Faculty & Staff
Bothaina Ali
Arabic and Quran
Mrs. Bothaina Ali has been at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2005, teaching Quran and Arabic to all grade levels. In addition to teaching Quran and Arabic to all grade levels at NISL, she teaches on the weekends at the Guiding Light Weekend School. She completed her teaching degree in Jerusalem, Palestine, and earned certification to teach Arabic. In addition to various annual trainings that she participates in, Mrs. Ali has attended the STARTALK Arabic Language Training Program at Washington State University and attends professional development sessions for Arabic and Quran teachers at ISNA Education Forum. Mrs. Ali was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2007-2008, 2011-2012, and 2014-2015 school years. She strives to enable our students to read Quran in Arabic with Tajweed and deepen their understanding Quran, acquire a set of moral values on which to base his/her own behavior, develop tolerance and respect for others, behave as responsible and well-balanced people in our society, and to also develop an awareness of the spiritual aspects of prayer and worship. Mrs. Ali served as the school coordinator for Islamic events with other Islamic Schools such as the Arabic Spelling Bee, Islamic Studies Quick Recall, and Quran Recitation Competition. She also served as a judge at the Quran Recitation Competition in May 2012. Mrs. Ali's first passion is her family, her two children who are now adults, and her grandchildren. Her second passion is teaching here at Nur Islamic School of Louisville.
Walaa Musleh
Arabic and Quran
Mrs. Walaa Musleh is originally from Palestine. She joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2020 as a substitute teacher and shortly accepted a full-time position teaching Arabic and Quran. Previously, she taught in Jordan for four years and has multiple years of experience tutoring children of all ages. She is fluent in Arabic and English. She is a Google Level 1 Certified Educator. She graduated from Hashemite University with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Walaa brings a multicultural perspective to teaching and enjoys being an educator.
Wisal Alabdalla
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Mrs. Wisal Alabdalla joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2015. Mrs. Alabdalla is originally from Palestine and studied English at Islamic Society College in Jordan. She completed an advanced course in Tajweed and has been teaching Tajweed lessons to students since 1999. Mrs. Alabdalla’s experience includes teaching Quran and Islamic Studies from PreK to 9th grade for four years. During this time, she organized competitions on the Qur'an, Hadeeth, and the Names of Allah. She often serves as the Quran and Arabic Spelling Bee judge and organizes school-wide events such as Arabic Heritage Day. She is a Google Level 1 Certified Educator. Outside of school, Mrs. Alabdalla loves to organize activities for Muslim youth such as summer camps, Itikaf for girls and celebrations to welcome new Muslimahs into the community. Mrs. Alabdalla believes that teaching students Islamic Studies should be practical and spiritual, and the content should be taught through interactive and hands-on activities to draw our children closer to Allah, to make them love and be proud of being Muslim, and to practice being a role model and an effective leader. Mrs. Alabdalla enjoys spending time with her family as well as listening to spiritual lectures and nasheeds.
Lobna Hassan
Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Technology
Mrs. Lobna Hassan joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2021. She currently teaches Arabic to our three-year-olds in the Early Childhood Center, and to our elementary and middle schoolers. She holds an Associate’s degree in Child Education from Cordoba College, Jordon, and a Bachelor’s degree in the Department of Educational Sciences from Al-Albayt University. She is a proud mother of three girls who attend our Early Childhood Center.
Ammar Shaikh
Islamic Studies and Technology
Mr. Ammar Shaikh is originally from India but moved to the US for higher education in 2003. He acquired his Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Bombay and his Master's degree in Information Systems from the University of Maryland. He studied higher Islamic education for seven years from eAlim, Darul Uloom Canada, and New York, and subsequently taught Islamic courses online. His teaching career started at the Islamic School of Baltimore. Since then, he has taught Islamic Studies, Quran, and technology in various Islamic schools. Mr. Shaikh takes great pride in making Islam more exciting and interesting to his students by pioneering the state-wide Islamic Quick Recall, introducing the national Islamic Studies Standardized Tests, and creating Islamic dioramas, plays, etc. He is grateful to be a part of the Louisville Masaajid Volleyball Tournaments, Louisville Muslim Bike Club, and the International Dawah and Tableegh group. He strongly advocates for students' well-being and success in both worlds.
Nouna Melkheir Bouzelmat
Physical Education
Mrs. Nouna Melkheir Bouzelmat joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in August 2021. Ms. Nouna has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s in Physiology of Physical Activity from Bejaia University in Algeria. She graduated from the International Sports Science Association as a Personal Trainer in 2019. She coached cross-country and soccer teams for over 10 years, taught physical education for 3 years, and worked as a personal trainer for Esporta Fitness. Coach Nouna believes that physical activity is not only good for physical health but is also a necessity for mental health.
