Faculty

The school staff is selected based on educational qualifications, certification, proficiency in English, Islamic values and relevant experience. All staff have a high degree of commitment to Islamic values supplemented by sound academic backgrounds and experience. The principal supervises all activities of the school under the rules and regulations set by the school committee and the board of trustees. The teachers, school personnel, and volunteers work under the supervision of the principal.

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administration

Sr. Nur’Izzah Khalil, B.A., M.Ed.

Principal

Sr. Nur earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Psychology from the University of Calgary, Canada, and holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University. She is a licensed K-6 administrator with the Massachusetts Department of Education. Sr. Nur has worked with the City of Calgary, with the Government of Singapore, has over a decade of advertising experience and comes from a family of educators. Sr. Nur joined Al-Noor Academy in 2003; initially as our middle school Social Studies teacher, and later as our third-grade teacher, before assuming her current leadership role. She is ever thankful to Allah s.w.t. for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community and help shape the future of our precious Muslim-American youth.

Sr. Nur may be reached at [email protected].

Sr. Dalal Aldajani, B.Sc.

Administrative Manager

Sr. Dalal graduated from University of Jordan with a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and has taught in an Islamic school in London, UK, for three years. Subsequently she participated in a Saturday Islamic school for two years in Cambridge, MA, and currently holds an administrative position at ANA-Sharon campus. Outside of work, Sr Dalal actively leads a Girls Scout troop and is skilled in arts and crafts projects.

Sr. Dalal may be reached at [email protected].

 

Ms. Sasha Martone, MSW, LICSW

School Counselor

Ms. Sasha received her MSW from New York University in 1997 and has extensive clinical and program experience working with children, adolescents and young adults with emotional disorders, mental illnesses, and learning disabilities in a variety of settings including community mental health, education, agency, and private practice settings. She has worked as a school social worker providing a range of educational supports, risk assessments, clinical interventions, and program design activities to support students. Ms. Sasha is skilled in providing transition services for preschoolers, rising middle schoolers, and exiting high school
students and has worked extensively with regular and special education teachers to provide classroom
supports to students with diverse needs as well as providing group programs and support for
social/emotional skill development.

Ms. Sasha may be reached at [email protected].

Ms. Taina chatelaine, B.A., R.N.

School Nurse

Nurse Taina obtained her Bachelors of Arts degree in Biology then continued to obtain her Degree in Nursing from Laboure College. She is a licensed registered nurse with strong experience in delivering quality care to patients and has worked at Newton Wellesley Hospital along with various nursing homes within the state.  She has relevant nursing experience at an elementary/middle school where she supported students of different ages/grades ranging from 7 to 14 years old. Likewise, Nurse Taina is excited to build solid relationships with Al-Noor Academy’s community of students, parents, and staff and is committed to providing compassionate care while educating and encouraging adherence to medical interventions and school policies for the betterment of the community as a whole.

Nurse Taina may be reached at [email protected].

 

islamic studies department

Sr. Rachida Benkaci

Arabic Lead Teacher

With over ten years of experience teaching Arabic language at our ANA-Sharon campus, Sr. Rachida is a certified Arabic teacher from Algiers. Armed with extensive knowledge in Arabic language and literature, she has been a driving force behind the Arabic department, has given workshops and has contributed tremendously towards instilling the love of the holy language of the Quran in the hearts and minds of our students for many years. We welcome her back with a prayer that she may continue with her dedicated service to the school with the same zeal so that our students go on to learn and excel in the Arabic language, insha’Allah.

Sr. Rachida may be reached at [email protected].

 

Sr. Asma Shaqrah, B.A., M.A.

Quran Teacher 

Sr. Asma Shaqrah obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Arabic Language and Literature from the University of Jordan, and her Master’s Degree from American College. She has been teaching Arabic for 10 years; 3 years in Jordan and 7 years at Al-Noor Academy. Sr. Asma is the head of the Arabic Department at Muslim American Society Council of Islamic Schools (MASCIS) and has done many projects in the school such as “My School” video clip and the Arabic Calligraphy project. Sr. Asma’s goal is to help the students understand Quran through teaching Arabic to build strong Muslims and build a strong Muslim community.

Sr. Asma may be reached at [email protected].

 

Sr. Nour Hakim, B.A.

Religion Teacher, B.Sc. 

