Stephen Coles, Principal

Originating from Leicester, England Steve first moved to Grand Cayman in 1994 and has worked within the Cayman Islands education system since 2003 serving as a primary school teacher, literacy coach, IB Primary Years Programme Coordinator and more recently, Deputy Principal, first at Sir John A. Cumber Primary School and lately at Cayman Prep and High School.

With a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Masters in Elementary Reading and Literacy, Steve is driven to identify ways by which primary school education can foster an ongoing love for learning. In particular, he is passionate about studying and implementing forms of student-centred pedagogy which seek to encourage student agency, such as with integrated project-based and inquiry-driven learning experiences.

Since 2017, Steve has had the privilege of working closely with and learning from middle and senior leaders of several private schools across Grand Cayman as one of two recently certified COBIS (Council of British International Schools) Facilitators tasked with leading the CPML (COBIS Middle Leaders Programme). Steve has found the opportunity to network and collaborate with staff from other schools to be of tremendous benefit, especially to his own professional development, and he sees the idea of professional learning communities as something worth exploring at Island Primary.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys running and reading to relax and unwind. But above all else, he credits Colleen, his wife and fellow educator, along with his three daughters for keeping him grounded and focused on life’s priorities.