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

Jeffrey Smith

Founder & CEO

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Tony Crawford

Tony Crawford

Vice President of Education

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Eli Ghazel

Director of Professional Learning

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Kevin Dupont

Director of Future Pathways

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Azeezah Saheed

Director of School Operations

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Manisha Patel

Director of Digital Marketing

Our Exam Preparation Specialists

The Copperstone Education Exam 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.

Maneeza Khan

Maneeza Khan

Senior Exam Prep Specialist

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Jeska Washington

Jes'ka Washington

Senior Exam Prep Specialist

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Jeffrey Smith

Founder & CEO

Jeffrey Smith is the Founder & CEO 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.

Tony Crawford

Vice President of Education

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 Education 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.

Eli Ghazel

Director of Professional Learning

Eli Ghazel, MA, serves as the Director of Professional Learning, where he leads the implementation, training, and ongoing enhancement of Copperstone Education's professional learning.
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.

Kevin Dupont

Kevin Dupont is one of the Middle East’s most sought-after counsellors. His GuideU organization has helped students raise over 150 million dollars in grants and scholarships.

Kevin’s student clients have been accepted to esteemed universities such as: MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Georgetown, the University of Chicago, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon, McGill, Emory, Tufts, and countless others.

In his advising, Kevin utilizes his experience from nine different U.S university admissions offices including Cornell, UC Berkeley, Northeastern, University of Virginia, and Tufts to guide students wherever in the world that their future pathway may take them.

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.

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.

Jes'ka Washington

Senior Exam Prep Specialist