Sr. Nour holds a degree in Engineering from Tishreen University in Syria and also studied Islamic Studies for 2 years at a college called Zad Academy. She has experience teaching Math in the UAE and has been an involved community member in education since her family moved to the US. Sr. Nour has not only taught Religion, Quran and Arabic at ICNE’s Saturday school, and at Noble Academy, but has also been a part of our Arabic department at our school in the past. Sr. Nour has also supervised and taught all Quran classes held at the Brockton masjid these past three years. She is looking forward to rejoining ANA and a successful year together with students, and our ANA community.

Sr. Nour may be reached at [email protected].

Islamic Studies Co-Teachers 

EArly Childhood faculty

Ms. Oumeima Terki, B.Sc.

Preschool Teacher 

Sr. Oumeima holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Constantine, Algeria, and is a licensed preschool lead teacher. She had been working at the Lowell YMCA for three years prior to joining Al-Noor Academy and is now excited to be a part of our school community.

Ms. Oumeima can be reached at [email protected]. 

Ms. Toqa Assaf, B.A.

Preschool Teacher 

Ms. Toqa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art & Design. Ms. Toqa is an EEC-licensed preschool teacher, and is a proud Al-Noor Academy alumna. She has been active in youth activities within the community having been a volunteer for many years with entities like Utopia and Muslim American Society. This is Ms. Toqa’s second year as an Al-Noor faculty and she is excited to return as our preschool teacher. 

Ms. Toqa can be reached at [email protected].

Ms. Hana Ruzaiqat, B.A.

Preschool Teacher 

Ms. Hana holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Hebron University. She brings experience as a bilingual
conference interpreter at the university’s Art College, as well as a bilingual English teacher and translator at the Target Center for Education. Additionally, she has contributed to volunteer efforts with the Ramadan Children’s Club and hosted Swedish student groups at Hebron University. Ms. Hana joined Al-Noor Academy last year, supporting our third grade class, and is looking forward to applying her diverse skills and expertise as our preschool teacher this year. 

Ms. Hana can be reached at [email protected]. 

 

Sr. Hebaallah Hasan, B.A., M.Ed.

Kindergarten Teacher & Early Elementary Lead Teacher (PreK-2)

Sr. Heba is our Lead Teacher for our two preschool classes. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Languages and Literature from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt and majored in Greek and Latin. She successfully received her Master’s in Education with a major in Early Childhood from American College. Sr. Heba is a certified pre-school teacher with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). She has enjoyed working with our beautiful four-year-old children since 2004.

S.r Heba may be reached at [email protected].

 

Ms. Nadine Sinno

Kindergarten Co-Teacher 

Ms. Nadine is a licensed educator with the Early Education and Care (EEC) and is in her third year teaching at Al-Noor Academy. Her youngest two children are attending our elementary school and she is looking forward to yet another year of making  significant contributions toward the holistic growth of our community children. 

Ms. Nadine may be reached at [email protected].

 

Ms. Souheir Al-Mousa, A.S.

First Grade Teacher

Ms. Souheir grew up in Damascus, Syria. She studied French literature at Damascus University and has Early Childhood Teacher certification with EEC. She lived with her family in Saudi Arabia for four years, in Oman for two years, and in the United Arab Emirates for three years. While in the Emirates, she worked in the library at the American University of Sharjah. Ms. Souheir relocated to Massachusetts in 2002 and began working at our ANA-Sharon campus that year as a kindergarten assistant and has been our kindergarten teacher for more than ten years. Ms. Souheir celebrates her students’ growth and learning during the year they are with her. She enjoys the privilege of being able to see them read and write and is currently leading our first grade classroom.

Ms. Souheir may be reached at [email protected].

Sr. Amirah Amawi-Serhan, B.S. M.Ed.

First Grade Teacher

Sr. Amirah holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology, and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Over the years, Sr. Amirah has been a part of Al-Noor Academy having previously notl only taught in our preschool grade, but had also taught Art to our Kindergarten and First grade classes. Sr. Amirah has returned to ANA this year to co-teach in our first grade class, and is excited to continue her passion in educating our youth of tomorrow!

Sr. Amirah may be reached at [email protected].

 

Sr. Busra Algur B.Sc.

