Administration
Aisha Blagaia
Principal
Mrs. Natalia Aisha Blagaia has been with Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2005. Since 2010, she has served as the Director for the Early Childhood Center and a Principal for the school. Having been an elementary teacher (K-3) during her first five years at the school, she has come to know many of our students on a personal level as they grew and developed over the years. This has helped her establish one-on-one relationships with the students, their families, and the staff. She is a life-long learner who believes that education is a journey rather than a destination. Mrs. Blagaia holds a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma University and a Bachelors in Gen. Studies focused on Organizational Leadership, Management, and Education from Indiana University Southeast. She is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. Her vision for our students is to help them cultivate a sound heart and a passion for lifelong learning. She believes that our children are born with a love for learning. The seed for knowledge is already within them, and we have been bestowed with the most blessed jobs of nurturing that seed. We are the farmers of our children's hearts and minds. Mrs. Blagaia is passionate about empowering our students, and she always has a positive and optimistic attitude towards the challenges that our school and community face. Mrs. Blagaia was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2008-2009 school year. In August of 2010, she established the state-licensed Early Childhood Center which has substantially grown over the years. It is now rated above the state-licensed quality expectations. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, camping, kayaking, spending time with her family, and taking care of plants, which is evident to anyone who stops by her office.
Omar Mahran
Director of Finances and Development
Mr. Omar Mahran joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2014, teaching Mathematics and Science for 6 years until joining the administration in 2020. Mr. Mahran received his Bachelor’s of Science in Systems and Biomedical Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt, in 2005 and his Master’s of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Louisville in 2012. Mr. Mahran was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award in the 2017-2018 school year. Having an engineering background and coming from a different culture has shaped his passion and ambitions. He mentored and prepared our students for the Balsa Bridge Competition at the University of Louisville Engineering Expo for several years, leading them to win first, second, and third place in various categories. He also worked with students on the School-Wide Science Fair, the Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair, school-wide Khan Academy Competitions, and school-wide Ping Pong Competitions. Mr. Mahran loves to see the students learning life skills as well as growing academically. He believes humans are natural learners and are successful creatures as long as they acquire the material that matches their skills. He frequently finds various projects throughout the school to involve students in, giving them hands-on learning opportunities in mechanics and engineering. Mr. Mahran enjoys his time with his family. He is a father to two girls and a boy. He spends his spare time fishing, collecting stamps, and fixing everything and anything his hands can reach. Mr. Mahran loves fishing and growing plants, with a goal to one day build his own farm.
Fouzia Shaikh
Director of the Early Childhood Center
Mrs. Fouzia Shaikh has been with Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2009. She has had the honor of memorizing the entire Quran and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Studies from Buffalo, New York. She is pursuing her Associates in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education At Jefferson County Community College. Having taught various subjects and grades from pre-k to eighth grade, she has experience in organizing many school and community events. While working at the school, she started the Parent-Teacher Association and led many school-wide events. In November 2017, she was serving as an Assistant Director and, within a year, was promoted to be Director of the Early Childhood Center. When not working, she loves spending time outdoors with her family.
Madina Alifova
Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Center
Mrs. Madina Alifova joined NISL in 2010 as a Pre-K 2 teacher. After she discovered her passion in caring for infants, she transitioned to being the Infant and Toddler teacher. She loves young children and is passionate about creating a nurturing and safe environment to promote their overall development. 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, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 school years. Being considered a second mother by all the children, Mrs. Alifova has a special connection and a bond with each child she has in the classroom. Ms. Alifova joined the administration in August 2019 as an Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Center.
Salma Darai
Assistant Director of Green Tree Academy
Mrs Salma Darai joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in August 2022 as an ECC teacher and became an Admin member in January 2023. She is from Morocco, has two years of college in English studies from University Moulay Ismail Meknes Morocco, an Associate degree in Software Development and Management, and is a certified notary public in Louisville. Mrs. Darai has taught English and Computers for preschool to 5th grade in Marrakech, Morocco. Besides her teaching experience, she is also well-experienced in business, accounting, marketing, supervising, managing, and import/export and trading. Mrs. Darai speaks Arabic, French, and English. She is a mother of 2 princesses who attend Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Mrs. Darai always believes that teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions. It takes a big heart and burns a lot of energy. However, at the end of the day, all that work turns into a proud feeling of seeing yourself able to shape and enrich little minds. Learning and success for her have no end. Being one of Nur Islamic School of Louisville’s team is a plus and wonderful experience for her, and she is willing to make it the longest experience in her career. Mrs. Darai believes that if you work with love, you will love your work.
Christine Hafsah Salleng
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Christine Hafsah Salleng, has been part of Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2010. Mrs. Salleng was recipient of the Teacher of the Year award at Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2010-2011 and in 2013-2014 school years. After nearly 11 years in the classroom, she joined the administration in 2018. Mrs. Salleng organized and led many school-wide events such as Reading Month and Scholastic Book Fair. Her passion is helping children and families overcome obstacles both academically and behaviorally that hinder progress in their educational careers. She is a Google Level 1 Certified Educator. She is a Louisville native and loves her city. In her leisure time Mrs. Salleng loves to spend time with family, enjoying nature, reading, working puzzles, and watching sports.
