office@islamicschoolofirving.org

(972) 812-2230 ext 1100

Faculty & Staff

Leadership Staff

Dr. Leila Kayed

Head of School

Dr. Leila Kayed has invested 24 years in Education with experience spanning as a Reading Interventionist; Elementary, Middle and High School Principal; Senior Academic Council Member; Cognia Team Member for Global Accreditation & Certification Site Visits; and CISNA Member for Council of Islamic Schools in North America.

In 2012, she was the first Muslim Woman to graduate from NCSU ( North Carolina State University) as a certified Principal and holds a doctorate in educational leadership. She is a research practitioner and a Visionary Leadership Award Recipient by Maristan, Rabata & TISA .

She is married and has five children ages 22 to 7 years old.

Work

972-812-2230 ext 1210

Email

leila.kayed@islamicschoolofirving.org

Zainab Coleman

Dean of Academics - Elementary

Sr. Zainab Coleman earned her bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in professional and technical writing from Indiana University in Richmond, USA. She is an EC-6 Texas certified teacher and holds certifications in ESL and T-TESS teacher evaluation. She has been serving in education in a wide variety of roles including 8 years of education administration and 14 years of teaching grades one through 8.

In addition to almost five years at ISI, she has worked at 3 other Islamic schools in three different states. Her public school experience includes three years at Uplift Education here in Dallas, where she taught 5th grade for one year and served as a Reading Intervention Specialist for two years. At Uplift, she held the position of Campus Testing Coordinator and was a member of the Leadership Team and Campus Improvement Committee.

Most importantly, Sr. Zainab is the mother of two ISI graduates, 4 current enrollees, and the mother-in-law of an amazing ISI graduate! Islamic schools have been a part of her life since reverting to Islam at the age of 17 when she began volunteering as a teacher assistant at Al-Amal School in Minnesota. ISI is truly her passion and one of the objects of her prayers. She asks Allah to make her better than everyone thinks and hide her faults–truly the praise is for and due only to Allah (SWT).

Work

972-812-2230 ext 1100

Email

zainab.coleman@islamicschoolofirving.org

Najah Ahmed

School Counselor

Pre-K thru 12th Grade

I am a pre K – 12, licensed TX school counselor. I have a BA degree in psychology from Portland State University and a MA from Lewis and Clark College. I had the pleasure of working as a school counselor in Portland public schools, Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy and St. Mary of Carmel. Having lived in Pakistan, Oman and the US and being assimilated in different cultures, I became a strong supporter of social justice, equality and equity.
That is why I believe every child is unique and has a unique set of skills, therefore, every student’s success looks different. I hold high standards for all my students and am looking forward in advocating every student’s academic career, helping with college and career readiness and last but not least celebrating their personal and social success.

In my down time, I love spending time with my husband and my 2 boys, cooking, reading and bike riding.

Work

972-812-2230 ext 1100

Email

najah.ahmed@islamicschoolofirving.org

Irvin Almazan

College & Career Counselor

Mr. Almazan is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside; with a Master’s of Educational counseling degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Mr. Almazan is passionate in working with ISI students and has become a visionary leader with new projects and processes to improve and help innovate the Islamic school of Irving. By tracking data, and adapting to new trends, Academic Advising is an educational process that facilitates a student’s understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and fosters their intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning. Mr. Almazan evaluates transcripts, helps students enroll for college coursework, tracks progress toward high school completion, and prepares degree plans.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

irvin.almazan@islamicschoolofirving.org

Manar Baker

MTSS, SPED, Speech Therapy, Student Counseling

Pre-K thru 12th Grade

Sr. Manar is a certified speech therapist. She completed her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Akron, graduating in 2018. She has worked with students from preschool to high school in public and charter schools. Sr. Manar has also worked with students of varying levels of abilities, including non-verbal students in self-contained classrooms. She is passionate about helping children develop ways to express themselves and to push themselves to be successful. She also values working closely with families to provide them any support they need.

