5th Annual ISNA West Coast Education Forum
“Envisioning Authentic Islamic Schools”
Radisson Hotel – 4545 McArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Friday, January 15, 2016
Registration Begins at 8:30am
Time / Room
Session / Topic / Presenter
9:30-9:45 AM
Opening Session
Recitation from the Holy Qur’an
Welcome remarks
9:45-10:45 AM
Session 1
In this opening session, we will explore some of the methods Islamic schools can employ to
ensure authenticity. Four experts will share their insights into how they identify with a specific
concept of ‘Authentic Islamic Schools’. After their brief 5-minute presentations, we invite the
audience to participate in smaller group discussions with each presenter using their experiences
as a springboard. The expectation is that the outcome of our discussions will foster a better
understanding within all school communities.
Panelists: Omar Ezzeldine, Abdalla Idris Ali, Necva Ozgur, Kathy Jamil
Moderator: Jihad Turk
11:00-11:45 AM
Group Discussions
I.
Authentic Knowledge: Abdala Idris
How are we ensuring the authenticity of the Islamic knowledge we are
imparting to our students?
II.
Authentic Teaching: Omar Ezzeldine
Do teachers connect instruction to Tawheed and authentic Islamic values?
III.
Authentic Leadership: Kathy Jamil
What does it mean to be an authentic school leader?
IV.
Authentic Governance: Necva Ozgur
Do board members and administrators have a common understanding of what
being an authentic school means
11:50-12:15 PM
12:15-1:00 PM
Sharing of Ideas from Small Group Discussions
Jum’ah Prayer – Khateeb, Imam Tahir Anwar
1:00-2:30 PM
Lunch Break (see list of nearby halal restaurants)
Time / Room
2:30-3:45 PM
Session / Topic / Presenters
3A. Focusing on Interpersonal Skills: Fun Activities for Weekend School Learners
Samar Dalati-Ghannoum
Motivating young learners to speak the target language and get them to use it in a culturally
appropriate and unrehearsed manner is the challenge for Sunday school teachers. How can we
move the students from memorized words and phrases to the unpredictability of everyday
communication? In this session, methods, activities, and assessments will be presented to send
our youngest students on the path to proficiency.
This session will present a wide variety of fun activities to get young language learners to
actually use the language in and out of class, both speaking and writing.
3B. Hands-on Books Closed: Tackling the Islamic Weekend School Effectively
Tatiana Coloso, Aishia Neal
Weekend schools have always played an important role in religious communities. They provide
an opportunity for the youth to gain valuable knowledge about their religion, encourage
socialization among peers, and offer opportunity to train youth for leadership roles within their
2:30-3:45 PM
2:30-3:45 PM
2:30-3:45 PM
3:45-4:00 PM
Time / Room
4:00-5:15 PM
4:00-5:15 PM
communities and beyond. Al-Hasan ibn Ali (Radi Allahu Anhu) said “Educate yourselves
today, for today you are the youth of the community but tomorrow you shall be the seniors.”
(Alshareef 2012)
While weekend schools can prove to be one of the most valuable tools in educating and
providing religious knowledge, a weekend school where teachers are untrained and lack
resources can cause youth to lose interest and choose less desirable ways to spend their
weekends. An unorganized, uninspiring weekend classroom, that has the opportunity to
enlighten a child, has now become a student’s dreaded task every weekend. This paper will
examine common challenges of weekend schools, provide practical strategies for overcoming
these challenges, and offer research based strategies that will help turn an unorganized weekend
classroom into a vibrant interactive learning environment.
3C. Expanding Horizons Through Curriculum and Diversity
Ameena Jandali, Margari Hill
ING provides free online curriculum related to teaching about Muslims and their faith: Getting
to Know American Muslims and Their Faith, A History of Muslims in America, Muslim
Contributions to Civilization, and Muslim Women beyond the Stereotypes. ING also provides
two multi-faith curricula about Shared Values and Living the Faith, which address these topics
as they relate to five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and
Islam. ING’s most recent curriculum is the story of a 19th century Algerian freedom fighter and
interfaith activist titled Abd el-Kader, a Muslim Hero for our Time.
