Noor Ali
Assistant Teaching Professor
- Email: [email protected]
- Linkedin: @LinkedIn
- Twitter: @Twitter
About
Dr. Noor Ali is an Assistant Professor at Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies, Graduate School of Education where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Dr. Ali serves as the Concentration Lead for Transformative School Leadership in the Ed.D. Program at Northeastern University.
Dr. Ali has developed a micro theoretical framework, MusCrit as a subset of Critical Race Theory where she posits a framing for understanding the lived experiences of Muslim Americans. Her book is titled Counter-narratives of Muslim American Women: Making Space for MusCrit. She has published extensively on topics of MusCrit, racialization of religion, demystifying Critical Race Theory, leadership, social justice, and experiential learning.
A veteran teacher in K-8 education, Dr. Ali is also the Principal of Al-Hamra Academy where she has lead several initiatives including teaching towards equity, experiential learning, inter-faith dialogue, citizen science, and STEM education.
Dr. Ali also serves as a Commissioner for New England Association for Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Commission of Independent Schools. She is actively involved in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work with NEASC and the Town of Shrewsbury where she served on the DEI Taskforce. She has served as Board Member on the Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and is often found actively engaged in inter-faith and community-based initiatives. Dr. Ali was elected as a Trustee to the Shrewsbury Public Library.
Education
EdD from Northeastern University (2018)Professional Experience
Administrative & Teaching Experience
Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 2021-Current
Assistant Teaching Professor, College of Professional Studies, Graduate School of Education
- Faculty for the M.Ed. Program
- Faculty for the Ed.D. Program
- Faculty for the MAT Program
- EDUC 1111 Education in the Community
- EDU 6328 Education Policy and Leadership
- EDU 6001 Experiential Learning Theory and Practice
- EDUC 5503 Culture, Equity, Power, and Influence
- EDU 6002 Culturally Responsive Teaching In Experiential Learning
- EDU 7218 Educational Leadership & Social Justice
- Curriculum Development for Equity Framework in MAT
- Selection Committee for new faculty and associate dean
- Review of admission applications
- Course Development
- Collaboration among faculty and service learning opportunities for students
Al Hamra Academy | Shrewsbury, MA | 2017-Current
Principal
- Developing vision, change agent
- Curriculum Coordinator for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School
- Assessment Supervisor (formative and summative, including MAP)
- Grant writing (state and private)
- Leading change agent for several new initiatives (curriculum, pedagogical practices, and climate)
- STEAM certification lead
- Alignment to MA Frameworks, NGSS, Common Core, and ACTFL
- Fiscal Budget & Financial Assistance Coordinator
- Behavior Management
- Mentor to STEAM certification for other schools
- Event planning, outreach opportunities, civic engagement for students
- Building collaboration networks within community
- Teacher support, observation, and evaluation; mentor novice teachers
- Scheduling
- Maintenance of health and safety
- Coordination between stakeholders including Committees, parents, and Board of Directors
- Spearheaded transition to online instruction, crises management during COVID-19
Arizona State University | Phoenix, AZ |2021
Faculty Associate, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Responsible for teaching the online Graduate Program
- EDA 596 Applied Research
- Final Research course with a social justice and equity lens
Worcester State University | Worcester, MA | 2020-2021
Assistant Professor, Graduate Program of Education
- Responsible for teaching the Accelerated Online Course
- ED 996 Research & Evaluation
- ED 982 Research & Education
- ED 993 Seminar: Research in Content Concentration
- Research courses towards the Action Research Thesis
- Curriculum Development for Action Research Series
Al Hamra Academy | Shrewsbury, MA | 2012 - 2017
Teacher 5th grade Language Arts, Science, & Social Studies, 7th & 8th grade Religion, 2012 - Current
- Implemented the Empowering Writers Program in 5th grade
- Used innovative teaching methods to engage all students
- Designed the annual curriculum content and pacing for 7th & 8th grade Religion
- Redesigned 5th grade curriculum for ELA, Science, and Social Studies
- Implemented Daily Five across grade levels
- Created an innovative component of volunteerism and community service.
- Mentored Robotics, Speech & Debate Club, Earth Day, Knitting, School Garden, Inter-faith initiatives
- Created community based alliances for action and project based learning
- Guided Capstone Projects for graduating class
An Noor Academy | Piscataway, NJ | 2007-2012
Professional Development Speaker, 2011-2012
- Mentored novice teachers
- Provided instruction and professional development to instructors
- Gave workshops on topics of differentiated instruction
2nd grade Language Arts, Math, Science & Social Studies Teacher, 2008-2012
- Initiated and coordinated the Empowering Writers Program for the elementary, middle, & high school
- Used innovative and creative teaching methods to engage all students
- Designed the annual curriculum content and pacing for 2nd grade core subject areas
- Created and incorporated the Core Knowledge component for 2nd grade
- Taught accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader, and STAR math
- Initiated and led the Daily Five literacy method in all elementary grades
- Coordinated the stage for annual elementary school performances
Assistant Kindergarten Teacher, 2007-2008
- Provided one on one instruction to students
Professional Activities & Accomplishments
Publications
- Racialization of Religion: Making Space for Counter-Narratives of Muslim American Youth, in "Black and Brown Leadership and the Promotion of Change in an Era of Social Unrest."
