Islamic Studies, Arabic, and Quran
Ustatha Omaima Alamawi.
Ustatha Omaima Alamawi has been the middle and elementary school Quran, Arabic and Islamic Studies teacher at the Lexington Universal Academy since 2008. In 2002, she received the Tajweed License certification from the Muslim World League Association in Riwaya of Hafs an Asem an Al-Shatibiya. In 2007, Ustatha Omaima successfully completed Al-Qaidah An-Nooraneyah Program. And in 2013, she became a certified teacher of Al-Qaida An-Nooranyyah. She's honored to be given the opportunity to teach the children at LUA to perfect the recitations of Allah's Holy book, Al-Quran Al Kareem, so they can be of the Quran carriers In sha' Allah. "With Allah's support I've been able to encourage my students to memorize several Ajza' of the Quran."
Ustatha Fathia Shalash.
Ustatha Fathia Shalash is an Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Quran Teacher at Lexington Universal Academy. She was born and raised in Kuwait, where she received her high school degree. She then attended an Islamic community college in Jordan, majoring in Mathematics, as well as receiving a
certificate in Islamic Studies and Tajweed. Then she moved with her family to Palestine where she became a kindergarten teacher for two years. She moved to America in 1996, and worked at a Lexington weekend Islamic school for a year. Allah (swt) blessed her with four kids, all of whom have attended and graduated from LUA. In 2010, she was hired as a special needs educator with FCPS. After completing a year, she was hired at LUA as an assistant teacher for kindergarten class. This is the 13th year teaching Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies at LUA. "LUA is my home and I love teaching children and helping them apply Islamic values in their lives."
Ustatha Monawar Meriden.
Ustatha Monawar Meriden has been working as a Quran and Arabic teacher for about 24 years. She has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Damascus, Syria. In 2001, Alhumdulillah, she was honored to receive the Tajweed License certificate from Damascus, by the certified reciter, Muhiddin Al-Kurdi in Riwaya of Hafs an Asim an Al-Shatibiya.
She has been blessed to be given the opportunity to teach Quran and Arabic for Pre-k4, Elementary, and Middle School in Damascus for more than 13 years.For two years, she volunteered as a Quran teacher at Masjid Bilal’s Sunday School in Lexington KY. Since 2017, she has been blessed to have been given the opportunity to spend six years at Lexington Universal Academy (LUA), as a Quran and Arabic resource teacher. And this is 3rd year as a full time Arabic teacher in Lua
Alhamdulillah, in 2020, she earned the Al-Qaidah An-Nouraniyah certificate from Furqan Group for Education & IT, and she has been teaching this technique for 4 years. 2020-2023 she has been working with Beam Academy, as an online Quran and Al-Qaidah An-Nouraniyah teacher.
"During my journey in teaching Quran and Arabic, I believe that teaching our children Quran and Arabic is a very essential aspect to keep them on the right track InshAllah. With Allah's support and guidance, I will do my best to work with the children to achieve our goal in the LUA."
Ustatha Asmaa Kafafi.
​
Ustatha Afshan Meraj. 5th Grade Islamic Studies
Ustatha Rasmieh Suleiman. 6th & 7th Islamic Studies
Ustad Haitham Issa. 8th Islamic Studies
Ustad Abdurrazzag Elmeslati. Quran
Preschool Program
Ustatha Amani Shalash. Pre-K3
Ustatha Amani Shalash has been a teacher at LUA since 2021. She is a proud alumnus of LUA and was a part of the first graduating kindergarten class. She received her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and International Studies from the University of Kentucky. While not teaching, she enjoys traveling to new cities, going to the gym, and spending time with family. Ustatha Amani is a proud Lexington native and is active in the local Muslim community. She enjoys being able to give back to the community that helped shape her as a child.
Ustatha Islam Al Burai. Pre-K3/4
Ustatha Islam Al Burai is the homeroom Teacher for PreK at Lexington Universal Academy. She has a bachelor's degree in Education. Previously, she worked as an ESL teacher in Saudi Arabia and then as a substitute teacher at LUA. For the last few years, she worked with Fayette County Public School as an assistant teacher for special education. Ustatha Islam grew up in Gaza, Palestine then moved to Puerto Rico (where she studied at The American University as a Special Education Teacher), then moved to Lexington, Kentucky. She has two children, her son graduated from LUA and her daughter is still attending. She looks forward to working with your child to help them reach their maximum education and apply the Islamic Values to their everyday teachings.
Ustatha Shahla Alshkarchi. Pre-K4
Ustadthah Shahla holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, earned in 2012, and an Associate Degree in Childhood Development and Behavior Management from Waldorf University in Iowa. Additionally, she has two Kentucky Child Development Associate (CDA) licenses. With three years of experience as a PreK-4 teacher, Ustadthah Shahla was promoted to a management role as a Programming Specialist, where she served for two years. Now in her second year at Lexington Universal Academy, she takes pride in her role as a PreK-4 teacher and eagerly anticipates her students’ graduations. Happily married for 13 years, she is a proud mother of three wonderful children—one son and two daughters—who all attend LUA, Alhamdulillah. In her free time, Ustadthah Shahla enjoys quality time with her family, working out, and cheering on her children at their soccer and basketball games.
