Sr. Susan Wheeler

It is with deep gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility that I am excited to return to The Islamic Academy for Peace as principal, Alhamdullilah!

TIA has always been more than a school to me; it is a community that has been an important part of my life and professional journey; it is a place whose history and future I care deeply about.

My experiences in education have taught me that building a school is, above all, an act of belief—belief in people, in possibilities, and in a shared purpose greater than any one individual. I have had the privilege of teaching and leading in several educational settings here in Massachusetts and internationally. I have seen firsthand what can happen when educators, families, students, and community members come together
around a common vision and collaborate to make their vision a reality.

As I return to TIA, I am guided by two principles.

First, I believe our differences will bring us together. Although we come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, we share far more than separates us. We learn together, grow together, and stand united together in faith and in our praise of Allah. As the Qur’an reminds us in Surah Al-Hujurat, “We made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.” Our diversity is not something to overcome; it is something to embrace and be proud of. This belief was central to the TIA community we built years ago. Elders, board members, parents, educators, and students each contributed to creating a community grounded in trust, shared purpose, and opportunity. To continue to thrive today, everyone still has an important role to play. Everyone matters.

Second, I believe education is at the heart of everything we do. The very first revelation of the Qur’an begins with the command, “Read! In the name of your Lord who created… ”Learning is transformative. It is not simply about acquiring knowledge or preparing students for the next stage of life; it is about developing character, curiosity, confidence, compassion, and a lifelong love of learning. Insha’Allah, my goal is to build on TIA’s strong foundation and to work collaboratively with our entire community to ensure that every student is known, challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach his or her God-given potential. We want our children to grow not only as successful students, but as people of faith, character, compassion, and purpose.

I know the road ahead will bring challenges, but I also know the strength of this community. Allah has blessed TIA with people who care deeply, bring talent and dedication to their work, and are willing to give of themselves for our children.

The greatest legacy we’ve been building at TIA isn’t simply the school and our accredited programs. It is the community—and the opportunities we develop together for our children to learn, grow, and thrive. As we begin this new chapter, I invite our faculty and staff, students, parents, board members, volunteers, alumni, elders, and supporters to join me. Let us all listen to one another, build on our strengths, and work together to imagine and create the TIA our children and future generations deserve. Alhamdullilah, I am grateful for the opportunity to return to a community that has meant so much to me; and I look forward to walking this journey together. Insha’Allah, the best is yet to come.

Wa Salam