As an institution in one of the most racially diverse communities in the United States, Islamic
schools are uniquely positioned to incorporate multicultural anti-racism education. While the
literature in multicultural anti-racism education is growing, to date there are no studies on
multicultural and anti-bias education in Islamic schools. This exploratory study fills that gap and
assesses the current needs. Trends in K-12 anti-bias education, interviews, and surveys with
Islamic school teachers point to the ways in which MuslimARC’s pilot “All from Adam and
Hawa” K-12 Islamic education program can serve as a model of introducing multicultural antibias curriculum.
3D. Authentic Islamic Schooling: Essence of the Islamic School Environment
Seema Imam
This session takes a look at an authentic Islamic environment, which is sacred and sometimes
complicated. Teacher dispositions, appearance, school uniforms, language in school, and the
spiritual state of the school impact a school’s environment. As school leaders do their work,
with explicit, implicit and null curriculum it’s obvious that classroom décor, discipline plans,
evening programs, lunchroom menus, volunteers, and transportation relate to the environment
and culture in the school. A deliberate focus on an Islamic environment is essential and answers
the challenges that leaders and stakeholders face throughout their work in building authentic
Islamic Schools.
Asr Prayer
Session / Topic / Presenters
4A. Every Minute Counts: Empowering Instruction by Using Ready to Use Materials
Lina Kholaki
This interactive presentation is geared towards the implementation of simple, effective and
engaging classroom activities using printable FREE material that is available and adaptable to
any language teacher; thus teachers reduce stress, time and effort in preparing on their own.
4B. Transitions: An Introduction to a Human Development Curriculum
Laila Al-Marayati, Amira Al-Sarraf
Youth today are bombarded with conflicting messages about sexuality; therefore, it is
imperative for Muslim educators and parents to create a safe space for providing accurate
information within the context of Islamic values regarding reproductive health. The purpose of
this session is to introduce a comprehensive human development curriculum for middle school
students. The presenters have applied this program in an Islamic middle school in Southern
California for over ten years and will also provide insight from their experiences teaching.
4:00-5:15 PM
4:00-5:15 PM
5:15-5:30 PM
Time / Room
5:30-6:45 PM
5:30-6:45 PM
5:30-6:45 PM
4C. Towards Authentic Behavior Management Models for Islamic Schools -A Framework
Synthesizing Research
Omaira Alam, Dylan Chown, Susan Labadi
The purpose of learning in Islamic schools should be for transformation on the path to ma’rifatul- Allah. Transformation over compliance would therefore best characterize behavior
management models that are appropriate for Islamic schools. Unfortunately, often behavior
management models are adopted in Islamic schools without considered thought or evidence
based either from the tradition or from empirical research. To respond to this, critical
examination of current behavior management models and their embedded practices in Islamic
schools is required. To what extent are common practices effective, authentic and in alignment
with the vision of Islamic education? The purpose of this paper is to produce a framework that
can inform the development of authentic behavior management models for Islamic schools
conversant with Islamic principles and Prophetic practices. The framework offered is based
upon a synthesis of research within the field of Islamic education.
4D. The Characteristics of Authentic Islamic School Leaders
Kathy Jamil
Though leadership in general is critical in any organization, for Islamic Schools in the U.S., it is
the most critical role in the success of the school and the student, especially in light of the
current climate our students are being brought up in and the challenges in building their identity.
The level of authenticity a school leader has will have a significant impact on how well the
leader will be able to lead the organization and mission of the school. Leaders first need to have
a sense of who they are, and understand their own identity. At the primary layer, as an
individual, school leaders are courageous in knowing and accepting their limitations,
professionally and spiritually. They ensure that those limitations do not negatively impact those
they are responsible for by seeking spiritual and professional guidance and other resources to
fulfill their school’s needs. Once they can be authentic, or true to themselves, leaders move into
being true to their profession. They admit areas their schools need help in, continuously seek to
develop their schools and themselves as a lifelong learner, and truly understand the importance
of good character and work ethic in their profession. As an organizational leader, leaders are
equipped to make connections within the school community, align the mission to projects,
initiatives, and day-to-day decision-making, and work to develop other leaders within the
organization. The more genuine leaders are in these capacities, the greater the outcome for the
leader, school, and student.
Maghrib Prayer
Session / Topic / Presenters
5A. Spice up Your Class with Authenticity!
