An Afternoon with Dr. Debbie Almontaser and HPS superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed
Join us for a conversation between Dr. Debbie Almontaser (author, Yemeni American schoolteacher, community activist, and founding principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy) and Jaleelah Ahmed (HPS superintendent, educator) will explore what it means to be a Muslim in the American education system, a woman in leadership, and navigating diversity in schools.
Introduction by Abraham Aiyash, Hamtramckan and Yemeni American Activist.
Copies of “Leading While Muslim” will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefitting the Yemen Mercy Bakery.
Halal Metropolis, an exhibition examining Muslim visibility in southeast Michigan will be on view in the space before and after the program.
Hosted in Partnership with Book Suey.
Dr. Debbie Almontaser is an internationally recognized, award-winning educator, speaker and authority on cross cultural understanding. She is an influential community leader and the Founder and CEO of Bridging Cultures Group, Inc. Dr. Almontaser was the founding and former principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn, NY. A 25-year veteran of the NYC Public School System, she taught special education, inclusion, trained teachers in literacy, and served as a multicultural specialist and diversity advisor. Currently, she is the Board President of the Muslim Community Network. She frequently lectures, serves on panels, and facilitates teacher and public workshops on cultural diversity, conflict resolution, Arab Culture, Islam, Muslims in America, interfaith coalition building and youth leadership at schools, universities, libraries, museums, faith-based organizations, churches, synagogues, as well as national and international conferences. She is author of “Leading While Muslim”.
Jaleelah Ahmed is the new superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools. Ms. Ahmed has been the English Language Development (ELD) Director for Hamtramck Schools since the fall of 2016. Her 22 years as an educator also include successful experience as a principal and district resource teacher, bilingual teacher and Title I specialist. In addition, she is currently a part-time faculty member and coordinator at Wayne State University and a School Improvement Consultant. Ms. Ahmed holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Master of Arts degree in Education with a K-12 Educational Leadership Endorsement as well as endorsements as a K-12 Literacy Specialist and in ESL. She is currently working toward earning her Doctorate degree in Curriculum Instruction and Educational Leadership at the University of Michigan’s Dearborn campus.