Our Leadership Team

Meet the dedicated individuals driving Copperstone Education's mission to expand access to quality learning. Our passionate team brings together diverse expertise in education, technology, and operations, all united by a commitment to student success and innovation in online and hybrid learning across the Middle East and Africa.

Jeffrey Smith

Managing Director

Eli Ghazel

Vice President of Curriculum and Learning

Tony Crawford

Vice President of Educational Excellence

Misti-Dawn Curry

Vice President fo Strategic Partnerships

Azeezah Saheed

Director of School Operations

Manisha Patel

Director of Digital Marketing and Communications

Our University Prep Specialists

The Copperstone Education University Prep Team is a group of elite, U.S.-based exam preparation experts with proven track records of helping students achieve top scores on the SAT®, ACT®, and AP® other university entrance exams. Combining deep subject expertise with engaging teaching methods and state-of-the-art digital tools, our team equips students with the strategies and confidence needed for success.

Becca Priede

Pepperdine University

Jeanette Figueroa

Texas A & M University

Carolyn Daniels

Northeastern University

Maneeza Khan

Johns Hopkins University

John Alzate

Dartmouth University

Karen Wolff

Bradley University

Jeffrey Smith

Managing Director

Jeffrey Smith is the Managing Director of Copperstone Education and Co-Founder of the Common Core Boot Camp, where his visionary leadership has driven innovative collaborations that expand opportunities for students and schools. With decades of success in international education, Jeffrey is recognized for building strategic partnerships that connect schools, families, and communities with impactful learning solutions. He has played a key role in launching high-impact academic initiatives, including the Copperstone University Exam Preparation, while fostering collaborations that enhance student outcomes and institutional growth. His leadership style emphasizes teamwork, shared vision, and long-term relationships, positioning Copperstone Education as a trusted partner in the region. Known for his ability to inspire others and unite stakeholders around common goals, Jeffrey continues to advance Copperstone’s mission of empowering students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed in higher education and beyond.

Eli Ghazel

Vice President of Curriculum and Learning

Eli Ghazel, MA, serves as the Vice President of Curriculum and Learning, where he leads the implementation, training, and ongoing enhancement of Copperstone Education's curriculum.
With nearly 25 years of experience creating and delivering educational training across the Gulf, Middle East, UK, and USA, Eli brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He is a published author of several textbooks and has delivered professional development to thousands of educators.
Globally recognized for his insights, Eli is also a sought-after presenter and keynote speaker at English language learner conferences. His leadership ensures Copperstone's curriculum remains innovative and impactful.

Tony Crawford

Vice President of Educational Excellence

Tony Crawford is an American educator with more than 40 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, mentor for teachers in training, consultant, and educational leader. Motivated by the belief, “Who dares to teach must never cease to learn,” Mr. Tony consistently supports fellow educators in the pursuit of innovative practices and professional growth. He currently serves as Vice President of Educational Excellence at Copperstone Education.
Throughout his career, Mr. Tony has served as a teacher consultant for the National Geographic Society, chaired the National Education Association’s Resolutions Committee, and served on both the Oregon High School Diploma Requirements Task Force and the Oregon Legislature’s School Accountability Task Force. He has also been a member of the NEA’s Teacher Professional Standards and Practices Committee.
Mr. Tony has worked as an accreditation reviewer for schools throughout the Middle East region and currently serves as a trustee on the Western Oregon University Foundation Board. When he is not supporting schools and educators, Mr. Tony enjoys training for marathons.

Misti-Dawn Curry

Vice President fo Strategic Partnerships

Misti-Dawn Curry serves as Vice President fo Strategic Partnerships for Copperstone Education, where she oversees the Achievement Zone targeted school intervention program and supports international schools with the implementation of SAT and ACT Prep programs across the region. With two decades of experience, she combines expertise in curriculum design, professional development, and program training to strengthen teaching and learning in both in-person and virtual settings across the MENA region.
A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Misti-Dawn earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Tuskegee University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Literacy from Lesley University. She has served as a K–8 teacher, gifted and intervention educator, undergraduate instructor, and coordinator in both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
She also holds certifications in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from the University of Toronto and Transformational Leadership from Murdoch University. Guided by her belief that “passion becomes powerful when it is practiced and made practical,” Misti-Dawn is committed to safeguarding student wellbeing and opening future pathways for learners.