Elementary School
Ustatha Nowal Allouch & Ustatha Jamila Naji. kindergarten
Ustatha Nowal Allouch is the kindergarten teacher here at LUA. She has lived in Kentucky all her life and has always wanted to become a teacher. She received her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky. She also obtained her Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kentucky. This is her 16th year at LUA. During her first year, she completed the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program at Lexington Universal Academy. She began working at LUA in 2009, as an assistant teacher and office assistant. She began working as a first grade teacher in 2010. She taught first grade for seven years and this is her eighth year teaching kindergarten. She is married and has two children, one of whom attends LUA in third grade. She has been so blessed to be part of a wonderful school that is preparing our children to have a strong Muslim identity and become productive members of society.
Ustatha Deborah Dyrssen. First Grade
Deborah Dyressen
Ustatha Hanan Abdeldayem. Second Grade
Ustatha Hanan Abdeldayem is the 2nd grade teacher at Lexington Universal Academy. Hanan is from Canton, Michigan and graduated with her bachelors in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has taught for 3 years (2nd grade and kindergarten) in Michigan, and was highly involved in the Islamic community. She volunteered her extra time in an Islamic Sunday school. Hanan recently moved to Lexington summer of 2022 and is excited to teach at LUA. She enjoys teaching young students for the “light bulb” moment in the classroom , and being able to bring Islam into her teaching style within the classroom.
Ustatha Saphia Isa. Third Grade
Ustatha Saphia Isa serves as the third grade teacher at Lexington Universal Academy, having joined the LUA community in 2012. She is a proud mother of four children, two of whom are LUA alumni. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Ustatha Saphia has experience in various school systems across Chicago and Lexington since 1996. She spent five years teaching second grade and is currently in her eighth year teaching third grade. Raised in Lexington within the public school system, she has a profound appreciation for Islamic education. Additionally, she has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, where she enjoys sharing her global experiences with her students. Ustatha Saphia takes her teaching responsibilities seriously and aims to serve as a positive role model for the future Muslim ummah.ty of Kentucky and has worked in different school systems intermittently throughout Chicago and Lexington since 1996. Ms. Isa taught second grade for five years and is currently in her seventh year teaching third grade. Being raised in Lexington, in the public school system, she has a deep appreciation for Islamic education. She has traveled throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe and enjoys sharing her worldly experiences with her students. She feels a great responsibility in teaching and aspires to serve as an American-Muslim role model to the future Muslim ummah.
Ustatha Cheryl Paul. Fourth Grade
Mrs. Cheryl Paul is an experienced 4th grade teacher at Lexington Universal Academy, with 13 years in education and a strong focus on hands-on, student-centered learning through the workshop model. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Kentucky University, accompanied by teaching certificates from both Kentucky and Ohio. Having taught various grades and subjects, including kindergarten and Spanish, Mrs. Paul has dedicated her summers to working with children with disabilities and serving as a Summer School Director. A lifelong learner and adventurer, she enjoys traveling, camping, and exploring garage sales when she's not in the classroom.
Ustatha Nadia Shalash. Fifth Grade
Nadia Shalash has been a dedicated teacher at LUA since 2003, passionately educating young minds. Born and raised in Lexington, Ust. Nadia is a proud mother of three, all of whom graduated from LUA, and a cat owner. She earned her Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Kentucky and holds a Teaching Certification for grades K-5 from Kentucky State University. Ustatha Nadia later pursued a Master’s Degree as a Teacher Leader, with an Endorsement in English as a Second Language. Over her 21 years at LUA, she has taught first through fifth grades, showcasing her commitment to nurturing and inspiring children in their learning journeys.
Middle School
Ustatha Sunshine Al-Jumaily. Social Studies
Since 2009 Sunshine Al-Jumaily has taught at Lexington Universal Academy. She is a native of Lexington, but lived in New Mexico and Las Vegas as well. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and holds a Master's in Secondary Social Studies Education. She has a passion for history, politics, and geography that she strives to bring into her classroom. She is married and has three children all whom attend LUA.
Ustatha Shazia Anjum. Science
Ustatha Shazia Anjum is LUA’s middle school science teacher. She has a Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery from Pakistan, as well as a Masters in Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis. Her mission is to foster curiosity and a love of science in her students by showing them the beauty of Islam and the natural world.
Ustad Zachary Johnson. Language Arts
Ustad Zack is in his second year both in Lexington, KY, and as the English Language Arts teacher at Lexington Universal Academy. Previously, he worked as a K-12 reading and writing tutor at C2 Education in Seattle, WA. He holds a BA in English-Textual Studies, with minors in Business and German, and is currently pursuing an MA in Teaching at Eastern Kentucky University. Alongside his teaching career, Ustad Zack is also a writer and musician, and he has a deep passion for learning languages.
Ustatha Jasmine McDonald. Math
Jasmine