Pearls Academy Faculty
Nabila Hoda – Principal
Nabila holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Information Systems from Virginia Tech and a Master’s Degree in Accountancy from The George Washington University. She made a career switch to Education after working in corporate Accounting for many years. She has teaching certifications in Phonics, Creative Writing and Speech Therapy & Creative Drama. Nabila earned her Graduate Diploma in Education from the London Teacher Training College and went on to complete a Certificate of Teaching and Learning from Cambridge University. She also holds Improving Math Instruction and Leaders of Learning certificates from Harvard University.
Nabila taught Middle School and High School Islamic Studies for 5 years at the ADAMS Center Saturday School and worked as an after-school tutor for Phonics and Arabic reading for children for several years before becoming an Early Childhood Education teacher at an Australian International School in Singapore. She was also a Lead Lecturer and Teacher Trainer at the GIG International School in Singapore for 3 years.
Nabila is a Parent & Child Life Coach. She is certified in Child Psychology, Mental Wellness of Children, The Positive Parenting Solutions Method and Neuro Linguistic Programming. With over 20 years of experience as an educator, she is dedicated to developing a love of learning in students and as Principal, is excited to share her expertise and give parents and teachers the tools they need to achieve this.
Shahmashood Raufi (Burhan) – Head of Tahfeedh Teacher
Shahmashood Raufi (Burhan) is a hifdh teacher and began his teaching career in high school. He memorized the Qur’an in 3.5 years, then attended Bayyinah’s Dream Program for 1 year and learned to speak fluent Fusha Arabic. After returning to Virginia, he worked at One Step Ahead for 1 year and soon became an owner the following year. Burhan not only has experience in teaching Qur’an but, is also an experienced administrator. His goal is to see his students become future leaders of the ummah.
Tania Mysorewala – Head of Administration
Tania Mysorewala is an accomplished school administrator with over 13 years of experience working with Islamic schools. She has a Bachelors of Business degree. She has been working with children for over 14 years and is dedicated to the social and emotional development of each child and her goal is to make sure that each child receives the best care and love that they all deserve.
Neshat Hafiz – Tahfeedh Teacher
Neshat Hafiz has been a Quran teacher for the past ten years. She attended Suffolk County Community College for two years and studied child psychology. In addition, she has taken courses such as Aqeedah, Arabic and Child Psychology at Islamic Online University, as well as completing courses in Quranic tajweed.
Neshat is passionate about working with children because it allows her to teach the Deen of Islam in a creative manner. She feels honored by being able to nurture and develop the young minds of the next generation. In her free time she loves to memorize the Quran, garden, and explore new places with her husband and three children.
Fatin El-Hajj – Tahfeedh Teacher
Fatin El-Hajj grew up in Southern Lebanon where she avidly began learning and memorizing the Quran in her early teens. In 1990 she relocated to the United States and subsequently became disconnected from her Quran teachers, interrupting her memorization goals.
In 1999 she enrolled at the Islamic Institution of Arabic Science in Fairfax to pursue further studies of the Quran and its sciences. The IIASA – a branch of Imam Muhammad bin Saud University in Riyadh – provided her unique opportunities to learn from world-class Quran teachers. Grateful to her tremendous mentors, Fatin completed memorizing the Quran in her twenties and was welcomed as a Quran teacher in the Northern Virginia community where she has been teaching for the last two decades. Soon she went on to receive her first Ijaza from Sheikh Mohammad Ar’raee and her second Ijaza from Sheikha Khadijaa Akyurt, with a chain of narration connected to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Seeking more knowledge, in 2018, Fatin embarked on a path to memorize all ten Qira’at. Insha Allah, she hopes to remain on this path until she accomplishes her goal or meets Allah (swt).
While passionate about teaching the Quran, Fatin’s most beloved job is being a mother to her six children, who have grown into amazing young adults. During her free time, she pursues her many interests and hobbies. She has been an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America for over a decade, where she encourages and motivates Muslim youth to be model citizens. She has served as a troop chaplin, committee chair, and merit badge counselor with the Patriot District in Virginia. Some hobbies Fatin enjoys are hiking, camping, craft work, and gardening.
Nasreen Sbitan – Tahfeedh Teacher
Nasreen Sbitan was born in Jordan and obtained her Bachelor degree in Nutrition and Food Processing and a Master degree in Biology from Universities in Jordan. She has four years of teaching experience in Jordan.
She moved to the USA in 2003 with her husband and stayed home for a few years to raise her children. During this time Nasreen took many Quran and Tajweed classes. She is currently taking Quran and Tajweed classes at the American Quran Institute in Ohio and looking forward to obtaining an Ijazah, insha Allah. She pursued teaching when all of her children went to school because it brings her so much joy to watch students excel.
