BHA is the largest full-time pre-k through 12th accredited Islamic school in the South. Our mission is to graduate practicing Muslim leaders and responsible citizens who are well prepared for college entrance and career challenges of the twenty-first century.
Our mission is to support the academic achievement of all students to ensure they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers, leaders and citizens!
BHA recognizes the importance of not only educating future leaders, but ensuring a wholesome and professional administrative staff to support students and faculty to reach their fullest potential.
24-25 School Year Information Get Informed: 24-25 Academic Calendar TAPPS Requirements Ihab Transportation Service Traffic Flow Map BHA Nutrition Policy 24-25 Uniform Information Student Handbook CONTACT US 3145 Medical Plaza Dr.,Garland, TX 75044 (972) 675-2062...
Wakeel Program FAQ's 1. Why is this program being launched? This program will help the Academy become financially self-sufficient and empowered to provide the highest quality education to our community. 2. How does the program work? The Wakeel Program collects...
A Wakeel's Tuition and Fee Structure BHA & LHA Tuition and Fees for Wakeel Program Participants* Click on the image above to download a printable version. Important Links Wakeel Program Information Wakeel Program FAQ's ISF Financial Aid Programs *This tuition...
Wakeel Program In an effort towards having the Academy be financially self-sufficient and empowered to provide the highest quality education to our community, we highly encourage parents and community members to participate in the Wakeel (or Guardian) Program. The ISF...
Nora Hamed is a Dallas native. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Management Systems. Nora joined the BHA team in 2018. She is currently teaching Middle/High School Computer Technology.
Sean McMillin is a native of Dallas Texas. He received his BS in history from UT Tyler in 2012 and his MA from the same institution in 2015. Mr. McMillin has taught both World and U.S history at the college level for the past six years including dual credit and early college level courses for various High Schools including BHA where he is now a full time employee currently teaching World History.
Dana Haddad teaches 7th grade English after receiving her BA in English Literature at North Carolina State University. This is her second year at BHA and has experience teaching in multiple Islamic schools.
Degrees: M. A. in School Counseling - Xavier University 2012; Cincinnati, Ohio B.A. in Psychology - University of Cincinnati 2010; Cincinnati, Ohio Licensed School Counselor
Current/Previous Experience Middle/High School College Guidance Counselor Previous substitute teacher BHA Athletics Committee member Previous counseling and teaching experience in Ohio and Georgia
Born: Fresno, California
Cultural background: Egyptian Born and raised in California Also live in Ohio, Georgia, and now Texas
Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, visiting national parks & forests, taking classes in various subjects, and spending time with family.
Mrs. Michelle Solis has been an integral part of Brighter Horizons Academy since 2016. She has a Bachelor’s degree in History and is currently completing her Social Studies 4-8 Texas certification. She has numerous years of experience teaching English as a Second Language abroad and teaching Arabic and Quran to Non-native Arab speakers. She has also taught Islamic Studies from 1st to 4th grades for the past 4 years.
Mrs. Michelle has a true passion for working with young learners! Making connections and helping each child express their Muslim identities at the same time teaching them life essentials is an honor to accept daily. She strives to create an environment that nurtures growth, positivity, and learning!
I joined BHA Prep in 2019 as a Lab Coordinator. Prior to BHA Prep I worked as a dental assistant in Dental office in Mesquite TX and also severed as a Science Teacher in Pakistan. I am a graduate of Karachi University of Pakistan where I majored in Microbiology, Biochemistry and Chemistry.
I graduated in Top 10 from School Teacher's training Program in Pakistan. I was born in Pakistan and love to work with kids, my hidden skills are creative in art & craft work, science projects, school drama play.
Degrees: Master's Degree - British Literature Bachelor's Degree with a focus in British Literature and Islamic Jurisprudence
Current/Previous Experience Middle/High School College Guidance Counselor
Enrollment Administrator, BHA Case Manager - ICNA Relief Women's Transitional Home BHA-PTO Board Member Co-founder and current teacher/counselor: Shining Stars Afghan Refugee Children's Sunday School Member of Board of Directors for Non-Profit Elementary Islamic School Vice-Principal - Elementary School, VA Librarian and Substitute teacher: Greater Lansing Islamic School, Michigan Tutor - Michigan State University
Degree of highest level of education and certification(s): I graduated from Princeton High School as an honors grad. I currently attend Collin College to pursue business management, I also have a coaching certificate that allows me to coach any sport.
