Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Board

Faculty

Rana Al-Azm

Rana Al-Azm is the principal. Started with HPA in 2018

Iuliia Salama

Iuliia Salama is an Office Manager. Started with HPA in 2022

Sheikha Ahmed

Shikha Ahmed is the Montessori director. Started with HPA in 2019.

Nebras Dawood

Nebras Dawood is a lead Montessori teacher. Started with HPA in 2022.

Sadiqa Usmani

Sadiqa Usmani is a lead Montessori teacher. Started with HPA in 2016.

Bouchra Lahjab Luman

Bouchra Luman is a Montessori teacher assistant. Started with HPA in 2017.

Shahla Ahmed

Shahla Ahmed is a Montessori teacher assistant. Started with HPA in 2022.

Islam Abed Alqaderl

Islam Abed Alqaderl is a Montessori teacher assistant. Started with HPA in 2018.

Abir Alassad

Abir Alassad is a Montessori Teacher Assistant. Started with HPA in 2017.

Sadia Asad

Sadia Asad is a 1st grade core subjects teacher. Started with HPA in 2023.

Fatma Ragab

Fatma Ragab is Montessori and 1st grade Quran and Arabic teacher. Started with HPA in 2010.

Sarah Salim

Sarah Salim is a 2nd and 3rd grades Math and Science teacher. Started with HPA in 2018.

Israt Jahan

Israt Jahan is a 2nd and 3rd grades ELA & Social Studies teacher. started with HPA in 2022.

Donia Elbrolosy

Donia Elbrolosy is a 2nd through 6th grade Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies teacher. Started with HPA in 2014.

Kanwal Huq

Kanwal Huq is a 4th and 5th grade Math and Science teacher. Started with HPA in 2023.

Walaa AlHaj

Walaa AlHaj is a Monressori co-teacher. Started with HPA in 2023.

Raghda Barakat-Ouassini

Ms Raghda is a 4, 5, and 6th grade core subjects teacher. Started with HPA in 2022.

Mehreen Mirza

Mehreen Mirza is an elementary PE, art, substitute and science teacher. Started with HPA in 2021.

Walaa Mahmoud

Walaa Mahmoud is a substitute teacher. Started with HPA in 2023.

Rana Al-Azm

Principal

Rana Al-Azm is the principal. Started with HPA in 2018. “My lifetime education journey began in 1986 with a passion for developing the lives of children. I have taught all grades, starting from preschool to seniors. I have served several Muslim communities across the United States by conducting sister’s halaqahs, women and children’s camps, and other community-building activities, as well as facilitating parenting classes and counseling youth. I have created effective Quran, Arabic and Islamic Studies curriculums. From 1995-2002, I served as a vice-principal then a principal at MTI. My educational background is in education, Shariah, and business and organizational management.”

Iuliia Salama

Office Manager

Iuliia Salama is an Office Manager. Started with HPA in 2022. “I've been blessed to be a part of the HPA family since 2018 in different roles: a parent, a volunteer, a PTO chair and now as a staff member. I am passionate about helping our children become the best they can be, to be confident, resilient and authentic. I am an advocate for conscious parenting, positive discipline and emotional intelligence. I have a Bachelor of Science in IT and over a decade of experience working in banking. My other interests include gardening, raising chickens, arts and crafts, and neuroscience”.

Sheikha Ahmed

Shikha Ahmed is the Montessori director. Started with HPA in 2019.

I received a BS in Human Development and Family Science from UT Austin. I am a proud educator and a mom. My children feel at home while they are here at the school and I hope your children and you will feel the same way. Your children are our children.

Nebras Dawood

Montessori teacher

I hold a bachelor's degree and a Montessori certificate. I have four children, their ages ranging from elementary to college age! As an educator and a Montessori teacher with over 18 years of experience in Iraq, UAE, and the USA, I have dedicated my life to fostering a love of learning in young minds. I have worked at Ilm Academy and at public schools like Katy ISD and Cy-Fair ISD as a special needs teacher before beginning my Montessori journey. My Montessori journey began with a passion for education and a profound belief in the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes a child-centered approach, respect for individuality, and the importance of hands-on learning.

Sadiqa Usmani

Montessori lead teacher: AMS certified from HMC, Houston Texas.

