Mrs. Diana Abdi has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with minor in Business Administration from Richmond University in England.  She has 19 years of Administrative and sales experience.  Her Community work includes the establishment of the first Islamic school in Austin and starting the High School program at APA.  Since 2007, she has been working as Administrative Assistant to the Principal.  She has attended numerous educational workshops and received several certifications in Continued Education such as ‘Learning for Change’, ‘Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement’, ‘The Role of Assessment’, and ‘High school that works’.  She is currently enrolled in a Master of Education program at Grand Canyon University with emphasis on school leadership.


Dr. Ibrahim Dremali is in his third year as the Director of Arabic & Islamic Studies at APA.  He came from Des Moines, Iowa where he was the Director of Islamic Center of Des Moines and Principal of New Horizons Academy in Iowa.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology and a Masters and Ph.D. in Sharia, specializing in Fiqh, from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.  Later he obtained an M.S. in Geology from Florida Atlantic University and Ph.D. in Geology from Florida International University.  He served as the Principal of Darul Uloom Institute in Pembrook Pines, FL for 5 years and as the Imam of the Islamic Center of Belle Glade, FL.  He has over 20 years experience as a Geologist and has taught college level Geology and Oceanography for 7 years.  He is a professor at American Open and Drake universities. He has a 3rd degree Black Belt in Karate.

Mr. Alex Pritchard comes to APA from Westwood High School in Austin where he was the Director of Forensics since 2002.  He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics, and later attended the University of Nebraska for graduate work in Communication Studies. He obtained a Masters degree in Communication Studies from Baylor University in Waco, TX. He has worked for the past 30 years at several public and private schools as Director of Forensics. His students have been accepted at the many of the prestigious universalities in the country. He has numerous teaching and coaching awards to his credit, including Speech Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Speech Teachers Association, Debate Coach of the Year by Nebraska Coaches Association, and Baccalaureate Speaker and Teacher of the Year awards at the Creighton Preparatory School.  He has been inducted into Coach Society Hall of Fame at Emory University, and the University of Kentucky. His professional associations include Kappa Delta Pi, National Forensic League Double Diamond Coach, and the National Debate Coaches Association. He has given presentations at several conventions and universities nationwide.  Speech and debate teams coached by Alex have won at every major tournament in the country including Harvard Round Robin, Stanford Round Robin, and the University of Texas Round Robin. He has authored several publications in industry publications and journals.  He has been ranked among the Top 10 Debate Coaches of the Century.

Mrs. Maisaa Tizani has a passion for children and gets them excited about learning by teaching using arts and games. She has completed several hours of training in Child Development Lab at Austin Community College, and has attended workshops such as CIRCLE language and literacy training, Pre-K Reader Language Development program, and Learning about Soil with Young Learners.  In her third year at APA, she has earned certificates in Art and Sewing, and Child Development Assistance, and has completed CPR training.

Ms. Kristi Marsh obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Edwards University in Austin, majoring in Psychology. Prior to joining APA, she taught at a local child development center as a Teaching Assistant and Tutor.  She is working towards Generalist Early Childhood to 4th Grade certification and has attended classroom management training courses.

Ms. Giani Crow possesses a BS degree from UT Austin in Applied Learning and Development, with a major in Early Childhood to 4th Grade Generalist Certification. Prior to joining APA, she was a teacher at Austin ISD and has worked as a Childcare Provider, Kindergarten Tutor, and a Summer Camp Counselor. She has completed several training classes related to childcare and safety, and has Early Childhood to 4th Grade certification.  She attended Gifted and Talented program training in summer ‘09.  This is her third year at APA.

Mrs. Rebecca Myers has a B.S. degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Arts and Applied Sciences from Texas State University, San Marcos, TX and an Associate of Science degree from Austin Community College.  She has worked as an elementary school teacher for several years at Round Rock and Leander ISD.  She has several certifications related to education including the Talent and Gifted program, and has training in DRA (Development Reading Assessment), Texas Primary Reading Inventory, and TekTeams–Rethinking Elementary Math. She recently obtained certification in Early Childhood to Grade 12 Specialist Education and was a Grant Recipient for the 2009-10 academic year. Recognized as the ‘APA Teacher of the Year’ in 2007-08, she is in her third year at APA

Mrs. Loretta Kamara has been working at APA for the past eight years.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Paine College, Augusta, GA.  She has extensive training in ‘Thinking Maps’, a set of visual tools designed to heighten fundamental thinking based on semantics, cognitive psychology, and problem-solving as well as training in Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI)/Reading Counts and DRA (Development Reading Assessment).  She has attended a variety of educational workshops and previously scored 4th Grade TAKS essays at Pearson Educational Management Center.  She was recognized as the ‘APA Teacher of the Year’ in 2005-06.

Mrs. Maisaa Hawana has a B. S. degree in Computer Engineering from Iowa State University and a diploma in Communications Engineering from Public Authority of Applied Education and Training, Kuwait.  Prior to joining APA, she worked for the State of Texas as a TAKS exam scorer and as a teacher’s aide at a childcare center.  Her qualifications include Childhood Development training and several computer certifications. She is currently enrolled in Math certification program for Grade 4-8th with Texas Region 13.  She is in her third year at APA

Mr. Abdallah Rasheed has Master of Science in Computer System from Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Al-Quds University in Jerusalem, Palestine.  He has worked as a Teaching Assistant as well as a Laboratory Assistant at Arizona State University and has expertise in web/software development. His experience also includes work as Science and Arabic language teacher. He has attended numerous computer workshops and is well versed in several computer languages, applications, operating systems, and database systems.

