Mona Yassin

I am the homeroom teacher for 3A. I am a mother of three, two sons and a daughter. I love nature, drawing, and reading. I am from a Mediterranean City, that's why I love the ocean. I earned my Master of Literature from The American Graduate School of Education, Tuscan, Arizona, and my BA in Language Arts from Alexandria University, Egypt. I was a learning coach for Elementary and Secondary Education for several years, teaching master's programs.  I am an elementary teacher for the past nineteen years and taught different grade levels. I love cooking, so wait for sharing some recipes. I am looking forward to meeting you in person.

Aloha! My name is Ms. Sophia

Greetings!  I'm your 3rd-grade homeroom teacher, a seasoned educator with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a K-12th grade Reading Endorsement from Ashland University, along with a California teaching credential.

For close to a decade, I've been dedicated to teaching at Granada Islamic School and it's been a fulfilling journey, mashallah! Balancing the professional realm, I also take on the role of the proud parent to 14-year-old twins and the caretaker of Kobe, my lion-head bunny, who I call my "Fur-child."

Beyond the classroom, I find joy in hiking, singing, gardening, cooking, appreciating sunsets, indulging in sushi, exploring photography, and relishing moments by the ocean. My teaching approach revolves around creating a student-centered environment, fostering a sense of community in the classroom, and igniting a curiosity that fuels continuous learning.

With 5 years of experience specifically in third grade, I've developed a deep appreciation for the unique challenges and rewards that come with this age group. Their enthusiasm and growth make every day in the classroom a meaningful experience, alhmaduallah. 

Sarah Eldemrdash,

I am honored to be teaching Islamic studies & Quran to 3rd and 4th graders. I have been working as a teacher in various classroom settings for over 15 years Alhamdulillah. I have been the head of the Islamic department at Al-Arqam for 7 years, and I have been teaching at Granada for 3 years Alhamdulillah.

I have a bachelor's in Accounting and Business Administration from Cairo University. A political science degree from the American University in Cairo, and I studied Child Development in California and graduated with honors in 2018. 

I have 3 kids, Alhamdulillah. I love to spend time outside in nature, hiking, and biking. I am a swimmer so I love water :). I love Arts a lot and reading books about Islam. I love to learn more about the meanings of the Quran every day. I strive to provide a positive and fun learning environment and to bestow love for Islam. I believe in a positive and holistic approach. I also believe in this saying “One of the hallmarks of a Muslim is to love for one’s brother/sister what one loves for oneself” My intention is to teach young kids about Islam, and the Quran so they grow with the love of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and his Prophet and be able to practice it throughout their lifetime InshaAllah.

Maqboleh Alam

My name is Maqboleh Alam and  I have been teaching at Granada for 15 years. I am currently the Qur'an Coordinator and Arabic teacher for grades 3rd Heritage group, 6th Heritage, 7th Heritage, & 8th NH2. I received my medical technology degree in Palestine and I received intensive training and certification in teaching Arabic as a second language at Occidental College through Startalk. Completed Ejaza (certification) in Hafs recitation - Ijazah in Matn Aljazareyya and Tuhfat alatfal (tajweed rules). I am from Palestine and I have 3 boys and one girl. I love cats. I have two of them. I love going to the beach, camping, and playing ping-pong.

Sahar Wazwaz

My name is Sahar Wazwaz, I will be teaching Arabic to Non-Heritage 1. I am a mother of three kids. I have my B.A degree in English language and literature. I was born and raised in Jerusalem/ Palestine.  I have been teaching Arabic as a second language in Granada for ten years. I enjoy teaching Arabic and creating new materials to help students understand the language. Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead of us. 

saharw@granadaschool.org

Asmaa Almannai,

Assalamu Alaikum, 

I am Asmaa Almannai, I will be your child's Arabic Teacher for the school year. As a mother of 3 kids, born in the US, I am fully aware of what challenges both parents and kids face when learning Arabic, that’s why I always try my best to make the learning experience as fun and as simple as possible. I have a B.A. Degree in the Arabic language from Tripoli University and this is my 5th year at Granada as an Arabic teacher. I will be teaching 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th grade this year. I am happy to meet all of my students and I look forward to meeting you all, Insha Allah!

asmaaa@granadaschool.org

Fatima Abdel-Wahab

Salaam Alaikum! My name is Fatima Abdel-Wahab, your son or daughter's  PE teacher for this year! My years of experience as a student-athlete and teacher allow me to create a dynamic and diverse physical education curriculum that instills the love of play, practice, and partnership in every activity. My educational mantra is 'teach as you would like to be taught.' In other words, I combine the technical skills of movement and motor skills with the joy and spirit of childhood fun. On a personal note, I graduated from CSUEB in 2015 with a B.A. degree in Human Development. Since then, I have led youth groups for Muslim girls and taught P.E. at Islamic schools. My hobbies include walking on the beach and watching dazzling sunsets with my husband and two little girls. 

Judy Cha

Assalamu Alaikum! My name is Judy Cha, and as the GIS Librarian, I will insha'Allah be sharing wondrous stories through picture books and novels with your child this year. In our weekly library classes, when we read and recall the text, we will be delving into the author's purpose behind their stories, as well as doing activities to reinforce learning. My goal with each lesson is for your child to gain a newfound life perspective from their point of view. We also relate relevant story themes to our deen, and students share their takeaways, giving their insights to ties to a moral Islamic character as seen in the Prophet (saw). I have been working at GIS for the past six years as the librarian, in addition to teaching research to middle school for the past four. I have my BA in Sociology from UCLA and my Master's in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. I love to play basketball, read, do creative writing, and study the Quran. I look forward to meeting new students in my class, and I hope to connect with your child on all levels on the GIS campus. Looking forward to another fantastic year!