Dr. Asif Padela
Middle/High School Principal
Ignite School
Dr. Asif Padela is an accomplished educational leader with nearly 20 years of experience across K–12 systems in the United States and the United Arab Emirates. He has served as a principal in Harlem, New York; Abu Dhabi; and Texas, leading diverse school communities and driving measurable gains in student achievement, teacher development, and operational excellence.
His career spans roles as a teacher, principal, and executive leader in both public charter networks and international private schools, where he has consistently advanced school improvement through data-informed instruction, strategic planning, and leadership coaching.
Dr. Padela holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and is certified as a Principal, Superintendent, and District Leader in both New York and Texas. He is also certified as a school accreditation visitor by both NEASC and Cognia and trained as a school inspector through the Tribal Group.
Recognized for his commitment to equity, excellence, and innovation, Dr. Padela believes that emotionally intelligent leadership and aligned instructional systems are essential to transforming student outcomes. He is passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering sustainable school-wide impact.
principal-mshs@igniteschool.ae
