A Lifetime of Belonging: Jerald James and 33 Years at KIS

When Jerald James stands on the Ganga Campus each morning, greeting students as they arrive, he is doing far more than reporting for work. He is continuing a story that began long before he joined KIS himself. 

As a young boy, Jerald would wait near the school gates, watching his father leave for work. His father was a driver at KIS, and those daily glimpses of school life left a lasting impression.

"I used to stand near the main gate and watch the students coming and going," he recalls. "It was so attractive to me. I always wanted to come and work at the school." 

That dream became a reality in 1993, shortly after Jerald completed his bachelor's degree. He joined KIS as a security guard, beginning what would become a remarkable 33-year journey through many different roles. From security, he moved to the Dorm as a relief staff member, then spent time in the stock room, before moving to the photocopy room. Today, he is a familiar and much-loved presence at the Junior School on the Ganga Campus. 

While his role may not officially be in teaching, Jerald sees himself as part of the learning process. "Basically, I am not a teacher, but I feel that I am in the process of teaching and learning," he says. "I enjoy being with the children." 

It is the children who continue to inspire him every day. Their honesty, resilience and ability to live in the moment are qualities he admires deeply. "They don't carry anything hard in their hearts," he says. "Even if I come in a bad mood in the morning, when I see the little ones greeting me, everything changes." 

His connection to KIS extends beyond his own career. His daughter also studied at the school, where she excelled academically and received numerous awards and scholarships before continuing her studies at New York University in Abu Dhabi. Today, she is doing her master's research in the field of psychology, researching human cognition and the brain. Watching her flourish is one of Gerald's proudest achievements and a testament to the opportunities KIS can provide. 

Ask Jerald what has kept him at KIS for more than three decades, and his answer comes without hesitation.

"It's ownership," he says. "This is not just a place where I work or earn money. I love this school."

That sense of belonging is rooted in the community he has experienced throughout his years here. He remembers a time when staff and students of all ages shared close relationships across the campus, and he still believes the school's greatest strength is its people. "This community is special," he says. "We understand each other. We love each other. It's not like a corporate set-up. It's like an extended family." 

Among his many memories, one stands out above all others: KIS's centennial celebrations. "Everyone was involved," he remembers. "From the security guards and support staff to the principal. It was so nice." 

Like anyone who has spent more than three decades in one place, Jerald has witnessed significant change. He has seen the school evolve, new programmes introduced, and generations of students pass through its gates. Yet his hopes for the future remain grounded in the same commitment that has guided him since he first arrived. 

 As he looks ahead, however, it is clear that Jerald's vision for KIS is about more than buildings or infrastructure.

It is about preserving the sense of connection that first captured the imagination of a young boy standing outside the school gates, watching students come and go. 

Thirty-three years later, Jerald James is no longer looking in from the outside. He has become part of the story itself, a steady, caring presence whose dedication, warmth and quiet pride embody the very spirit of the KIS community.