Principal
Mrs. Natalia Aisha Blagaia has been with Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2005. Since 2010, she has served as the Director for the Early Childhood Center and a Principal for the school. Having been an elementary teacher (K-3) during her first five years at the school, she has come to know many of our students on a personal level as they grew and developed over the years. This has helped her establish one-on-one relationships with the students, their families, and the staff. She is a life-long learner who believes that education is a journey rather than a destination. Mrs. Blagaia holds a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma University and a Bachelors in Gen. Studies focused on Organizational Leadership, Management, and Education from Indiana University Southeast. She is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. Her vision for our students is to help them cultivate a sound heart and a passion for lifelong learning. She believes that our children are born with a love for learning. The seed for knowledge is already within them, and we have been bestowed with the most blessed jobs of nurturing that seed. We are the farmers of our children's hearts and minds. Mrs. Blagaia is passionate about empowering our students, and she always has a positive and optimistic attitude towards the challenges that our school and community face. Mrs. Blagaia was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2008-2009 school year. In August of 2010, she established the state-licensed Early Childhood Center which has substantially grown over the years. It is now rated above the state-licensed quality expectations. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, camping, kayaking, spending time with her family, and taking care of plants, which is evident to anyone who stops by her office.
Omar Mahran
Director of Finances and Development
Mr. Omar Mahran joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2014, teaching Mathematics and Science for 6 years until joining the administration in 2020. Mr. Mahran received his Bachelor’s of Science in Systems and Biomedical Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt, in 2005 and his Master’s of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Louisville in 2012. Mr. Mahran was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award in the 2017-2018 school year. Having an engineering background and coming from a different culture has shaped his passion and ambitions. He mentored and prepared our students for the Balsa Bridge Competition at the University of Louisville Engineering Expo for several years, leading them to win first, second, and third place in various categories. He also worked with students on the School-Wide Science Fair, the Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair, school-wide Khan Academy Competitions, and school-wide Ping Pong Competitions. Mr. Mahran loves to see the students learning life skills as well as growing academically. He believes humans are natural learners and are successful creatures as long as they acquire the material that matches their skills. He frequently finds various projects throughout the school to involve students in, giving them hands-on learning opportunities in mechanics and engineering. Mr. Mahran enjoys his time with his family. He is a father to two girls and a boy. He spends his spare time fishing, collecting stamps, and fixing everything and anything his hands can reach. Mr. Mahran loves fishing and growing plants, with a goal to one day build his own farm.
Fouzia Shaikh
Director of the Early Childhood Center
Mrs. Fouzia Shaikh has been with Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2009. She has had the honor of memorizing the entire Quran and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Studies from Buffalo, New York. She is pursuing her Associates in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education At Jefferson County Community College. Having taught various subjects and grades from pre-k to eighth grade, she has experience in organizing many school and community events. While working at the school, she started the Parent-Teacher Association and led many school-wide events. In November 2017, she was serving as an Assistant Director and, within a year, was promoted to be Director of the Early Childhood Center. When not working, she loves spending time outdoors with her family.
Madina Alifova
Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Center
Mrs. Madina Alifova joined NISL in 2010 as a Pre-K 2 teacher. After she discovered her passion in caring for infants, she transitioned to being the Infant and Toddler teacher. She loves young children and is passionate about creating a nurturing and safe environment to promote their overall development. 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, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 school years. Being considered a second mother by all the children, Mrs. Alifova has a special connection and a bond with each child she has in the classroom. Ms. Alifova joined the administration in August 2019 as an Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Center.
Salma Darai
Assistant Director of Green Tree Academy
Mrs Salma Darai joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in August 2022 as an ECC teacher and became an Admin member in January 2023. She is from Morocco, has two years of college in English studies from University Moulay Ismail Meknes Morocco, an Associate degree in Software Development and Management, and is a certified notary public in Louisville. Mrs. Darai has taught English and Computers for preschool to 5th grade in Marrakech, Morocco. Besides her teaching experience, she is also well-experienced in business, accounting, marketing, supervising, managing, and import/export and trading. Mrs. Darai speaks Arabic, French, and English. She is a mother of 2 princesses who attend Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Mrs. Darai always believes that teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions. It takes a big heart and burns a lot of energy. However, at the end of the day, all that work turns into a proud feeling of seeing yourself able to shape and enrich little minds. Learning and success for her have no end. Being one of Nur Islamic School of Louisville’s team is a plus and wonderful experience for her, and she is willing to make it the longest experience in her career. Mrs. Darai believes that if you work with love, you will love your work.
Christine Hafsah Salleng
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Christine Hafsah Salleng, has been part of Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2010. Mrs. Salleng was recipient of the Teacher of the Year award at Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2010-2011 and in 2013-2014 school years. After nearly 11 years in the classroom, she joined the administration in 2018. Mrs. Salleng organized and led many school-wide events such as Reading Month and Scholastic Book Fair. Her passion is helping children and families overcome obstacles both academically and behaviorally that hinder progress in their educational careers. She is a Google Level 1 Certified Educator. She is a Louisville native and loves her city. In her leisure time Mrs. Salleng loves to spend time with family, enjoying nature, reading, working puzzles, and watching sports.