Faculty & Staff
Bothaina Ali
Arabic and Quran
Mrs. Bothaina Ali has been at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2005, teaching Quran and Arabic to all grade levels. This year, she is teaching Pre-k through fifth grade Quran and Arabic and also teaches on the weekends at the Guiding Light Weekend School. She completed her teaching degree in Jerusalem, Palestine and earned certification to teach Arabic. In addition to various annual trainings that she participates in, Mrs. Ali has attended the STARTALK Arabic Language Training Program in Washington State University and attends professional development sessions for Arabic and Quran teachers at ISNA Education Forum. Mrs. Ali was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2007-2008 and 2011-2012 school years. She strives to enable our students to understand Arabic when spoken, read with understanding, normal speed and correct intonation, to write correctly and legibly read paragraphs and short stories, to acquire a set of moral values on which to base his/her own behavior, to develop tolerance and respect for others, to behave as a responsible and well balanced people in our society, and to also develop awareness of the spiritual aspects of prayer and worship. She uses the I Love the Arabic Language and Learn the Arabic Language curricula for kindergarten through fifth grade and enriches it with Al-Qaidah An-Nuraniyahand other various Arabic resources such as dictionaries and The Rules in Arabic for Quran to give the students the edge to their skills. Mrs. Ali serves as the school coordinator for cooperative events with other Islamic Schools such as the Arabic Spelling Bee, Islamic Studies Quick Recall, and Quran Recitation Competition. She also served as a judge at the Quran Recitation Competition in May 2012. Mrs. Ali's first passion is her family and two kids. Her second passion is teaching here at Nur Islamic School of Louisville.
Wisal Alabdalla
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Ms.Wisal Alabdalla joined NISL in 2015. Ms. Alabdalla is originally from Palestine and studied English at Islamic Society Collage in Jordan, She completed an advanced course of Tajweed and has been teaching Tajweed lessons to students since 1999. Ms. Alabdalla worked has taught Quran and Islamic Studies from PreK to 9th grade for four years. During this time, she organized competitions on Qur'an,, Hadeeth and Names of Allah. She often serves as the Quran and Arabic Spelling Bee judge. Outside the school, she loves to organize activities such as summer camps, Itikaf for girls, and celebrations to welcome new Muslimahs into the community. Ms. Alabdalla believes that teaching students Islamic Studies should be practical and spiritual, and the content should be taught through interactive and hands-on activities to draw our children closer to Allah, to make them love and be proud of being a Muslim, and practice to be a role model and an effective leader. Ms. Alabdalla enjoys spending time with her family, as well as listening to spiritual lectures and nasheeds.
Mariam Ramirez
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Safa Obaid
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Kari Hedegard
Middle School Language Arts
TBA
Middle and High School Social Studies
Omar Mahran
Middle and High School Math
Mr. Omar Mahran received his Bachelor degree in Systems and Biomedical Engineering from Cairo University in 2005, and his Masters of Science Degree in Electrical and Cmputer Engineering from University of Louisville in 2012. He joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2014. He is passionate about building strong youth who use their skills and talent and are contributors to their communities. Mr. Mahran believes being a teacher in Nur Islamic School of Louisville is a chance for him to be a productive Muslim and to offer himself to his Ummah. He loves fixing anything and everything and his hobbies include playing sports, fishing, collecting stamps, electricity, mechanics and carpentry.
Aalea Sattaur
Middle and High School Science
Jean O'Shea
Fifth Grade
Kim Carter
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Kim Carter moved to Kentucky in 2004. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Eastern Michigan University. Mrs. Carter graduated from Bellarmine University with a Master’s of Art in Teaching and has a Kentucky State Teacher License. Mrs. Carter has 2 children, a freshman at the University of Louisville and a freshman in high school. She and her husband enjoy family camping trips while visiting national and state parks across the United States.
Amani Aljalab
Third Grade
April Bracewell
Second Grade
Mrs. April Bracewell began her college education at the University of Louisville and completed her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education at IUS in 2006. She has taught in many different settings and positions, from public schools to private, and even home-school. When she was 21 years old she started working as a teacher’s assistant at Pine View Elementary in New Albany, and gradually worked her way up by subbing, tutoring, and eventually teaching. Thus far in her career, she has taught every elementary grade level, whether it was as a home-room teacher or a special areas teacher. Currently, she has been working with children for 13 years. Mrs. April Bracewell is a mother of a 14 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. She currently resides in Shively, which is where she has lived all of her life, with the exception of 6 years, when she lived in New Albany,IN. April has always wanted to teach. It is her passion and belief that it is her calling in life, other than to be a mother.
