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Our Team

Page Contents

  • Our Team
  • Board of Directors
  • Board Consultant
  • Principal
  • Administration
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • PTA
  • School Council Parent Representatives

Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board Salaheddine Tomeh

Dr. Salaheddine Tomeh has served on the ACA Board since its inception in 1996. A vascular surgeon in private practice in the Phoenix area since 1981, he is certified by the American Board of Surgery. He has also served as Chairman of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix and the Islamic Cultural Center in Tempe. As a longtime community leader and proud ACA grandparent, Dr. Tomeh brings deep institutional knowledge and a longstanding commitment to ACA’s mission.

Hanann Tomeh

Member at Large

Dr. Hanann Tomeh is a dentist, educator, longtime ACA parent, and community volunteer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with honors from Arizona State University and studied dentistry at the University of Southern California. She has practiced dentistry in Arizona and then taught at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH) for 13 years, where she supervised students in simulation and clinical care. She is currently the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at ASDOH and heads the curriculum committee and oversees preparation for accreditation. She has also led ACA’s Sacred Sciences Committee and supported programs including Girls’ Garden. She is the parent of two ACA alumni and two current students.  She believes ACA has the ability to cultivate our students to be strong American Muslims who benefit society and excel academically and professionally.

Musab S. Hommos

Member at Large

Dr. Musab Hommos is a physician, medical educator, and ACA parent. At Mayo Clinic Arizona, he serves as Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Assistant Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine, and Program Director of the Nephrology Fellowship. He is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine and is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. In 2026, he joined the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Nephrology Board. As a parent of two ACA students, Dr. Hommos brings both an educator’s experience and a parent’s perspective to supporting ACA’s mission.

Rheem Kabbani

Board Treasurer

Rheem Kabbani has a professional background in accounting, marketing, and product management. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Accounting from California State University, Fullerton, and completed an MBA Business Certificate program through Sallie Mae Inc. Her experience includes roles in stock-option accounting, product management, and marketing communications. She has also served as Vice Chair of ACA’s Umrah Committee. A proud ACA parent of three alumni, Rheem brings financial and organizational experience to her role as Board Treasurer.

Susan Bassal

Board Secretary

Susan Bassal is an attorney and communications professional with experience in law, media, and community advocacy. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law and previously worked with CNN’s White House Unit and the U.S. House of Representatives Radio-Television Correspondents. She has also served as a spokesperson for the Arizona Muslim Alliance. As a former ACA parent, Susan brings legal, communications, and community experience to her role as Board Secretary.

Zayed Al-Sayyed

Member at large

Zayed Al-Sayyed is a practicing attorney in the Phoenix area. He earned his Juris Doctor from Phoenix School of Law and a master’s degree in taxation from Arizona State University. A member of ACA’s first graduating senior class in 2006, Zayed has a longstanding connection to the school as both an alumnus and board member. His legal and financial background, together with his experience as an ACA graduate, gives him a unique perspective on ACA’s growth, governance, and mission.

Board Consultant

Shelley Isai

Dr. Shelley Isai is an educator and school leader with more than 20 years of experience in education, holding a doctorate in Innovation and Leadership from Arizona State University.

Administration

Julia Hammond

Vice Principal of Operations

Julia Hammond serves as ACA’s Vice Principal of Operations. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, and holds an AZ teaching certification. At ACA, she taught in the classroom and led Early Childhood before moving into broader school operations. As Vice Principal of Operations, she supports the systems, programs, facilities, safety, and day-to-day operations that help ACA provide a safe and effective learning environment for students and staff. A proud parent of three ACA alumni and one current ACA student, Julia also brings a parent’s perspective and a longstanding personal connection to the school community.

Lama Zaino

Vice Principal of Climate & Culture

Lama Zaino serves as ACA’s Vice Principal of Climate & Culture. In this role, she works closely with students, families, and staff to support a positive school culture, reinforce student expectations, address behavioral concerns, and strengthen communication across the school community. She also supports student activities and programs that encourage engagement and belonging. Lama brings a student-centered approach to helping ACA maintain an environment rooted in strong character, accountability, and the school’s Islamic values.

Lynda Dekkiche

Vice Principal of Academics

Lynda Dekkiche serves as ACA’s Vice Principal of Academics. She earned an MBA from Canadian University Dubai and bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Family & Human Development from Arizona State University. Her educational experience includes guidance counseling, early childhood education, and instructional coaching in both the United States and abroad. At ACA, Lynda leads academic and instructional efforts focused on curriculum, teacher support, student achievement, and continuous improvement across grade levels.

Sekar Cortes

Facility & Real Estate Director

Sekar Cortes is an engineer and experienced business leader with a master’s degree in Business Administration and more than 20 years of experience managing an engineering firm. She has served the ACA community since 2005 in numerous capacities, including PTA President, School Council member, and Board member. As the parent of three ACA alumni, Sekar brings both a longstanding connection to the school and extensive experience in facilities, project management, and organizational leadership to her role as Facility & Real Estate Director.

Yusuf Masud

Director of Development

Yusuf Shah Masud serves as ACA’s Director of Development, supporting school advancement, community engagement, and scholarship opportunities for families. A graduate of Zaytuna College, he also holds an Arizona secondary-education teaching certification with a specialization in history and government. Yusuf is a certified personal finance coach focused on expanding financial literacy within the Muslim community. His background in education, community service, and development supports ACA’s mission and helps strengthen connections between the school, its families, and the broader community.

