Secondary School Staff Biographies - Austin Peace Academy

> English & Social Studies Department

Ms. Amna Rahman

Bio

Mrs. Amna Rahman earned her Law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science before completing her Masters in Eighteenth Century English Language and Rhetoric from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London. Mrs. Amna has taught Language Arts for middle and high school students for over eleven years and been responsible for developing APA’s highly successful AP English Language and Literature programs. She has read for the College Board and has completed numerous training sessions on curriculum design and implementation. In her more recent capacities, she is involved in the optimization and vertical alignment of APA’s Language Arts curriculum. Her ambition is for APA’s Department of English to provide mission and objectives driven curricula in a customized manner to students in order that they be able to tackle any communications task, academic or otherwise, with confidence, clarity and concision.

Mr. James Kohn

Bio

Mr. James Kohn's journey in education began after earning his Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Texas-Pan American. Equipped with a strong academic foundation, he embarked on his teaching career. In his first year of teaching, he taught 7th grade Texas History and gained valuable experience in classroom management and curriculum delivery. Over the course of five years, he taught a range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including AP Human Geography, AP World History, AP US History, and AP Government.

James's ability to foster critical thinking skills in the social studies classroom was evident through his use of primary source documents and the integration of various multimedia resources.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, James possesses a passion for debate. As a high school student, he achieved remarkable success, advancing to the state-level competition in his first year of formal debate. His personal experience in debate fuels his desire to coach multiple teams and mentor young debaters, passing on his knowledge and passion for the art of persuasive discourse.

James's commitment to continuous growth and his ability to adapt to various teaching environments have contributed to his success as an educator. He is technologically savvy and embraces innovative teaching methods to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. As a student council sponsor, he has also demonstrated his dedication to fostering student leadership and involvement outside the classroom. James will be teaching 8th Grade Social Studies, AP Human Geography and AP US History and Debate.

Mr. Ahmed Mouer

Bio

Ahmed Mouer graduated from George Mason University with a BA in Psychology in 2013 and an MS in Educational Psychology in 2019. He is a is a dedicated educator with a passion for teaching and a diverse professional background. He is a proud product of an Islamic school and has since channeled his formative experiences into a rewarding teaching career. Ahmed has taught English, U.S. History, and U.S. Government to middle and high school students at two prominent Islamic schools in Virginia. Ahmed brings a unique blend of research acumen and practical teaching skills to the classroom. His contributions to publications at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine highlight his ability to guide students in
conducting thorough academic research and producing high-quality research papers.
Ahmed's journey into education was preceded by extensive work as a mental health professional, where he gained invaluable experience in both Cairo and Virginia. His expertise
extends to program evaluation for educational institutions, which has enriched his approach to
teaching and curriculum development.
Ahmed is fluent in both English and Arabic and is committed to fostering a high standard of learning through innovative teaching methods and a deep understanding of educational psychology. His international work experience and dedication to community development further enhance his ability to connect with and inspire students from diverse backgrounds.

Mr. Alex Pritchard

Bio

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 37 years at several public and private schools as Director of Forensics. His students have been admitted to many of the most prestigious universities 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.

> Science Department

Ms. Nahed Abou Galala

Bio

Ms. Nahed Abou Galala has been working with APA since 2007 as a Science and Computer Science teacher. She obtained her Bachelor's of Science degree in Computer Science from Mu’tah University in Jordan and also holds a diploma in High Educational Skills. She taught Computer Science at a community college in Jordan before coming to the states. Here, she is certified to teach computer science for grades 8-12. At APA, Ms. Nahed teaches Honor Physics, Forensic Science, Pre- AP AP Chemistry, Middle School Science, and Computer Science like AP Computer Science Principles, Graphic Design and Animations, Computer Science Discoveries for Middle Schoolers. She is also qualified to teach AP classes like AP Physics and AP Computer Science. In addition to teaching science and computer classes in middle and upper school, Ms. Nahed has had a successful track at local, regional, state, and international science fair competitions as a coach. Under her advice, her students have reached the International Science Fair with their projects for the past decade. She has also been a judge at the Austin Regional Science Fair, along with the Broadcom Science Fair. At APA, she has also served as the NHS sponsor and is the school’s main IT support for both software and hardware areas. For the past decade, Ms. Nahed has also served as the grant specialist with AISD, gaining critical funding for APA in the process. Her achievements and dedication to APA have been recognized as Ms. Nahed was awarded the “Principal’s Award” for meeting and exceeding all standards in 2010 – 2011.

