2025-2026 Facilities Associate
2026-2027 Elementary Teacher Assistant AQI
2026-2027 Elementary Teacher Assistant Classroom
2025-2026 Substitute Teacher for Middle & High School
2026-2027 Elementary Arabic Instructional Support
2026-2027 Elementary Teachers (1-5)
Additional positions can be found at Little Horizons Academy
3145 Medical Plaza Dr.,
Garland, TX 75044
(972) 675-2062
E-mail Us
Accreditation
Proud Members of
Girl's Physical Education Teacher, Health Teacher, & Head Girl's Volleyball Coach
Email: moriah.delgado@bhaprep.org
Joined BHA:
2025
Degree(s) & Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Sports Studies ; Certified/PE Licensure in K-12 PE.
Previous Experience:
Girls PE/Health/Weights teacher at Wellington High School in Wellington, Kansas
Born:
North Richland Hills, Texas. I am from Fort Worth, Texas
Cultural/Ethnic Background:
Half Puerto Rican & Half white
Interests & Hobbies:
Volleyball, reading, cooking, & going on adventures.
Middle and High School Math Teacher
Email: nada.malik@bhaprep.org
Joined BHA:
2025
Degrees:
Current/Previous Experience:
Born:
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Cultural Background:
Born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Chicago, IL. All education was completed in Chicago from kindergarten to first year of college. Moved to Dallas seven years back, and completed the rest of my bachelors here.
Interests/Hobbies:
Travelling, trying new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and teaching!
6th-10th Guidance Counselor
Email: bayanne.elkhatib@bhaprep.org
Joined BHA:
2025
Degrees:
Experience:
Elementary Teacher Assistant
Email: zainab.hadi@bhaprep.org
Year started at BHA:
2024
Degrees and certifications:
BA, Management Information Systems 2005 / Petra university Amman- Jordan
Relevant current and previous experience:
Secretary to the General Manager IEC- Amman-Jordan
Coordinator, Supervision & Management Department IEC- Amman-Jordan
Unit Manager, Export & Import Department. IEC- Amman-Jordan
Elementary Teacher Assistant
Email: ayesha.shariff@bhaprep.org
Degrees:
Certifications:
Teaching & Professional Experience:
Homeroom Teacher (Grades 1–4) – Manarat International School, Jeddah (1994–2009)
ESL Teacher & Academic Coordinator – King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah (2009–2020)
ESL Teacher – King Saud University, Riyadh (2009–2020)
ESL Substitute Teacher – Houston, Dallas & San Antonio, Texas (2020–2023)
Paraeducator – Bremerton High School, Washington (2023–2025)
Born in Karachi, Pakistan
Immigrated to the United States in 1980 | U.S. Citizen
Lived and taught in Saudi Arabia, Texas, Ohio, California, Washington, and Tennessee
Languages:
Interests & Hobbies:
Computer Teacher
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.
Email: nora.hamed@bhaprep.org
Middle/High School College Guidance Counselor
What Year Started at BHA:
2021
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.
Email: sonya.badr@bhaprep.org
Social Studies Teacher
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!
“Knowledge precedes statements and actions.”
Email: msolis@bhaprep.org
Science Lab Assistant
My name is Maria Atif
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.
Email: maria.atif@bhaprep.org
Science Teacher
6th Grade Science Teacher
Bachelor of Science degree from Karachi University
Master's in Education and Islamic History From Karachi University
Teaching at BHA since 2010
Email: sbaloch@bhaprep.org
College Guidance Counselor
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
Joined BHA:
April, 2019
Born:
Tripoli, Libya
Ethnic background:
Pakistani
Email: rkhattak@bhaprep.org
Arabic Teacher
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
Started working at BHA:
2018
Email: kawtherali@bhaprep.org
Islamic Studies/Quran Pull-Out Teacher
My name is Seham Hilweh,
I graduated from UT Arlington with an IT bachelor degree
I have a certificate in Quran Tajweed.