Fatima-Ezzahrae Nsais
Middle and High School English, Personal Finance, Character and Leadership
Ms. Fatima-Ezzahrae Nsais joined Nur Islamic School in 2023 as a High school ELA and Personal Finance teacher. She also teaches Middle schoolers Character and Leadership. Ms. Nsais has a Master's in English Linguistics, Film Analysis, and Media Studies from the University of Bremen, Germany. She has been teaching English and French for half a decade. During her teaching years, she could experience working with different age groups,10 to 65 years old. She is fluent in four languages; Arabic, French, English, and German. She has a TEFL International Teaching certificate from the British Council. Ms. Nsais used to coach volleyball in Germany, which made her admiration for sports and teaching grow even more. She treats her students as adults and prepares them for the outside world, following three primary rules: respect, smart-Work, and Discipline.
Hanane Takerkart
Middle and High School Math
Mrs. Hanane Takerkart is the middle and high school math teacher at Nur Islamic School of Louisville. She has a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering, an Information Technology Certificate, and a PC Pro Certificate. She has been working at NISL since 2022. She loves Math because she believes it’s the only subject that asks you to solve its problems and forces us to use our brains. She is a proud mother of one daughter who attends the Early Childhood Center.
Amel Chamekh Elloumi
Middle and High School Social Studies
Mrs. Amel Elloumi joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2018 as a substitute teacher and shortly accepted a full-time position teaching Social Studies to middle school students. She is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. Originally, she is from Tunisia, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in History from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Tunis (FSHST) and has worked towards her Master’s in Archeology. Mrs. Elloumi has also obtained certification in Computer Sciences. After receiving her Certificate of Aptitude for Secondary School Teachers (CAPES) and spending a year of training, she embarked on her passion for teaching history and geography to middle school students for 10 years before relocating to the United States with her husband. She speaks many languages, including Arabic, French, and English. In addition to her passion for teaching, she is also very passionate about archeology. She aims to raise the future generation to be positive Muslims with good character.
Matrid Ndife
Middle and High School Science
Ms. Matrid Ndife, joined Nur Islamic School in August 2021. She has been an educator for over 20 years and has taught at the University level as an Assistant Professor and Adjunct Professor, and as a middle school science teacher in the Jefferson County Public School District. Ms. Ndife was educated at Rutgers University, Cornell University, and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Ms. Ndife won a Fulbright Scholarship and studied in Nigeria, and has also done short-term teaching in Taiwan and China. Ms. Ndife worked as a scientist in the food industry and has a number of scientific publications in the field of Food Science. Ms. Ndife enjoys teaching middle school science and focuses on developing her students to become independent self-directed learners who become lifelong learners.
Hanane Takerkart
Middle and High School Math
Desiree Wofford
Fourth and Fifth Grade
Ms. Desiree Wofford joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in January 2023. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Kentucky State University. In addition, she graduated with honors on the Dean’s List and received the Presidential Award twice. Currently, she is fulfilling her Master's in Public Administration. She has spoken at seminars being the (speaker) at the 2020 Racial Equity Conference regarding JCPS among other school districts. Also, she was among the speakers for NABSE conferences in 2020. Ms. Wofford is currently the Vice President of the Master’s Program (PUA). She has been tutoring since 2019 ranging through Elementary-College Courses. She speaks Spanish and English fluently. Her hobbies include crafts/decoration, learning new skills, and enjoying life while remaining humble and blessed. She's passionate and dedicated to imparting knowledge to students while instilling meaningful relationships with students and parents.
Kristen Kinne
Third Grade
Mrs. Kristen Kinne is known as Mrs. K! She has 5 children, 3 dogs, and 4 grandchildren. Mrs. Kinne has been teaching since the mid-90s in many different roles. She was born in Massachusetts and raised in New Hampshire. In 2017, she moved to Colorado; in 2018, she moved to Texas; in 2021, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education/ Early Childhood Special Education at Granite State College in Concord, New Hampshire. She is always excited to share her love of education with her students.
Mebarka Aftis
Second Grade
Mrs. Mebarka Aftis became a teacher at Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2023. She is from Algeria and earned a Bachelor's Degree in the Science of Matter, specializing in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Science. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Imaging and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Ferhat Abbas and an Associate's in Science from Jefferson Community and Technical College. She firmly believes in Albert Einstein's quote, "Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death." Albert Einstein made a profound statement about the limitless potential for lifelong learning. This strong belief in education has motivated her to continue her studies in chemical engineering. Mrs. Aftis is a dedicated and passionate educator with a profound commitment to nurturing a love of learning in students of all ages. She is genuinely enthusiastic about working closely with her students and finds great satisfaction in supporting each child's progress in all aspects of development. She considers it an honor to embrace this daily challenge. She is both ambitious and humble, works diligently, and possesses various talents. Her passion lies in cooking, traveling, reading, and writing novels in Arabic. She is quite sensitive and often relies on her intuition.
