Principal
Robert Mond
I am from San Diego, California. In middle school, I wanted to be an architect. I took many drafting classes in high school and won an award for best house design. At San Diego State University I started out in Engineering, but later switched to Communication after becoming deeply interested in religion. After receiving my BA, I worked in the industrial engineering department of Burroughs Corporation (later Unisys), as well as three architectural firms.
In the late 80’s, I became interested in Islam and wanted to experience it firsthand, so I went back to school and received a Master’s in Education, and in 1990, my journey to the Middle East began. I studied Arabic and Islam in Syria for one year and for 10 years, I taught English in Saudi Arabia, in the United Arab Emirates at The American University of Sharjah, and in Oman at Sultan Qaboos University. I also spent one year in Kuwait as a middle/high school principal.
After my journey through the Middle East, I moved to Massachusetts where I worked as principal at Al-Noor Academy for three years. I then completed a principal licensure program at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. Shortly after this, I worked as the co-principal at the Advanced Math and Science Academy in Massachusetts.
Since 2009, I have had the privilege of working at Medina Academy. It has been my best experience yet in working with so many talented teachers, parents, students, and volunteers. I am energized each day by all the enthusiasm I see in our students. I know they are or soon will be filled with hopes and dreams of their future. It’s why my favorite question to them is “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I love windsurfing and when there is a good wind, you will find me out on the Puget Sound or Lake Washington. In continuing with my interest in architecture, I also like dabbling in real estate. I have my broker’s license and last summer I was able to facilitate the purchase of a couple homes and the remodel of one of them. I also enjoy traveling, visiting interesting places, eating out, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
I am from San Diego, California. In middle school, I wanted to be an architect. I took many drafting classes in high school and won an award for best house design. At San Diego State University I started out in Engineering, but later switched to Communication after becoming deeply interested in religion. After receiving my BA, I worked in the industrial engineering department of Burroughs Corporation (later Unisys), as well as three architectural firms.
In the late 80’s, I became interested in Islam and wanted to experience it firsthand, so I went back to school and received a Master’s in Education, and in 1990, my journey to the Middle East began. I studied Arabic and Islam in Syria for one year and for 10 years, I taught English in Saudi Arabia, in the United Arab Emirates at The American University of Sharjah, and in Oman at Sultan Qaboos University. I also spent one year in Kuwait as a middle/high school principal.
After my journey through the Middle East, I moved to Massachusetts where I worked as principal at Al-Noor Academy for three years. I then completed a principal licensure program at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. Shortly after this, I worked as the co-principal at the Advanced Math and Science Academy in Massachusetts.
Since 2009, I have had the privilege of working at Medina Academy. It has been my best experience yet in working with so many talented teachers, parents, students, and volunteers. I am energized each day by all the enthusiasm I see in our students. I know they are or soon will be filled with hopes and dreams of their future. It’s why my favorite question to them is “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I love windsurfing and when there is a good wind, you will find me out on the Puget Sound or Lake Washington. In continuing with my interest in architecture, I also like dabbling in real estate. I have my broker’s license and last summer I was able to facilitate the purchase of a couple homes and the remodel of one of them. I also enjoy traveling, visiting interesting places, eating out, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Middle School Director
Aishah Jalani
My educational philosophy is "There are two lasting gifts that we must give children; one is roots and the other is wings." I am passionate about Islamic schools. I have been an educator in Islamic schools for almost 20 years. I have an M.A. in Organizational Leadership and a B.A. in Business Administration/Communications. I am Montessori-certified for Lower Elementary and Early Childhood. I am very involved in the larger education community, in my role as an adult education consultant and presenter, I frequently present at educational conferences and at the University of Washington on Muslim-American Families, Understanding Immigrant Muslim Families, and Families of Children with Diverse & Special Needs. Originally from Malaysia, my family and I are very adventurous in nature and we love to experience different cultures through our travels. I am blessed to be a member of the Medina Academy educative community since 2010.
My educational philosophy is "There are two lasting gifts that we must give children; one is roots and the other is wings." I am passionate about Islamic schools. I have been an educator in Islamic schools for almost 20 years. I have an M.A. in Organizational Leadership and a B.A. in Business Administration/Communications. I am Montessori-certified for Lower Elementary and Early Childhood. I am very involved in the larger education community, in my role as an adult education consultant and presenter, I frequently present at educational conferences and at the University of Washington on Muslim-American Families, Understanding Immigrant Muslim Families, and Families of Children with Diverse & Special Needs. Originally from Malaysia, my family and I are very adventurous in nature and we love to experience different cultures through our travels. I am blessed to be a member of the Medina Academy educative community since 2010.