Amal Elhoseiny, Nacheda Tizani
Integrating authentic materials into your Arabic classroom enhances your students’ enthusiasm
and performance. Utilizing these materials successfully depends on how and when the teacher
will incorporate them in class. In an interactive session with the participant, presenters will
showcase class activities to expose and engage students to real language and its culture through
content-based authentic materials.
5B. Integrating Islam throughout the Curriculum
Abdalla Idris
Ali
Curriculum integration is a sign of a solid academic program at any school. Islamic schools
recognize the need to embrace such concept when it comes to integrating Islam across the
curriculum. For students to take Islam seriously, they need to see how it connects to every single
aspect of their lives. In this session you will be exposed to a few methods to make those
connections come to life in every subject.
5C. The Connected Digital School: Using Google Apps to Create, Collaborate and Share
Amira Abdel-Aal
Google Apps for Education (GAFE) is a powerful suite of productivity tools available to schools
for free. With access to a variety of collaboration and communication applications including,
5:30-6:45 PM
6:45-7:00 PM
7:00-9:30 PM
Gmail, Calendar, Drive (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms), and Sites, users can easily create, share,
and edit files in real-time. Explore how using such tools will unlock the potential for
administrators, teachers, and students to effectively improve workflow, increase levels of realtime collaboration/communication, effectively collect and synthesize data, and integrate
technology into the classroom across all subject areas.
5D. Establishing an Effective Islamic School System
Fawzia Tung
The biggest trap in school administration is to fall into a rut of “Reactive” work rather than a
“Proactive” mode. How can you pull yourself out of a day of putting out fires and move into a
well-planned low-adrenaline work pattern?
This session will present an organizational approach to school administration, a general
framework that can be adapted to various types and sizes of schools.
Assuming you already have a functioning school, the first step is to define and categorize your
school’s function and assess your areas of greatest need. Secondly, you identify which systems
need improvement and which need downgrading. Thirdly, you identify which functions have no
system and plan for one.
The next stage is to test your systems and assess their functionality. This stage may be repeated
as needed.
Finally, whenever a system has been shown to work successfully, celebrate!
Isha Prayer
Celebration Banquet & Award Ceremony
Keynote Address and Entertainment Program
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Time / Room
9:30-10:45 AM
9:30-10:45 AM
9:30-10:45 AM
Session / Topic / Presenters
6A. Making Arabic Matter to your Students: Insights on Meaningful Language Learning –
Part 1
Mouna Mana
This session will focus on an important strategy for making the learning of Arabic meaningful
and relevant for daily life; namely, the integration of authentic materials. Participants will engage
in an interactive session where they will explore the concepts and practical aspects of using
authentic materials, including how to select and adapt them for different ages and proficiency
levels. The presentation will be interactive with teachers engaged in reflective discussions and
activities that they could apply in their classrooms.
6B. Incorporating Islam in the School Environment
Abir Catovic, Saffet Abid Catovic
Some Islamic Schools are called “Islamic” because they provide courses in subjects such as
Arabic, Islamic History or Qur’an. How does an “Islamic School” in America go from just
teaching Islamic subjects to helping to mold young Muslim students into Muslim people of
character? By successfully incorporating Islam in the school environment! Classroom study of
Islamic subjects allows students to learn the theory behind Islam and its teachings. The school
and how it operates is the environment in which students can see Islam working at its best. The
presenters will examine the prophetic role model of the “Walking Qur’an”, help those in
attendance get re-acquainted with “teachable moments”, and identify the opportunities where
Islam can be incorporated in student routines. In addition, an examination of after school
activities such as Boy Scouts, community service, and sports will help to identify even more
opportunities where students can practice utilizing the Islamic teachings that they are taught in
class.
6C. Cultivating Confidence in the Identity of Diverse Students Through Effective Decision
Making Strategies
Bushra Huq
9:30-10:45 AM
Time / Room
11:00 AM12:15 PM
11:00 AM12:15 PM
11:00 AM12:15 PM
11:00 AM12:15 PM
Along with the typical struggles of adolescence, come the day-to-day challenges of developing a
sense of confidence with a youth’s diverse identity. Educators, administrators, and
parents/guardians can use collaborative methods to cultivate a better understanding of Islam
among our community’s youth. This session will provide suggestions on how to foster a
nurturing environment for our students to grow and develop confidence in their identity through
an emphasis on group decision making as an essential component of this goal. In a time where
misconceptions and a lack of understanding of diversity exist, minority students and young
Muslim students need to develop confidence and positive self-esteem in order to promote
inclusion, ethnic appreciation, and enhance overall group performance throughout their
postsecondary education and in the workforce.