Amani Aljalab
First Grade
Mrs. Amani Aljalab has been working at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2016. Mrs. Aljalab has a Bachelor's degree in English Literature as well as a diploma of Educational Qualification and is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. She has been working as a teacher for 8 years teaching various grade levels. Mrs. Amani Aljalab was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2019-2020 school year. She has been married for 5 years and has two boys who attend the Early Childhood Center at NISL. Mrs. Aljalab believes that children are a gift and possess diverse talents and capabilities. Her passion for teaching began as a mother when her 2 sons opened her eyes to the rewarding life of working with young children. She finds joy in witnessing a child learn something new, knowing she was the main influence in they're doing so. NISL is such a wonderful place for her and she loves being a part of such a welcoming community. She looks forward to many more years at Nur Islamic School of Louisville!
Fazeena Nafil
First Grade Assistant
Mrs. Fazeena Nafil joined Nur Islamic School in 2017. She is from Sri Lanka, where she taught in an Elementary School for 3 years. She has a diploma in Primary Education. She was a substitute teacher for 3 years and did 1 year of tutoring. She is now a teacher's assistant for the 1st graders. She is a proud mother of Amaan Nafil, who graduated from NISL in 2018. She looks forward to being a teacher's assistant and helping more kids succeed.
Samira Boughezraouene
First Grade Assistant
Mrs. Samira Boughezraouene is originally from Algeria who moved to America in 2018. She got her Associate’s degree in Customs Administration. Her previous work experience includes working as a computer tester. She joined ECC in 2021 and enjoys working with kids of all ages.
Nour Aljalab
Kindergarten
Mrs. Nour Aljalab holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. She has taught in different settings and positions which included 3 years as an English teacher for various middle and elementary schools and 2 years as Bilingual Associate Instructor in Jefferson County Public Schools. Mrs. Aljalab is a mother of a girl and a boy who also attend the Early Childhood Center at NISL. Her children mean the world to her. She loves her job and believes in the power of education. Mrs. Aljalab’s goal is to make sure that each child receives the best care and love that they all deserve. When she is not at school, she loves spending time with her family. One of her favorite activities is family game night. She looks forward to teaching students to live a happy and healthy life.
Rubeena Vallapil
Kindergarten Assistant
Mrs. Rubeena Vallapil came to the United States in 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Kerala, India. She is the mother of four children who have all been a part of Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Mrs. Vallapil joined NISL in 2016 as a volunteer, and in 2017, she started subbing and tutoring KG to Middle school students. In 2022, she became a KG Assistant Teacher. She likes to be organized and is driven with the innate ability to stay on task. She uses effective and efficient methods of teaching while focusing on the individual needs of each student. She likes spending time with her family and is very passionate about visiting different places.
Sakina Imtiaz
Kindergarten Assistant
Sarah Young
Reading Intervention Specialist
Mrs. Sara Young is the Title I Reading teacher at Nur Islamic School of Louisville. She initially joined NISL in 2009. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Bellarmine University and her Master’s degree at Indiana University Southeast. She’s a mother to eleven children, ranging in age from 24 to 45. This is her twentieth year working with students as a Title I teacher. Mrs. Young believes children learn best when they feel good about themselves. In class, Mrs. Young focuses on celebrating what students already know while addressing the concepts that may challenge them in the classroom.
Early Childhood Center Faculty
Fatima Blata
Pre-K 4 Teacher
Mrs. Fatima Blata joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2022. She’s a teacher that is full of positive energy and loves to smile. She has five years of teaching experience in Dubai and one year in Columbus, Ohio. In 2018 she got her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the American University of Ras Al-Khaimah. Mrs. Blata is American-Palestinian and speaks both English and Arabic. Her passion is to see children learn through fun activities and play. Her priority is to keep her students safe and healthy. She is so excited to expand her experience at NISL!
Zineb Majid
Pre-K 4 Teacher
Mrs. Zineb Majid joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2021. She is very social and full of energy. She loves her students and wants them to learn and improve their life-skills. In 2015, Mrs. Zineb got her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management. She is originally from Morocco but speaks three languages: Arabic, French, and English. She is a loving mother to two daughters who also attend NISL. She is very happy to be a part of the ECC team!
Sarah Mahdhi
Pre-K 3 Teacher
Mrs. Sarah Madhdi joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2015 as an Early Childhood teacher. She has a diploma in Math and Science from Iraq. She was also the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award in the 2019-2020 school year. Mrs. Mahdi loves and treats each of her students as her own.
Meryem Salim
Pre-K 3 Teacher
Mrs. Meryem Salim joined our ECC team in early 2023 as an infant teacher. She is from Morocco and speaks Arabic, French, and English. She finished her Bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies in Morocco, and she is currently working on her degree in Interdisciplinary Childhood Education, as well as a Director’s Credential in Early Childhood. She obtained her Child Development Associate credential and CompTIA certificate. Her love of learning and practicing what she is studying, and spending quality time with children have her rotate in different classrooms to work and meet different ages. She is a proud mother of four children attending Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Mrs. Salim enjoys cooking, walking, reading, and planting in her free time.
