Rooted in Faith.
Ready for the World.

Dr. Amaal Awadalla is an educational leader with more than 25 years of experience serving students, educators, and school communities. Her career has spanned classroom teaching, curriculum leadership, district administration, and statewide educational improvement, providing her with a deep understanding of the systems and practices that support student success.

Dr. Awadalla began her career as a middle school science teacher, where she developed a passion for helping students engage in meaningful learning experiences. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to supporting educators and leaders in creating environments where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and is certified as a Pennsylvania Superintendent, K–12 Principal, and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction. Her academic background in science and education has shaped her belief that effective leadership, strong instruction, and continuous improvement are essential to student achievement.

Currently, she serves as a Senior State Technical Assistance Specialist, partnering with state education agencies, districts, and school leaders across the country. In this role, she provides leadership coaching, professional learning, strategic planning support, and guidance on school improvement initiatives. Prior to this role, she served as an Assistant Superintendent and Assistant Director of Curriculum, leading efforts focused on academic growth, instructional excellence, and organizational effectiveness.

Dr. Awadalla's connection to Ayah Academy is both professional and personal. As a grandmother, she is passionate about expanding opportunities for children to receive a high-quality education rooted in Islamic values. She believes that strong academic foundations, character development, and faith-based learning work hand in hand to prepare students for success in this life and the next. She is honored to support Ayah Academy's mission and is dedicated to helping build a learning community where students, families, and educators can thrive together.

Yasmin Mumtaz is a Montessori-certified educator and early childhood leader with more than 20 years of experience in education and school leadership. Since completing her Montessori training in 1993, she has dedicated her career to fostering authentic Montessori learning environments that nurture children's natural curiosity, independence, and love of learning.

Throughout her career, Yasmin has led Montessori classrooms in West Windsor, New Jersey, where she developed a reputation for creating engaging, child-centered learning experiences that support the academic, social, and emotional growth of young learners. In 2003, she founded Windsor Montessori School, a thriving educational community that has successfully served families for more than two decades.

As Early Childhood Director at Ayah Academy, Yasmin brings a deep passion for Montessori education and a commitment to excellence in early childhood learning. She believes that every child is uniquely capable and deserving of an environment that fosters confidence, compassion, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Yasmin is honored to support Ayah Academy's mission of providing a nurturing, faith-centered educational experience and is dedicated to helping young children develop the skills, character, and strong foundation they need to thrive, insha'Allah.

Hajer Elenani is a dedicated advocate for children, families, and community well-being whose work is guided by compassion, service, and a belief in the power of strong relationships. Her passion for supporting others began through her experiences working with children and families, where she witnessed firsthand the importance of creating environments that help individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

With a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Hajer developed a deep appreciation for the critical role the early years play in a child's development. She believes that every child deserves opportunities to learn and grow in an environment that nurtures not only academic success but also confidence, character, and emotional well-being.

Throughout her professional journey, Hajer has remained committed to serving her community. As a Pennsylvania Board-Certified Peer Specialist and Chief Recovery Officer for Khair Collective, she has worked closely with individuals and families navigating life's challenges, helping them build resilience, access support, and discover their strengths. These experiences have strengthened her belief that lasting growth happens when people feel connected, supported, and cared for.

At Ayah Academy, Hajer is honored to serve as Administrative Manager, helping create a welcoming and organized environment where students, families, and staff can thrive. She values the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with families and support a school community grounded in faith, compassion, and excellence.

Hajer's connection to Ayah Academy is deeply personal. She believes that children flourish when they are surrounded by a community that nurtures both their academic growth and their Islamic identity. She is passionate about supporting a school environment where students develop strong character, a love of learning, and a lasting connection to their faith.

Hajer is passionate about helping families feel connected, supported, and valued throughout their educational journey. She is proud to contribute to Ayah Academy's vision of nurturing students who are grounded in faith, strong in character, and prepared to make a positive impact in their communities.

Ms. Mahmud is an educator with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Kutztown University, where she also completed a minor in Special Education. Through her field experiences, she has had the opportunity to work in multiple school districts throughout the Lehigh Valley and develop her teaching practice across a variety of classroom environments.

Ms. Mahmud also brings more than a year and a half of experience working at Active Learning Center, where she supported children of different ages in multiple areas of their growth and development. These experiences have strengthened her ability to recognize and respond to the individual needs of each student.

As an educator, Ms. Mahmud is committed to creating a safe and welcoming classroom where students feel comfortable taking risks, expressing themselves, and learning from their experiences. She strives to ensure that every child feels valued, supported, and inspired each day.

Having grown up in the local community, Ms. Mahmud understands the meaningful role that a strong and supportive community can play in a child’s development. She is passionate about giving back to the community that helped shape her and hopes to provide her students with the same sense of belonging, encouragement, and connection.

Ms. Mahmud is excited to be part of Ayah Academy’s founding team and looks forward to creating meaningful learning experiences that support the academic, social, and emotional development of every student.

