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Certificate in Islamic School Teaching

Overview

This certification is designed for educators working in Islamic schools—whether in formal K–12 settings or informal weekend programs. The track focuses on integrating Islamic principles into teaching methods and classroom management, preparing educators to support students both academically and spiritually.

Course Fee: $300 per course
Total Certification Fee: $1,200 for 5 courses

Registration & Contact

For more information or to register, please contact:
Registrar: Ozlen Keskin
registrar@aicusa.edu

Courses Included in the Track

Core Course (Required):

  • Prophetic Leadership

Elective Courses (Choose 4 of 5):

  • Becoming a Murabbi: The Educator as a Guide of Hearts and Minds
  • Effective Classroom Management: Prophetic Presence in Practice
  • Transforming Curriculum from Secular to Islamic: Teaching Through an Islamic Worldview
  • Islamic Studies Teaching Strategies in the Classroom
  • Nurturing Children’s Fitra in Early Childhood Curriculum
Certificate Program Registration
Workshop Registration

Course Schedule

Workshop Title Schedule (2 weeks, 2 days/week)
Becoming a Murabbi: The Educator as a Guide of Hearts and Minds July 22–July 31 (T, R 6:00pm–7:15pm)
Prophetic Leadership October 7–October 16 (T, R 6:00pm–7:15pm)
Effective Classroom Management: Prophetic Presence in Practice November 4–November 14 (T, R 6:00pm–7:15pm)
Transforming Curriculum from Secular to Islamic: Teaching Through an Islamic Worldview January 27–February 5 (T, R 6:00pm–7:15pm)
Islamic Studies Teaching Strategies in the Classroom April 21–April 30 (T, R 6:00pm–7:15pm)
Nurturing Children’s Fitra in Early Childhood Curriculum April 21–April 30 (T, R 6:00pm–7:15pm)

Effective Classroom Management: Prophetic Presence in Practice

Overview

This workshop teaches educators how to create a productive learning environment through principles of active engagement and positive discipline. It emphasizes mutual respect, cooperation, and student self-discipline while maintaining structure and compassion.

Key Focus Areas
  • Active engagement strategies to enhance classroom dynamics
  • Establishing effective classroom routines and norms
  • Addressing challenging behaviors with kindness and firmness
  • Building a collaborative classroom culture based on respect and responsibility
Workshop Components
  1. Introduction to Key Concepts: Active classroom management and Positive Discipline
  2. Building Routines: Practical techniques for classroom transitions and maintaining flow
  3. Engaging Students: Creating interactive, hands-on learning experiences
  4. Managing Behavior: Proactive and reactive Positive Discipline tools
  5. Collaborative Culture: Fostering accountability through group work
  6. Action Planning: Developing personalized implementation strategies
Recommended Readings
  • Management in the Active Classroom by Ron Berger, Dina Strasser, and Libby Woodfin
  • Positive Discipline in the Classroom by Jane Nelsen

Becoming a Murabbi: The Educator as a Guide of Hearts and Minds

Overview

This workshop aims to transform educators into Murabbis—mentors who foster students’ spiritual, moral, intellectual, and social development. Teachers will learn to integrate Islamic values into their practices to nurture students holistically.

Key Focus Areas
  • Role of the educator as Murabbi and role model
  • Cultivating character traits rooted in the Sunnah
  • Teaching that integrates the heart, mind, and spirit
  • Implementing classroom practices grounded in tarbiyah
Workshop Components
  1. Introduction to the Murabbi Role: Understanding the unique responsibilities in Islamic education
  2. Key Qualities of a Murabbi: Developing sabr (patience), rahmah (compassion), and hikmah (wisdom)
  3. Holistic Education: Weaving Islamic values into academic content
  4. Student Relationships: Creating a classroom culture based on respect
  5. Practical Tarbiyah Strategies: Implementing Islamic routines and fostering accountability
  6. Reflection and Action Planning: Designing plans to embody the Murabbi role
Recommended Readings
  • Transformational Teaching: Prophet Muhammad as a Teacher and Murabbi by Dr. Zainab Alwani
  • Selections from Ihya Ulum al-Din by Imam Al-Ghazali
  • Principles of Islamic Pedagogy by Dr. Nadeem Memon
  • Descriptions and Enactments of Islamic Pedagogy by Memon & Chown

Transforming Curriculum from Secular to Islamic: Teaching Through an Islamic Worldview

Overview

This workshop equips educators and curriculum developers with tools to transition from a secular curriculum to an Islamic one. Participants will explore strategies to align academic content with Islamic values, integrating Quranic teachings into lesson plans and building a nurturing framework for both intellect and spirit.

