Grades 1-12 Teachers
Samra Abdalla
Grades (1-10) Creative Art Teacher
Employed Since: 10/16/2017 1 Years Experience At School
Parents Office Hours: Mondays 1:45-2:30 PM
Sumaya Abdul-Quadir
Grade (10) Homeroom Teacher & Grades (9-12) Social Studies Teacher
Employed Since: 10/17/2016 2 Years Experience At School
Parents Office Hours: Mondays 8:45 - 9:15 AM and Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:15 PM
Gamal Ahmed
High School Science Teacher
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
Sakina Al-Amin
Elementary Islamic Studies Teacher
Employed Since: 7/23/2018 0 Years Experience At School
Has 10 years of experience instructing medical students on how to better serve their patients. Taught at the Summer Arabic Institute in Michigan. A substitute teacher for the ACA Sunday School and public schools. Member of the National Collegiate Scholar.
Parents Office Hours: Wednesdays 9:15-10:15 AM and Thursdays 9:15-10:15 AM
Hazar Al-Hamawi
Grade (9) Homeroom Teacher & Grades (8-12)Arabic T
Employed Since: 7/27/2009 9 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
Hadeal Alaktaa
Middle School Quran Teacher
Employed Since: 7/30/2018 0 Years Experience At School
- Bachelors in Accounting & Media and Islamic Studies in Damascus.
- Taught English as a second language and Arabic for non-Arabic speakers at Qasid Institute in Jordan.
- Taught Qur'an at the Mosque.
- An honor student at the Islamic Studies University of Abunour Mosque in Damascus.
- Practical Teacher Training at New Horizons International Institute.
- Teacher Training course at Qasid Arabic Institute.
- English courses up to the advanced levels at the American Language Center in Damascus.
Parents Office Hours: Mondays 10:30 - 11:00 AM and Fridays 12:00 - 12:30 PM
Azza Amdouni
Grade (4) Homeroom Teacher
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
Hebah Amireh
Grades (6-7) Arabic Teacher
Employed Since: 1/22/2018 1 Years Experience At School
Arabic teacher at Sunday School 2017-2018. Arabic teacher for middle school at ACA since Jan, 2018.
Bachelor in Physical Therapy 2005.
Diploma in English for Business 2015
Course in Psychological First Aid 2017
Parents Office Hours: Mondays 10:25-11:00 AM
Ghalia Bankasly
Grade (2) Teacher Assistant
Employed Since: 8/18/2016 2 Years Experience At School
Holds a Bachelors degree in English literature from the University of Damascus.
Experience in working at various Sunday Schools (ACA and ICNEV), and last year was my first year at Arizona Cultural Academy teaching Arabic Islamic studies and working on curriculum development.
I am very familiar with the Arabic language and variety of curriculums and how it is taught to students.
Parents Office Hours: Fridays 1:45-2:30 PM
Fozia Basharat
Grade (12) Homeroom Teacher and Grade (10-12) Math Teacher
Employed Since: 8/2/2002 16 Years Experience At School
Degree(s) Earned:
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Master of Public Administration; Major in Finance
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Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Economics
Relevant Experience:
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Standard Secondary Education, 7-12 Certification by Arizona Department of Education
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Qualified to instruct International Baccalaureate Programme
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Dual Enrollment Instructor
Parents Office Hours: Tuesday 2:30 - 3:00 P.M & Wednesday 7:50 - 8:30 A.M
Rawia Gaffar
Grade (7) Homeroom Teacher & Grade (6-8) Math Teac
Employed Since: 10/10/2013 5 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: Thursday 1:45 -2:30 PM and Tuesdays 1:45-2:30 PM
Gilbert Gutierrez
Grades (6-12) Computer & Grade (9) Math Teacher
Teaching experience since 1991. Holds a Masters Degree. Member of the NASSP. Received the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers " award.
Parents Office Hours: Wednesdays 8:40 -9:25 AM and Thursdays 8:40 -9:25 AM
Julia Hammond
Grade (1) Homeroom Teacher
Employed Since: 5/13/2011 8 Years Experience At School
Holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University.
Mrs. 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.
Dalal Jawad
Grade (3) Homeroom Teacher
Employed Since: 7/25/2016 2 Years Experience At School
Parents Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:00 PM and Thursdays 3:30-4:00 PM
Janill Johnsen
Grades (7-10) English Teacher
Employed Since: 7/22/2018 0 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
Shohana Kabir
Grade (5) Homeroom Teacher
Employed Since: 7/28/2015 3 Years Experience At School
This year marks my 8th year in education and this is my 4th year in ACA. I have a master’s degree in education from Arizona State University along with a teaching certificate.
My goal is to make learning a wonderful experience for my students so that they will be excited enough to become a lifelong learner. We are going to have a wonderful time this year while we learn and grow together as a community inshaAllah.
