Elementary

Sister Kifah is an instructional coordinator for PreK3-1st grade and a learning interventionist for elementary grades. She graduated from San Jose State in 2006 with a Bachelor's in Child and Adolescent Development. With over 15 years of experience working with children, she has served as a youth camp counselor, after-school aide, substitute teacher, and lead teacher for the last 11 years. Kifah has been associated with ILM for the past 12 years. Kifah believes that children's experiences during their first school years set the stage for future success. Kifah serves ILM in a different capacity this year.

This year, I'm thrilled to be a part of the ILM Academy team as a first-grade teacher. I have spent the last three fulfilling years as a kindergarten teacher. The unwavering enthusiasm of elementary students as they explore and learn new things constantly inspires and motivates me in my teaching role.

I graduated from the American University of Madaba, Jordan, with a BA in Banking and Finance. Originally from Buffalo, NY, I moved to Jordan with my family before relocating to Georgia just a year ago. Beyond the classroom, I'm passionate about crafts and DIY projects, which I enjoy during my free time.

With eighteen years of experience, Shabana Ahmed brings her teaching passion and enthusiasm to the second-grade classroom at ILM Academy. She has been associated with ILM Academy since its earliest years. In addition to holding an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and a bachelor's in Organizational Leadership, she is a trained reading therapist based on Orton and Gillingham methodology, a systematic and multi-sensory approach to reading instruction that benefits all student learning styles. She loves reading and writing and aims to create this behavioral contagion in her classroom!

My name is Leila Herwis. This academic year is my fourth year working at ILM Academy. I was born and raised in Southern California and received my bachelor's degree in fine arts with an emphasis in graphic design from California State University of Long Beach in 2007.

I have seven years of classroom experience. I am deeply devoted to working with children in our community. Helping each child progress academically, socially, and Islamically brings me immense joy and contentment. I believe that students deserve to learn in a safe and loving environment.

I am married and have four wonderful children. Alhamdullah. I enjoy painting, drawing, baking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

My name is Madeeha Nisar, and this is my 7th year teaching at Ilm Academy! I am from Canada and received my Bachelor's in Education from the University of Toronto. Alhamdulillah, I have also completed the requirements for teaching certification in Georgia.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in kindergarten! Teaching is my passion, and I especially love helping children discover the magic of reading. I completed training in the Science of Reading in the summer of 2023 and am currently en route to obtaining the Orton-Gillingham certification.

I have four wonderful children and love being outdoors with them, whether hiking, biking, or running. I am currently training for a half marathon, inshallah! I love animals, especially polar bears, turtles, and cats (I have two cats named Shadow and Quicksilver).

I aim to provide my students with a welcoming, loving, and safe classroom environment. It is an honor to have the opportunity to teach the future leaders of the Ummah.

Sister Humera Vaid has worked with ILM Academy for the past ten years. She has worked in PreK3, 2nd grade, and is currently the 3rd Teacher's Assistant. She has a Bachelor in Arts. Sister Humera believes strongly in treating students with kindness and compassion. She enjoys traveling and attending social events and is a proud grandmother of three beautiful children, alhamdulillah. Masha Allah, she is an asset to the third graders and ILM Academy!

My name is Sara Mustafa, and I have been working as a 4th grade teacher at ILM Academy for the past three years. I graduated from High Point University in North Carolina with a BA in Elementary Education. I hold a Georgia State teaching certification.

I have been teaching and working with children since 2009 and love it. Of many things I love about teaching, the most prominent is that it brings me absolute joy when I see my students being excited about overcoming a challenge or mastering a new task. I enjoy hands-on learning and problem-solving in the classroom.

I have lived in Georgia for fifteen years with my husband and a wonderful daughter, Laila. I enjoy arts and crafts along with exploring nature.

My name is Ridah Ghoari. I have been with ILM Academy for six months. I am passionate about educating the youth and cultivating future leaders. Alongside my role as an educator, I hold a Bachelor's in Sociology from York University and a Master's in Dispute Resolution from SOAS University of London, which has provided me with a solid foundation in understanding human dynamics and conflict management. Previously, I've contributed my skills and dedication to ensuring safe water access for communities while working at The Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO).

Beyond work, I am a person of gastronomic characteristics who finds immense fulfillment in refining two of my passions: cooking and gardening. Exploring diverse cuisines and experimenting in the kitchen is a creative outlet while nurturing plants allows me to unwind.

Family is at the core of my world, as I share my life's adventures with a loving husband and two amazing boys.

My name is Hamida Mohamed. I started teaching Arabic and the Quran in 2010 and working in the Arabic Language Department at Ilm Academy in 2022. Now, I am a Qur’an teacher for Elementary and Middle school.

I graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Department of Business Administration at the University of Benghazi, Libya, and from Zad Academy for Sharia online. I also have an Ijaza degree from Al-Qaeda Al-Noorania. I have three lovely kids and am proud to say they are all students at Ilm Academy. I like to play football in a private environment.

My name is Rania Aboulkhair. I'm from Egypt and have a bachelor's degree in computer science. Teaching was one of my passions I discovered when I taught coding to college students in 2001, a few years after graduating from university. Soon after, I began teaching the Quran to middle school students at the Masjid. I have lived in the US for 13 years now. Shortly after I moved to the States, I decided to change my career and focus on teaching Qur'an and Arabic. I have had several formal training and teaching experiences at different Georgia organizations and Masajid. I will complete my fifth year of teaching at Ilm this year.

I love learning meaningful knowledge and teaching it to others. In my free time, I enjoy exploring nature and meeting new people!

My name is Mehwish Ahmed. She has been an Islamic studies teacher for three years in upper elementary and middle school. Originally from Pakistan, she holds an MBBS (MD) degree and post-graduate training in Pediatrics. She has taken Nuraniyyah certification from Al-Furqan, Saudi Arabia; Seerah of Prophet (SAW) from Al-Huda International Canada; Detailed Tafseer of the Quran from Nur-ul-QUran Institute International, and Fiqh courses on Zakah'h and Hajj from Al-Huda International. In her free time, she memorizes the Quran. She has lived with her husband and two kids, a daughter and a son, in Atlanta since 2009.

Zarina Mohammad is an educator committed to teaching the Quran, Islamic Studies, and Computer Science using interactive tools and technology. She has been associated with ILM Academy for the past six years. She earned her bachelor's degree in math science, a diploma in Islamic studies and computer science, and a certification in Qaida Nooraniyah. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that learning the Quran is a transformative and lifelong journey. Strive to create a nurturing and respectful environment where students not only master the technical aspects of Quranic recitation but also develop a profound connection with the spiritual guidance of the Quran. And emphasize the importance of understanding and implementing Islamic teachings in daily life.

My name is Asma Alnahas. I'm a Qur'an teacher. I'm from Damascus, Syria; I have an Economics and Business bachelor's degree from Damascus University, certified in Nooraniah from Al-Furqan Center.

I started teaching the Qur'an at Ilm Academy seven years ago; this is my twenty-second year teaching this subject.

I have three lovely children: A 24-year-old son working in the cyber security field of IT, a 21-year-old daughter in her second year of undergraduate, and a 13-year-old in the eighth-grade gifted program. I have different hobbies: cooking, walking, climbing, and reading.

My name is Sauda Liya. I am a Quran teacher for Elementary grades and a Hifdh program coordinator. I earned a bachelor's in business administration specializing in human resources from the University of Toronto, Canada. In addition to pursuing my HR career, I devoted my spare time to learning the Qur'an from Al-Furqan Group of Education, Jeddah, and Islamic Studies through various institutions.

My passion for teaching children led me to earn a certification in teaching the Qur'an with tajweed in an authentic manner. Alhamdulillah, I have eleven rewarding years of teaching experience and have been associated with ILM for the past eight years.

My name is Fadoua Abida. I hold an associate's degree in computer science from Georgia Perimeter College and a bachelor's degree in computational media from Georgia Institute of Technology. Before developing an interest in computers, I received a diploma in accounting and administration from the French School of Technical Training, Efet, in Morocco, where I was born and raised. During my years of study, I worked as a freelance translator, translating from English to Arabic. Teaching and working with kids has been my passion, and I am honored to have been part of the ILM Academy Team for the last year and a half. I am also a mother of two who enjoys art and weaving.

My family background is from Eritrea. I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. I'm a mom of four children. I studied sociology at Princesses Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh. This is my fourth year in ILM as a parent and my second year as a staff member. I teach Arabic to upper elementary and middle school students. I happened to be mom to one of the ILM's teachers who also taught high school at ILM.

My experience in education began as a tutor for almost four years. I started off tutoring family, friends, and some of my classmates. I worked in administration at my high school for one year. When I moved to the United States, I taught Arabic and the Quran at Sunday Community Sudanese School. My favorite hobby is painting.

My name is Heba Aly Hassan. I received my Bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of Alexandria, Egypt, in 1999. I am currently enrolled in a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Georgia College. I have been teaching for the last twenty years and have been lucky to teach Visual Arts and Physical Education at ILM Academy for the last twelve years. Art has been my lifelong passion, and I bring that enthusiasm into the classroom every day. I'm always on the lookout for fresh, exciting projects that will teach artistic skills and spark a love for creativity that lasts a lifetime. Teaching art to kids is my passion. In my class, I want kids to feel free to be themselves. Art is more for me than just drawing; it's about having fun, trying new things, and being proud of what they create. I like my students to explore painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital art. Outside of the classroom, I am interested in painting and calligraphy. I am married and have two kids who are currently in college.