School Leaders
Gerald Redd
Director/Head of School
Gerald Redd is a teacher, professional development coach, and a believer in the Power of Yet. He has more than 25 years of educational experience encompassing school leadership, curriculum development, teaching and capacity building. He is recognized as an International professional development facilitator with a focus on human capital management and leadership development and has extensive experience with multicultural and diverse student populations.
2023 marks the beginning of his tenth year with Esol Education. He has previously served as the Director of Esol Education’s Universal College Aley (UCA) in Lebanon for seven years, and as Deputy Director of the American International School in Egypt for the past two years.
Gerald is joined by his wife Alondra and his children Jude and Penelope.
Gerald Redd holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and a Bachelor’s in Music Education.
Dr. Richard Tapajana
Primary School Principal
Our Elementary Principal, Dr. Tapajna brings over 20 years of global experience to AlS, fostering inclusive learning environments that raise student achievement.
Holding a B.Ed. (University of Windsor), B.A. (University of Ottawa), M.Ed. (University of Lethbridge), and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (University of Calgary), Dr. Tapaina is passionate about nurturing critical thinking skills within a safe and supportive classroom.
Dr. Heather Kholif
Middle School Principal
Dr. Heather Kholif is an experienced educational leader known for her dedication to student success. With over 19 years serving in the field, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to equity, inclusion, and innovation in her role as Middle School Principal. Her extensive background, ranging from classroom instruction to district-level administration, gives her a broad and insightful perspective on education.
Dr. Kholif holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity, as well as both a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She is also a U.S. National Principals Academy Fellow, reflecting her passion for lifelong learning and her role as a mentor and advocate for both educators and students.
Having built meaningful connections between the U.S. and Egypt over the past 13 years, Heather considers Egypt a second home. Her dedication to the AIS community is evident in her efforts to forge strong partnerships with students, staff, and parents. She believes in the power of collaboration and is committed to achieving excellence together.
Mr. Mike Wing
High School Principal
Mike Wing has had a distinguished 30-year career in education, combining teaching excellence with transformational leadership. Originally from London, he began as a history and economics teacher before expanding his expertise across GCSE, A levels, IBDP, and American/AP curricula in the UK, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.
Early in his career, he helped design an innovative learning program in the UK that significantly improved student outcomes. In The Bahamas, he advanced from Head of Department to Curriculum Coordinator, leading the transition from a British to an IB/US-based curriculum. In 2005, he joined the American International School (AIS) in Hong Kong as Head of Humanities and was soon promoted to High School Principal, serving for 17 years.
At AIS, Hong Kong, Mike oversaw student and faculty growth, implemented a Standards-Based Assessment, Grading and Reporting system, introduced a Careers and Experiential Learning program, and developed a hallmark service-learning initiative fostering global citizenship. His leadership during crises prioritized staff and student well-being, transparent communication, and strategic planning to maintain academic continuity.
A transformational leader, Mike inspires teams with a clear vision, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. He champions student agency, empowering learners to take ownership of their education and contribute to their communities. A strong advocate for professional development and curriculum alignment, he has participated as a co-chair and visiting team member for various international school accreditations and has presented at global education conferences.
Now moving to Egypt, he looks forward to contributing to AIS Egypt - Main as it transitions to a new campus, alongside his wife, Allie, a former international educator and university professor.