Azeezah Saheed

Director of School Operations

As Director of School Operations, Azeezah Saheed provides crucial support to the executive leadership team in areas such as strategic planning, staffing, special project coordination, reporting, budget analysis, and customer care and support. Notably, Azeezah expertly manages all aspects of organizational planning for the Common Core Boot Camp, a key initiative organized by Copperstone.
A native of Lagos, Nigeria, and a graduate of the Yaba College of Technology, Azeezah honed her strong organizational, project management, and communication skills through early roles in the Nigerian government. Since moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2015 and transitioning to the education sector.
Azeezah has found a deep sense of purpose in Copperstone's mission to expand access to quality education, a passion instilled in her from a young age. Her meticulous approach and commitment are integral to Copperstone's operational success and impact.

Becca Priede

Pepperdine University

Becca, originally from North Carolina, holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Pepperdine University and a Master's in Development Economics from Université Paris-Est Créteil. With over five years of SAT tutoring experience, she has supported more than 300 students in their college preparation journeys.
Specializing in all sections of the SAT, Becca has designed customized curricula for the exam’s evolving digital format for multiple SAT agencies. She brings a deep understanding of the SAT and a personalized approach to her teaching—assessing each student’s strengths, addressing areas for improvement, and developing tailored study plans. Her focus is on mastering content, building exam confidence, and fostering a supportive environment where students feel empowered to excel.

Jeanette Figueroa

Texas A & M University

Dr. Jeanette Figueroa, a graduate of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, is passionate about inspiring curiosity and empowering students to see themselves as capable, critical thinkers. She takes joy in creating engaging learning experiences that connect academic concepts to real-world applications, helping students build both skill and confidence.
Her teaching philosophy is rooted in equity, relevance, and active learning. She designs curricula that not only challenge students intellectually but also honor their diverse backgrounds and voices. Believing that every learner brings unique strengths to the classroom, Dr. Figueroa is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where those strengths can thrive.

Carolyn Daniels

Northeastern University

Carolyn Daniels is an education consultant and experienced mathematics and standardized test instructor. She graduated from Northeastern University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Early in her college career, Carolyn struggled with Calculus, an experience that transformed her approach to learning and inspired a versatile teaching style focused on building confidence, strengthening fundamentals, and emphasizing attention to detail.
With 25 years of teaching experience, Carolyn has developed a well-rounded skill set, including excellent communication, patience, and problem-solving abilities. She understands the anxiety that often accompanies testing and is dedicated to helping students overcome obstacles that impede their progress. Known for providing support in special circumstances, she adapts course material to meet the specific needs of each student.

Maneeza Khan

Johns Hopkins University

Maneeza Khan is a junior at Johns Hopkins University, attending on a full scholarship and majoring in Public Health. With over two years of tutoring experience, she specializes in SAT/ACT test preparation, IB Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and college application advising. She has successfully guided more than 50 students to achieve SAT scores between 1520 and 1600, with many earning admission to Ivy League and other top 20 U.S. universities.
Passionate about mentoring, Maneeza is dedicated to helping students become confident, engaged, and lifelong learners. She tailors her teaching approach to each student’s individual needs, fostering open communication and understanding through strong personal connections. Drawing on a range of resources—including test prep books, practice exams, and targeted mini-review sessions—she ensures her lessons are both effective and engaging.

John Alzate

Dartmouth University

John, a Dartmouth College alumnus, has worked in education for nearly 15 years, teaching over 400 students in SAT, ACT, IB Math, Calculus, and Writing. His students have achieved perfect SAT scores and gained admission to prestigious universities including Columbia, Yale, and NYU. His experience spans work with students at city non-profits, elite private schools for aspiring professional athletes, and international summer programs on the UC Berkeley campus.
For the past six years, John has taught remotely, working with students from Canada, the U.S., France, Brazil, the U.K., and China. His teaching philosophy focuses on identifying and addressing content gaps early, then steadily increasing the level of challenge. By incorporating students’ personal interests into lessons, he makes learning more engaging and ensures concepts are retained more effectively.

Karen Wolff

Bradley University

Karen, a graduate of Bradley University in Illinois, has nearly 20 years of experience teaching standardized tests and entrance exams. She is passionate about helping students master both the content and strategies needed to approach each test section effectively.
Her instructional approach involves guiding students through question types step by step: first modeling the thought process, then allowing students to practice independently, and finally reviewing and reinforcing key concepts. When a student struggles, Karen adapts her methods, particularly in math, exploring alternative strategies to ensure understanding. She finds great satisfaction in helping students make consistent progress toward achieving their score goals.