Raziya Akhmedova
Pre-K 2 Teacher
Mrs. Raziya Akhmedova joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2012. She is originally from Russia and speaks several languages, including Russian and Turkish. Mrs. Akhmedova obtained her Child Development Associate credential in 2015. She also was the recipient of the ECC Teacher of the Year award in 2016 and again in 2023. She is a proud mother of two boys and one girl who attend NISL and loves spending time with them. She loves being a part of the Early Childhood Center team at NISL.
Ibtesam Saleh
Pre-K 2 Teacher
Mrs. Ibtesam Saleh is from Iraq and is the mother of a gentleman. She joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2020 as an infant and Toddler Teacher. Currently, Mrs. Ibtesam teaches two-year-olds. Her love of being around little ones makes her spend quality time with them and help children feel at home. She was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award in 2022.
Ayan Yussuf
Pre-K 2 Teacher
Mrs. Ayan Yussuf is from Somalia and is a mother of four children. She speaks English and Somali. After graduating from high school, she obtained her degree in Physical Therapy. Her passion is teaching kids and spending quality time with them. Mrs. Yussuf also has worked as a DPS Direct Support Professional with teens and adults. She loves spending time with her kids in her free time, and she loves to meet new people.
Fatima Makhloufi
Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Fatima Makhloufi joined Nur Islamic School in 2023. She is originally from Morocco and speaks Berber, Arabic, and English. Mrs. Makhloufi is very social with children and their parents. She enjoys working with kids and building a warm, beautiful relationship with them. She has experience working in the daycare since 2021. She has three kids who also attend Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Although, Mrs. Makhloufi loves to spend time with her family, she is delighted to be part of the ECC family.
Louiza Boussaid
Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Loiuza Boussaid joined the ECC team in 2023 as a toddler teacher. She is a mother of two kids and is originally from Algeria. She speaks Arabic, English, French, and Berber. Mrs. Boussaid has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economy and Business Management and is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Spending time with kids and having fun with them gives her positive energy. Mrs. Boussaid loves spending time with her family outdoors and enjoys working out at the gym.
Suaad Al-Jorani
Infant Teacher
Mrs. Suaad Al-Jorani joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2018 as an Early Childhood teacher. Her passion is teaching very young children, and she is currently teaching infants and toddlers. Mrs. Al-Jorani is a mother to three boys and one girl. She loves to spend time at home with her family when not at school.
Hagir Falah
Infant Teacher
Mrs. Hagir Falah is a mother of two children. She loves infants and believes spending time with them gives her positive energy for the day. She enjoys taking care of them and considers them her own. She loves teaching them good behaviors and communicating with them.
Aesha Ali
Afternoon Teacher
Mrs. Aesha Ali is the mother of one boy. She is from Iraq and speaks Arabic and English fluently. Mrs. Ali has been working with Nur Islamic School since 2018. She is pursuing her Associate's Degree in Art and Business Administration. Mrs. Ali's hobbies include knitting and writing. She also enjoys gathering with her large extended family.
Fatima Ali
Afternoon Teacher
Khadijah Ben Amar
Substitute Teacher
Mrs. Khadija Ben Amar is originally from Morocco. She holds a Bachelor‘s Degree in Science Economics and Management from Morocco and a diploma in Experimental Sciences Option Physics Sciences. Mrs Khadija is a mother of two children. She is pursuing her studies as a Pharmacy Technician. She enjoys teaching little kids of different ages and she always welcomes kids with her smile and helps them feel at home. Mrs. Ben Amar likes to spend time with her family and friends in her free time and enjoys the outdoors.
Btissame Belhaimer
Substitute Teacher
Jamila Hamid
Head Cook
Mrs. Jamila Hamid has been working at NISL since 2007. Mrs. Hamid has a Bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies as well as in Language Arts. She also enjoys cooking Iftar for the Guiding Light Center during the month of Ramadan. Mrs. Hamid's passion is food and she loves to cook and feed people. She recently achieved her life-long dream of having a catering company that she runs part-time when not cooking for our school.
Aysha Anvar
Assistant Cook
Mrs. Aysha Anvar joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in early 2022 as an Assistant Cook. Mrs. Anvar is a mother of three boys. She is from Turkey and speaks three languages: English, Turkish, and Russian. She enjoys working in the kitchen as cooking is her passion, and it gives her happiness to serve children delicious food.
Shaimaa Zaidan
Assistant Cook
Mrs. Shaimaa Zaidan is from Baghdad, Iraq and is a mother of five kids. Mrs. Zaidan has a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Language and speaks Arabic and English fluently. She joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville from 2015 until 2018 as a substitute and Prek-2 teacher. Mrs. Zaidan loves the diverse environment where learning and meeting new people never ends. This was the reason for her rejoining Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2023 as an Assistant Cook.