Yusuf is an educator with a degree in Elementary Education from Kutztown University and teaching experience across multiple local school districts. He has worked with students representing a wide range of learning needs and abilities, including students with multiple disabilities and special needs.

Yusuf is passionate about helping children reach their goals while strengthening their social-emotional development. He is especially committed to giving back to the Muslim community that helped shape him. Having been part of the ISA community since its founding in 2004, he has long looked forward to the opportunity to contribute to a full-time Islamic school.

Beyond the classroom, Yusuf remains actively involved in community service and leadership. He regularly volunteers at ISA events, often serving as master of ceremonies for conferences and community gatherings, including the Waqf Banquet. He is also a professional photographer, serves as Head of Media for Muslim Basketball Pennsylvania, and is a published poet with two poetry collections.

Yusuf is excited to be part of Ayah Academy's founding team and looks forward to helping provide high-quality educational experiences for students and families in the community.

Hira Bhatti is an experienced educator with more than a decade of teaching experience in both international and local school settings. Her educational journey has taken her from primary schools in Pakistan to classrooms throughout the Lehigh Valley, where she has supported diverse learners and built strong partnerships with families. Most recently, she served as an ESL teacher at Salisbury Elementary School, helping multilingual learners thrive academically and socially.

Hira holds a Master's degree in Education from Lehigh University and is a Pennsylvania-certified educator. Through field placements and professional experiences at schools including Swain Campus, Lehigh Valley Charter Academy, Seven Generations Charter School, Spring Garden Elementary, and Saucon Elementary School, she has developed a deep understanding of diverse learning needs and effective instructional practices.

As both an educator and a mother of three boys, Hira is passionate about creating learning environments where every child feels known, valued, and inspired to grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Her commitment to Islamic values and character development aligns closely with the mission of Ayah Academy. Hira and her family have proudly called the Lehigh Valley home for the past six years and are excited to be part of the Ayah Academy community.

Amine is an early childhood educator whose work is driven by a sincere belief in the potential of every young child. Through her experience at an Islamic Montessori school, she developed a deep passion for working with young children and a strong appreciation for the Montessori approach. When Ayah Academy was established within that same community, it felt like a meaningful and purposeful transition.

Drawing on her General Studies background from Temple University and hands-on Montessori training, Amine has developed a teaching style that is intentional, patient, and rooted in respect for the child. She believes that the early years are foundational and that nurturing a strong Islamic identity from a young age helps establish values that remain with children throughout their lives.

Amine strives to create a classroom environment where children feel safe, curious, and excited to learn each day. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, painting, and exploring new coffee shops.

Ms. Aseel Khaleel is an educator whose passion for learning is rooted in a deep curiosity about the world and a commitment to helping children discover their own love of learning. Her educational journey has taken her from the sciences and healthcare into the classroom, where she has found her greatest joy in supporting students as they grow academically, socially, and personally.

Ms. Khaleel holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Med) and Criminal Justice from Cedar Crest College and a Master of Science in Biomedical Diagnostics from Arizona State University. Her diverse academic background has shaped her belief that learning should inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong desire to explore new ideas.

Prior to joining Ayah Academy, Ms. Khaleel taught Science and Arabic to students in grades 6–8, where she developed engaging learning experiences that fostered curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. In addition to teaching, she supported her school community through leadership roles involving graduation planning, field trip coordination, teacher training, and educational technology initiatives.

Before entering the field of education, Ms. Khaleel worked in healthcare and laboratory sciences, including patient care, blood banking, and biomedical diagnostics. These experiences strengthened her appreciation for lifelong learning and continue to inspire her belief that children learn best when they are encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas, and make connections to the world around them.

As a mother of a one-year-old, Ms. Khaleel has developed an even deeper appreciation for the importance of the early years in a child's development. She believes that young children thrive when they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to explore their natural curiosity in a nurturing environment.

Ms. Khaleel is excited to be part of the Ayah Academy community and looks forward to partnering with families to help young learners build confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for future success.

Fadila Lefilef is an Algerian mother of four and a dedicated educator whose journey reflects perseverance, lifelong learning, and a passion for teaching. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and began her professional career as an accountant for one of Algeria's largest companies. Although her academic background was in finance, her lifelong dream was to become a teacher.

After moving to the United States in 2009, Fadila pursued that dream by completing ESL coursework and gaining valuable experience in education. Since 2017, she has served in a variety of educational roles in New York and Pennsylvania, including teacher's assistant, special-needs paraprofessional in the Parkland School District, assistant teacher at Manarah Sunday School, and teacher at Tajan.

In addition to her classroom experience, Fadila has devoted herself to the study of Islamic education. She studied Tajweed, Qa'idah Noorania, and Tuhfatul-Atfal with Sheikh Ahmed Zein and completed her memorization of the Qur'an under the guidance of Sister 'Abeer. She has also completed numerous training courses through the American Open University to strengthen her academic knowledge and instructional skills.

Fadila is passionate about sharing Islamic and Qur'anic knowledge with the next generation and strives to inspire a love of learning, faith, and strong character in her students.