Academic Coordinator
Carol Shahen
I am the daughter of two educators which means my upbringing was full of exploration, questioning, investigating and being told that the success of my future depends on the learning I do today. I graduated high school from a suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan and went on to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan for my B.A. and Masters in Elementary Education. Beyond that, I have 30+ hours of continuing education from various universities and seminar trainings focusing on curriculum and student achievement at the elementary level.
I taught 2nd grade for over 20 years and I also taught preschool, 1st grade and 4th grade in a school district just outside of Kalamazoo. I retired from my position as a teacher to come to Seattle in 2013 and was hired at Medina Academy that same year to work as Academic Coordinator. I enjoy exploring the vast beauty of the Northwest and participating in outdoor activities.
I am the daughter of two educators which means my upbringing was full of exploration, questioning, investigating and being told that the success of my future depends on the learning I do today. I graduated high school from a suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan and went on to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan for my B.A. and Masters in Elementary Education. Beyond that, I have 30+ hours of continuing education from various universities and seminar trainings focusing on curriculum and student achievement at the elementary level.
I taught 2nd grade for over 20 years and I also taught preschool, 1st grade and 4th grade in a school district just outside of Kalamazoo. I retired from my position as a teacher to come to Seattle in 2013 and was hired at Medina Academy that same year to work as Academic Coordinator. I enjoy exploring the vast beauty of the Northwest and participating in outdoor activities.
Registration & Finance Manager
Ibtesam Amireh
Born and raised in Amman, Jordan, I joined Medina in 2011. I come from a big family which highly values education. I received my bachelor degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Jordan, and completed my CPA in 2009 after taking few years off of work to raise my children. I worked in the software industry as a software test engineer, then decided to go back to my original interest, which is accounting and finance. When I am not managing Medina Academy’s finances, I spend time with my wonderful husband and our three children. I enjoy traveling, cooking, and long walks on the beach.
Born and raised in Amman, Jordan, I joined Medina in 2011. I come from a big family which highly values education. I received my bachelor degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Jordan, and completed my CPA in 2009 after taking few years off of work to raise my children. I worked in the software industry as a software test engineer, then decided to go back to my original interest, which is accounting and finance. When I am not managing Medina Academy’s finances, I spend time with my wonderful husband and our three children. I enjoy traveling, cooking, and long walks on the beach.
Office Manager - Preschool
Kathy Zubi
I am a native of Southern New Mexico. I have lived on the Eastside of Seattle for the past 21 years. I have an Associates Degree in Travel and Hospitality. I have a wonderful husband from Jordan, and 3 beautiful children, a 15yr old daughter and 9 1/2 year old twin boys. I have been part of the Medina Academy Family for the past 11 years, 1st as a parent, then as part of the PTO, and now as the Office Manager of the Preschool for the last 5 years. I love to read, travel, go camping, go to the beach, and I love to sleep on the weekends when possible.
I am a native of Southern New Mexico. I have lived on the Eastside of Seattle for the past 21 years. I have an Associates Degree in Travel and Hospitality. I have a wonderful husband from Jordan, and 3 beautiful children, a 15yr old daughter and 9 1/2 year old twin boys. I have been part of the Medina Academy Family for the past 11 years, 1st as a parent, then as part of the PTO, and now as the Office Manager of the Preschool for the last 5 years. I love to read, travel, go camping, go to the beach, and I love to sleep on the weekends when possible.
Office Manager - Elementary
Zarine Ali
I’m originally from the warm waters of the Caribbean (sometimes called the West Indies), where I earned my B.Sc. in Management Studies. I’ve been the Office Manager at Medina Academy since 2013. The most enjoyable part of my job is helping all the children and parents at Medina. I love playing games with my family, traveling, eating and cooking great food.
I’m originally from the warm waters of the Caribbean (sometimes called the West Indies), where I earned my B.Sc. in Management Studies. I’ve been the Office Manager at Medina Academy since 2013. The most enjoyable part of my job is helping all the children and parents at Medina. I love playing games with my family, traveling, eating and cooking great food.
