“We are ACA. We empower our community with knowledge, spirit and service”

Faculty Listing

Grades K-12 Teachers

Safaa Abdaljaber

Elementary Teaching Support

Employed Since: 3/5/2018 4 Years Experience At School

Nisreen Abdeljaber

Transition to Kindergarten (TK) Homeroom Teacher

Employed Since: 9/30/2016 5 Years Experience At School

Her inspiration to become a teacher was having 7 children here at ACA.

She has taken many early childhood professional development hours to enhance her knowledge. Miss Nisreen has a gentle approach with all her students and this gives them a safe and secure environment to thrive.

Faten Abousaleh

Art Teacher

Employed Since: 1/28/2007 15 Years Experience At School

Gamal Ahmed

High School Science Teacher

Employed Since: 7/16/2018 3 Years Experience At School

7 years of teaching experience in Arizona and 13 years out of the country for high schools and colleges.

Holds two Masters Degrees of Science from ASU and Cairo University. Received the Standard Certificate of Arizona Department of Education. Parents Office Hours: Thursdays 2:35-3:20 PM and Fridays 1:45- 2:30 PM

Hazar Al-Hamawi

High School Arabic Teacher

Employed Since: 7/27/2009 12 Years Experience At School

Bachelor degree in law from Beirut Arab University. I take my job seriously and work hard to keep my students interested in learning. My philosophy is to provide an interesting, challenging, learning environment where my students will flourish socially and academically. They, in turn, can give their best effort in all they do at school. I believe that as a community ‘happily’ working together, teachers, parents and school staff can help our students accomplish this. My passion is teaching, inspiring and challenging children to love Arabic because this is the language of the Quran. I wish you all an excellent and happy year.

Parents Office Hours: Mondays 1:00 - 1:40 PM and Wednesdays 10:20 - 11:00 AM

Sana Alattar

High School Islamic Studies Teacher

Employed Since: 11/9/2015 6 Years Experience At School

I am a Syrian American who has lived in Arizona for 10 years. I graduated from the University of Damascus in 1990 with a graduate degree in Pharmacy. Since then, I have received my Quranic ijazah, or certificate in Quranic recitation, through Sheik Mouhideen Al-Kurdi in Damascus. I have had long term experience with Quranic recitation, translation, Fiqh, and the Sira, or biography of the Prophet (SAW) through independent studies with various leaders in the field.

I taught Quran in Bridgeview, IL for students pre-K3 through 12th grade on a full time basis during the academic years between 1991 and 1993. I taught as a weekend school teacher at Dar Al-Huda School in Illinois from 1991 through 2005, and at a Huda Weekend School in Detroit, Michigan.

Parents Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00-12:40 PM and Thursdays 1:45 -2:30 PM

Maha Alsakka

Elementary Islamic Studies & Quran Teacher

Employed Since: 1/4/2021 1 Years Experience At School

Azza Amdouni

Instructional Coach (K-5)

Employed Since: 7/23/2018 0 Years Experience At School

12 years of experience teaching in Illinois in both private and public schools. Certified in ESL as well transitional bilingual-Arabic.

Holds a Masters degree from Northeastern Illinois University.

Parents office Hours: Mondays 10:20-11:05 AM and Fridays 11:10-11:50 AM

Yamen Atassi

MS Islamic Studies, Quran, and Youth Mentorship Teacher

Employed Since: 7/29/2020 1 Years Experience At School

Graduated from Valparaiso University in 2017 with a B.A. in Philosophy and Humanities and a minor in English Literature. Studied classical Arabic at Qasid Arabic Institute (2017-2018), tajwīd, fiqh and 'aqīdah in Amman, Jordan. Currently enrolled in Hartford Seminary's Islamic Chaplaincy Program and have been working as a chaplain in the University setting for the last year. Teach weekly classes on 'aqīdah and fiqh, and tutor English to students whose primary language is Arabic.Enjoy hiking, reading, and shooting the breeze with loved ones.

