meet the GSA team
Instructional and Support Staff
GSA’s teachers and staff have high qualifications, including a minimum Bachelor’s degree for K-8 PreK-11 from accredited universities for Quran/Arabic teachers. They also continuously enroll in degree programs to improve their knowledge and provide top-notch education.
Pre-K Teachers
Buthainah Kanaan
Pre-K 4 Teacher
This is Buthainah’s 6th year at GSA and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Care and Education from Florida Atlantic University and an Associates degree in Arts from Palm Beach State College.
This is Buthainah’s 6th year at GSA and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Care and Education from Florida Atlantic University and an Associates degree in Arts from Palm Beach State College.
Fariha Rohail
Pre-K 3 Teacher
This is Fariha’s 4th year at GSA, she holds Associates in Arts and also has an Early Childhood Education Certificate. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Neuroscience and Behavioral Science
This is Fariha’s 4th year at GSA, she holds Associates in Arts and also has an Early Childhood Education Certificate. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Neuroscience and Behavioral Science
Yara Elhasham
Pre-K 4 Teacher's Assistant
Tanya Rudenjak
Grade Prek-Teacher’s Assistant
Tanya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies/Pre-Medical Studies and French and a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Art.
Elementary Teachers
Gharad Shehadeh
KG Teacher
Gharad joined the Garden of the Sahaba Academy in 2007. She holds a professional teacher training and Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an ESOL endorsement from FAU. Gharad is certified to teach K-6.
Gharad joined the Garden of the Sahaba Academy in 2007. She holds a professional teacher training and Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an ESOL endorsement from FAU. Gharad is certified to teach K-6.
Mona Khatib
Grade 1 Teacher
This is Mona’s 10th year with GSA, she holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Masters degree in Literature Education. She also has 2 Arabic Professional Development certificates for reading and vocabulary.
This is Mona’s 10th year with GSA, she holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Masters degree in Literature Education. She also has 2 Arabic Professional Development certificates for reading and vocabulary.
Siham Bekbichi
Grade 2 Teacher
This is Siham’s 7th year at GSA. She is a 2nd grade teacher and holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from FIU and a Pre-school Teaching certificate from PBSC. She also has an associate degree in Commerce and Management.
This is Siham’s 7th year at GSA. She is a 2nd grade teacher and holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from FIU and a Pre-school Teaching certificate from PBSC. She also has an associate degree in Commerce and Management.
Asmaa Makhoukhi
Grade 3 Teacher
This is Asmaa’s 7th year at GSA and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Supervision and Management from Palm Beach State College and a postgraduate certificate in Education. She is also certified to teach Early Childhood and Elementary PreK-3 grade and also certified in Exceptional Student Education ESE K-12.
This is Asmaa’s 7th year at GSA and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Supervision and Management from Palm Beach State College and a postgraduate certificate in Education. She is also certified to teach Early Childhood and Elementary PreK-3 grade and also certified in Exceptional Student Education ESE K-12.
Danna Elzagha
Grade 4 Teacher
This is Danna's 13th year at GSA, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is certified to teach K-6.
This is Danna's 13th year at GSA, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is certified to teach K-6.
Safa Khan
Grade 5 Teacher
Safa holds a Bachelor of Education(B.Ed.) with specialisation in Mathematics from the UTT-University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Safa holds a Bachelor of Education(B.Ed.) with specialisation in Mathematics from the UTT-University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Najma Ali
Teacher’s Assistant
This is Najma’s 7th year at GSA she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology and is the Kindergarten teacher’s assistant. She is also certified to teach Early Childhood.
This is Najma’s 7th year at GSA she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology and is the Kindergarten teacher’s assistant. She is also certified to teach Early Childhood.
Momena Islam
Teacher’s Assistant
Momena Islam a compassionate preschool educator with close to 5 years of experience teaching 3-5 year olds in classroom settings. She completed a BS in Social Work and is currently working at GSA as an assistant teacher.
