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
Social Studies Teacher
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.
Email: sean.mcmillin@bhaprep.org
English Teacher
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.
Email: dana.haddad@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
Athletics TA
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
Email: aimmin.chouaibi@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
Math Teacher
Degree of highest level of education and certification(s):
Bachelor in Liberal Arts with a Specialization in Spanish
Minor in Education
Degree earned at:
University of Texas at Arlington
Born:
October 24,1978
Cultural background:
Born in Valencia, Venezuela, and my parents are Palestinians.
Started working at BHA:
August 2004
Email: dalmajidi@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
Math 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.
Email: nbougattaya@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
Arabic Teacher
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
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