Grades K-12 Teachers


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


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



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.

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)

-
Master of Public Administration; Major in Finance
-
Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Economics
-
Standard Secondary Education, 7-12 Certification by Arizona Department of Education
-
Qualified to instruct International Baccalaureate Programme
-
Dual Enrollment Instructor


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



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




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.

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.



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.



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.
Early Childhood Teachers






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.