Key Focus Areas
  • Understanding the differences between secular and Islamic worldviews in education
  • Aligning curriculum objectives with Islamic principles
  • Integrating Islamic values across subjects like science, history, and literature
  • Addressing challenges and building a supportive curriculum transition
Workshop Components
  1. Introduction to Islamic Curriculum: Exploring the purpose of Islamic education
  2. Secular vs. Islamic Worldviews: Analyzing differences in educational philosophy
  3. Steps to Transition: Embedding Islamic values into lessons
  4. Subject Integration Framework: Developing frameworks for core subjects
  5. Supportive Environment: Building teacher capacity and engaging parents
  6. Action Planning: Creating personalized curriculum transformation plans
Recommended Readings
  • The Concept of Education in Islam by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
  • Islam and Secularism by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

Nurturing Children’s Fitra in Early Childhood Curriculum

Overview

This workshop supports early childhood educators in designing developmentally appropriate, spiritually nurturing experiences for young children. Through storytelling, play-based learning, and strong family connections, participants will explore how to preserve and nurture fitra while cultivating awe, wonder, and love for Allah.

Key Focus Areas
  • Understanding and nurturing fitra through Islamic worldview
  • The power of play and storytelling for spiritual development
  • Creating joyful and meaningful Islamic learning environments
  • Collaborating with parents to reinforce values
Workshop Components
  • Understanding Fitra: Foundations of Islamic early childhood education
  • Storytelling and Play: Shaping character and engagement
  • Relational Teaching: Building trust and empathy through story and play
  • Designing Centers: Thematic learning through play
  • Family Partnerships: Strengthening the home-school faith connection
  • Action Planning: Design activities and routines that foster awe, play, and spiritual connection
Recommended Readings
  • Tarbiyya Montessori (The AIMA)
  • Concentric Circles: Nurturing Awe and Wonder in Early Years by Elma Harder
  • Dialogic Halaqa: A Muslim Educator’s Guide by Dr. Farah Ahmed
  • Purposeful Play by Alison Porcelli, Cheryl Tyler, et al.
  • Inspiring Minds: 10 Creative Ways to Better Engage Your Students (Harvard)

Prophetic Leadership

Overview

Prophetic Leadership explores the timeless and versatile leadership qualities exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), providing participants with valuable tools to lead with compassion, wisdom, and adaptability. Through an examination of his methods of communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and community building, this course empowers individuals to apply these principles in both personal and professional contexts, fostering transformative leadership that drives impact.

Key Focus Areas
  • Understanding empathy and fairness in leadership
  • Adapting Prophetic strategies to contemporary challenges
  • Navigating disputes with justice and emotional intelligence
  • Strengthening relationships through sincerity, accountability, and collaboration
  • Encouraging growth, self-confidence, and empowerment in followers
Workshop Components
  1. Introduction to Prophetic Leadership: Overview of Prophet Muhammad’s leadership style and its modern relevance
  2. Core Leadership Qualities: Building humility, empathy, and resilience as foundational traits of a leader
  3. Effective Engagement and Communication: Developing active listening skills and fostering a shared sense of purpose in teams
  4. Conflict Management and Resolution: Applying Prophetic wisdom to address challenges with compassion and fairness
  5. Collaborative Leadership and Empowerment: Building trust, delegating responsibility, and promoting accountability
  6. Actionable Leadership Strategies: Creating personalized leadership plans to implement Prophetic principles in real life
Recommended Readings
  • Prophetic Leadership by Habeeb Quadri and Rawan Hayik

Instruction provided by:

Dr. Leila Shatara >
Darajat LLC

Habeeb Quadri >
High Quality Educational
Consulting