Ms. Heather Swanson has an Associate degree of Culinary Arts from Kendall College in Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, with a major in Biology and minor in Chemistry.  She has completed Content Exam for Science Certification for Grade 4 to 8.  Before joining APA, she taught at private schools in Austin for two years.  She also previously worked as a Research Technician in Seattle.  She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association and Texas Science Teachers Association.

Ms. Michele Plumb has worked with children, including those with disabilities, for several years. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in Dallas, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies.  Prior to joining APA, she taught at various elementary schools for the past three years.  She possesses Generalist Early Childhood to 4th Grade and Generalist Special Education certifications and has passed the TExES Professionalism Examination.  She is in her second year at APA.

Ms. Jennifer Campbell has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in Waco, TX, majoring in International Studies.  She has taken several courses on Islam and World Religions, and has worked as a journalist for Baylor University newspaper.  She was a member of the Dean’s List at Baylor University and was selected to represent Theta Alpha Kappa at the 2007 Southwest Conference of Religious Studies.  She worked for the past 4 years in Missouri as a Counselor and Tutor for children aged 7 to 18.  She is highly qualified in social studies and Generalist 4 to 8, and is currently pursuing her full teaching certification.  She is in her second year at APA.

Mrs. Eman Kallash has worked as a Family Therapist for the past 16 years.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology, both from Cleveland State University.  She has provided therapeutic intervention services as well as counseling to children and adolescents, and has spoken at schools and community organizations about parenting and adolescent issues. She has taught for many years at Sunday Islamic schools and Islamic Summer camps, including past several years at ICGA.

Ms. Jessica Foreman possesses a B. A. degree in English and History from the University of Texas in Austin, with an emphasis on American and English Literature, Poetry, and Critical Writing. Most recently, she taught English in a private school in China.  Her experience includes work as a Journalist for Gallery Watch writing articles covering the Texas Senate and House of Representatives and as a Membership Specialist for the Texas Parent Teacher Association.  She has been active in various national clubs and honor societies.  She has completed “ Spring Board Program” training conducted by College Board for Pre-AP and AP English.  She is in her second year at APA.

Mrs. Nahed Abou Galala has a degree in Computer Science from Mu’tah University in Jordan and also holds a high diploma in Educational Skills.  She worked as a Computer Programmer in Jordan and as a teacher in Chemistry and Computer technology in Indiana.  In addition to teaching Chemistry and Information Technology, she also worked as an Administrative Assistant at the school office since 2007.  This year, she earned a certification from College Board for Pre-AP chemistry and AP Chemistry, and CPO certification in Physics.  She is currently enrolled in a Teacher Certification program for Math and Science from 4-8th Grade with the Texas Education Agency.  She is in her third year at APA.

Mr. Syed Ejaz Fareed has taught Math and Science in middle and high schools at the AISD for five years, and is SBEC certified in Math for grades 4th thru 8th.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and has completed M. Ed. (Curriculum & Instructions) from Concordia University in Austin in February 2009. He has passed numerous teacher development courses and is certified in Talent and Gifted program. This year, he completed training in Math Spring Board program by College Board for Pre-AP and AP Math.  He is in his 3rd year at APA and was teacher of the year for 2008-09 academic year.

Mrs. Salome Pasha has a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry from King’s College in London, U. K.  She has been working for the past 8 years as a Director/Instructor at an international recognized learning center.  Prior to that, she was a teaching assistant at a Montessori School.  She has certifications in Math and Reading Instructions, and has worked in a biochemistry laboratory in London, U. K.

Mrs. Guyna Elabiad is in her fifth year at APA.  She has previously taught at Al-Manar Islamic School, Lebanon.  She is fluent in Arabic and French.

Mrs. Najiah Hassuneh has taught Arabic and Islamic Studies for over 20 years at schools in Jordan and Kuwait as well as at Virginia Tech University.  Prior to joining APA, she taught at Dar al Arqam Islamic School in Houston. She earned a B. S. degree in Education/Islamic Studies (Sharia) from Kuwait University and has attended numerous workshops including ‘Teaching Students to Think’, and Tajweed.  She is in her second year at APA.

Dr. Nehal Khadr has been teaching Arabic & Islamic Studies at APA and ICGA since 1998. She is a graduate of Alexandria University, Egypt, and holds a degree in Medicine. She has been teaching at APA for past ten years.

Mrs. Huda Qerqez is very passionate about the Arabic language and has been teaching Arabic at different levels for many years.  Prior to joining APA, she worked at an Islamic school in Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as taught Arabic and Islamic Studies in her native Gaza, Palestine.  She attended the College of Saarland in Germany.  She is in her third year at APA.

Mrs. Samiah Ahmadi has a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Fatih, Libya, and studied Islamic Studies at University of Tripoli. Since 2003, she has taught Qur’an and Islamic Studies and coordinated youth activities in Austin, and has worked as a teacher for two years at Masjid Ibrahim.  She has earned certificates in Seerah and Fiqh from the Islamic American University and is well versed in Tajweed (Qur’an recitation).  She is in her second year at APA.

Mrs. Sarah Shalab studied Sculpture at Rhode Island School of Design and later attended Temple University to learn bronze casting.  She attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for two years and then transferred to the University of Texas, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Art History.

Mrs. Rania ElBaraday has worked at APA for the past three years in various capacities.  She has a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Alexandria in Egypt.  She is an administrative assistant at the school office.

Mrs. Shabana Tabassum has a Bachelor of Science degree from Bangalore University, India and has completed Diploma in Software Applications.  Her prior experience includes teaching at elementary school at International School in Saudi Arabia as well as computer system administration.