6D. Development of a Strategic Plan for Islamic Schools
Rafik Beekun
In this session you will learn how to develop a sound strategic plan for your Islamic school. We
will have an in depth discussion covering the five components of strategic plans for schools:
vision, mission, goals, strategies and objectives.
Session / Topic / Presenters
7A. Making Arabic Matter to your Students: Insights on Meaningful Language LearningPart 2
Mouna Mana
This session will focus on an important strategy for making the learning of Arabic meaningful
and relevant for daily life; namely, the integration of authentic materials. Participants will engage
in an interactive session where they will explore the concepts and practical aspects of using
authentic materials, including how to select and adapt them for different ages and proficiency
levels. The presentation will be interactive with teachers engaged in reflective discussions and
activities that they could apply in their classrooms.
7B. Practical Ways on How to Keep Students Motivated in the Islamic Studies Classroom
Waseem Peracha
"Islamic studies is sooo boring!" Are you a Muslim teacher that complains about their kids being
bored when you teach them about Islam? The problem is that most of our IS/Quran teachers have
been trained in the traditional way. They come from backgrounds that required rote
memorization, the “teacher’s always right” attitude and worst of all, where students actually
respected their teachers! The problem isn’t with the curriculum but rather the way it is presented.
This presentation hopes to give you a sampling of some of the lessons in the book, to bring
Islamic studies ALIVE in your classroom!
7C. Coaching Teachers and Students: Establishing a Culture of Trust
Susan Labadi
No one curries favor with the prospect of being evaluated, whether one is an administrator,
teacher, or student. Yet, evaluations are necessary and can be viewed from a positive perspective
in a congenial, trusting relationship. When we feel secure, the guidance of a peer or more
knowledgeable person can truly be welcomed. We present research and strategies to cultivate a
climate of trust and steps toward indoctrinating the whole school in a transformative process that
has been proven to benefit students academically, emotionally, and to improve administrator and
teacher retention--especially those who are superstars--to make a better school.
7D. Data and Strategic Leadership: A Blue Ribbon Combination
Dina Eletreby, Uzma Said
In order for school Administrators and Boards to create meaningful plans and make sound
decisions, they require the proper information through both data collection and benchmarking.
Comparisons of one’s own school’s practices to a body of other schools provides school leaders
with information necessary to recognize what is successful and what areas require attention. Mrs.
Said and Dr. Eletreby, Heads of New Horizon Pasadena and New Horizon Irvine, respectively,
both the only Islamic schools in the country recognized with the National Blue Ribbon award,
will present on what key measures drive curricular and business-related decisions. Data collection
and benchmarking are used in academics, finance, development, and admissions. These are
shared with parents and can be a ‘wake-up’ call to adjust the program or curriculum to support
12:15-12:45 PM
12:45-2:00 PM
Time/Room
2:00-3:15 PM
any areas of deficit. In the area of finance, for example, comparative data on student costs or
teacher salaries relative to surrounding schools can provide the Board and Head of School with
information to make informed decisions related to tuition. Collecting admissions data and
comparing that with the typical ‘admissions funnel’ can provide a Head of School with strategic
information that can drive enrollment efforts.
Dhuhr Prayer
Banquet with Short Presentations
3:15-3:30 PM
Session/Topic / Presenters
8A. LangCred: Language Credentialing Made Easy
Mayeen Farooqui
In March 2015, HADI-CLASSRoad launched LangCred.org, a website displaying U.S. routes to
world language teacher certification. On LangCred, teachers can create an account, participate in
discussions, and identify requirements for state certification. Project Director, Mayeen Farooqui
will present LangCred and demonstrate the search function as a prospective Arabic language
teacher.