Mindy Riley
First Grade
Mrs. Mindy Riley has lived in the Louisville area all her life. She received her Bachelors Degree in American Sign Language Interpreting in 2007 from Eastern Kentucky University (through University of Louisville) and her Master's of Arts in Teaching from Bellarmine University in 2013. Mrs. Riley has worked in the Jefferson County Public School system since 2009. By being in the classroom setting she realized she needed to follow a life-long dream and become an elementary teacher. Mrs. Riley believes that each child has the ability to accomplish anything he/she puts their mind to. Hard work and encouragement goes hand in hand to achieving success in life.
Laronda Ayo
Kindergarten
Ms. Laronda Ayo has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education and a kindergarten endorsement from Louisiana State University. She also has fifteen graduate hours in Special Education and twenty one hours in Counseling Psychology. Laronda Ayo has taught at Nur Islamic School two and a half years prior to 2016-2017 school year. Ms. Ayo has a total of eight years teaching experience in private and public schools. She believes children must feel safe in the classroom in order to ask questions and learn. She strives to ensure that safe and positive classroom environment.
TBA
Elementary and Middle School Physical Education
Shaheena Begum
Technology
Baian Khanjar
School-age Afterschool Teacher
Ms. Baian Khanjar has been with Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2016 as the after-school teacher for school aged children. She has previously taught Art for all the grades. Ms. Khanjar has finished an Associate's Degree in Computer Information Systems from Jordan and has completed an Associate's Degree from Jefferson Community and Technical College in Arts and Business. Currently, she is studying at University of Louisville to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information System-Web Development. She also has extensive hours of valuable training in Early Childhood Education. She is very positive and always helps the students after school in completing their homework, whether in Arabic or English, along with a lot of fun activities. Her hobbies include spending time with her family.
Sumiya Memon
PreK 4 Teacher
Mrs. Sumaiya Meman has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Canisius College and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies in Childhood Education from Maharaja Sayaji Rao University. She moved to Louisville from Buffalo, NY during the summer of 2016 to join NISL. She loves teaching and helping children learn using multiple learning styles. Mrs. Meman loves to provide positive environment for children and integrate fun in the classroom while encouraging students to learn and explore. During her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors with her husband and son.
Ghada Mohammed
PreK 3 Teacher
Mrs. Ghada Mohammed joined NISL in 2015. She attended Jefferon Community College and Indiana University Southeast and is currently pursuing Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Campbellsville University. Mrs. Mohammed volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana serving as a mentor, assisting with homework, and helping to build self-esteem. She has a passion for teaching children, as she is a child at heart. Her biggest happiness lies in watching children grow and helping them in doing so. She loves to read, cook and shop. Most of all, she loves working with people, especially children.
Sandy Alhout
PreK 2 Teacher
Mrs. Sandy Alhout holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) from Jefferson Community College. She has been at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2012. Her love for kids has always been her driving force to strive for more and bring positive contributions to the classroom and her students. She enjoys being around children as she enjoys helping them grow during their first precious years and gain independence.
Aida Morsli
PreK 2 Teacher
Mrs. Aida Morsli has a great passion to teach and mentor children. She has previously served as a KG assistant teacher and currently teaches Arabic and Quran at the weekend school. Mrs. Morsli has been a part of Nur Islamic School since 2014 and holds rigorous Early Childhood training. Her love for kids pushes her to always do her best.
Madina Alifova
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Madina Alifova joined NISL in 2010 as a Pre-K 2 teacher. After she discovered her passion in caring infants, she transitioned to being the Infant and Toddler teacher. She loves babies, and she likes to make their environment safe and cozy. Speaking many languages including Turkish, Russian, Uzbek and English, Mrs. Alifova holds extensive training in Early Childhood Education. She was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 school years. Being considered a second mother by all the children, Mrs. Alifova has a special connection and bond with each child she has in the classroom.
Raziya Akhmedova
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Raziya Akhmedova has been working with infants and toddlers since 2012 She has a CDA in Early Childhood Education and has extensive hours of valuable training. Ms. Akhmedova has also received her CPR/AED and First Aid certification. Mrs. Akhmedova received the Teacher of the Year award in the 2015-2016 school year.
Sarah Madhdi
Head Cook
Mrs. Sarah joined NISL in 2015. She ensures that the kitchen is running smoothly with Mrs. Jamila Hamid. Mrs. Madhdi studied Math in college and loves to create Art as a hobby. She has launched an Art Club after school for students who are interested in exploring their creative side.