On a personal level, Ms. Nahed has a supportive husband, four bright daughters, and a loving cat. She attended a military university in Jordan, where along with her curriculum for her Computer Science degree, she also performed military exercises in the desert and was trained to operate various weaponry. Ms. Nahed is also a skillful piano and accordion player as a result of her musical childhood in Kuwait.

Ms. Deanna Hill

Bio

Ms Deanna Hill, was a first generation college student as well as a first high school graduate from her family. She graduated HS summa cum laude on the Distinguished Achievement plan and received a full academic scholarship to Texas State University, where she received her BS in Biology & Biochemistry, summa cum laude, in 3.5 years. While in college, Mrs Deanna taught General Chemistry Labfor several years and was later nominated by the Chemistry Department to be featured on the Texas State Homepage where she was highlighted as a rising women in science. At APA, Mrs Deanna currently teaches 6th an 7th grade Science.

Mrs Deanna concentrated her degree electives in Zoology & Animal Behavior as well as Molecular & Cancer Biology. Beginning in her Junior year, Deanna joined a medicinal chemistry research lab where she synthesized micro-tubule targeting alkaloids with specific chemical modifications to make them more tumor selective or able to cross the blood brain barrier.

Ms.Deanna joined APA in the fall of 2022. She currently teachers 6th/7th Grade Science , Honor Biology & AP Biology.

Mr. Kiel Kietlinski

Bio

Mr. Kiel Kietlinski was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He attended Stephen F. Austin University and Southern Illinois University obtaining two Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology and Science Education, and a Master’s Degree in Plant Biology. While working on his Master’s Degree, Mr. Kietlinski spent time in Utah working in a genetics lab studying grain and weedy amaranths from North and South America. He additionally spent time working in the Academic Assistance & Resource Center (AARC) at Stephen F. Austin State University tutoring students in biology, geology, and chemistry. In college, Mr. Kietlinski was passionate about working with electron microscopes and eventually ended up working in an Electron Microscopy lab at Southern Illinois University. He has over 10 years of combined experience working as a Lab Instructor (Teaching Assistant) and as a Secondary Science Teacher at various public institutions.

Mr. Kietlinski actively sponsors students in the Austin Regional Science Fair. Under his direction students have won numerous awards and have even competed in the state science fair in San Antonio. He is an adjunct faculty member in the Biotechnology department at Austin Community College. In his classroom, Mr. Kietlinski loves interacting with students and bringing science to life in his classroom. In his free time, he enjoys caving, hiking, and light microscopy. Mr. Kietlinski will teach Science to Middle and Upper School students.

> Math Department

Ms. Sarah Sayegh

Bio

Ms. Sarah Sayegh has been a part of the APA family since 2013, bringing her passion for numbers and problem solving to the classroom. She has taught math classes for grades 6 through 12. She currently serves as the Math Department Chair and teaches Middle/High School math.

Ms. Sarah graduated from the McCombs School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and furthered her education with a master’s degree in mathematics curriculum and instruction from The University of Texas. She is driven by the pleasure of witnessing the “Aha” moments in the learning journeys of her students.

Ms. Sarah loves spending time with her family and two daughters outside of school.

Ms. Maisaa Hawana

Bio

Ms. Maisaa Hawana graduated with a B. Sc. degree in Computer Engineering from Iowa State University and a diploma in Communications Engineering from Public Authority of Applied Education and Training, Kuwait. She also received her Masters of Education in Education with Principalship from Concordia University in 2017. 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 certified Math Middle/High School teacher, childhood development training and several computer certifications. In addition to teaching mathematics in school, she is in charge of the finances, the day to day operations and works closely with the IT department in software and hardware maintenance issues. Ms. Maisaa has attended many workshops including Thinking Maps, training in using “Mimio Interactive projectors” in the classrooms and the summer UT Summer Institute for teaching Pre-AP Mathematics for Middle school and Upper school. She was teacher of the year for academic 2012-2013. Currently she is the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for International Students and is the official Notary for APA. Ms. Hawana also teaches Upper School Geometry.