Degree earned at: Princeton High School
Previous work experience: I’ve worked at Polo Ralph Lauren. And I coached for my former high school team in the summer and helped with camps for the youth.
Born: I was born in Dallas, TX
Cultural background: I am 100% Moroccan
Started working at BHA: I started working at BHA around February of 2021
Degree of highest level of education and certification(s): Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Control and System Engineering. Completed Online training program and obtained Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Diploma. Completed Boston University StarTalk online and onsite training in teaching Arabic as a foreign language.
Degree earned at: University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
Previous work experience: 1997 -2013 Al-Hamra Academy, Shrewsbury, MA. Arabic language and Islamic Studies Teacher 2013 -2018 ILM Academy, Houston, TX. Arabic language and Islamic Studies Teacher 2018 to Present Brighter Horizons Academy, Garland, TX. Arabic language Teacher
Ms. Nesrine Bougattaya is a Middle & High school math teacher at BHA. She joined the BHA team 5 years ago and has been teaching math & science for the past 10 years. She is currently teaching 6th Math, 7th Advanced Math, 9th Advanced Geometry, 10th Advanced Algebra 2, and 11th Advanced Pre-Calculus.
She has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Texas at Arlington. She is originally from Morocco.
Ms. Nada Dalal graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in New York in 1992. She started 16 years ago as a parent with 3 kids who attended BHA. She was a substitute teacher teaching Arabic and Islamic studies for 4 years at BHA. This year she will be teaching Arabic Emergent.
Degree of highest level of education: Bachelor of Arts: Faculty of Science and Arts University of Sana’a, Sana’a – Yemen Major in Arabic Language and Literature
Diploma in Elementary Education Salim Assubah Education Institute, Sana’a – Yemen
Certifications: Professional Teaching License Illinois State Board of Education
Certificate: English Language Yemen-American Language Institute Sana’a – Yemen
Extended Essay Certificate Pan-Asia International School, Bangkok – Thailand
Innovative Teaching Methods in Kindergarten Bangkok, Thailand
IB AB initio Certificate Bangkok, Thailand
Previous work experience: Teacher of Arabic Teacher of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language Principal of Middle School, IB Arabic Teacher Principal of Kindergarten Counselor of Middle School, Teacher of Fine Arts Head Teacher of Arabic Department
Graduated from the University of Phoenix with a BS in Human Services Specialist. Former employee of Child Protective Services agency of the State of Texas, Department of Commerce federal former employee. Yoga Teacher Certified and wellness instructor. Developer of Yoga for runners program. Runner coach certified by RRCA. My most important role is being a mother of two wonderful sons. I am passionate about making kids move and stay active, give them the tools to develop a long lasting active lifestyle. I have coached little kids basketball and High School cross country.
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad Telangana, India
Master of Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Manufacturing Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad Telangana, India
Ph D in Mechanical Engineering with research in precision Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Telanagana India – his research included analysis of hybrid stratified surfaces from Burnishing and shotpeening processes.
Published / presented 10 research papers in journals and conferences
He has 25 years of teaching experience which includes teaching Mechanical Engineering at UG level and Middle and high school.
He served at Deccan College of Engineering and Technology for 16 years in various capacities including Lecturer, Associate Professor in Manufacturing Engineering, Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Department Chair Mechanical and Production Engineering Departments, Academic and Examinations Coordinator, joint-Editor College news letter.
He served as adjunct professor in Mechanical Engineering at UT Tyler, UNT Denton, and was awarded best professor of the year for the year 2014-2015 at UT Tyler.
His research included a novel approach of analyzing stratified surfaces using Abbott-Firestone BAC, Taguchi S-N ratio analysis, Grey relational methods for analyzing stochastic/random processes, FFT/ DFT/Power spectra/ACVF/ACF/ other statistical moments.
He is life-mummer of several Technical institutions and serves as the panel member for reviewing peer reviewed technical journal papers for two reviewed journals in Mechanical Engineering.
He also served as member board of studies at Osmania University for 5 years.
He was invited as guest speaker and chaired several conferences and National level workshops.
He is presently teaching Algebra1 and 2, Geometry for middle and high school at BHA.
Mr. Mohammad started teaching at BHA in the fall semester of 2019. He began his Arabic studies at Zaytuna Institute in 1998, now known as Zaytuna College, located in Berkeley, CA. He earned his BA and MA in Arabic from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certification from Oxford Seminar. He currently teaches HS and MS Arabic. He was raised in Fremont, CA, and moved to Texas in 2019.