She has also been a substitute teacher at Loudoun County Public Schools. As a lead Quran teacher at Pearls Academy, Nasreen feels very lucky to work in an Islamic environment and with an amazing staff.
Hadeya Torbi - Tahfeedh Teacher
Hadeya grew up in Libya, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Mining Engineering. After her arrival to the United States in 2009, she switched her focus to education, specifically Islamic education. Hadeya has over 12 years of teaching experience, and has completed certificates in Tajweed, Noorani, and Arabic. She is diligent and consistently goes the extra mile to ensure the success of her students.
Lina Samara - Tahfeedh Teacher
Lina Samara was born and raised in Jordan and received her Bachelor's Degree there. She also completed her Ijaazah certificate in 2008. Lina started teaching the Quran as a volunteer in Sunday school and has been a Tahfeedh teacher for the last two years at Pearls Academy. Lina has an enormous passion for the Arabic language and immense understanding of the Quran.
Shrouq Aldeeb - Tahfeedh Teacher
Shurooq Aldeeb was born in Jordan. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Zarqa Private University. Additionally, she has taken Quran and Tajweed classes at the American Quran Institute in Ohio. Shurooq has been teaching Arabic and Quran for the past nine years at multiple Northern Virginia schools.
Eisha Akhtar- Tahfeedh Teacher
Eisha Akhtar obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Arabic from the University of Texas at Austin and her Masters of Arts in Islamic Studies from the University of London (SOAS). She also has a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (CELTA) from Cambridge University. In order to further her educational experience, she pursued traditional Arabic studies abroad in Syria. Eisha has taught Quran and Arabic in various Islamic schools. She believes that through encouragement, praise, and appreciation, students will flourish in the classroom and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Sulaima Arbak – Tahfeedh Teacher
Sulaima Arbak is of Turkish origin, where she earned a degree in Public Relations and Journalism at the University of Istanbul. She also studied journalism and began her TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification in England, after which she earned a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) certification in Canada. She then attended UCLA in California, USA to complete her TESOL certification.
She also lived in Jordan for 13 years, where she studied Arabic with various teachers and earned an ijaza in tajweed. Sulaima and her husband have four children, and live in Sterling, Virginia, USA.
Ghaida Sinjab - Tahfeedh Teacher
Ghaida Sinjab is an Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Quran teacher with over 30 years of experience. A graduate in Arabic and Islamic Sciences from Al Saud University, she has dedicated her life to learning and spreading her knowledge. In her free time, she enjoys attending religious lectures, cooking, and reading with her five children.
Razan Alsrouji - K - 3 Islamic Studies & Arabic Teacher
Razan Alsrouji came to the United States in 2006 from Syria and has greatly enjoyed her life here. She traveled to many states with her family, and decided to settle down in Virginia, which she describes as a great place to stay and raise her family. Razan has three lovely children, and does everything possible to ensure they grow up in a good and caring environment.
Razan holds a Master's Degree in Arabic Language Linguistics from the California University of Pennsylvania and a Master's in Islamic Art from the Islamic University of Minnesota. Ever since she was a child, she had great passion for teaching.
Razan is passionate about teaching and impacting the lives of students positively. She is highly committed to creating a conducive learning environment to help students improve their academic performance. She is also determined to help all students achieve their potential and mold them into responsible and ethical children who will have a positive impact on society.
Her hobbies include calligraphy, sewing, reading poems, and cooking. She also loves traveling, which has helped her gain knowledge about people around the world.
Asma Hassan - Kindergarten Teacher
Asma Hassan holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and Child Psychology. This is her 14th year as a teacher and eighth year as a Kindergarten teacher. In the past, she has also served as a second grade teacher and as a Creative Art Specialist. Her passion is to inspire her students to be lifelong learners and thrivers, with the help of Allah SWT. Her study in Child Development and Child Psychology help her create educational experiences, measure learning, and improve student motivation as an educator. She did her Masters in Interior Design and uses her expertise as an Interior Designer to make her classroom serve as a perfect place for children to grow. Asma's past experiences, mentors, co-teachers and her educational background have given her the tools and resources to help her students in the best way possible. She believes that every student is unique and learns at their own pace and her job as a teacher is to create a safe environment where kids explore, engage, learn, play, make memories and flourish academically, socially and emotionally. She feels very fortunate to work alongside experienced and dedicated staff at Pearls Academy!
Maha Ziedan Nasser – 1st Grade Teacher
Maha Zeidan Nasser has a track record of successful teaching and education reform, and has been teaching children of all ages for over a decade. She grew up in a family of teachers, which inspired her to take on tutoring and mentoring roles as early as 14 years of age.
