Jeff Holcomb has previously worked in international schools in East Africa and South Korea.
Doha: Jeff Holcomb has joined ACS Doha as Middle High School Principal this autumn, succeeding Trevor Furness, whose distinguished tenure included being one of the founding members of the school back in 2011.
Speaking about his career in international education, Holcomb said: “The international bug bit me in high school when I had the opportunity to go on a study abroad trip for a month. I went to the former Soviet Union, to Estonia and Poland in the mid-90s, which was a really interesting time to be in that part of the world. Being a high schooler and experiencing how big the world was life-changing for me, and I wish every high schooler had that opportunity to get outside of the bubble where you think everything is so important in a high school, to see how big a world it is out there.”
Earlier in his career, he said, “I have worked as an MYP coordinator in institutions that were secondary schools (Grade 6-12). My last two schools have been American-style high schools and I’ve really missed the Grade 6-12 feel. I love being able to support those seven years, so that’s definitely something that drew me to the role at ACS Doha.”
Holcomb said that he was really excited to see that ACS Doha is working on multiple pathways, allowing students to really engage with what they’re interested in and passionate about.
“Also, the stage that ACS Doha is at, being a relatively young school and growing rapidly, is exciting. I feel there’s something interesting about taking schools that have a little younger, quicker, more organic growth and how to help those schools mature and structure the things that need structuring, while keeping the sense of community, life and connection which is really important,” said Holcomb.
Having worked in international schools in East Africa and South Korea, he said, a lot of the pieces of the international school community feel very similar no matter where, geographically, you are in the world.
“I know there’s a lot of excitement about meeting new people, and for my boys to meet people who are more similar to them, in terms of being Third Culture Kids. They’re also excited about the opportunities at international school, particularly sport, and of course they’re excited about FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” said Holcomb.
He loves meeting people and can’t wait to get on the ground and meet the students, faculty, parents and the wider community. “As a leader, you need to come in and spend a lot of time listening, and so the aim of my first year will be to do lots of listening. I can’t wait to meet the community that I’ve heard so much about,” said Holcomb.
