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.

Ms. Tazeen Helali

Bio

Ms. Tazeen Helali graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors in Environmental Design. She found her passion for learning and teaching kids the foundational skills to succeed in their early educational years when she worked as an assistant in Kindergarten. Ms. Tazeen has received training in Early Childhood Outcomes, Early Childhood Classroom Organization and Strategies, circle Time: The Heart of the Classroom Community, Safety and Supervision in Child Care and Emergency Preparedness, Building Safety, and Hazardous Materials in Child Care. She loves watching them learn and grow. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, creative crafting and traveling. Ms. Tazeen joined APA in 2021.

> Lower School Department

Ms. Ghazal Jbeily

Bio

Ms. Ghazal Jbeily graduated with honors from the Lebanese American University and holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) degree. Ms. Ghazal is an engaged, creative and passionate teacher with 3 years of experience as a preschool and first grade teacher. Ms. Ghazal has attended a wide variety of webinars and enrolled in different educational programs over the years accumulating over 120 hours of course work. She holds certification in courses such as A Year of Inspiring Lessons and The Creative Classroom. Her knowledge and skills make her a great fit for our Kindergarten students.

Additionally, Ms. Ghazal is an accomplished athlete. From 1994 to 2006, she was a Lebanese Swimming Champion and a National Record Holder. One of her biggest achievement was being a member of the Lebanese Olympic Swimming Team in Athens 2004.

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 Ul Ilm 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 small boys, Ms. Mariam truly believes the elementary years of a child's life strongly define their ability to thrive in a lifelong journey of learning.

Ms. Mokita Yakub

Bio

Watch out this space for Ms. Mokita's biography, which will be updated soon.

Ms. Kimberly Zardavets

Bio

Ms. Kimberly Zardavets earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the Education and Training Kean College of New Jersey. Ms. Kimberley’s teaching career began back in 1996 when she worked as an Elementary Education Teacher for the Edison Township Board of Education in Edison, New Jersey. She then moved to Texas and worked as a Special Education Consultant for Fort Bend ISD in Sugar Land, TX. Ms. Kimberly took a break from teaching to earn her Counseling Degree and now has made it back to the classroom - where she feels the most comfortable pursuing her passion of teaching children.

Ms. Kimberly has won many accolades including Educator of the Year Award, Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program Certificate of Recognition, and was also nominated by a parent for Disney’s American Teacher Awards, which honors creativity in teaching. She loves football and has been involved with the Central Texas Youth Football League and the Hutto Youth Football & Cheer Association in various capacities.

Ms. Andrea Hatcher

Bio

Watch out this space for Ms. Andrea's biography, which will be updated soon.

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. Ms. Shabana serves as a Computer Support Specialist providing routine maintenance of APA's networks and servers along with technical assistance and support.

Ms. Andra Carter

Bio

Ms. Andra Carter graduated from Washington Adventist University – Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She also received her Master of Science degree in Sports Health Science with a concentration in Sport Coaching and Athletic Injury Management from Life University in Marietta, Georgia. Ms. Andra has been teaching K-12 Physical Education since 2004. She has worked at numerous private and charter schools. Ms. Andra is also an accomplished athlete
being a former NCAA basketball player and a former professional women’s football player. Ms. Andra serves as APA’s Dean of students, PE and Girls Basketball coach.

> TEACHING interventionists

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 Austin Peace Academy.

Ms. Asma Shamsie

Bio

Ms. Asma Shamsie completed her Bachelor of Arts in History degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has experience working with students from K-12 in English, writing and Math encouraging them to think critically. Ms. Asma has held volunteer positions at The Children’s Center, Habitat for Humanity and the North Austin Medical Center over the years. .

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College Preparatory Education

Leadership in STEM

Living Our Faith

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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

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

> Pre-School Department

Mrs. Ambreen Saeed

Ms. Tazeen Helali

> Lower School Department

Ms. Ghazal Jbeily

Ms. Mariam Razzak

Ms. Mokita Yakub

Ms. Kimberly Zardavets

Ms. Andrea Hatcher

Ms. Adriana Salinas

> Co-Curricular Department

Ms. Shabana Tabassum

Ms. Andra Carter

> TEACHING interventionists

Mrs. Nahid Hassan

Ms. Asma Shamsie

Austin Peace Academy

Copyright © 2020, Austin Peace Academy. All Rights Reserved.

Austin Peace Academy

Copyright © 2020, Austin Peace Academy. All Rights Reserved.