Received the following accolades:

Distinguished Student Award (Christ College-Valparaiso University)
2016 Margot Ann Uehling Prize (Best Non-Fiction Writing, Valparaiso University)
Graduated summa cum laude
Received ijāzah in Hafs and Shu'bah in tajwīd Award for Outstanding Youth Leadership (NWIIC)

Fozia Basharat

Grade (12) Homeroom Teacher and Grade (9-12) Math Teacher

Employed Since: 8/2/2002 19 Years Experience At School

Degree(s) Earned:

Master of Public Administration; Major in Finance
Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Economics

Relevant Experience:

Standard Secondary Education, 7-12 Certification by Arizona Department of Education
Qualified to instruct International Baccalaureate Programme
Dual Enrollment Instructor

Parents Office Hours: Tuesday 2:35 - 3:20 P.M & Friday 1:45 - 2:30 P.M

Maria Farman

Grade (7) Homeroom & Middle School English and Social Stud. Teacher

Employed Since: 4/29/2018 4 Years Experience At School

Holds a Bachelors degree in English Language and Literature and a member of the National Council of Teachers of English. I have 4 years of experience in teaching English and Social Studies.I believe in creating an environment that fosters learning and values diversity. I am dedicated to help and provide students with opportunities to grow, take chances on challenging tasks and reach their highest potential. I am a proud ACA staff member and excited to have the opportunity to be your child's Social Studies/English teacher.

Parent Office Hours: Mondays 1:45-2:30 PM and Fridays 1:45-2:20 PM

Rawia Gaffar

Grade (8) Homeroom & Grade (6-8) Math Teacher

Employed Since: 10/9/2013 8 Years Experience At School

Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. 9 years of experience in the Banking and Business sectors.

My goal as a teacher is help students understand math and connect what we learn in class to the real world. In my opinion, math is not supposed to be limited by the classroom, but learned through our daily lives.

I’m so proud to be part of ACA teaching team, where we all work toward achieving the highest academic level for our students.

Parents Office Hours: Tuesday 1:45 -2:30 P.M & Thursday 1:45-2:30 P.M

Julia Hammond

Grade (1) Homeroom Teacher

Employed Since: 5/13/2011 11 Years Experience At School

Holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University.

Ms. Julia is always willing to help others, and her organizational skills and computer skills are an advantage to the ACA family. She is an Arizona native and mother of four ACA students. Raising children in a loving Islamic environment is very important to their development, and she loves being a part of that.

Janill Johnsen

Grades (6-12) Digital Academy ELA Teacher

Employed Since: 7/16/2018 3 Years Experience At School

Holds a Master’s degree with 8 years of teaching experience in English and Humanities for private and public schools.

Awarded a scholarship to study at The Globe Theatre in London in 2016 and applied the skills and techniques obtained from this experience to help students analyze and master content in the classroom.

Parents Office Hours: Mondays 2:30-3:30 PM and Fridays 1:45-2:30 PM

Mootaz Koriem

Dean of Students

Employed Since: 7/1/2021 0 Years Experience At School

Mr. Mootaz Koriem has just joined the wonderful team of educators at ACA as Dean of Academics. He brings almost 20 years of experience in education, 10 of which in school administration. Before joining ACA, he worked as the founding Principal of Augusta Science Academy in Augusta, Georgia and as the Vice Principal of Education at Andalus International School in Saudi Arabia. He holds a Master of Arts in English awarded from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education and English awarded from Alexandria University. Before working as a full-time school administrator, he taught in the United States, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia as a licensed teacher and ESL/EFL (English as a Second/Foreign Language) instructor. Mr. Mootaz is a certified teacher in Georgia and Arizona and has recently earned a Diploma of Education and Leadership Management from Notting Hill College in the UK. He was born in Iowa and is a proud father of three high school students who are also students at ACA.

Mays Mahayni

Grades (5-7) Arabic Teacher

Employed Since: 7/18/2020 1 Years Experience At School

My name is Mays Mahayni. I will be the Arabic class teacher for 5th, 6th, and 7th grades this academic year InshaAllah. I look forward to an amazing school year here at ACA, and very excited for this new teaching experience.

I have taught Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Quran for 15 years to students from different diversities and cultures. Specifically, I have previous experience in teaching Arabic and Quran at ACA Quran Club, Masjid Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, and through private tutoring online and in-person. I also worked as a lead Montessori teacher at Good Earth Montessori after earning my Montessori certificate.

