Primary School Staff Biographies - Austin Peace Academy

> Pre-School Department

Mrs. Ambreen Saeed

Bio

Mrs. Ambreen Saeed earned her Bachelor of Science Degree and her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. She also earned a paraprofessional certificate from ACC and attended a wide variety of workshops leading to certifications. In 2011, she earned a NAMC preschool/kindergarten Teaching Diploma for Montessori Schools. Her experience in the Montessori learning method and its implementation will be of great benefit to the students in fostering a love of learning through play and exploration. Her creative and artistic approach to teaching will further this dynamic in the classroom. Along with her enriching childhood education background, she has served as the lower school teacher assistant at APA for six years. This extensive experience along with her maternal and patient personality will provide an enriching and nurturing environment for our youngest students. In 2015, she received the best TA award from APA. Ms Ambreen also served as the PSIA Spelling Coach/Grader and Assistant Director. She is also very involved in the local community. She joined APA in 2011.

Mrs. Nahid Hassan

Bio

Mrs. Nahid Hassan completed her degree in Early Childhood Education from Seneca College in Toronto. In Toronto, she created engaging and enriching educational material for students of wide age ranges. Additionally, she assisted in a Kindergarten classroom where she taught and tested different levels of students. Over the past few years, she volunteered in many capacities at APA where she developed a familiarity with the the school’s mission, values, and dynamics. Ms. Hassan’s educational background and past work experience provides her with the tools to create the perfect learning environment to develop these young minds. Her nurturing and patient personality, along with her background experience and education, will make her an asset to the Pre-K department. She joined APA in 2018.

> Lower School Department

Mrs. Fatima Baginda

Bio

Mrs. Fatima Baginda earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature at Mindanao State University. From 2008 to 2009 she served as a youth representative to the Philippine Congress and helped draft and implement nationwide programs focused on improving child literacy. After graduating, she worked as an ESL teacher for Korean students at Seattle Effective Learning Center (Philippines). She previously taught Pre-K and Kindergarten at two highly prestigious schools, Kinhaven in Virginia and the Lowell School in Washington, DC. She has extensive experience with Early Childhood education and is very excited to be working at APA. Her experience in both curriculum development and in the classroom, along with her nurturing, creative, and innovative personality make her an excellent addition to our Lower Elementary School. She joined APA in 2014.

Ms. Mariam Razzak

Bio

Ms. Mariam Razzak is a proud Austinite and has lived in the city for over 25 years attending elementary through partial University education. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Business and a 5-year degree in Islamic theology. After getting married, Ms. Mariam was able to explore, live and teach in diverse cultures across the world, such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. During this time, she taught for 7 years with Nur UlIlm Academy. Through her various experiences, Ms. Mariam has developed a widespread appreciation for harmonizing cultural differences to attain strong pedagogical progress.

In Austin, her teaching/volunteering experiences include running initiatives at both NAMCC and Renaissance Academy. As a mother of 3 boys (ages 9, 7, and 2), Ms. Mariam truly believes the elementary years of a child's life strongly define their ability to thrive in a lifelong journey of learning.

Mrs. Naveen Khan

Bio

Mrs. Naveen Khan returns to APA to serve as the second grade teacher. This is her 4th year teaching at APA. Mrs. Khan completed her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Child Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is certified to teach students EC-6. Her vast teaching experience shines through in the classroom. Mrs. Khan has worked many years as a Montessori school teacher. Her experience in a Montessori classroom allows her to provide a different dynamic to learning that benefits the students, in which they are encouraged to explore the world around them. Her goal is to ensure that all her students have a love of learning, just as she does. Mrs. Khan was a first grade teacher at APA a few of years ago and took some time off to be with her family. During her time off, Mrs. Khan worked as a tutor to students in China. She worked for years teaching Chinese students how to read, write, and speak English. Mrs. Khan’s virtual teaching experience has provided for a new understanding of different methods of teaching. Mrs. Khan’s experience as a teacher, coupled with her ability to integrate Islamic learning, leads to an enriching and nurturing Islamic environment for her students. Mrs. Khan worked at APA from 2014-2016 and rejoined in 2018.

Ms. Sumayra Hossain

Bio

Ms. Sumayra Hossain will be resuming her post as a 3rd Grade teacher. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies from UT, Austin. She had previously majored in childhood development and has a good understanding of early childhood education and child development. Due to her experience working with toddlers, she can create a fun learning environment. Ms. Sumayra loves teaching and guiding toddlers through play-based learning with a special focus on Art. She has worked with students from different cultural backgrounds and varying learning abilities in the past and understands and addresses the needs of each. She joined the APA team in 2016.

Ms. Mary Beth Foster

Bio

Ms. Mary Beth Foster joins APA in 2019 as the new 4th grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from UT-Austin and two Masters Degrees from Purdue University in Indiana along with a Master’s of Sciences in Education in Counseling and Development plus a Master’s in Rhetoric and Composition (writing). She has also earned a CELTA certificate from Cambridge University, UK, qualifying her to teach English as a Second Language. She has worked in schools in England and in the US, most recently in Leander ISD. Ms. Mary Beth is certified to teach K-6th grade with additional qualifications in Special Education. She has taught English to adults in Indonesia, and lived in England from 2010-2015. She has a boundless enthusiasm for learning and looks forward to communicating that every day. She is a person of deep and practiced faith and great regard for others’ faiths.

Ms. Adriana Salinas

Bio

Ms. Adriana Salinas brings with her more than 7 years of teaching experience in charter, public and private school systems. 2 years of experience teaching remotely to elementary children. Ms. Adriana holds a B.A. in English from Vanderbilt University, emphasizing creative writing, and a B.A. in Studio Art. She is a certified teacher Generalist 4-8.

Through the Teach for America program, Ms. Adriana started her journey as an English teacher in Houston at her alma mater, YES Prep Public School, then 6^th Grade English teacher at Biotech Academy at Rusk (Baylor College of Medicine). From 2017 to 2019, Ms. Adriana worked as an English teacher at an International Baccalaureate (IB) Mexican private school in Mexico City, Mexico. Then Online K-2 instructor at The Magnolia School in Austin, Texas.

She has worked as a classroom English teacher with students of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Ms. Adriana is enrolled in an online Master’s Certificate program in instructional design from George Washington University. Her ultimate goal is to earn a Master’s degree in Educational Technology Leadership. She believes that technology in school is a fundamental right for all students, no matter their socioeconomic status.

> Co-Curricular Department

Ms. Shabana Tabassum

Bio

Ms. Shabana Tabassum has a Bachelor of Science degree from Bangalore University, India and has completed a Diploma in Software Applications. Her prior experience includes teaching at lower elementary school at International School in Saudi Arabia as well as computer system administration. Her artistic and creative background lead to her becoming APA’s art teacher, where her high standards motivate students to put forth their best into their artwork. Furthermore, her passion for the field ignites interest for the students and allows them to tap unfulfilled potential. She joined APA in 2010.

Our School

Our Campus

Apply to Austin Peace Academy

Visit us on Campus

College Preparatory Education

Leadership in STEM

Living Our Faith

A Day in the Life

You’re Invited

Ways to Give