Masarat SayeedTeacherEarly Pre- Kindergarten

My name is Masarat Sayeed. I am a Montessori Teacher and I teach Early Pre-K at Greater Lansing Islamic School. I believe that children are natural learners. When given an opportunity and freedom to choose from a well prepared environment, children can teach themselves. My goal in Early Pre-K is to create an environment that drives children to learning where they can learn while having fun, Insha’Allah.

epk@school.lansingislam.com

Eman MohamedTeacher AssistantEarly Pre- Kindergarten
Daniyal NawazTeacherPre- Kindergarten

I'm Daniyal Nawaz, and I am absolutely thrilled to be embarking on this journey as a Pre-K teacher this year. With a deep-rooted passion for early childhood education and a natural nurturing instinct, my goal is to foster a positive and engaging learning environment that truly benefits our young learners.

I hold a bachelor's degree in psychology and bring with me 2 years of experience in working with young learners. As a Pre-K teacher, I recognize the significance of early childhood development and the lasting impact it has on shaping a child's future. Before stepping into the role of a Pre-K teacher, I had the wonderful opportunity to teach Art to students in grades 1-8, further enriching my understanding of how creativity and education intertwine.

 Additionally, I am excited to share that I will also be teaching Art to students in grades 4-8 this year. This diverse experience allows me to bring a unique perspective to the various age groups, encouraging creativity and a love for learning at different stages of development.

 I'm looking forward to creating meaningful experiences for our little ones, supporting their growth, and nurturing their curiosity in the Pre-K classroom. Here's to a fantastic year of discovery, creativity, and fun!

Daniyal@school.lansingislam.com

Aza ElMobarakTeacher AssistantPre- Kindergarten

My name is Aza Elmobarak, I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. I have a bachelor degree in accounting from Cairo University. I moved to America in 1999, and now have three beautiful daughters; Alaa who's 18, Salma who's 17, and Cepal who's 11. I've had a lot of experience with children; I've worked as a n assistant teacher for three years in a day care in Iowa, and an additional three years as a Lead Assistant at the People of Church. I really like working with children, seeing and helping them learn and grow as individuals.

I have been working in schools for almost 8 years. I started teaching in Dubai and continued my journey in East Lansing as my family and I moved back here in 2019.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and I have completed several courses in child development as well as applied behaviour analysis. Reading is my strength. I love to read children's books and try my best to make it a fun experience. I enjoy cooking, walking and spending time with my family.

Yahya@school.lansingislam.com

Mirvat had been a staff member of the school when it first opened way back in 1996. She taught Preschool, Arabic, and was a teacher’s aide. Mirvat is a very kind and caring person who we are pleased to have working with our students. 

Aly@school.lansingislam.com

Samantha DavisTeacher First Grade

My name is Samantha Davis , I completed my Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Emphasis in 2009 from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant. As a highly qualified teacher, my objective is to use my experience and education to positively motivate students and create lifelong learners.

Davis@school.lansingislam.com

Sadia AkhtarTeacher AssistantFirst Grade

I am Sadia Akhtar, and I have Bachelors degree in pure sciences, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology I completed my Master Degree in Political Science from university of Peshawar, Pakistan. I am mother of two kids, my son Shaheer and daughter Zareesh. I enjoy my spare time with my family.  

Zainab AliTeacherSecond Grade

My name is Zainab Ali, and I have been an educator for over 15 years. With a background in early childhood education, I previously served as the pre-k teacher at GLIS. I took a brief hiatus from GLIS to further my education through the Teacher Preparation Program at Michigan State University, which included a yearlong internship in a 4th grade classroom in Grand Ledge.

I am thrilled to return to GLIS and am looking forward to working with my second-grade students this year! My teaching philosophy centers around the importance of connecting with students and demonstrating the relevance of everyday learning in their lives.

Ali@school.lansingislam.com

Jamie TorreyTeacherThird Grade

My name is Jamie Torrey and this is my fiftheenth year teaching at GLIS. I teach the core subjects in 3rd  grade. I have been married for six years to my husband, Andrew.  We have a 4 year old son, Jackson, who keeps us very busy.  I went to college at Saginaw Valley State University and finished my master’s degree at Mary Grove College. I have one brother named Justin and a sister named Ashley. My sister lives in Los Angeles, California and my brother lives in Bay City, Mi. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my son, traveling, and shopping.

Torrey@school.lansingislam.com

Karen ElsadekTeacherFourth Grade

My name is Karen Elsadek and I've taught a variety of classes at GLIS, from Kindergarten to 8th grade, as well as serving as principal for 8 years. Before teaching at GLIS, I taught for nearly 20 years in Vermont in a one room school.  I taught K - 8 all subjects. I received my bachelor's degree in education from the University of Vermont and my master's in educational administration from Michigan State University. I love teaching and working with children and especially enjoy teaching mathematics. In my free time, I enjoy reading and crocheting. Insha'Allah it will be a fun and rewarding year! 

Elsadek@school.lansingislam.com

Rania AborashedTeacherFifth Grade

 My name is Rania Aborashed. I am honored and excited to be teaching Arabic  at GLIS. I have been lucky to be part of the school community since its establishment. I have taught Arabic and Quran for more than 7 years and was the librarian for 5 years. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Arabic Language and Culture and master’s in Arabic Language and Linguistics from California University of Pennsylvania. As a passionate Arabic teacher, I believe that students learn the language by using it. I like to bring innovation to the classroom to make language learning meaningful for my students. I have high expectations for all my students and look forward to an exciting and fun filled year!

Aborashed@school.lansingislam.com