Work

972-812-2230 ext 1100

Email

manar.baker@islamicschoolofirving.org

Fazlur Abdi

Test Coordinator & AP Coordinator

He has been with ISI for 10 years as Math teacher, head of Math department, and currently teacher calculus and serves as the testing coordinator for the school. Testing areas include STAAR, PSAT, SAT, MAP, AP, and AP Course Enrollment.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

Fazlur.abdi@islamicschoolofirving.org

Faculty & Staff

Khalil Jourane

Science Department Head

Br. Khalil Jourane earned his first bachelor of science degree in biology from Morocco and his second bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota, USA. Currently, he is enrolled and is pursuing a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in science curriculum and instruction. He has been teaching for almost 14 years in three different Islamic schools where he has had the pleasure of teaching secondary students in the areas of math, general science, biology, chemistry, and AP Environmental Science. He currently serves on ISI’s Core Leadership team.

Br. Khalil is a husband, father of six, and father-in-law. His entire family is either here at ISI or have graduated from ISI. He works with the assurance that Islamic schools are an obligation upon our ummah and he seeks to honor them by teaching with all of his heart and being like a father-figure to all of his students. He asks Allah for His reward and he asks you for your support, forgiveness, and duaas.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

khalil.jourane@islamicschoolofirving.org

Anita AbRashid

Math Department Head

Sr. Anita AbRashid has been teaching high school Math for 26 years and her 17-year serving ISI. She has Bachelor Degree in Science Educations, majoring in Math from University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and earned her MBA from University of Dallas.

She comes from the family of educators, shared her passion of teaching with her late father, a brother, and a sister.

She loves to create a learning environment with an opportunity to learn and grow in reaching each student’s fullest potential in Math.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

anita.abrashid@islamicschoolofirving.org

Fahad Alghamdi

Arabic and Quran Department Head

Ustadh Fahad Alghamdi comes from a long tradition of educators. Both his parents are retired educators having spent over 50 years guiding various educational efforts. Having completed his Hifz and Ijaza (Hafs An Asim) in 1998, Ustadh Fahad was Imam and Khateeb in Jeddah for five years before he decided to focus his efforts on his true love, the Arabic language.

He obtained a Bachelor’s degree with honor in Arabic Studies from King Abdul-Aziz University in Jeddah in 2008 with a focus on Nahw, Sarf, Balagha, Arabic teaching methodologies, and the historical development of Arabic Literature. During his studies in Jeddah he was fortunate to study under some of the most prominent scholars in Saudi Arabia—Ibn-Baz, Ibn Othaimeen, Saleh Alfozan, Muhammad Almukhtar Alshanqeety, Abdu-Allah Albassam, and Ibn-Jibreen. He was also blessed to study Fiqh, Tafseer, and Hadeeth in halaqaat with the Imams of the Haram in Makkah, Alshuraim and Al-Sudais.

Shaikh Fahad Alghamdi has been a Quran hifz teacher throughout his journey of more than 25 years in both Saudi Arabia and The United States. Upon relocating to the United States, Ustadh Fahad went on to complete his MBA from Texas A&M. Currently, Ustadh Fahad is the head of Quran and Arabic Departments at Islamic School of Irving.

He currently lives in Farmers Branch, TX with his family.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

fahad.alghamdi@islamicschoolofirving.org

Massouda Ansari

Head of Islamic Studies Department

Ustadhah Massouda Ansari is the current head of the Islamic Studies department. She holds a BA degree in Islamic Studies and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction. She is in her 17th year serving as an Islamic Studies and Quran teacher. She has developed the Quran and Islamic Studies Curriculum.

Her passion is to influence, inspire and guide the next Muslim generation. She is a strong advocate of Islamic Schools, and believes that Islamic Schools are the main factor in preserving Islamic identity. Ustadhah Massouda lives with her husband and three children in Dallas for the last 17 years.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

massouda.ansari@islamicschoolofirving.org

Ilir Aliji

Student Tarbiyyah and Guidance

By Allah’s mercy Imam Ilir was able to travel in pursuit of knowledge to the lands of Yemen, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It is in those countries were He studied at the feet of some of the most esteemed scholars of our time. He received various ijazat in the sciences of hadith, arabic, aqeedah and many other texts. Imam Ilir holds a BA from KIU university Riyadh, Saudi Arabia In Islamic Creed as well as two diplomas in the Arabic Language and Islamic Studies from the prestigious Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University. He is the Imam of Masjid Albani in Bedford, TX and previously served as the youth and islamic studies head at Good Tree Academy for 5 years. He has served the larger DFW community for the past decade in various roles.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

