Growing up in a family of educators, Dr. Shaikha M. BuAli was inspired to enter the same profession, having been influenced by her mother and aunts. Acknowledging the significance of education and the role teachers have on young children’s well-being, she sought a formal education at The Kingdom University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in management information systems in 2009. Thereafter, she received a Master of Education in elementary and special education from Holy Family University in 2012. After accruing several years of experience in her field, Dr. BuAli received a principal certification in educational leadership and administration from PhillyPLUS in 2017 and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and organizational management from Drexel University in 2020. Her dissertation was published in 2020 by ProQuest, titled “A Qualitative Case Study on Instructional Practices in a Pennsylvania Online Middle School.”
At the inception of her career in 2009, Dr. BuAli was an IB teacher for Modern Knowledge Schools for one year before becoming a special education teacher in science and mathematics for the Philadelphia School District in 2010. Following this appointment, she served Mastery Schools from 2011 to 2012 as a special education teacher in emotional support, as well as Universal Audenried Charter High School from 2012 to 2013 as a special education liaison. Likewise, Dr. BuAli excelled as a special education instructional coach for ASPIRA Inc. of Pennsylvania between 2013 and 2014, where she also served as a special education and support services coordinator from 2014 to 2016.
In the latter stages of her career, Dr. BuAli was a CPISP U.S. Guardian through the Crown Princes International Scholarship Program beginning in 2012. She joined the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School in 2016 as a school principal for grades 10 through 12, where she remained for one year. Subsequently, she served the charter school as an assistant high school principal from 2018 to 2019. Since 2019, Dr. BuAli has thrived as a high school principal. During her tenure, she has been recognized with an accolade for years of service by the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School.
Dr. BuAli draws upon numerous certifications, most recently including a superintendent letter of eligibility from the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2020. Previously, she was certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a K-12 principal, in K-12 Arabic language, in 7-12 general science, in 6-9 middle school mathematics, in K-6 elementary education, and in N-12 special education. She is a former fellow of Philadelphia Teaching Fellows and former resident of PhillyPLUS.
Looking forward, Dr. BuAli intends to continue aiding students in both in-person and online education. She notes that her long-term goal is to broaden her influence in the realm of education, as well as climb the ladder of success and support larger organizations.