Encik Zulkiffli bin Ismail was born on 24 October, 1954 at Jalan Yahya Awal, Johor Bahru.  He was raised in Pontian, Johor and received his primary education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Pontian, Johor from 1960 untill 1966.  He continued his education at SMK Dato' Penggawa Barat, Pontian, Johor untill he obtained his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia in 1971.  He then attended Form Six at SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru.
     Encik Zulkiffli, more affectionately called Pak Zul, trained as a teacher at Maktab Perguruan Mohd Khalid, Johor Bahru and obtained his  Sijil Perguruan Malaysia (Kepujian).  He then served at  SK Sungai Karang, Pontian and SMK Sri Perhentian, Pontian.  Pak Zul furthered his studies at Universiti Malaya and obtained his BA (Hons) in history and began his career as a graduate teacher at SMK Tengku Mahmud Iskandar, Sungai Mati, Muar.  In 1985, En Zulkiffli again furthered his studies at University Kebangsaan Malaysia and obtained an Advanced Diploma in Counselling Psychology.  Encik Zulkiffli then served as the Senior Assistant at SMK Tengku Temenggong Ahmad, Kundang Ulu, Muar, Senior Assistant at  SMK Pei Hwa, Sungai Mati, Afternoon Supervisor at SMK Tun Mamat, Tangkak, Senior Assistant of Student Affairs at  SMK Sri Muar, fulltime counsellor at SMKA Maahad, Muar and Senior Assistant of Student Affairs at SMK Raja Muda, Parit Jawa, Muar.  He received his Master's degree in Guidance and Counselling Science from Universiti Putera Malaysia in 2000.
     En. Zulkliffli has served as Principal at SMK Jalan Junid, Muar, Assistant District Education Officer at MUAR District eduacation office. Principal at SMK Tasik Utara 2,  Johor Bahru, Principal at SMK Jementah, Segamat and Principal at SMK Jalan Junid (second time). As of 16 September 2007, En, Zulkliffli is serving  as the Principal at SMK Dato' Sri Amar DiRaja Muar and has been conferred as DG54 Excellent Principal  till today..

 Self Motto : Towards Excellence