Ms. Cara Bearden

Bio

Ms. Cara Bearden completed her degree in Mathematics from Alverno College in 2005. She received her Secondary Math Certification in 2007 for Texas. She taught math for seven years at Crockett High School, where she also served as the AP math teacher lead. In 2012, she joined the National Math and Science Initiative as a presenter and mentor. Ms. Bearden offers exam preparation sessions for students in AP statistics and general AP math exam preparation. At NMSI, she also mentors teachers, providing them with resources and offering support.

Ms. Penny Smeltzer

Bio

Ms. Penny Smeltzer earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and History, with an additional certification in English, from Western Michigan University. Ms. Penny boasts an incredibly diverse and well-rounded background in teaching Mathematics. Her passion is Advanced Placement Statistics. In addition to teaching at Austin Peace Academy, she continues to serve as a consultant for the College board, as an AP grader and rubric writer, and member of the AP Statistics Test Development Committee. Penny also works as a statistics content specialist for the National Mathematics and Science Initiative. Her dedication to professional development has helped teachers and students from coast to coast as well as in Singapore and Hong Kong. Penny’s recognition includes 2015 Presidential Award Finalist, 2011 O’Donnell AP Teacher of the Year, 2010 Intel Teacher of Merit, 2009 Texas Exes Outstanding Teacher, the 2008 national winner of the Siemen’s Teacher Award, 2007 District Teacher of the Year, and 2006 Toyota International Teacher Award. This is a result of her connecting material to the students and engaging with them on a deeper level. Ms. Penny joined the APA community from Westwood High school as a Mathematics teacher as well as a peer advisor and mentor for the APA Teaching Staff for Math and Science.

> 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. Shabana joined APA in 2008.

Mr. Zakariya Yassine

Bio

Mr. Zakariya Yassine joined Austin Peace Academy after five years at Harmony School of Endeavour, where he taught Art and PE to students of all grades. In addition, he coached the high school boys' basketball team, leading them to district championships every year, including a victory in the 2023-2024 season.

A graduate of Texas State University, Coach Yassine enjoys playing sports, spending time with his daughter, and playing video games. He is passionate about fostering a positive and engaging learning environment and is dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential both academically and athletically.

Coach Yassine is excited to join the APA community and is committed to supporting the development and success of our students. With his experience and enthusiasm, he plans to have a positive impact to our school.

Ms Madeeha Mansoor

Bio

Ms. Madeeha Mansoor received her Bsc. in Computer Studies from Allama Iqbal Open University. She also has two Master’s degrees; an MA in Teaching from Antioch University Seattle, and an MS from National University of Computer and Emerging Science, majoring in Computer Science.

Madeeha worked as a Software Engineer at Netsol Technologies, managing the planning and the delivery of financial software to international clients while working with a multidisciplinary team. In 2016, Madeeha decided to take up teaching and became a student intern at Thurgood Marshall Elementary in 2016. A year later she took the position of substitute science teacher for 8th grade at Inglewood Middle School, where she collaboratively worked with the 8th grade team to develop lesson plans based on Hereditary/Genetic Evaluation and Force & Motion. She also was General Education teacher for 4th grade at Peter Kirk Elementary School.

Before she joined APA in 2023 as a Coding teacher, she was the Computer Science teacher (K-5) at Stevenson & Sherwood Forrest Elementary, where she developed norms and procedures for computer science classrooms, shaped attractive and engaging computer lessons around cross cutting concepts that enable students to build a strong foundation of computer science at elementary level; and helped students learn and implement concepts using Scratch, Scratch jr, Code.org and Beebots with a differentiated learning experience.

Madeeha does not only aim to accelerate students’ learning and enrich their experience by integrating technology in teaching methodology, but to empower them to be self-motivated and self-organized to become productive and compassionate leaders of their communities

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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

> English & Social Studies Department

Ms. Amna Rahman

Mr. James Kohn

Mr. Ahmed Mouer

Mr. Alex Pritchard

> Science Department

Ms. Nahed Abou Galala

Ms. Deanna Hill

Mr. Kiel Kietlinski

> Math Department

Ms. Sarah Sayegh

Ms. Maisaa Hawana

Ms. Cara Bearden

Ms. Penny Smeltzer

> Co-Curricular Department

Ms. Shabana Tabassum

Mr. Zakariya Yassine

Ms Madeeha Mansoor

Austin Peace Academy

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

Austin Peace Academy

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