I worked at Brighter Horizons in Amman Jordan for two years
My parents are originally from Palestine, but I was born in Kuwait, moved to the U.S during the first gulf war in 1991
Email: shilweh@bhaprep.org
MS Islamic Studies/Quran Dept. Head
Degree of highest level of education:
Bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies
Master’s degree in Islamic Education
Recitation Ijaza (Hafs ‘an Asim)
Degree earned at:
The Guidance College Houston, TX
Previous work experience:
Peace Academy School
New Iqra’ School
Born:
Amman, Jordan
Cultural background:
Palestinian
Started working at BHA:
2014
Email: rdamrah@bhaprep.org
Arabic Dept. Head
Arabic language development head, MS/HS
17 years of teaching experience
15 years working at Brighter Horizons Academy
Bachelors in Arabic language and literature
IB Diploma in ( Teaching Arabic to Speaker of Other Languages)
TASOL certification
My philosophy :-
I believe in the extraordinary abilities of any child if s/he is properly guided
Email: rsaleh@bhaprep.org
Arabic Teacher
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.
Email: ndalal@bhaprep.org
PE Teacher
Home Town: Crockett, Texas
Degree: BS Kinesiology
College: Dallas Baptist University
Start at BHA in 2019
African American
I’ve been teaching PE in the Dallas area for about 20 years.
Email: fdenman@bhaprep.org
Math Teacher
Degree of highest level of education and certification(s):
Bachelor of Science - Certified Generalist Educator (ESL)
Degree earned at:
Texas Woman’s University
Born:
Crystal City, TX
Cultural background:
Mexican American
Started working at BHA:
August 2007
Email: mzidan@bhaprep.org
Arabic Teacher
Degree of highest level of education and certification(s):
M.Ed.; Certified K-12 Arabic Teaching in Illinois and Texas
Degree earned at:
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Currently teaching:
MS and HS Arabic
Born:
Amman, Jordan
Cultural background:
Palestinian
Started working at BHA:
January, 2020
Email: raja.matariyeh@bhaprep.org
Science Teacher
Teaching 7th & 8th grade Science
PhD in Health science from TWU, RDH, CPR Instructor
Teaching at BHA since 2010
Email: nnikpour@bhaprep.org
Math Teacher
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.
Email: syed.hasan@bhaprep.org
Arabic Dept. Teacher
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.
Email: e.yamamohammad@bhaprep.org
Math Dept. Head
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.
Email: szamir@bhaprep.org
Science Teacher
Teacher for Biology and AP Biology
Bachelor of Science degree from UH, Teaching credentials from SCU
Certified to teach 7-12 Science
Teaching at BHA since 2019
Advisor for Red Cross Club
Email: rumana.khan@bhaprep.org
Social Studies Teacher
Shamsa Ashraf was born in Lahore, Pakistan, but moved to the United States when she was 4.
She received her Bachelor of Computer Science degree from the UT Tyler.
Because her true love was education, Shamsa went back to school and received her teaching certification.
She is certified in Generalist (Grades EC-4) and Social Studies (Grades 4-8).
Shamsa has served as the principal of a private Elementary Islamic school.
This is Shamsa's 15th year in education and her 3rd year at BHA.
Currently she is teaching US History and is the co-advisor for the Student Council.
Email: shamsa.ashraf@bhaprep.org
MS Islamic Studies/Quran Teacher
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
Email: rhasweh@bhaprep.org
6th Grade Quran and Islamic Teacher
Degree of highest level of education
Master Degree in Health Care Management.
Degree earned at
Walsh University , Ohio
Previous work experience
Sunday School principal in ISAK Center in Akron, Ohio
Born
Kuwait
Cultural background
Palestinian
Started working at BHA
2021
Email: nahla.hussein@bhaprep.org
Science Dept. Head
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
Email: qmadani@bhaprep.org
10th Grade Quran and Islamic Studies Teacher
Master Degree in Islamic studies (Candidate)
Manara Institute,
New Jersey, USA
Bachelor in Documents and Libraries
Faculty of Arts,
Alexandria University, Egypt
Quran Hafizah
Professional Experience
Quran and Islamic High School Teacher
Miraj Islamic School, Staten Island, New York
Joined BHA: 2021
Email: iman.moussa@bhaprep.org
HS Qur'an & Islamic Studies Dept. Chair
Degree of highest level of education
Masters Islamic Education – The Guidance College Houston, TX
Started working at BHA
I started at BHA in 2009
Born
Kuwait
Cultural background
Lebanese
Email: nsahyouni@bhaprep.org
Science Teacher
What year started at BHA
2021
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
Where were you born
Kuwait
Cultural background
Palestinian
Email: mayyadah.abuawad@bhaprep.org