Ms. Sofia Zamir is the Math Department Head at BHA. She joined BHA 16 years ago. Currently, she teaches AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Pre-Calculus, Algebra 2, and UT Austin’s dual credit course “Engineer Your World.”
She has a Masters degree in Computer Science and Engineering from University of Texas at Arlington, and a Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering from NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan. She has a double teacher certification (Math middle school and Math high school).
She was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and has lived in the DFW area for the past twenty six years.
Degree of highest level of education: Bachelor in English Language and Literature in Arts & Science
Degree earned at: Al-Ahliyyah Amman University Degrees seeking - working on finishing my Masters in Islamic Education from Guidance College, Houston TX
Born: Kuwait
Cultural background: Palestinian
Started working at BHA: Started volunteering and subbing 2013, started working 2014
Ms. Aisha was born in Oklahoma but she grew up outside of Washington D.C. She got her bachelors in History and minor in Islamic Studies from George Mason University in Virginia. She has been teaching for 12 years and this is her 6th year at BHA. She is certified to teach Social Studies 4-8 and History 7-12. Currently she is completing her Masters degree in Educational Administration: Curriculum and Supervision from the University of Oklahoma.
Ms. Aisha teaches AP World History, AP US History and Civic Engagement. She is also the Student Council and National Honor Society Advisor for this year.
Dr. deMeritte is an American from Key West, Florida. She started teaching AP U.S. History at BHA in 2017. She currently teaches World Geography and World History. Prior to teaching at BHA, Dr. deMeritte taught at Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia. She is a grandmother who likes to travel and read. Dr. D is also the #1 fan of BHA Boys Basketball having cheered on her students since they were in 8th grade! Certificates held: All fields Social Studies 8-12 and Gifted in TX and GA;
J.D. - William Mitchell College of Law M.S. Education, Media Design & Technology - Full Sail University B.S. Business Administration - University of Phoenix
Ayah Khalifa started at BHA in 2020. Ms. Khalifa earned a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies and is currently teaching 7th/8th grade English. She was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and her family is from Sudan.
Teaches Conceptual Physics, Honors Physics & Engineering Head of Science Department Bachelor of Science degree from UIC, Teaching credentials from UTD Certified to teach 7-12 Science Teaching at BHA since 2007 Advisor for Health Professions Club & Robotics Club
Born and raised in Chicago, Brother Mohammad Alshaikh is a Palestinian-American graduate of Qalam Insitute's five year 'Alimiyyah Program in Arlington, Texas. Br Mohammad has studied Advanced Islamic Sciences and Classical Arabic under local scholars such as Sheikh Abdulnasir Jangda and Mufti Hussain Kamani. He has served as a youth director and Islamic studies teacher at the MAS Islamic Center of Dallas and the Mesquite Islamic Center. He is a local and national khateeb and youth counselor. He is a new addition to BHA teaching a Life Skills course to all of our sixth through eleventh grade students.
Mrs. Arshad teaches 6th and 7th grade English at BHA. Originally from Pakistan, Mrs. Arshad has lived in Texas for most of her life and recently moved to Dallas from Waco. She has her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing her Master's in Educational Technology.
Degrees, certifications Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering / Chemical industries Master Degree in Industrial Engineering / Operations managements Completion courses in Biotechnology
Current grade/courses taught 10th grade- Chemistry AP Chem
Nadia Haque earned her bachelors from Louisiana State University in Psychology. She completed a teacher training program and obtained a certification in teaching English as a second language. She has been a teacher for the past 12 years, teaching at varying levels from elementary to university. This is her fifth year at BHA. Currently, she is working on her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Southern Methodist University.
Degrees, certifications M.Ed. Educational Leadership B.A Secondary English Education Certified English Language Arts Grades 4-12 Certified Texas Principal
Current grade/courses taught Elementary Grades 1-4: English and Social Studies Middle School: Grades 6-7 Grade Social Studies Middle School: Grade 8 English High School: Grades 9-12 English 1, English 2, American Literature, British Literature, College Guidance Advisory ECE Assistant Principal Middle/High School College Guidance Counselor
Where were you born Kuwait
Cultural background Mother is Kenyan Father is Pakistani Mehnaz was raised in America
Jaena Holcombe Almallah Mendez, B.A., M.A., TX Teaching Certification English, Spanish Secondary Education, AP Certified in English Language and Literature 8th, 9th Grade English
