Mark Lentz
Principal /CEO
GEMS American Academy – Qatar
GEMS American Academy – Qatar
Mark has been the Head of School/CEO of GEMS American Academy Qatar since March 2017 and Qatar Country Lead since April 2021. Previously, he was the Director of the American International School in Egypt. Prior to that appointment, he was an administrator, teacher and counselor in several schools both internationally and in the United States. Mark holds a BA in Psychology, a Master's in Clinical Social Work, a post graduate teaching certification in Social Studies and is currently finalizing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
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How long have you been at GEMS?
I have been working for GEMS Education for over two years.
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What attracted you to GEMS Education?
GEMS Education is a world leader in education, their forward-thinking and progressive approach, as well as the drive to provide the best education for every child were aims that aligned with mine. -
What gets you most excited about coming to work?
Seeing the positive contribution our schools make in every community is what excites me every day. Being part of school leadership is more than a job – it’s a way of life, and one which contributes towards each student and their future. -
What has been the highlight of your career journey at GEMS so far?
Being part of GEMS Metropole school is a great achievement, this multicultural school community has been welcoming, and supportive towards taking the school from strength to strength. I look forward to many years of being part of this community, and collectively striving towards excellence. -
Describe your average day?
One thing any school leader would tell you is that there is no such thing as an average day; each day is unique and never typical. What I can share are aspects which form part of any given day, from HSE walks and welcoming students and parents during mornings and afternoons, to holding various meetings with colleagues, parents and students. I enjoy having my lunch around students or staff each day, as I can see the happiness and playful nature of our wonderful students. There are many emails and admin tasks which form part of my day, but I also enjoy collaborating with fellow leaders across GEMS and working together on projects to progress all our schools further. A recent example of this is the GEMS Link programme, which we have introduced to support students who require Speech and Language therapy on school campuses. -
Describe life at GEMS in three words?
Respectful. Trusting. Exciting. -
Which of our core values do you experience the most in your day-to-day work life? (care, excellence, one team, always learning)
Care forms a significant part of my school community, something which I am proud to say is at the heart of our school. -
Why does it matter to you to work somewhere that provides purpose and meaning?
It has always been important to me to work for a company that hold values aligned to mine. otherwise the synergy will be wrong and I would not enjoy what I do or even worse, may find myself compromising my personal values. I am happy to be part of the GEMS family and appreciate that our values, aims and directions align perfectly.