Arabic and Quran
Mrs. Bothaina Ali has been at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2005, teaching Quran and Arabic to all grade levels. In addition to teaching Quran and Arabic to all grade levels at NISL, she teaches on the weekends at the Guiding Light Weekend School. She completed her teaching degree in Jerusalem, Palestine, and earned certification to teach Arabic. In addition to various annual trainings that she participates in, Mrs. Ali has attended the STARTALK Arabic Language Training Program at Washington State University and attends professional development sessions for Arabic and Quran teachers at ISNA Education Forum. Mrs. Ali was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2007-2008, 2011-2012, and 2014-2015 school years. She strives to enable our students to read Quran in Arabic with Tajweed and deepen their understanding Quran, acquire a set of moral values on which to base his/her own behavior, develop tolerance and respect for others, behave as responsible and well-balanced people in our society, and to also develop an awareness of the spiritual aspects of prayer and worship. Mrs. Ali served as the school coordinator for Islamic events with other Islamic Schools such as the Arabic Spelling Bee, Islamic Studies Quick Recall, and Quran Recitation Competition. She also served as a judge at the Quran Recitation Competition in May 2012. Mrs. Ali's first passion is her family, her two children who are now adults, and her grandchildren. Her second passion is teaching here at Nur Islamic School of Louisville.
Walaa Musleh
Arabic and Quran
Mrs. Walaa Musleh is originally from Palestine. She joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2020 as a substitute teacher and shortly accepted a full-time position teaching Arabic and Quran. Previously, she taught in Jordan for four years and has multiple years of experience tutoring children of all ages. She is fluent in Arabic and English. She is a Google Level 1 Certified Educator. She graduated from Hashemite University with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Walaa brings a multicultural perspective to teaching and enjoys being an educator.
Wisal Alabdalla
Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies
Mrs. Wisal Alabdalla joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2015. Mrs. Alabdalla is originally from Palestine and studied English at Islamic Society College in Jordan. She completed an advanced course in Tajweed and has been teaching Tajweed lessons to students since 1999. Mrs. Alabdalla’s experience includes teaching Quran and Islamic Studies from PreK to 9th grade for four years. During this time, she organized competitions on the Qur'an, Hadeeth, and the Names of Allah. She often serves as the Quran and Arabic Spelling Bee judge and organizes school-wide events such as Arabic Heritage Day. She is a Google Level 1 Certified Educator. Outside of school, Mrs. Alabdalla loves to organize activities for Muslim youth such as summer camps, Itikaf for girls and celebrations to welcome new Muslimahs into the community. Mrs. Alabdalla believes that teaching students Islamic Studies should be practical and spiritual, and the content should be taught through interactive and hands-on activities to draw our children closer to Allah, to make them love and be proud of being Muslim, and to practice being a role model and an effective leader. Mrs. Alabdalla enjoys spending time with her family as well as listening to spiritual lectures and nasheeds.
Lobna Hassan
Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Technology
Mrs. Lobna Hassan joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2021. She currently teaches Arabic to our three-year-olds in the Early Childhood Center, and to our elementary and middle schoolers. She holds an Associate’s degree in Child Education from Cordoba College, Jordon, and a Bachelor’s degree in the Department of Educational Sciences from Al-Albayt University. She is a proud mother of three girls who attend our Early Childhood Center.
Ammar Shaikh
Islamic Studies and Technology
Mr. Ammar Shaikh is originally from India but moved to the US for higher education in 2003. He acquired his Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Bombay and his Master's degree in Information Systems from the University of Maryland. He studied higher Islamic education for seven years from eAlim, Darul Uloom Canada, and New York, and subsequently taught Islamic courses online. His teaching career started at the Islamic School of Baltimore. Since then, he has taught Islamic Studies, Quran, and technology in various Islamic schools. Mr. Shaikh takes great pride in making Islam more exciting and interesting to his students by pioneering the state-wide Islamic Quick Recall, introducing the national Islamic Studies Standardized Tests, and creating Islamic dioramas, plays, etc. He is grateful to be a part of the Louisville Masaajid Volleyball Tournaments, Louisville Muslim Bike Club, and the International Dawah and Tableegh group. He strongly advocates for students' well-being and success in both worlds.
Nouna Melkheir Bouzelmat
Physical Education
Mrs. Nouna Melkheir Bouzelmat joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in August 2021. Ms. Nouna has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s in Physiology of Physical Activity from Bejaia University in Algeria. She graduated from the International Sports Science Association as a Personal Trainer in 2019. She coached cross-country and soccer teams for over 10 years, taught physical education for 3 years, and worked as a personal trainer for Esporta Fitness. Coach Nouna believes that physical activity is not only good for physical health but is also a necessity for mental health.