Parents Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30 to 10:00 & Wednesday 10:30 to 11:00
Saifullah Muhammad
Qur'an & Islamic Studies Teacher
Holds a Bachelors degree. Three years experience teaching Islamic Studies. Five years experience working with kids on memorization and tajweed. Has ijazaat in many subjects including the Qur'an. Received certificates in Imamat and dealing with domestic violence as a Muslim leader.
Evlin Mrayan
Grades (1-5) Arabic Teacher
Employed Since: 8/12/2013 5 Years Experience At School
Holds a Bachelors Degree in Human Sciences with concentration on English language.
Experience includes teaching, managing, and supervising students at different grade levels. Participated in faculty and parent conferences and interacted with various young children from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
I am a dedicated elementary school teacher with a comprehensive background providing quality instruction and fostering a positive learning environment. I love teaching young children and I feel they respond well to me.
Parents Office Hours: Mondays 2:35-3:20 PM and Fridays 2:35-3:20 PM.
Derrick Peat
Grades (6-12) Islamic Studies & Grades (9-12) Qur'
Employed Since: 10/16/2017 1 Years Experience At School
Parents office Hours: Mondays1:45-2:30 PM
Omar Saloum
Grade (6) Homeroom Teacher & Middle School Science Teacher
Employed Since: 8/1/2018 0 Years Experience At School
Office Hours: Mondays 9:20-9:50 and Tuesdays 8:05-8:35 AM
Taghreed Sbai
Grade 11 Homeroom Teacher & Grades (11-12) English Teacher
Employed Since: 3/18/2007 12 Years Experience At School
I hold a Montessori Certification from Arizona Institute for Montessori Education (AMI), Secondary Certification from Ottawa University and the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor Degree in English Literature and a Master’s Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. I am certified in International Baccalaureate Language and Literature Studies, Spalding Method 1 &2, KU Writing Strategy, Structured English Immersion, Great Books Instruction, and Socratic Seminars. I am a Dual Enrollment instructor for English 101, English 102, ENH 110 and ENH 111.
Parents Office Hours: Mondays 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM and Thursdays 1:00-1:30 PM
Eva Vaz
Grades (K-5) Interventionist
Employed Since: 8/4/2003 15 Years Experience At School
Parents Office Hours: Mondays 10:20-11:05 AM and Fridays10:20-11:05 AM
Dana Yafaoui
Grade(3)Teacher Assistant
Employed Since: 5/16/2016 3 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: 3/24/2008 11 Years Experience At School
This is my eleventh year teaching second grade at ACA and I absolutely love teaching children. I have 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.Teacher Facebook Page
Parents Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 3:30-4:00 by appointment. To
Montessori Teachers
Nisreen Abdeljaber
Montessori Teacher (M6)
Employed Since: 9/30/2016 2 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.
Wassila Bacha
Montessori Teacher (M1)
Employed Since: 2/22/2004 15 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.
Sana Banaga
Montessori Qur'an & Arabic Teacher
Employed Since: 8/5/2002 16 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.
Elizabeth Dekkiche
Montessori (M5)
Employed Since: 6/1/2007 12 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
Montessori Teaching Support
Employed Since: 9/19/2012 6 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.
Patricia Jamil
Montessori Language Teacher (Kindergarten)
Employed Since: 7/19/2005 13 Years Experience At School
I teach Language Arts in Kindergarten. I earned a Bachelor Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Motherhood led me to my passion, teaching young children. Once my children started school I volunteered in their classrooms. I loved the Montessori method and wanted to teach as a full-time job. I started working at ACA in 2005. I have since adapted the Spalding method to teaching young children to read and write. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help my students develop a love of learning and a strong foundation for literacy.
Sadaf Johar
Montessori Teacher (M6)
Employed Since: 5/12/2011 8 Years Experience At School
I was born in Pakistan. I believe that the teaching profession is the profession of Prophets. I do my best to help her students become good Muslims, by being a role model and relating all teachings with Islamic values. I have a Masters, B.Ed , and Montessori certification from AMS, and have been teaching since 1999. I also have taken various courses in education. I feel blessed to be a part of such an extraordinary institution and a great team of co-workers. Thank you parents for trusting us with your children.
Ayenun Naher
Montessori Teacher (M3)
Employed Since: 4/6/2007 12 Years Experience At School
I am a Montessori teacher and have a Masters Degree, as well as taking many professional development hours in Early Childhood. I have been with ACA since 2007. I have a warm, welcoming personality. I have 2 children who have graduated from ACA. I strive to create the best environment possible for the children. I enjoy working with young children and providing them with a place where they can feel comfortable.
Fatna Sirajaldin
Montessori Teacher (M4)
Employed Since: 2/13/2006 13 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.
Safia Dide
Kindergarten & Quran (Grades 6-9) Teacher
Employed Since: 10/16/2018 0 Years Experience At School