that student success is created through meaningful relationships. Ceanlia is committed to educating students, colleagues, families, and the community through establishing strong connections. She holds a Diploma in Primary School Education and three Educational qualifications from the University of South Africa namely Further Diploma in Special Needs Education, Diploma in Gifted Children and Bachelor of Education Honours degree in Inclusive Education. Ceanlia has a keen interest in neuroscience, how the brain works and how we learn.

Her experience stretches from Kindergarten right through to adults with her main area of expertise in Special Education. She compiled several training manuals, has presented at conference workshops and is an accredited assessor. Further employment history includes an educational software company as Regional Manager and Consultant Trainer and was Director at a private, SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) accredited training institution.

She served in South African educational institutions for 21 years and 10 years in the UAE where she enjoyed the opportunity to teach a diverse group of students, including those with ADD/ADHD, autism, non - compliant behaviour, learning disabilities, mentally handicap and physical challenges as well as the talented and gifted.

Outside of school Ceanlia is an avid Toastmaster. The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award is the highest award Toastmasters International bestows and she achieved this in six years (it takes most people 6-9 years). She’s serving on several management positions in Toastmasters where she’s also a Pathways Guide in District 105 (comprised of four countries in the Middle East, including: Oman, UAE, Jordan and Lebanon). Yearly she volunteers at the Dubai Rugby 7s as a field marshal and manager. When she’s not spending time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors she enjoys reading and painting with acrylics (working on an exhibition in the near future). She has dedicated herself to becoming a life-long educator and learner, and one of her future education plans is to pursue a Masters in Educational Leadership.