First Grade Teacher

Sr Busra obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Trakya and, prior to her foray into education, she had experience working as an Embryologist in Cologne, Germany. She subsequently pursued her interest in education and earned her certification in Education Pedagogy from 18 Mart University in Turkey. Upon her relocation to the U.S., Sr Busra taught Science, Quran and Religion at the Boston Dialogue Foundation for a number of years. She is a mother of three and is acutely passionate about teaching.

Sr Busra may be reached at [email protected]

 

Ms. Rabiya Atcha, B.A.

Second Grade Teacher 

Ms. Atcha was born and raised in Chicago. Eventually moving to New York, she graduated from City University of New York’s Queens College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, as well as Psychology. Ms. Atcha is also licensed through the New York State Department of Education as an elementary education teacher and had worked closely with the New York City’s public schools (Queens). At Al-Noor Academy, Ms. Atcha has taught both fifth and second grades  and is excited to continue making a difference in the education of our young children. In her spare time, Ms. Atcha enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with her family. 

Ms. Atcha may be reached at [email protected].

 

Ms. Hina Shaikh, B.A.

Second Grade Teacher

Ms. Hina holds a Bachelor’s degree from York College, New York, with a major in Early Childhood Education, and obtained her Master’s degree in Literacy and Reading from Grand Canyon University. Sr. Hina is New York Board of Education-certified and has experience teaching second and third grades in both public and private school settings. Sr. Hina has two children enrolled at Al-Noor Academy and cherishes the privilege of developing the minds and talents of our younger generation.

Ms. Hina may be reached at [email protected].

 

Early Childhood Support Staff, PreK-2nd

 

Upper Elementary faculty

Sr. Sawsan Mezyan, B.A.

Third Grade Teacher

Sr. Sawsan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and has extensive academic administration experience having served overseas as Head of the English Department at Saad National School for Girls, where she oversaw curriculum development, teacher supervision, assessment creation, and academic planning for intermediate and secondary grades. She has been a part of Al-Noor Academy over the years by being the main substitute teacher and had even taught English Language Arts for two years to ANA’s middle school students. Sr. Sawsan currently teaches part-time at the Middle and High School ELA in Norwood helping students strengthen their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. She encourages collaboration and peer-work to foster independent learning, and works closely with families to support each child’s academic and personal development.

Sr. Sawsan may be reached at [email protected].

Ms. Khola Siddiqui, B.A.

Fourth Grade Teacher

4th-5th ELA & Social Studies Teacher

Ms. Khola earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Boston’s Simmons University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Education. As part of her practicum, Ms. Khola taught a fourth grade elementary class at the Seekonk Public Schools, and she is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Education. Commendably, Ms. Khola is active within our greater muslim community having taught both first and third grade at Al-Kareem’s weekend-Sunday school in Rhode Island. As a proud Al-Noor Academy alumna, Ms. Khola  is excited to return to our academy again, this year, as our fourth-fifth grade ELA and Social Studies teacher!

Ms. Khola may be reached at [email protected].

Mrs. Shamaila Zia, MD

Fifth Grade – Homeroom Teacher

4th-5th Math & Science Teacher

Mrs. Zia received her Bachelor’s of Medicine & Surgery degree from Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi in 1992. She then completed her medical internship in Medicine & Surgery from Civil Hospital, Karachi, receiving excellence in both. In her medical school, she actively participated in debates and received the best debater award. She relocated to the U.S. in 2001 and brings her passion for science to the classroom. She has taught science to grades six through 10 and has served as our fourth-grade homeroom teacher since 2015-16. She has also contributed to the community volunteering as ICNE-Sharon’s Youth Director, Women’s Event Organizer and Sunday School Teacher.

Upper Elementary Support Staff

Br. Zineddine Benkaci

School Maintenance

Br. Zineddine is another familiar face amongst the staff at IANE and ANA. Br. Zine has been in charge of the janitorial services at both schools for many years now. Not only have his services been invaluable in maintaining the buildings at both schools, this father of three’s daily presence at the school has always been a source of comfort and joy for all the staff at the school where everyone has embraced him as part of their family and has depended on his helping hand time and time again. Alhumdulilah, Br. Zine will be continuing his service to the school again this year and we welcome him back with great warmth and joy.

Mr. Ruben Mendez

School Janitor

Mr. Ruben Mendez plays a critical role in ensuring that our buildings at both Mansfield and Sharon campuses remain spotless! He joined ANA faculty in 2014 after working with the school for the four previous years through a private cleaning company. Mr. Ruben enjoys soccer and lives with his wife and two sons.