Fatima-Ezzahrae Nsais
Middle and High School English, Personal Finance, Character and Leadership
Ms. Fatima-Ezzahrae Nsais joined Nur Islamic School in 2023 as a High school ELA and Personal Finance teacher. She also teaches Middle schoolers Character and Leadership. Ms. Nsais has a Master's in English Linguistics, Film Analysis, and Media Studies from the University of Bremen, Germany. She has been teaching English and French for half a decade. During her teaching years, she could experience working with different age groups,10 to 65 years old. She is fluent in four languages; Arabic, French, English, and German. She has a TEFL International Teaching certificate from the British Council. Ms. Nsais used to coach volleyball in Germany, which made her admiration for sports and teaching grow even more. She treats her students as adults and prepares them for the outside world, following three primary rules: respect, smart-Work, and Discipline.
Hanane Takerkart
Middle and High School Math
Mrs. Hanane Takerkart is the middle and high school math teacher at Nur Islamic School of Louisville. She has a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering, an Information Technology Certificate, and a PC Pro Certificate. She has been working at NISL since 2022. She loves Math because she believes it’s the only subject that asks you to solve its problems and forces us to use our brains. She is a proud mother of one daughter who attends the Early Childhood Center.
Amel Chamekh Elloumi
Middle and High School Social Studies
Mrs. Amel Elloumi joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2018 as a substitute teacher and shortly accepted a full-time position teaching Social Studies to middle school students. She is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. Originally, she is from Tunisia, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in History from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Tunis (FSHST) and has worked towards her Master’s in Archeology. Mrs. Elloumi has also obtained certification in Computer Sciences. After receiving her Certificate of Aptitude for Secondary School Teachers (CAPES) and spending a year of training, she embarked on her passion for teaching history and geography to middle school students for 10 years before relocating to the United States with her husband. She speaks many languages, including Arabic, French, and English. In addition to her passion for teaching, she is also very passionate about archeology. She aims to raise the future generation to be positive Muslims with good character.
Matrid Ndife
Middle and High School Science
Ms. Matrid Ndife, joined Nur Islamic School in August 2021. She has been an educator for over 20 years and has taught at the University level as an Assistant Professor and Adjunct Professor, and as a middle school science teacher in the Jefferson County Public School District. Ms. Ndife was educated at Rutgers University, Cornell University, and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Ms. Ndife won a Fulbright Scholarship and studied in Nigeria, and has also done short-term teaching in Taiwan and China. Ms. Ndife worked as a scientist in the food industry and has a number of scientific publications in the field of Food Science. Ms. Ndife enjoys teaching middle school science and focuses on developing her students to become independent self-directed learners who become lifelong learners.
Hanane Takerkart
Middle and High School Math
Desiree Wofford
Fourth and Fifth Grade
Ms. Desiree Wofford joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in January 2023. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Kentucky State University. In addition, she graduated with honors on the Dean’s List and received the Presidential Award twice. Currently, she is fulfilling her Master's in Public Administration. She has spoken at seminars being the (speaker) at the 2020 Racial Equity Conference regarding JCPS among other school districts. Also, she was among the speakers for NABSE conferences in 2020. Ms. Wofford is currently the Vice President of the Master’s Program (PUA). She has been tutoring since 2019 ranging through Elementary-College Courses. She speaks Spanish and English fluently. Her hobbies include crafts/decoration, learning new skills, and enjoying life while remaining humble and blessed. She's passionate and dedicated to imparting knowledge to students while instilling meaningful relationships with students and parents.
Kristen Kinne
Third Grade
Mrs. Kristen Kinne is known as Mrs. K! She has 5 children, 3 dogs, and 4 grandchildren. Mrs. Kinne has been teaching since the mid-90s in many different roles. She was born in Massachusetts and raised in New Hampshire. In 2017, she moved to Colorado; in 2018, she moved to Texas; in 2021, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education/ Early Childhood Special Education at Granite State College in Concord, New Hampshire. She is always excited to share her love of education with her students.
Mebarka Aftis
Second Grade
Mrs. Mebarka Aftis became a teacher at Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2023. She is from Algeria and earned a Bachelor's Degree in the Science of Matter, specializing in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Science. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Imaging and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Ferhat Abbas and an Associate's in Science from Jefferson Community and Technical College. She firmly believes in Albert Einstein's quote, "Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death." Albert Einstein made a profound statement about the limitless potential for lifelong learning. This strong belief in education has motivated her to continue her studies in chemical engineering. Mrs. Aftis is a dedicated and passionate educator with a profound commitment to nurturing a love of learning in students of all ages. She is genuinely enthusiastic about working closely with her students and finds great satisfaction in supporting each child's progress in all aspects of development. She considers it an honor to embrace this daily challenge. She is both ambitious and humble, works diligently, and possesses various talents. Her passion lies in cooking, traveling, reading, and writing novels in Arabic. She is quite sensitive and often relies on her intuition.
