Dr. Dmitrii Nesterenko isn’t just a principal — he’s a globe-trotting educator with a PhD, a passion for nurturing teachers, and a soft spot for open-water swims (preferably not bathwater temp, thanks). From launching top-ranking schools in Moscow and Cyprus to boldly landing in RAK after a single phone call (yes, really), he’s rewriting what school leadership looks like. Now shaping the School of the Future, he’s infusing Ras Al Khaimah’s education scene with vision, adaptability, and enough energy to power a whole syllabus.
Interview Highlights
✈️ From Moscow to Marjan: Dr. Dmitrii packed up and moved to RAK after just one 30-minute phone call. Who needs long negotiations when destiny calls?
🎓 From Flop to Principal: His first ever lesson? A disaster. Students literally asked for a replacement. Fast forward 15 years — he’s running the whole show.
🧠 Future-Proofing Education: He’s building a curriculum for a world we can’t even imagine yet. Think 2040s job market meets 2025 classroom.
💡 Adaptability Is Queen: His secret sauce for success? Teaching kids to thrive in chaos — because the future is basically one giant plot twist.
🏖 RAK Discovery Tips: From Manar Mall to Marjan Island, he’s got a full checklist for newbies. Yes, it includes day passes with drinks!
🏊♀️ Warm Sea Shock: As a hardcore open-water swimmer, he was stunned to find RAK’s sea felt like a hot bath. “Like swimming in warm milk!”
📲 WOW-RAK Love: His go-to tip for settling into life here? Follow local media (especially WOW-RAK!) to feel like a true Ras Al Khaimah insider.
Pull Out Quotes
“I bought the ticket and a week later, I just dropped into Ras Al Khaimah. It was a bit mad — but it felt right.”
“We’re educating kids for a future we can’t predict. The best prep? Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience.”
“My first lesson was so bad the students asked to replace me. Now I’m leading a school. Go figure!”
Nominate a RAK Icon
Know Someone Who Deserves the Spotlight?
We’re always on the lookout for everyday legends, creative rebels, and behind-the-scenes changemakers. Nominate a RAK Icon who’s shaping the future!
NOMINATE NOW
Just send us an email with the following details to: 📧 info@wow-rak.com
Please include:
- Your name
- Nominee’s full name
- What they do (profession or passion)
- Why they deserve to be a RAK Icon
- Any contact info or social handles for the nominee
⚠️ Disclaimer: Submitting a nomination does not guarantee a video interview. All nominations are reviewed by the WOW-RAK x E-Find RAK team before selection.
About the Collaboration (WOW-RAK × E-Find RAK)
When storytelling meets discovery — you get a front-row seat to Ras Al Khaimah’s most inspiring journeys. That’s exactly what happens when WOW-RAK, the city’s lifestyle voice, joins hands with E-Find RAK, the digital compass for local talent and businesses. Think of it as your backstage pass to the people shaping RAK — with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of personality.
Together, we’re lifting the curtain on the movers and makers behind the emirate’s glow-up. From boardrooms to beach walks, RAK Icons brings you real stories from real legends — all rooted right here in Ras Al Khaimah.
Together, we’re putting the spotlight where it belongs: on the people behind the scenes — the dreamers, doers, and change-makers who are building, creating, and inspiring in Ras Al Khaimah. From accountants to artists, chefs to CEOs, RAK Icons is our way of saying, “Hey, have you met this amazing human yet?”
Because Ras Al Khaimah isn’t just about the views — it’s about the visionaries. And this collaboration is here to tell their stories, one incredible local at a time.
- E-Find RAK YouTube Channel
- WOW-RAK Homepage
- Submit a Story Tip (info@wow-rak.com)