Yusuf Masud

Grade (10) Homeroom & HS Social Studies Teacher

Employed Since: 7/28/2020 1 Years Experience At School

Sam Musawi

Boys PE Coach

Employed Since: 7/26/2021 0 Years Experience At School

Fatna Sirajaldin

Elementary Quran Teacher

Employed Since: 2/12/2006 16 Years Experience At School

I am a Pre-K Montessori Teacher at Arizona Cultural Academy. I have a degree in Early Childhood Development and is Montessori certified for Early Childhood from the American Montessori Society. Bachelors degree in Islamic studies. Experience working wtih children since 2002.. Montessori teacher at ACA since 2006. I am dedicated to teaching children one-on-one making sure they absorb as much as possible.

Natalie Tipton

Girls PE Coach

Employed Since: 2/18/2019 3 Years Experience At School

Holds an Associates Degree. She is the Physical Education coach at ACA. She worked as aTeaching Assistant at Navarrete Elementary School since 2005 and was a recipient of the United States Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award in high school.

Dana Yafaoui

Elementary Arabic Teacher

Employed Since: 5/16/2016 6 Years Experience At School

-Teaching License and Bachelor Degree in English Language and literature, from the Lebanese University.

-Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting, from Beirut Arab University.

I'm so excited to work with Arizona Cultural Academy, staff and students as well, in a collaborative environment. We have a lot of exciting resources and partners to work with. I look forward to introducing these resources to our students. They ensh'Allah will have so much fun and I can't wait to see them prosper.

Parents Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:00 PM and Thursdays 3:30-4:00 PM

Neelo Yunus

Grade (2) Homeroom Teacher

Employed Since: 3/23/2008 14 Years Experience At School

I have been teaching Second grade at Arizona Cultural Academy for the last 12 years. I received the teacher of the year award multiple times over the years. It’s such an honor to be working with amazing students, parents, board members, administration, and staff.

Personal Public Page: https://www.facebook.com/NeelofarsNotepad

Parents Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 3:30-4:00 by appointment.

Ibrahim Zafar

Qur'an Level Teacher

Employed Since: 8/9/2021 0 Years Experience At School

Early Childhood Teachers

Nada Al Kharasani

Early Childhood Teaching Support

Employed Since: 3/4/2020 2 Years Experience At School

Sana Banaga

Qur'an & Arabic Teacher (K)

Employed Since: 8/5/2002 19 Years Experience At School

Holds a Bachelor’s degree. Worked in ACA since its inception in 2001.

She has seen the school grow and improve, and she is proud to be part of the Montessori Program. She has a gentle and calm demeanor that helps sooth children.

Wassila Bacha

Kindergarten Teacher (K1)

Employed Since: 2/21/2004 18 Years Experience At School

Holds a Montessori International certification and early childhood degree. Currently working on an Islamic Studies degree to enhance her knowledge.

Successfully ran the Montessori Department helping it to grow to six classrooms.

It is her passion to teach young children. She sees potential and brings out the best in every child.

Tawnya Davis

Librarian & Events Support

Employed Since: 11/19/2020 1 Years Experience At School

Elizabeth Dekkiche

Pre-K1 Homeroom Teacher

Employed Since: 6/1/2007 14 Years Experience At School

Certified through the American Montessori Society and has a degree in early childhood education. She consistently takes many ongoing workshops and trainings to enhance the learning environments in her classroom.

She has been a teacher in early childhood since 2000. ACA has been part of her family for the past 10 years. She is a mother of two ACA graduates and a grandmother of 1. It is a blessing from Allah to teach Muslim children.

Doaa Elsharawy

Early Childhood Teaching Support

Employed Since: 9/19/2012 9 Years Experience At School

Holds a Bachelors Degree in Education. She completed early childhood education training course to be able to work in the early childhood education field.

She consistently takes workshops to enhance her knowledge in her field of work. She is very loving and gentle with children. Her husband was one of the school founders; she has three daughters two graduated from ACA and one still here.

Azza Shalaby

Pre-K2 Homeroom Teacher

Employed Since: 9/21/2020 1 Years Experience At School

Fadwa Souri

Early childhood Teaching Support

Employed Since: 9/8/2019 2 Years Experience At School

I was born in Washington D.C but I grew up in Saudi Arabia. I moved to America in my 20's. I graduated with a Bachelors degree. I worked as a registered nurse. When I had my first daughter, I took a break and found a passion for fashion design. Since then, it is what I have been doing professionally. I am now a pre-school teacher at ACA.