She married at the age of 18 and moved from her homeland Lebanon to the USA. She graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor’s degree in Science, with a concentration in Health Education. She began her teaching career at Creative Child Islamic School in 2013. She has a deep interest in helping children reach their academic goals using a holistic approach and positive reinforcement techniques to encourage positive behaviors and thriving growth. Her approach motivates children to learn naturally and creatively to be curious and inquisitive, and eventually be innovative in their adult lives.
Maryam Habul - 2nd Grade Teacher
Maryam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Studies from the Ohio State University. She is an enthusiastic teacher who has been surrounded by educators all her life. Her father is the Founder and Director of multiple schools across Columbus, Ohio that have been running for over two decades. Maryam is the eldest of seven siblings and a first-generation graduate. Her teaching journey began in college, where she worked with immigrant and refugee children to build their social and academic confidence. Being a Bosnian American herself, she could relate to the very unique plight they faced. This has inspired her to always lead with compassion, empathy, and identity. Maryam has also taught in Utah and Virginia public schools. She believes that harnessing each child’s individuality is the key to empowering them and their dreams of changing the world for the better.
Mahnoor Hassan - 4th Grade Teacher
Mahnoor Hassan has an Associates Degree in Fine Arts and is on track to earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design from George Mason University. Mahnoor also holds Graduate Certificates in Foundations of Teaching & Learning and Teaching in a Diverse Classroom from Cornell University. She has completed various Professional Development Training Workshops under Ms. Nabila.
Mahnoor comes from a family of Educators. Her mother and grandmother, among several other close family members, have worked in the Education field and Mahnoor is excited to continue on the same path. Mahnoor began teaching as a private tutor at the age of 18. She has been an assistant teacher for Kindergarten and Grade 5 and worked as an extended sub-lead teacher for Grades K-5 at Pearls Academy for 1 year. Mahnoor also worked as a substitute teacher for Middle School and was the Grades 5-8 Lead Teacher for the Pearls Academy Summer School Program.
Mahnoor encourages her students to flourish creatively and strives to connect with them through their interests. She believes that learning is best done in a comfortable and interactive environment and is excited to provide that for her students this year.
Ayman Malik - 5th Grade Teacher
Ayman Malik was born in New York and raised in the Northern Virginia area where she completed all of her schooling. Ayman spent the last year as a substitute teacher and administrator at an Islamic elementary and junior high school in Flushing, New York. She earned her Early Childhood Education Certification while still attending high school, where she worked with preschool-aged kids. She has worked with elementary and middle school children since graduating high school. Ayman is working on completing her Bachelor’s Degree at Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University. Ayman enjoys working with children and believes that in teaching them she has learned a lot of life lessons, including patience. She is very excited for her first year at Pearls Academy.
Sahar Asif – Middle School Math
Sahar Asif is a dedicated educator with 15 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Math and Statistics, followed by a Master's in Economics and Math. Beginning her teaching journey in Pakistan at Lahore Grammar School, Sahar's passion for mathematics led her to instruct and motivate students across various levels, from middle school to advanced math concepts. She has held positions as an instructor and lead instructor at various Mathnasium locations in Northern Virginia. Her diverse experience includes teaching a wide range of math concepts, from foundational topics to advanced subjects like Calculus and statistics. She’s skilled in using different teaching approaches and techniques.
Throughout her career, Sahar has demonstrated a knack for employing diverse teaching approaches and techniques. She's adept at utilizing tools like Delta Math, IXL, Mathia, Kuta Software, and Blooket, adapting her methods to suit students' needs. Her commitment to student progress is evident in her use of varied assessment methods and the strategic adjustment of teaching strategies.
Sahar's teaching expertise extends to extracurricular math activities, where she has coordinated and supervised events that enhance students' engagement with math. With a proven track record of success, she's proficient at preparing students for competitive schools like AOS, AET, Thomas Jefferson, and other gifted programs, fostering strong STEM skills among her students.
As a freelancer, Sahar successfully runs her tutoring platform named "Tutoring Guru," where she finds fulfillment in helping students grasp challenging mathematical concepts and other high school subjects.
Her five-year tenure at Pearls Academy reflects her dedication to both her students' academic growth and the joy of witnessing their success in overcoming mathematical hurdles. With her engaging lesson plans, inclusion of technology, and real-life examples, Sahar creates a dynamic learning environment that encourages critical thinking and participation.
Sahar's impact extends to SAT and ACT preparation, assisting high school students in achieving their best scores. Her commitment to fostering a love for math while facilitating substantial academic growth makes Sahar Asif an outstanding educator who truly transforms students' learning experiences.