Ms. Atiya Haque is a native Chicagoan with a background in teaching, educational leadership, strategic vision, and community-centered development.
She earned her BA degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and completed her Masters in Education from Dominican University.
Ms. Atiya has several years of experience in various teaching roles, including at Milwaukee College Prep School, College Preparatory School of America, and Teach for America in West Englewood. She is also co-founder and board member of Rawdah Academy. Her work in education has been complemented by four years of project management and business analyst experience in the corporate sector. She has unique expertise in organizational planning, team leadership, teacher mentorship, startup management, and school development. We are excited to have her taking the helm of our school as we launch this August!
Known for her warmth, affection, and excellent classroom management, Ms. Mamda brings both professional expertise and spiritual grounding to her work with children.
Ms. Maria Mamda began her career in education with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Since then, she has taught young children in various capacities for the past 17 years. She has taught at Children’s World Daycare, the Kumon Math and Reading Center, and in the York Community Center After-School Program. She has also served as a substitute for two years in District 44.
In terms of Quran and Islamic studies, Ms. Mamda has undergone rigorous training as a teacher in Uthman Academy's maktab program, where she has taught since 2018. She has an ijazah in the classical tajwid work Al Muqaddimah Al Jazariyyah, and a license to teach tajwid, from Mawlana Arif Kamal. She also has a certification to teach the qaidah, from the United Kingdom.
Ms. Mayraj Quraishi brings many years of experience, a track record of performance, and amazing energy to our school.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, a substitute teaching license, and training in several school curricula.
Ms. Quraishi also has eleven years of classroom teaching experience, starting at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Glen Ellyn and then at Carriers of Light in Wheaton. In these schools, she served in various capacities, including lead teacher and mentor. Her work prior to that includes serving as a Reading Assessment Evaluator for Pearson. Ms. Quraishi has extensive experience in literacy instruction, including the Heggerty program. Her students have consistently demonstrated remarkable reading readines
Ms. Shaista is a passionate teacher, dedicated to fostering a love of learning in her students. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Science from Benedictine University, where she developed a strong foundation in scientific principles and health education.
Ms. Shaista completed her high school education at CPSA, where she was inspired to become a teacher and serve the Muslim community, igniting her commitment to education and mentorship. Drawing on years of classroom and mentorship experience, Ms. Shaista focuses on the growth and development of her students, ensuring that each child receives the support they need to thrive.
She is skilled in adapting curriculum to meet diverse learning styles and needs, creating an inclusive environment that promotes curiosity and critical thinking. We are excited to have Ms. Shaista step in as our new 2nd Grade homeroom teacher!
Ms. Haniya Husein brings incredible energy and passion for Sirat Academy’s mission. Her unique blend of Islamic education, Quranic instruction, and elementary education training is precisely what students need to flourish in both character and academics.
Ms. Husein earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Benedictine University. As part of her degree, she has undergone robust pre-clinical field and student teaching experiences in Naperville, Woodridge, and West Chicago public schools. In these schools, she delivered full-time instruction across subjects and gained experience in differentiation and inclusive practices, classroom management, literacy instruction, and culturally responsive teaching. Ms. Haniya has a Professional Educator License (PEL) in the State of Illinois and an endorsement in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6).
Ms. Husein has also completed memorization of the Quran (hifz). She is pursuing a formal ijazah in tajwid, and has completed one year of a diploma course in Quranic Arabic. She has been teaching in various part-time capacities since 2014, including at the Islamic Center of Naperville (Summer Quran program) and at Al Falah Academy.
Brother Jibreel is the jack of all trades at Sirat. He brings a diverse background of security, labor, the arts, fitness, and teaching, which complement one another and allow him to thrive in several roles at the Masjid Uthman Academy.
Before reverting to Islam, brother Jibreel completed two associate degrees at Howard Community College in both general studies and theatre. He worked as a security professional in Maryland for around two years, and during this time, he became certified as a personal trainer and gained experience in multiple teaching roles. His various roles ranged from hosting group fitness classes, instructing and assisting children’s martial arts classes, and teaching high-schoolers art concepts. Last year he moved to Illinois and completed the one-year intensive Islamic studies program at DarusSalam Seminary. Along with this, he was given opportunities at DarusSalam to teach Sunday School, Maktab, and Summer Camp. Brother Jibreel brings a healthy balance of fun and discipline to Sirat while ensuring the safety and physical health/well-being of its students.
Ms. Saman is a dedicated educator who brings five years of experience teaching at Masjid Uthman and a fresh perspective as a recent UIC Business Administration graduate. Her deep-rooted passion for community service and her proven track record in Islamic education make her a wonderful asset to our Quranic instruction team. Ms. Saman is committed to nurturing a love for the Quran in her students while fostering a supportive and organized learning environment.
Ms Ambreen joins us with a deep commitment to Quranic education, backed by her studies in Fehm ul Quran and extensive experience in leading youth programs for ICNA Sisters. She is a skilled educator who specializes in breaking down complex religious concepts into age-appropriate lessons that inspire a genuine love for the Deen.
Her passion for community service and mentorship makes her a positive influence for our students as they grow in faith and character.
Sr. Seida Khater is a highly experienced educator and Qur’an instructor with decades of service in Islamic and academic education. She holds multiple advanced degrees in education, including a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with an ESL/Bilingual concentration from National Louis University, and is a certified Illinois teacher with endorsements in Arabic and ESL. Sr. Seida is a complete ḥāfiẓah of the Qur’an with multiple ijāzāt in Ḥafṣ and Qālūn, having studied under certified scholars in Jordan and Egypt. Her professional background includes teaching Qur’an, Arabic, ESL, and bilingual education across elementary, secondary, and community settings, including Chicago Public Schools and long-standing Islamic institutions. Known for her strong command of tajwīd, structured instruction, and nurturing approach, Sr. Seida brings deep scholarship, pedagogical excellence, and a lifelong commitment to cultivating love for the Qur’an and Arabic language in her students.