“Being named exceptional is not a destination, it’s a commitment to keep growing”
Youssef Al Koud has taught at DIS for more than a decade. In 2026, the Head of Islamic Studies became one of the first two staff to receive the school’s Exceptional Teacher Award, recognised for the way his students keep learning once the lesson ends…
For Youssef Al Koud, the measure of good teaching is not what happens in the lesson but what students carry out of it. That belief has shaped more than ten years at DIS, and in 2026 it helped make him one of two staff named as the school’s first Exceptional Teacher Award recipients.
Youssef has been part of the DIS community since 2014. As Head of Islamic Studies in the primary school, he has built years of professional experience and leadership that have grown alongside the school itself. “What has made me stay is my genuine appreciation for the school and the strong sense of community it provides,” he says. He speaks warmly of the colleagues and friends who have shaped his work, and of a school that has always offered room to grow.
Asked what set him apart, Youssef pointed first to his students and his belief that learning should not stop at the classroom door. “I always strive to present learning in an engaging and meaningful way that encourages students to participate, think creatively, and enjoy the learning process,” he says.
Effective Use of AI
Building confidence matters to him as much as content. “Building positive relationships with students and inspiring them to succeed is just as important as the content we teach,” he adds. For Youssef, a student’s love of learning and belief in their own ability are among the most meaningful things a teacher can leave behind.
His work has reached well beyond his own lessons. Youssef has supported students and colleagues, led and developed his department, and brought new approaches into his teaching, including the effective use of AI and educational technology to strengthen learning. Throughout his career he has stayed committed to continuous improvement and to creating opportunities that lift both student achievement and professional growth across the school.
He sees the award as a beginning rather than a finish line. “I see this award not as a destination, but as motivation to continue growing and improving,” he says.
In the year ahead, he plans to keep developing himself and the department he leads, while helping students learn, think creatively, and build strong values for life. He intends to keep supporting his team and encouraging collaboration so that students and staff can thrive together.
“For me, excellence is not a final achievement,” he says. “It is an ongoing commitment to growth, service, and continuous improvement.”