I am excited to have your child as my Montessori student. My goal is to create a healthy learning environment while maintaining an intimate adherence to Islamic practice to create a generation of leaders. Teaching is a passion, and I love to see children grow. This is now my fourth year working at HPA. A little but more about me, I moved to Houston 1996 and am a mother of three grown up children. I love to travel, quilt, volunteer, and hangout with family and friends. Inshallah, excited for another great school year!

Bouchra Lahjab Luman

Bouchra Luman is a Montessori teacher assistant. Started with HPA in 2017.

Teaching has been my absolute passion since 1996. Yes!! It’s been over 27 years! ALHAMDULILLAH I have a bachelor’s degree in plant biology. Allah blessed me by allowing me to work with young children. My passion is guiding them to learn and explore and I feel they enjoy being around me too. I love cooking, sewing and gardening.

Shahla Ahmed

Shahla Ahmed is a Montessori teacher assistant. Started with HPA in 2022.

“I have 25+ years of experience in early childhood education. I come from a childcare background with special skills including my ability to connect with each individual student in order to provide a supportive learning environment. I am highly qualified and have CDA certification; which provides me with the necessary credentials to work with our younger students.”

Islam Abed Alqaderl

Regular Teacher

This is my 4th year at HPA, I'm greatful for being a part of this family. I love kids and I enjoy working with them. I love seeing their smiles everyday and their passion to learn. My goal is to teach the kids to be independent and build their confidence.

Abir Alassad

Montessori Teacher Assistant

Abir Alassad is a Montessori Teacher Assistant. Started with HPA in 2017. “I am glad to be here with all of HPA staff, and I am happy that I have the opportunity to be a part of your child's growth.

Sadia Asad

Sadia Asad is a 1st grade core subjects teacher. Started with HPA in 2023.

As a 1st grade teacher it’s an honor and a privilege to teach at HPA. I look forward everyday to watching my students grow and succeed and am proud to be a part of their journey. I love teaching because a student is a ‘learner’ and a teacher is a ‘thinker’ and together we think out of the box. I am a computer science graduate & have 4 kids. Some of my hobbies include traveling with my family and reading books.

Fatma Ragab

Arabic teacher

Fatma Ragab is a Quran and Arabic teacher in Montessori and 1st grade. Started with HPA in 2010. “I have been teaching the Quran and Arabic for 30 years and love it! I have certifications in Qaieada Nurani and certified in reading the Quran with Tajweed. I am very passionate about my work and your children's success! I use different methods, strategies and interactive activities to make learning fun and enjoyable for my students. With me your children will learn to read and memorize the Quran with Tajweed and meaning.”

Sarah Salim

Math and Science Teacher

I have been blessed to be a part of HPA since 2018. Before that I was a substitute at Klein ISD. I am teaching 2nd and 3rd Grade Math and Science which I enjoy the most. My goal for my students is to enjoy their subject and become critical thinkers and excel in Mental math with a positive attitude towards life. I am a mom of 3, 2 girls and a boy. I love to bake and travel.

Ishrat Jahan

Educator of ELA, Social studies & Islamic studies in 2nd and 3rd grade. started with HPA in 2022.

Assalamualaikum, My name is Israt Jahan. I am glad that Allah(SWT) gave me an opportunity to be a part of the HPA family. It was my dream to become a part of HPA since I knew about the school. As a parent of an HPA student I value what a good education can bring to my little scholar and to be part of the process to make my dream come true. I aim to inspire a genuine curiosity about the world's past and the profound teachings of Islam. Through thought-provoking discussions and interactive activities, I seek to empower students to connect historical events with contemporary issues and to appreciate the values of empathy, tolerance, and cultural awareness. Together, we'll embark on a journey of exploration, understanding, and personal growth.

Donia Elbrolosy

Arabic and Islamic studies teacher

Donia Elbrolosy 2nd through 6th grade Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies teacher. I was very lucky to be one of this great school HPA. Currently I teach Arabic. Quran and Islamic studies. I graduated with a literature in liberal arts degree from Ain shams University in Cairo. Then I went to pursue my certifications in Tajweed and Quranic studies and received my teaching credits in the United Kingdom. I've always had a great passion for teaching children, My top priority is helping our children understand and love Islam as well as show them how to utilize this knowledge to make them successful both in this world and in the hereafter.

