2026-2027 Instructors

Khadija is an Arabic calligraphy instructor with a deep passion for preserving and teaching the beauty of Islamic art. She specializes in guiding students through the fundamentals of Arabic script, letter formation, and traditional calligraphic styles while helping them develop patience, precision, and an appreciation for this sacred art form.

Her teaching approach combines structure with creativity, allowing students of all ages to build confidence step by step—whether they are beginners or continuing learners. She strives to make Arabic calligraphy both accessible and meaningful, connecting students not only to artistic techniques but also to the rich Islamic heritage behind them.

Khadija looks forward to contributing her skills to the program and inspiring students to experience the elegance, discipline, and spiritual depth of Arabic calligraphy.

Brother Salih is an experienced archery instructor who has been teaching for over four years. Leading and teaching an archery event at a community Olympic Fundraiser, family camps, and weekly community sessions. He currently teaches at Masjid Dar Al Rahma and Medina Homeschool, bringing a passion for both skill and character development through archery. Rooted in the Prophetic tradition, his classes emphasize discipline, focus, and safety while creating a welcoming environment for students of all ages.

Artist, mother, teacher and creative soul. With a background in architecture and a lifelong love for storytelling through art, her work is shaped by a rich tapestry of heritage movement and identity. For Zainab, creating isn’t just a passion its way of connecting and building community through shared inspiration.

Salifou started training at the age of 8. He is a certified economic development finance professional (EDPP), certified by the National Development Council. He has a Bachelor's degree in economics, an MBA in supply chain management and various graduate certificates. Hobbies: Cooking, biking, watching documentaries, and physical coaching.

Homeschooling mom of three beautiful children, a coding geek, and a former software engineer with ten years of industry experience. Having explored different roles through various phases of life, Haseena has discovered her true passion in teaching, sharing knowledge, and learning alongside a wonderful community. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, painting, practicing Arabic calligraphy, and exploring new technologies.

Izzah Siddiqui believes that food has the power to nourish both body and soul. Armed with a degree in nutrition and a diploma in the culinary arts, she combines her love for flavor with nutrition to help others cook with confidence and purpose.

Through her cooking and nutrition classes, Izzah empowers kids and teens to create meals that are wholesome, vibrant, and full of flavour. Her approach is simple yet inspiring—teaching practical skills, smart ingredient swaps, and the joy of turning everyday cooking into something extraordinary.

Most of all, she loves showing kids that cooking can be fun, empowering, and delicious. Through hands-on experiences, playful techniques, and approachable recipes, Izzah helps young chefs develop confidence in the kitchen—sparking a lifelong love for good food and the joy of making it themselves.

Maryam is a graduate of Oxford Schools Early College (OSEC) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree. She has been crocheting for over seven years.

Shirin Khan is the executive director of ALIM - American Learning Institute for Muslims which holds its flagship three week summer Islamic studies intensive each summer along with other programming throughout the year. She studied Arabic in college and attended the CASA program in Cairo. Shirin lives in Canton and is married with four children. 

Mariam Ahmad is a certified life coach, artist, and creative with a passion for helping others express themselves through art and design. She has spent years exploring different creative mediums and sharing her work through her art and journaling platforms. Teaching this graphic design course is an exciting opportunity for her to guide students in discovering the joy of creativity, color, and self-expression while learning practical design skills in a fun, supportive space. You can find her on instagram, at shopwithartifyime.

Ranya was homeschooled her entire life and graduated from Oxford Virtual Academy. She has always loved working with kids and teaching. Ranya tutored for the National Honor Society in her last two years of high school. She was also enrolled in an early college program and has completed numerous classes toward her teaching degree. She is working towards a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Ranya enjoys ice skating, swimming, reading, and baking.  

Samira Bacha has homeschooled her whole life and graduated high school for Oxford Virtual Academy (OVA). She has tutored for the National Honor Society in her highschool years. Samira also enrolled in an early college program (OSEC) and has completed many college classes toward her degree. Samira loves working with kids! She is working towards a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Samira also enjoys reading, swimming, and trying new things. 

Sheza has a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors, and enjoys camping, hiking, and exploring with her family. A longtime gardener, she loves sharing practical growing skills with her own children and other young people.

Sheza has helped plan and implement community-based sustainability initiatives focused on waste reduction, composting, and recycling. She holds a BA and MA in Political Science, with an undergraduate focus on environmental studies. She has also completed training in environmental planning for faith leaders and is a certified Master Rain Gardener.

Through Nature & Survival Skills, Sheza hopes to spark students’ curiosity about the natural world and help them understand how nature sustains us and why protecting it matters. Students will learn practical skills such as growing plants from seed, identifying edible plants, and the basics of water purification. Guest instructors with expertise in their fields will also introduce students to topics such as animal tracking, fishing, and animal safety.

Maaz Tanveer has spent over a decade working in the controls and automation industry and brings a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom. With a background in mechanical and mechatronics engineering, he combines technical knowledge with a passion for teaching the next generation about robotics.

He believes robotics is more than just building machines. it’s a pathway to creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. His teaching style focuses on making robotics approachable and fun, giving students the confidence to try new ideas, learn from mistakes, and celebrate their successes. By blending hands-on building with coding and design, he helps students see how robotics connects to the world around them.

Looking ahead, Maaz Tanveer is committed to preparing students not only for classroom projects but also for opportunities like robotics competitions and future STEM challenges. He sees these experiences as a powerful way to build resilience, spark curiosity, and inspire students to think of themselves as innovators and leaders.

Families can expect a welcoming, supportive environment where students feel encouraged to explore, experiment, and discover the excitement of technology. Above all, his goal is to help young learners dream big and gain the skills to bring those dreams to life.

Areej began her creative journey in Grade 5 when she took her first ceramics class. She enjoys hands-on work, particularly molding various types of clay, including air-dry clay, polymer clay, and ceramics. She has four years of volunteer and tutoring experience working with individuals across all age groups. Areej is currently pursuing a degree in nursing and plans to continue her education to become an OB/GYN.

Saleel Aldwake is a STEM teacher at Medina Homeschool and a pre-med student with a background in tutoring and community volunteering. She is passionate about making science engaging and accessible for young learners, and she enjoys combining her love for STEM with her commitment to faith, service, and education. Saleel is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and plans to continue on to medical school, inshaAllah.

Diana Syam is a mom of two elementary-aged children. She has been an eclectic homeschooler for 4 years, with lots of hands-on science projects, stories, art and creativity. Before homeschooling, she earned a Master’s of Science degree in medical sciences from the University of Kentucky and worked in medical research studying hearing loss in mice models. She has also practiced Taekwondo for more than 10 years, participated in many Taekwondo competitions and is a 3rd Dan black belt.

 Muhammad Ali Hassan is the instructor for this year's woodworking class. He focuses on hand-tool techniques and traditional woodworking skills, providing students with a strong foundation in craftsmanship and practical knowledge.

His goal is to help students of all skill levels learn to handle tools properly, develop confidence in working with their hands, and build projects in a safe, engaging, and enjoyable environment. Through hands-on learning, he aims to foster patience, creativity, and an appreciation for the value of skilled workmanship.