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
Ariel Edlin
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.
Ruslan Abdullah Aminov
Elementary and Middle School Physical Education
Mr. Ruslan Abdullah Aminov is a physical education teacher for all students in kindergarten through fourth grade and middle and high school boys. He began his athletic career in boxing at seven years of age, competing as an amateur boxer. As an amateur boxer he had 54 fights and became the Junior Olympics Champion in 1994 and the National Golden Gloves Champion in 1995. As a professional boxer, he had 4 wins and 0 loses (4-0). Although his expertise is boxing, he is also well-versed in other contact sports. He took on Karate at ten years of age, Greco-Roman Wrestling, and Tae Kwon Do at thirteen, earning a black belt. He is presently training and competing in Judo, Jujitsu, and Grappling. After school hours and on weekends, Mr. Aminov teaches Judo and Jujitsu to boys five years of age to adults. Mr. Aminov believes that being healthy, active, and physically fit is a critical part of development for our children. A strong mind needs a strong and healthy body and it is an obligation upon every Muslim to take care of the physical body just as much as one takes care of his mind and heart. His passion for fitness is rooted in the mission for the school of holistic education. He hopes that our children and their families gain more awareness of the importance of physical education, that it translates into healthy living as adults, and transforms our community into the strong and balanced Ummah it used to be.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” (Sahih Muslim) Shaikh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explains that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was talking about physical strength and the benefits it brings to a believer, being able to strive harder for his Creator, and avoid laziness. We should not only look to doctors and dieticians for advice who highly stress the importance of exercising. Islam also stresses it and holds us accountable for our physical body. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “And your body also has a right over you.” (Sahih Bukhari). Our body is an amaanah (trust) from Allah and we will be called to account on the Day of Judgment for how we took care of our bodies, what we did to nourish it and protect it from disease.
Shaheena Begum
Technology
Ghada Mohammed
PreK 3/4 Teacher
Ms. Ghada Mohammed joined NISL in 2015. She attended Jefferon Community College and Indiana University Southeast and is currently pursuing her CDA. Ms. Mohammed volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana serving as a mentor, assisting with homework, and helping to build self-esteem. Most of all, she loves working with people, especially children.
Sumiya Memon
PreK 3/4 Teacher
Ms. 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 to join NISL. Ms. Meman been teaching since 2010. She loves teaching and helping children learn using multiple learning styles.
Sandy Alhout
PreK 2/3 Teacher
Aysha Anvar
PreK 2/3 Teacher
Madina Alifova
Early Childhood Center Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Madina joined NISL in 2010 as a Pre-K2 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. She hold extensive training in Early Childhood Education and is CPR/AED and First Aid certified.
Rosa Akhmedova
Early Childhood Center Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Rosa 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.
Sarah Madhdi
Cook
Ms. Sarah joined NISL in 2015. She ensures that the kitchen is running smoothly with Ms. Jamila. Ms. 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
Ariel Edlin
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.
Ruslan Abdullah Aminov
Elementary and Middle School Physical Education
Mr. Ruslan Abdullah Aminov is a physical education teacher for all students in kindergarten through fourth grade and middle and high school boys. He began his athletic career in boxing at seven years of age, competing as an amateur boxer. As an amateur boxer he had 54 fights and became the Junior Olympics Champion in 1994 and the National Golden Gloves Champion in 1995. As a professional boxer, he had 4 wins and 0 loses (4-0). Although his expertise is boxing, he is also well-versed in other contact sports. He took on Karate at ten years of age, Greco-Roman Wrestling, and Tae Kwon Do at thirteen, earning a black belt. He is presently training and competing in Judo, Jujitsu, and Grappling. After school hours and on weekends, Mr. Aminov teaches Judo and Jujitsu to boys five years of age to adults. Mr. Aminov believes that being healthy, active, and physically fit is a critical part of development for our children. A strong mind needs a strong and healthy body and it is an obligation upon every Muslim to take care of the physical body just as much as one takes care of his mind and heart. His passion for fitness is rooted in the mission for the school of holistic education. He hopes that our children and their families gain more awareness of the importance of physical education, that it translates into healthy living as adults, and transforms our community into the strong and balanced Ummah it used to be.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” (Sahih Muslim) Shaikh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explains that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was talking about physical strength and the benefits it brings to a believer, being able to strive harder for his Creator, and avoid laziness. We should not only look to doctors and dieticians for advice who highly stress the importance of exercising. Islam also stresses it and holds us accountable for our physical body. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “And your body also has a right over you.” (Sahih Bukhari). Our body is an amaanah (trust) from Allah and we will be called to account on the Day of Judgment for how we took care of our bodies, what we did to nourish it and protect it from disease.
Shaheena Begum
Technology
Ghada Mohammed
PreK 3/4 Teacher
Ms. Ghada Mohammed joined NISL in 2015. She attended Jefferon Community College and Indiana University Southeast and is currently pursuing her CDA. Ms. Mohammed volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana serving as a mentor, assisting with homework, and helping to build self-esteem. Most of all, she loves working with people, especially children.
Sumiya Memon
PreK 3/4 Teacher
Ms. 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 to join NISL. Ms. Meman been teaching since 2010. She loves teaching and helping children learn using multiple learning styles.
Sandy Alhout
PreK 2/3 Teacher
Aysha Anvar
PreK 2/3 Teacher
Madina Alifova
Early Childhood Center Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Madina joined NISL in 2010 as a Pre-K2 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. She hold extensive training in Early Childhood Education and is CPR/AED and First Aid certified.
Rosa Akhmedova
Early Childhood Center Infant and Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Rosa 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.
Sarah Madhdi
Cook
Ms. Sarah joined NISL in 2015. She ensures that the kitchen is running smoothly with Ms. Jamila. Ms. 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.