ilir.aliji@islamicschoolofirving.org

Imam Sh. Hasan Khalil

School Imam & Fundraiser

Imam Hasan Khalil is an Imam, a national/international da’iyah, and an educator for the past 30 years plus. He has served and occupied many multifunction’s position like: Teaching, counseling, school boards, Imam Council, youth director, Quran competitions lead judge, advisor, police/clergy partnership, radio stations guest, a promotional speaker, a fundraiser, local and international speaker in conferences, universities, schools, churches, interfaith dialogues, and more. He acquired a bachelor and a master degree in sharee’ah from the American Open University, and was an instructor at Mishkat university and Almaghreb institute. Currently, he hosts “Pillars Friday youth program” at Dar El Quran in Arlington, Imam Hasan has been with ISI for over 20 years. He is married and has 4 boys & 2 girls who were proud ISI students. Imam Hasan is from Palestine and resides in Grand Prairie/Mansfield Texas.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

Brenda Bleakney

KG teacher & Advisor on leadership team

Sister Brenda Bleakney has been an educator for over 28 blessed years. She is in her 26th year of serving our beloved Islamic School of Irving. Her passion is to bring forth Social Emotional learning, Islamic Mindfulness, and the love for the Natural World. It is within this , where she finds inner-peace and the remembrance of our Lord Allah (swt).

She holds a management degree in Child Daycare, a teacher’s certification from the National Geographic Society, and several certificates on the connection between children/ learning/ and the natural world. Alhumdulillah, she is currently enrolled to become a Social Emotional Learning Facilitator and Calming Movement instructor. She is also a noncommissioned security officer in the state of Texas.

She lives with her youngest daughter, who happens to be a graduate from the Islamic School of Irving. She has seven grown children and is a blessed grandmother. Masha’Allah

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

brenda.bleakney@islamicschoolofirving.org

Mohamed Bounemri

Athletic and P.E. Department Head

Mohamed Bounemri has invested the last 22 yrs in Islamic schools, 15 of them at ISI. He has been involved with teaching health, PE and different athletic programs at ISI. He held a blue belt in Judo at the age of 9 and he is a USA Archery level 2 instructor and trainer. Graduated from a university in Algeria with a BA in sports management where he was very fortunate to be mentored by some of the top successful leaders in sports.

Mohamed held an athletic trainer certificate in the state of Florida and is a certified Physical Education Teacher. His aim is to help our young muslims to live a healthy active lifelong life and create opportunities for students-athletes to reach their highest potential.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

mohamed.bounemri@islamicschoolofirving.org

Kendra Montemayor

Athletic and P.E. Department Head

Sr. Kendra Montemayor earned her bachelor ‘ s degree in University Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, Texas. She has been teaching Texas History and U.S. History at the Islamic School of Irving since 2014. Sr. Kendra is a member of both the Administrative and Leadership teams at ISI and in addition to those roles she serves as the Associate Athletic Director, and she coaches girls ‘ volleyball and basketball at ISI as well. She loves being a part of the ISI family and looks forward to enjoying many more years with her ISI community.

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1100

Email

kendra.montemayor@islamicschoolofirving.org

Administrative Staff

Suzanna (Maryam) Muhammad Affandi

HR Manager

Human Resources, Hiring, Leaves, Payroll

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1203

Email

hr@islamicschoolofirving.org

Reema Almanasrah

Finance Officer

Finances, Financial Aid, Books, Tuition, Payments, Reimbursements

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1207

Email

finance@islamicschoolofirving.org

Ahlam Lahssini

Admissions’ Officer

Admissions, Enrollments and Withdrawals

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1150

Email

admissions@islamicschoolofirving.org

Tanzeel Khan

Registrar

Course and Class Registration, Rosters, Student Records, Renweb Access, Report Cards, School Emails

Work

972-812-2230, ext 1102

Email

registrar@islamicschoolofirving.org

Mahera Talat

Operations/Office Manager

Meeting Requests with School Officials, Uniforms, Parent/Teacher Conferences, School Newsletter and Communications, Student and Class pictures, Facilities Ops.