8B. Paradigm Shift in Teaching Islamic Studies: A Case Study Analysis
Dina Shalabi, Mohammed Saleem
Whether integrating Islamic knowledge into daily school subject matters or offering Islamic
Studies as an appended classroom session, many Islamic schools may still feel 'something is
missing'! While this paper explores some symptoms of this feeling, we primarily discuss the need
for a reform related to teaching Islamic Studies in response to the dissonance between instruction
and implementation of universal values in Islamic Schools. Our discussion will explore the
development of a work-in-progress model that offers an opportunity to synchronize instructional
designs, school-wide activities, and character building strategies for a more enhanced experience
of Islamic education.
8C. Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Authentic Learning
Sufia Azmat
Critical thinking is crucial in developing skills, abilities, and values vital to success in everyday
life. Students with these skills are better able to understand the “why” as opposed to just
understanding “what”. These skills can be improved throughout all subjects by utilizing in-depth
questioning and discussion methods. This session will offer attendees practical suggestions for
lessons and assessments to improve learning outcomes using Webb’s Depth of Knowledge levels
and a variety of questioning and discussion techniques.
8D. Effective Fundraising Strategies and Tactics
Elisa Wright
A person that is highly successful at fundraising, regardless of their position at a school, has 1.
the ability to inspire philanthropy from others, and 2. create and cultivate a culture of
philanthropy.
The modern definition of philanthropy is: the altruistic and authentic inclination to increase the
well-being of humankind through gifts of money and time; but the word originally means, “the
love of humanity”. Given this understanding of fundraising/philanthropy, this presentation will:
1) Describe your unique role in fundraising as school principal, board member, teacher,
development staff or administrative/academic staff.
2) Discuss role-specific tactics (“best practices”), as it relates to finding potential donors
(individuals/corporations/foundations), informing and asking different types of funders,
staying organized by creating an easy accountability system, structuring yourself and
your school for success, and informing donors about how their gifts were used.
3) Introduce the philosophical and theological underpinnings of fundraising/philanthropy
that will energize, and further enhance your fundraising experience and outcomes.
4) Offer ample time for your questions and to discuss your current situation/environment.
Asr Prayer
Time/Room
3:30-5:00 PM
Session/Topic / Presenters
9A. A Journey of Exploration of World-Readiness Standards Units
2:00-3:15 PM
2:00-3:15 PM
2:00-3:15 PM
3:30-5:00 PM
3:30-5:00 PM
3:30-5:00 PM
5:00-5:15 PM
5:15-6:30 PM
Iman Hashem
Participants in this session will examine model instructional units that reflect the WorldReadiness Standards for Learning Languages. These units were created under QFI curriculum
grant. The units include everything a teacher needs to use in her classroom from A to Z. It starts
with the unit plan template, detailed lesson plans, instructional materials, and teacher-aid
materials. During the session, participants will explore how the backward-design was used to
plan these units. They will analyze sample lessons and identify how they lead students to
accomplish the end-of-unit integrated performance assessment. Also, these lessons demonstrate
how grammar and literacy skills are addressed.
9B. Developing Character Building Programs for Islamic Schools. (TBD)
Muhammad Aftab Diwan
9C. Creating an Effective Weekend School Classroom
Adita Arya
Mosques that house weekend schools serve a far greater population of Muslim children than
private Islamic schools. These weekend schools need to adopt the same pedagogical teaching and
learning principles in order to effectively serve the students. Naturally, it is difficult to acquire
certified teachers to teach on the weekends. However, it is very possible to teach weekend school
teachers key elements needed to run effective weekend school classrooms. Five areas of
importance will be introduced and modeled:
I. Creating Clear Goals and Objectives
II. Learning Modalities and Levels of Knowledge Acquisition
III. Effective Classroom Control/ Management
IV. Center Based Instruction.
V. Self Reflection and Evaluation.
As a result of applying these principles to any weekend classroom, the teacher is able to facilitate
a classroom of engaged, interested learners who are able to self reflect on their learning of Islam
and the Quran to plant the seeds for life long learning.
9D. School Leadership: Partnership Between the Board and Principal
Panel Discussion
The leadership of a nonprofit organization is fundamental to the success of the organization and
shared between the principal and the board. They both have different roles and responsibilities to
lead the organization in harmony. In this session we have principals and board members
discussing the keys for shared successful leadership strategies.
Maghrib Prayer
Concluding Session and Raffle Giveaway
Please join us for an exciting concluding session that will include a raffle giveaway.