Momena Islam a compassionate preschool educator with close to 5 years of experience teaching 3-5 year olds in classroom settings. She completed a BS in Social Work and is currently working at GSA as an assistant teacher.
Librarian
Ivonne Mohammad
School Librarian & Club Coordinator
Ivonne is an experienced educator, having taught at the college, middle school, and elementary levels. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts/English.
Ivonne is an experienced educator, having taught at the college, middle school, and elementary levels. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts/English.
Middle/High School Teachers
Jonathan Castelo
Middle/High School Math Teacher
Florida Certified Mathematic Teacher 6-12 grade.
Jonathan holds a B.A. in Math Education from FAU and has a passion for helping others learn math.
Florida Certified Mathematic Teacher 6-12 grade.
Jonathan holds a B.A. in Math Education from FAU and has a passion for helping others learn math.
Sareh Abu Shawish
Middle/High School Science Teacher
Sareh is a GSA science teacher. Sareh holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior and Master of Biomedical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University.
Sareh is a GSA science teacher. Sareh holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior and Master of Biomedical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University.
Fatima Quddus
Middle/High School English Teacher
r
Fatima Quddus taught English in the United States and Internationally. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Florida Atlantic University.
Fatima Quddus taught English in the United States and Internationally. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Florida Atlantic University.
Ghulam Quddus
Middle/High School Social Studies Teacher
r
Ghulam is the social studies teacher for GSA. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and Master of Fine Arts from Florida State University.
Ghulam is the social studies teacher for GSA. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and Master of Fine Arts from Florida State University.
Physical Education Teachers
Adrianne Gerken
P.E Teacher
QAIS (Quran, Arabic & Islamic Studies) Teachers
Lahcen Abidi
Middle & High School Arabic Teacher
Lahcen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic Linguistics and literature and an A.A. in Arabic literature. He also has a Baccalaureate Degree in Humanities, Arabic Studies, Arabic Pedagogy and a certificate in teaching Arabic.
Lahcen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic Linguistics and literature and an A.A. in Arabic literature. He also has a Baccalaureate Degree in Humanities, Arabic Studies, Arabic Pedagogy and a certificate in teaching Arabic.
Azza Kabil
Elementary Quran Teacher
Azza holds a Bachelor’s degree and has also has 15 years experience in teaching the Quran.
Azza holds a Bachelor’s degree and has also has 15 years experience in teaching the Quran.
Adam Ziad
Middle/High School Islamic Studies Teacher
This is Adam’s 10th year at GSA. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, a Master’s degree in Language Education, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies.
This is Adam’s 10th year at GSA. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, a Master’s degree in Language Education, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Enas Abdalaal
Arabic Teacher Elementary School
Enas holds a Bachelor’s of Arts, Social Development Program from Ain Shams University, Cairo Egypt.
Enas holds a Bachelor’s of Arts, Social Development Program from Ain Shams University, Cairo Egypt.
Nermeen Abdullah
Middle & High School Quran Teacher
Nermeen holds a Bachelor’s of Arts and Basic Education. (Arabic and Islamic Studies), Faculty of Education,Kafr El-Sheikh University, EGYPT.
Nermeen holds a Bachelor’s of Arts and Basic Education. (Arabic and Islamic Studies), Faculty of Education,Kafr El-Sheikh University, EGYPT.
Quran Teacher Middle/High School
Middle & High School Quran Teacher
Brother Haytham is a Quran teacher with ten years of experience in teaching Tajweed, Quranic recitation, Arabic language and Islamic studies. Brother Haytham holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration/Management Information Systems from Florida Atlantic University.
Brother Haytham is a Quran teacher with ten years of experience in teaching Tajweed, Quranic recitation, Arabic language and Islamic studies. Brother Haytham holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration/Management Information Systems from Florida Atlantic University.
Custodial
L'Houcine Bouazzaoui Custodian
Custodian