Amani Aljalab
First Grade
Mrs. Amani Aljalab has been working at Nur Islamic School of Louisville since 2016. Mrs. Aljalab has a Bachelor's degree in English Literature as well as a diploma of Educational Qualification and is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. She has been working as a teacher for 8 years teaching various grade levels. Mrs. Amani Aljalab was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the 2019-2020 school year. She has been married for 5 years and has two boys who attend the Early Childhood Center at NISL. Mrs. Aljalab believes that children are a gift and possess diverse talents and capabilities. Her passion for teaching began as a mother when her 2 sons opened her eyes to the rewarding life of working with young children. She finds joy in witnessing a child learn something new, knowing she was the main influence in they're doing so. NISL is such a wonderful place for her and she loves being a part of such a welcoming community. She looks forward to many more years at Nur Islamic School of Louisville!
Fazeena Nafil
First Grade Assistant
Mrs. Fazeena Nafil joined Nur Islamic School in 2017. She is from Sri Lanka, where she taught in an Elementary School for 3 years. She has a diploma in Primary Education. She was a substitute teacher for 3 years and did 1 year of tutoring. She is now a teacher's assistant for the 1st graders. She is a proud mother of Amaan Nafil, who graduated from NISL in 2018. She looks forward to being a teacher's assistant and helping more kids succeed.
Samira Boughezraouene
First Grade Assistant
Mrs. Samira Boughezraouene is originally from Algeria who moved to America in 2018. She got her Associate’s degree in Customs Administration. Her previous work experience includes working as a computer tester. She joined ECC in 2021 and enjoys working with kids of all ages.
Nour Aljalab
Kindergarten
Mrs. Nour Aljalab holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator. She has taught in different settings and positions which included 3 years as an English teacher for various middle and elementary schools and 2 years as Bilingual Associate Instructor in Jefferson County Public Schools. Mrs. Aljalab is a mother of a girl and a boy who also attend the Early Childhood Center at NISL. Her children mean the world to her. She loves her job and believes in the power of education. Mrs. Aljalab’s goal is to make sure that each child receives the best care and love that they all deserve. When she is not at school, she loves spending time with her family. One of her favorite activities is family game night. She looks forward to teaching students to live a happy and healthy life.
Rubeena Vallapil
Kindergarten Assistant
Mrs. Rubeena Vallapil came to the United States in 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Kerala, India. She is the mother of four children who have all been a part of Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Mrs. Vallapil joined NISL in 2016 as a volunteer, and in 2017, she started subbing and tutoring KG to Middle school students. In 2022, she became a KG Assistant Teacher. She likes to be organized and is driven with the innate ability to stay on task. She uses effective and efficient methods of teaching while focusing on the individual needs of each student. She likes spending time with her family and is very passionate about visiting different places.
Sakina Imtiaz
Kindergarten Assistant
Sarah Young
Reading Intervention Specialist
Mrs. Sara Young is the Title I Reading teacher at Nur Islamic School of Louisville. She initially joined NISL in 2009. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Bellarmine University and her Master’s degree at Indiana University Southeast. She’s a mother to eleven children, ranging in age from 24 to 45. This is her twentieth year working with students as a Title I teacher. Mrs. Young believes children learn best when they feel good about themselves. In class, Mrs. Young focuses on celebrating what students already know while addressing the concepts that may challenge them in the classroom.
Early Childhood Center Faculty
Fatima Blata
Pre-K 4 Teacher
Mrs. Fatima Blata joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2022. She’s a teacher that is full of positive energy and loves to smile. She has five years of teaching experience in Dubai and one year in Columbus, Ohio. In 2018 she got her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the American University of Ras Al-Khaimah. Mrs. Blata is American-Palestinian and speaks both English and Arabic. Her passion is to see children learn through fun activities and play. Her priority is to keep her students safe and healthy. She is so excited to expand her experience at NISL!
Zineb Majid
Pre-K 4 Teacher
Mrs. Zineb Majid joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2021. She is very social and full of energy. She loves her students and wants them to learn and improve their life-skills. In 2015, Mrs. Zineb got her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management. She is originally from Morocco but speaks three languages: Arabic, French, and English. She is a loving mother to two daughters who also attend NISL. She is very happy to be a part of the ECC team!
Sarah Mahdhi
Pre-K 3 Teacher
Mrs. Sarah Madhdi joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2015 as an Early Childhood teacher. She has a diploma in Math and Science from Iraq. She was also the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award in the 2019-2020 school year. Mrs. Mahdi loves and treats each of her students as her own.
Meryem Salim
Pre-K 3 Teacher
Mrs. Meryem Salim joined our ECC team in early 2023 as an infant teacher. She is from Morocco and speaks Arabic, French, and English. She finished her Bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies in Morocco, and she is currently working on her degree in Interdisciplinary Childhood Education, as well as a Director’s Credential in Early Childhood. She obtained her Child Development Associate credential and CompTIA certificate. Her love of learning and practicing what she is studying, and spending quality time with children have her rotate in different classrooms to work and meet different ages. She is a proud mother of four children attending Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Mrs. Salim enjoys cooking, walking, reading, and planting in her free time.