- MusCrit: Towards Carving a Niche in Critical Race Theory for the Muslim American Experience, International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 2022.
- School Leadership in Non-Public Schools during the Pandemic in Follow the Leader, Educational Journal from the University of Southern California
- MusCrit: Towards Carving a Niche in Critical Race Theory for the Muslim Educational Experience, International Journal of Research and Method in Education, Taylor and Francis. (In Press 2021)
- Delivering Across Geographies: How Faith, Age, Friends, and Space Carry Birthing, Performing Maternities-(In Press 2021) University of Brighton
- Towards MusCrit: Counter-Narratives of Muslim American Youth, High School Journal (I2021), University of North Carolina
- Small Town, Big Talk, Routledge, 2021 (In-press)
- MusCrit: Making Space in Critical Theory for the Muslim Experience, This House Will Not Dismantle Itself, (2022)
- The Burden of Demonization: Muslim American Youth on the Marginalization Spectrum, NEOS, ACYIG 2021
- Critical Storytelling: Counter-narratives of Female Muslim American Youth, 2022, Brill/Sense Publishers an imprint of Springer.
Conferences | Presentations
- Making STEM Based Education a Reality, ISNA Educators Forum 2018, Chicago
- Space Making for the Muslim American Narrative, ISNA Educators Forum 2018, Chicago
- ADHD, Special needs, in non-Public Schools, podcast on ADHD Essentials
- STEM Experience at the Elementary & Middle School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, January 2019
- Space Making & Voice Finding for the Muslim American Narrative, Rhode Island People of Color Coalition, April 2019
- Applying Social Justice & Experiential Learning Theory to Practice: What is it and how can we engage? Northeastern University NExT, Network for Experiential Teaching and Learning, July 2019
- Social Justice and Experience in Schools: Learning, Access, and Agency. Panelist Northeastern University NExT, Network for Experiential Teaching and Learning, July 2019
- Education Leaders Talking STEM, Panelist, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA, October 2019
- Space Making & Voice Finding for the Muslim American Narrative, Islamic Society of Greater Worcester, MA, October 2019
- Space Making & Voice Finding for the Muslim American Narrative, NEASC Annual Conference & Showcase, Burlington, MA, December 2019
- Social Justice & Experiential Learning, Personalization 2020, Highlander Institute, April 2020 (cancelled due to COVID)
- Stories of Challenge & Resilience, NCORE 2020 (cancelled due to COVID)
- Public Schools, Private Schools, Homeschooling, Panelist at Worcester Islamic Center, 2020
- Social Justice in Experiential Learning, NEASC 2020
- Counter-narratives of the Muslim American Experience, 2021 International Symposium on Autoethnography and Narrative Inquiry
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Principals, podcast on ADHD Essentials 2020
- Making Space for #MusCrit on Say More on That (podcast, 2021)
- What is Critical Race Theory, Shrewsbury Public Library (Panel Discussion, 2021)
- Critical Race Theory: An Intimate Conversation, A Better Shrewsbury, 2021)
- Critical Race Theory & Muslim Girls, Otherwise Worlds- Spring 2021 Speaker Series for The High School Journal
- Understanding Critical Race Theory, Organized and Panelist on MAT Panel, Northeastern University, Graduate School of Education, 2021
- Demystifying Critical Race Theory. What’s the fear all about. NEASC, December 2021
- MusCrit: Claiming Space for the Muslim American Narrative in Critical Race Theory, 2021 NASPA Multicultural Institute: Advancing Equity and Inclusive Practice.
- Being Brown in White Spaces: Doing DEI work while being Brown, International Symposium of Autoethnography and Narrative Inquiry, January 2022
- Addressing Persistent Inequality in Pk-12 Classroom, Panel Discussion, Northeastern University 2021, EdD Residency
- Representation in Curriculum in K-12, Moderator of Panel, Northeastern University, 2021, GSE Convening
- Racialization of Religion: Making Space for Counter-Narratives of Muslim American Youth, AERA, San Diego 2022
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Rotary Club, Shrewsbury
- Virtual Diversity Summit, Panelist, Rotary Club (Mar, 2022)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update, Shrewsbury Democratic Committee
- Servant Leadership, Frostburg University
Professional Experiences
- Accreditation Commissioner for NEASC-CIS
- Evaluator for school around turnaround practices by MA, Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, Town of Shrewsbury, 2020
- Diversity and Equity Coalition, Shrewsbury Public Schools, 2020
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce for NEASC's Equity Working Group
- Peer Review for Sage Publications
- Peer Review for Action Research Journal
- Peer Review for ACYIG
- Board Member of the Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, Inc. 2017-2020
- Accreditation Evaluator for NEASC, Accreditation Committee Member and Chair of Team
- Trustee of the Shrewsbury Public Library and Town Meeting Member