Arabic and Quran
Mrs. Bothaina Ali has been at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2005, teaching Quran and Arabic to all grade levels. This year, she is teaching Pre-k through fifth grade Quran and Arabic and also teaches on the weekends at the Guiding Light Weekend School. She completed her teaching degree in Jerusalem, Palestine and earned certification to teach Arabic. In addition to various annual trainings that she participates in, Mrs. Ali has attended the STARTALK Arabic Language Training Program in Washington State University and attends professional development sessions for Arabic and Quran teachers at ISNA Education Forum. Mrs. Ali was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2007-2008 and 2011-2012 school years. She strives to enable our students to understand Arabic when spoken, read with understanding, normal speed and correct intonation, to write correctly and legibly read paragraphs and short stories, to acquire a set of moral values on which to base his/her own behavior, to develop tolerance and respect for others, to behave as a responsible and well balanced people in our society, and to also develop awareness of the spiritual aspects of prayer and worship. She uses the I Love the Arabic Language and Learn the Arabic Language curricula for kindergarten through fifth grade and enriches it with Al-Qaidah An-Nuraniyahand other various Arabic resources such as dictionaries and The Rules in Arabic for Quran to give the students the edge to their skills. Mrs. Ali serves as the school coordinator for cooperative events with other Islamic Schools such as the Arabic Spelling Bee, Islamic Studies Quick Recall, and Quran Recitation Competition. She also served as a judge at the Quran Recitation Competition in May 2012. Mrs. Ali's first passion is her family and two kids. Her second passion is teaching here at Nur Islamic School of Louisville.
Wisal Alabdalla
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Ms.Wisal Alabdalla joined NISL in 2015. Ms. Alabdalla is originally from Palestine and studied English at Islamic Society Collage in Jordan, She completed an advanced course of Tajweed and has been teaching Tajweed lessons to students since 1999. Ms. Alabdalla worked has taught Quran and Islamic Studies from PreK to 9th grade for four years. During this time, she organized competitions on Qur'an,, Hadeeth and Names of Allah. She often serves as the Quran and Arabic Spelling Bee judge. Outside the school, she loves to organize activities such as summer camps, Itikaf for girls, and celebrations to welcome new Muslimahs into the community. Ms. Alabdalla believes that teaching students Islamic Studies should be practical and spiritual, and the content should be taught through interactive and hands-on activities to draw our children closer to Allah, to make them love and be proud of being a Muslim, and practice to be a role model and an effective leader. Ms. Alabdalla enjoys spending time with her family, as well as listening to spiritual lectures and nasheeds.
Mariam Ramirez
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Safa Obaid
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Kari Hedegard
Middle School Language Arts
TBA
Middle and High School Social Studies
Omar Mahran
Middle and High School Math
Mr. Omar Mahran received his Bachelor degree in Systems and Biomedical Engineering from Cairo University in 2005, and his Masters of Science Degree in Electrical and Cmputer Engineering from University of Louisville in 2012. He joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2014. He is passionate about building strong youth who use their skills and talent and are contributors to their communities. Mr. Mahran believes being a teacher in Nur Islamic School of Louisville is a chance for him to be a productive Muslim and to offer himself to his Ummah. He loves fixing anything and everything and his hobbies include playing sports, fishing, collecting stamps, electricity, mechanics and carpentry.
Aalea Sattaur
Middle and High School Science
Jean O'Shea
Fifth Grade
Kim Carter
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Kim Carter moved to Kentucky in 2004. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Eastern Michigan University. Mrs. Carter graduated from Bellarmine University with a Master’s of Art in Teaching and has a Kentucky State Teacher License. Mrs. Carter has 2 children, a freshman at the University of Louisville and a freshman in high school. She and her husband enjoy family camping trips while visiting national and state parks across the United States.
Amani Aljalab
Third Grade
April Bracewell
Second Grade
Mrs. April Bracewell began her college education at the University of Louisville and completed her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education at IUS in 2006. She has taught in many different settings and positions, from public schools to private, and even home-school. When she was 21 years old she started working as a teacher’s assistant at Pine View Elementary in New Albany, and gradually worked her way up by subbing, tutoring, and eventually teaching. Thus far in her career, she has taught every elementary grade level, whether it was as a home-room teacher or a special areas teacher. Currently, she has been working with children for 13 years. Mrs. April Bracewell is a mother of a 14 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. She currently resides in Shively, which is where she has lived all of her life, with the exception of 6 years, when she lived in New Albany,IN. April has always wanted to teach. It is her passion and belief that it is her calling in life, other than to be a mother.