Faculty

Ahlam Samad

Elementary Homeroom Teacher and Assistant Athletic Director

Alysha Binion

PE Coach

Asija Abazi

Elementary Homeroom Teacher

Asma Alnour

Early Childhood Teacher

Ayenun Naher

Early Childhood Teacher

Crystal Alvarez

Elementary Homeroom Teacher

Dana Yafaoui

Elementary Arabic Teacher

Dema Dekmak

Middle and High School Qur'an Teacher

Dennis Brands

PE Teacher

Doaa Elsharawy

Early Childhood Teacher

Douaa Shabaan

Quran Instructional Assistant

Elizabeth Dekkiche

Elementary Teacher

Emina Leas

School Counselor

Fadwa Souri

Elementary Qur'an Instructional Assistant

Farhiya Mohamed

Early Childhood Teacher

Faten Abousaleh

Art Teacher

Fatima Osman

Middle School Humanities Teacher

Fatna Sirajaldin

Elementary Quran Teacher

Fozia Basharat

Academic Counselor and High School Math Teacher

Ghalia Bankasly

Elementary Homeroom Teacher

Halema Shahabuddin

Early Childhood Instructional Assistant

Hassan Sharif

Elementary Middle and High School Qur'an Teacher

Haya Al Shaleh

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Hazar Al-Hamawi

High School Arabic Teacher

Imaan Mohamed Ali

Elementary Homeroom Teacher and PTA Secretary/ Treasurer

Jakia Chowdhury

Elementary Teacher

Jason Grosch

High School Science Teacher

Jaylal Naimi

Middle and High School Arabic Teacher

Kaldia Khalaf

School Counselor

Madiha Shakeel

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Maha Alsakka

Elementary Islamic Studies and High School Quran Teacher

Maria Ziaullah

High School Humanities Teacher

Mariam Bacha

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Mariam Warsame

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Marwa Khoshnaw

Early Childhood Instructional Assistant

Mays Mahayni

Elementary and Middle School Arabic Teacher and High School Qur'an Teacher

Mirvat Arabi

Qur'an Instructional Assistant

Monica Brownlee

Middle and High School Humanities Teacher

Mussarat Hasan

Early Childhood Teacher

Nada Al Kharasani

Early Childhood Teacher

Nargiza Umarova

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Nita Reksodiputro

Early Childhood Teacher

Noha Aboelmaaty

Elementary Homeroom Teacher

Noor Hamsho

Elementary Arabic Instructional Assistant

Noor Hassan

Middle and High School STEM Teacher

Nora Nugaal

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Raghd Mahayni

High School Arabic Teacher

Raneen Al Masri

Middle and High School Quran Instructional Assistant

Rawia Gaffar

Instructional Coach- Middle School Math Teacher

Sadaf Johar

Early Childhood Teacher

Safaa Abdeljaber

Early Childhood Teacher

Sama Katbi

Middle School Islamic Studies Teacher

Samra Abdalla

Art Teacher

Sana Alattar

High School Islamic Studies Teacher and Middle and High School Qur'an Teacher

Sana Banaga

Early Childhood Instructional Assistant

Selcuk Guncu

High School Math Teacher

Shaza Tabaa

Elementary Qur'an Instructional Assistant

Shohana Kabir

Instructional Coach and Middle School Humanities Teacher

Tayyaba Maqsood

Elementary Homeroom Teacher

Terrence Harper

Middle School Humanities and Math Teacher and Athletic Director

Ubaid Sheikh

High School Humanities Teacher

Wassila Bacha

Elementary Homeroom Teacher

Widad Boussaha

Middle School STEM Teacher

Zarghuna Gheyasi

Early Childhood Teacher

Zoha Ezzou

Middle and High School Qur'an Teacher

Staff

Abir Hassn

Early Childhood Coordinator

Abraham Barron

Safety & Security Guard

Afshan Sheikh

Student Services

Ahmed Hussain

Safety & Security Officer

Alaa Alian

Principal's Assistant

Amina Abdulla

Custodian

Azza Shalaby

Admin Support

Cindy Schwank-Saleh

Admin Support

Doaa Ismail

Registrar

Edith Castillo

Custodian

Helen Yan

Lunch Coordinator

Hulla Dawelbait

Media and Event Coordinator

Khadidja Maouche

School Nurse

Khattab Al Jaboori

IT Coordinator

Marwa Shaheen

Librarian

Muhannad Abdulrazzak

Facility Helper

Nermin Elsharawy

Lunch Support

Safa Elhassan

Receptionist

Sahba Sadat

Human Resources

PTA

Fatma Zadnas

PTA VP

Humera Aslam

PTA President

Imaan Mohamed Ali

Elementary Homeroom Teacher and PTA Secretary/ Treasurer

School Council Parent Representatives

Abraham Nurhssien

President

Anam Ali

K–8 Parent Representative

Fatima Ali

9-12 Parent Representative

Ishra Solieman

Early Childhood Parent Representative

Kiran Chaudhry

K-8 Parent Representative

Additional School Council Members

Board: Sahalheddin Tomeh
Board: Irfan Choudhery
VP Academics: Lynda Dekkiche
VP Climate and Culture: Lama Zaino
VP Operations: Julia Hammond
Facility Director: Sekar Cortes
Athletic Director/ Assistant: Terrence Harper & Ahlam Samad
School Counselor: Emina Leas & Kaldia Khalaf
Imam/ Islamic Lead: Vacant
Early Childhood Teacher: Nargiza Umarova
K-8 Teacher: Elizabeth Dekkiche
K-8 Teacher: Dana Yafaoui
High School Teacher: Vacant
PTA: Humera Aslam/ Fatima Zadnas
Student Council: Hamza Samad
Student Council: Aroush Bahadur
Scribe: Nadia El-Hilal

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