Omar Qureshi

About Omar Qureshi

In 2012, Omar Qureshi was appointed the position of principal of IFS. Omar joined Islamic Foundation School as the Dean of Academics in 2010. After obtaining his Bachelors of Arts in Microbiology, he went on to complete his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Science Education both from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Omar has earned a Ph.D. in the Cultural and Educational Policy Studies: Philosophy of Education at Loyola University Chicago. His areas of concentration are Comparative Education and Philosophy of Education. Omar has also served on Illinois State Board of Education School Recognition and NCA-AdvancED External Review teams. Omar has taught in various academic settings including Manarat al-Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Universal School, Morgan Park Academy. He served as an adjunct professor in St. Xavier University and North Park University teaching undergraduate and graduate students. Over his 15 years in education, he has taught AP Chemistry, Honors Biology, Physics and has also taught Arabic and Islamic Studies. Additionally, he has developed curriculum and taught courses for teachers in the Islamic Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in conjunction with the University of Toronto. Omar’s aim is to bring a strong academic program focused on college readiness and quality instruction. This is achieved by providing an education environment that cultivates the religious and intellectual virtues, and the development of a strong curriculum that is grounded in the Islamic worldview. His focus as a principal is providing students an education environment that cultivates the religious and intellectual virtues, and the development of a strong curriculum that is grounded in the Islamic worldview. In terms of curriculum, Omar has introduced the Understanding by Design curriculum framework that emphasizes critical thinking and well designed lessons. In his spare time, he also teaches courses on Islamic Theology and Islamic Law.

Experience

1. Director of Integrated Curriculum

   Yaqeen Institute

   Oct 2024 — Present

   The Director of Integrated Curriculum will be responsible for mapping a comprehensive,cross-disciplinary curriculum that aligns with the overall mission of Yaqeen to instill students withreligious clarity and conviction and produce contributors to society that also align with state andnational standards, and for providing professional development and training for teachers toimplement Yaqeen curricula effectively. The main responsibility of this position is to oversee the development of Yaqeen’s Integrated Curriculum Framework/Philosophy, including defining our approach to ‘integration’ and its implication on Islamic Studies for K-12 schools.

Education

• University of Missouri

  Bachelors of Arts

• University of Missouri

  M.Ed

• Loyola University Chicago

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  2011 — 2016

• Middle

  High School Science

Skills

• Public Speaking
• Curriculum Development
• Student Counseling
• Tutoring
• Differentiated Instruction
• Educational Consulting
• Teacher Training
• Problem Solving
• Higher Education
• Smartboard
• Educational Leadership
• Science
• K-12
• Adult Education
• Technology Integration
• Gifted Education
• Classroom Instruction
• Administration
• Elementary Education
• Educational Technology
• Writing
• Staff Development
• Curriculum Design
• Editing
• International Education
• Curriculum Mapping
• Classroom
• Teaching
• Esl
• Literacy
• Microsoft Office
• College Teaching
• Lecturing
• Classroom Management
• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Research
• Instructional Technology