Mindy Riley
First Grade
Mrs. Mindy Riley has lived in the Louisville area all her life. She received her Bachelors Degree in American Sign Language Interpreting in 2007 from Eastern Kentucky University (through University of Louisville) and her Master's of Arts in Teaching from Bellarmine University in 2013. Mrs. Riley has worked in the Jefferson County Public School system since 2009. By being in the classroom setting she realized she needed to follow a life-long dream and become an elementary teacher. Mrs. Riley believes that each child has the ability to accomplish anything he/she puts their mind to. Hard work and encouragement goes hand in hand to achieving success in life.
Laronda Ayo
Kindergarten
Ms. Laronda Ayo has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education and a kindergarten endorsement from Louisiana State University. She also has fifteen graduate hours in Special Education and twenty one hours in Counseling Psychology. Laronda Ayo has taught at Nur Islamic School two and a half years prior to 2016-2017 school year. Ms. Ayo has a total of eight years teaching experience in private and public schools. She believes children must feel safe in the classroom in order to ask questions and learn. She strives to ensure that safe and positive classroom environment.
TBA
Elementary and Middle School Physical Education
Shaheena Begum
Technology
Baian Khanjar
School-age Afterschool Teacher
Ms. Baian Khanjar has been with Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2016 as the after-school teacher for school aged children. She has previously taught Art for all the grades. Ms. Khanjar has finished an Associate's Degree in Computer Information Systems from Jordan and has completed an Associate's Degree from Jefferson Community and Technical College in Arts and Business. Currently, she is studying at University of Louisville to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information System-Web Development. She also has extensive hours of valuable training in Early Childhood Education. She is very positive and always helps the students after school in completing their homework, whether in Arabic or English, along with a lot of fun activities. Her hobbies include spending time with her family.
Sumiya Memon
PreK 4 Teacher
Mrs. Sumaiya Meman has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Canisius College and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies in Childhood Education from Maharaja Sayaji Rao University. She moved to Louisville from Buffalo, NY during the summer of 2016 to join NISL. She loves teaching and helping children learn using multiple learning styles. Mrs. Meman loves to provide positive environment for children and integrate fun in the classroom while encouraging students to learn and explore. During her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors with her husband and son.
Ghada Mohammed
PreK 3 Teacher
Mrs. Ghada Mohammed joined NISL in 2015. She attended Jefferon Community College and Indiana University Southeast and is currently pursuing Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Campbellsville University. Mrs. Mohammed volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana serving as a mentor, assisting with homework, and helping to build self-esteem. She has a passion for teaching children, as she is a child at heart. Her biggest happiness lies in watching children grow and helping them in doing so. She loves to read, cook and shop. Most of all, she loves working with people, especially children.
Sandy Alhout
PreK 2 Teacher
Mrs. Sandy Alhout holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) from Jefferson Community College. She has been at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2012. Her love for kids has always been her driving force to strive for more and bring positive contributions to the classroom and her students. She enjoys being around children as she enjoys helping them grow during their first precious years and gain independence.
Aida Morsli
PreK 2 Teacher
Mrs. Aida Morsli has a great passion to teach and mentor children. She has previously served as a KG assistant teacher and currently teaches Arabic and Quran at the weekend school. Mrs. Morsli has been a part of Nur Islamic School since 2014 and holds rigorous Early Childhood training. Her love for kids pushes her to always do her best.
Madina Alifova
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Madina Alifova joined NISL in 2010 as a Pre-K 2 teacher. After she discovered her passion in caring infants, she transitioned to being the Infant and Toddler teacher. She loves babies, and she likes to make their environment safe and cozy. Speaking many languages including Turkish, Russian, Uzbek and English, Mrs. Alifova holds extensive training in Early Childhood Education. She was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 school years. Being considered a second mother by all the children, Mrs. Alifova has a special connection and bond with each child she has in the classroom.
Raziya Akhmedova
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Raziya Akhmedova has been working with infants and toddlers since 2012 She has a CDA in Early Childhood Education and has extensive hours of valuable training. Ms. Akhmedova has also received her CPR/AED and First Aid certification. Mrs. Akhmedova received the Teacher of the Year award in the 2015-2016 school year.
Sarah Madhdi
Head Cook
Mrs. Sarah joined NISL in 2015. She ensures that the kitchen is running smoothly with Mrs. Jamila Hamid. Mrs. Madhdi studied Math in college and loves to create Art as a hobby. She has launched an Art Club after school for students who are interested in exploring their creative side.