Kanwal Huq

Kanwal Huq is a 4th and 5th grade Math and Science teacher. Started with HPA in 2023.

I have been a member of Champion's Community for over 13 years. I was an active volunteer on the PTO and helped establish activities within our school and community. I am passionate for science and want to continue that enthusiasm as a teacher in our 4th and 5th grade math and science classes.

Walaa AlHaj

Walaa AlHaj is a Monressori co-teacher. Started with HPA in 2023. My love of Montessori education has began in 2011 and has been growing ever since. My true passion is lighting the educational fire and igniting the love of learning in a young child’s heart and mind. I love Montessori because it creates independence, confidence and empowerment for the children.

Raghda Barakat-Ouassini

Regular Teacher

Raghda Barakat-Ouassini is a 4, 5, and 6th grade core subjects teacher. Started with HPA in 2022. “My goal for my students is to enjoy their subjects, promote creativity and critical thinking. I have a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy. I have experience in teaching grades 3 to 6. I am a mom to four boys. My family and I to Houston in 2018. We have previously lived in Indiana and Utah.”

Mehreen Mirza

Regular Teacher

Teaching is my passion . I have a master's degree in chemistry. I have 10 years of teaching experience and I started with Houston Peace Academy in 2021.I am glad to be a part of HPA family .My goal for my students is to motivate them and push them forward to do better and enjoy their subjects. I am a mother of 3 kids 2 sons and 1 daughter .My other interests include cooking,shopping,art and traveling.

Walaa Mahmoud

Walaa Mahmoud is a substitute teacher. Started with HPA in 2023. "I love working with the kids and seeing them grow and learn new things. Some of my personal interests include shopping and cooking!"

Board

Arif Amjad

Chair

Yasin Huq

Vice chair

Ayman Alhalaby

Treasurer

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General Secretary

Dr Asma Ali

PTA chair

Nadir Tayyab

Associate Director of the masjid AlSalam

Arif Amjad

Chair

Arif is an IT professional consultant with over 25 years of experience. His experience spans multiple industry verticals. He has been part of numerous projects such as robotic processes, autonomous manufacturing, and process automation.
Mr. Amjad also volunteers at HPA teaching robotics, programming, and animation. He has introduced Scratch programming as part of the STEM curriculum to invoke critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities with the students.
Mr. Amjad is a graduate of UHCL with a Bachelor's and Masters in Advanced Calculus and programming.

Yasin Huq

Vice chair

Yasin is a native Houstonian, member of HPA for 3 years and Masjid Al-Salam community since inception. He is a Mechanical Engineer with over 16 years of experience in upstream Oil and Gas and currently the Sr. Manager of Offshore Installation Projects in a multi-national technology company. His experience is within Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation.

Ayman Alhalaby

Treasurer

A Professional Accountant with Oil and Gas experience mainly in upstream business, and different Accounting/Finance functions from General Ledger to Budget and Financial Statements analysis. Starting my professional career in 2004 overseas when joined Devon Energy – Syria branch then moved to London, UK in 2010 before immigrated with my family to USA to join Baker Hughes – Houston early in 2012. Proud to be part of Masjid Al-Salam community and Houston Peace Academy Board member. Since the time I moved to Houston, TX I joined the community with lot of volunteering works such as Masjid’s Financial Reporting, Weekend Islamic School Treasurer, Fundraising events, and other non-finance related works. For this School year, we are looking forward to establishing a solid foundation and move forward with our School building In’Sha’ALLAH.

Not Filled

General Secretary

Dr Asma Ali

PTA chair

In 2006, Dr. Asma Ali earned her medical degree from Temple University in Philadelphia before going on to complete her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ali is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the American Medical Association.
"I strive to provide quality gynecological care throughout all phases of a woman’s life. My care is patient focused so that we can work together in prevention, education and treatment of women’s health issues."

Nadir Tayyab

Associate Director of the masjid AlSalam

The Associate Director is the leader of the Masjid Council. The Zonal Director and the Associate Director together constitute the Zonal Executive Committee. Refer to the ISGH Constitution and Bylaws for more details. Br. Nadir can be contacted via email at ad.champions@isgh.org