Raziya Akhmedova
Pre-K 2 Teacher
Mrs. Raziya Akhmedova joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2012. She is originally from Russia and speaks several languages, including Russian and Turkish. Mrs. Akhmedova obtained her Child Development Associate credential in 2015. She also was the recipient of the ECC Teacher of the Year award in 2016 and again in 2023. She is a proud mother of two boys and one girl who attend NISL and loves spending time with them. She loves being a part of the Early Childhood Center team at NISL.
Ibtesam Saleh
Pre-K 2 Teacher
Mrs. Ibtesam Saleh is from Iraq and is the mother of a gentleman. She joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2020 as an infant and Toddler Teacher. Currently, Mrs. Ibtesam teaches two-year-olds. Her love of being around little ones makes her spend quality time with them and help children feel at home. She was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award in 2022.
Ayan Yussuf
Pre-K 2 Teacher
Mrs. Ayan Yussuf is from Somalia and is a mother of four children. She speaks English and Somali. After graduating from high school, she obtained her degree in Physical Therapy. Her passion is teaching kids and spending quality time with them. Mrs. Yussuf also has worked as a DPS Direct Support Professional with teens and adults. She loves spending time with her kids in her free time, and she loves to meet new people.
Fatima Makhloufi
Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Fatima Makhloufi joined Nur Islamic School in 2023. She is originally from Morocco and speaks Berber, Arabic, and English. Mrs. Makhloufi is very social with children and their parents. She enjoys working with kids and building a warm, beautiful relationship with them. She has experience working in the daycare since 2021. She has three kids who also attend Nur Islamic School of Louisville. Although, Mrs. Makhloufi loves to spend time with her family, she is delighted to be part of the ECC family.
Louiza Boussaid
Toddler Teacher
Mrs. Loiuza Boussaid joined the ECC team in 2023 as a toddler teacher. She is a mother of two kids and is originally from Algeria. She speaks Arabic, English, French, and Berber. Mrs. Boussaid has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economy and Business Management and is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Spending time with kids and having fun with them gives her positive energy. Mrs. Boussaid loves spending time with her family outdoors and enjoys working out at the gym.
Suaad Al-Jorani
Infant Teacher
Mrs. Suaad Al-Jorani joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2018 as an Early Childhood teacher. Her passion is teaching very young children, and she is currently teaching infants and toddlers. Mrs. Al-Jorani is a mother to three boys and one girl. She loves to spend time at home with her family when not at school.
Hagir Falah
Infant Teacher
Mrs. Hagir Falah is a mother of two children. She loves infants and believes spending time with them gives her positive energy for the day. She enjoys taking care of them and considers them her own. She loves teaching them good behaviors and communicating with them.
Aesha Ali
Afternoon Teacher
Mrs. Aesha Ali is the mother of one boy. She is from Iraq and speaks Arabic and English fluently. Mrs. Ali has been working with Nur Islamic School since 2018. She is pursuing her Associate's Degree in Art and Business Administration. Mrs. Ali's hobbies include knitting and writing. She also enjoys gathering with her large extended family.
Fatima Ali
Afternoon Teacher
Khadijah Ben Amar
Substitute Teacher
Mrs. Khadija Ben Amar is originally from Morocco. She holds a Bachelor‘s Degree in Science Economics and Management from Morocco and a diploma in Experimental Sciences Option Physics Sciences. Mrs Khadija is a mother of two children. She is pursuing her studies as a Pharmacy Technician. She enjoys teaching little kids of different ages and she always welcomes kids with her smile and helps them feel at home. Mrs. Ben Amar likes to spend time with her family and friends in her free time and enjoys the outdoors.
Btissame Belhaimer
Substitute Teacher
Jamila Hamid
Head Cook
Mrs. Jamila Hamid has been working at NISL since 2007. Mrs. Hamid has a Bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies as well as in Language Arts. She also enjoys cooking Iftar for the Guiding Light Center during the month of Ramadan. Mrs. Hamid's passion is food and she loves to cook and feed people. She recently achieved her life-long dream of having a catering company that she runs part-time when not cooking for our school.
Aysha Anvar
Assistant Cook
Mrs. Aysha Anvar joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville in early 2022 as an Assistant Cook. Mrs. Anvar is a mother of three boys. She is from Turkey and speaks three languages: English, Turkish, and Russian. She enjoys working in the kitchen as cooking is her passion, and it gives her happiness to serve children delicious food.
Shaimaa Zaidan
Assistant Cook
Mrs. Shaimaa Zaidan is from Baghdad, Iraq and is a mother of five kids. Mrs. Zaidan has a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Language and speaks Arabic and English fluently. She joined Nur Islamic School of Louisville from 2015 until 2018 as a substitute and Prek-2 teacher. Mrs. Zaidan loves the diverse environment where learning and meeting new people never ends. This was the reason for her rejoining Nur Islamic School of Louisville in 2023 as an Assistant Cook.