Atef Elgassier moved to Lexington with his wife Warda Abuhajer in 2014. Dr. Elgassier currently works as a Hospitalist in the medicine department at Saint Joseph Hospital. He and Warda have been blessed with three children, Raseal, Muhammad, and Omar. His main motivation for moving to Lexington was for his children to attend LUA. His hope is to support LUA be the best private school in Lexington.
Staff Category: Islamic Studies, Arabic, & Quran
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Alaa El Mediouri
Alaa El Mediouri is currently working as an Information Technology Director at the University of Kentucky. He has been a member of the community and this is his eight year serving in LUA board.
His career in the nonprofit arena has afforded him with a comprehensive view of the opportunities and challenges that accompany change. Alaa learned from the ground up the importance of collaboration and the power of public support. He also learned the challenges and joys of nonprofit leadership from many different points of view. -
Andy Mirhaj
Mr. Andy Mirhaj is an experienced educational leader with more than 20 years of service in school administration. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership positions- including principal and superintendent— in different regions of the United States and in the Middle East. These experiences have shaped his understanding of diverse school communities and his commitment to creating welcoming, respectful, and academically strong learning environments.
Mr. Mirhaj earned his bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University in Canada and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Framingham State University in Massachusetts. His leadership approach emphasizes academic excellence, student well-being, a positive school culture, and strong partnerships among students, families, teachers, and the wider community.
As the father of two school-aged children, Mr. Mirhaj also brings a parent’s perspective to his work and understands the trust families place in their children’s school. He is passionate about ensuring that every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
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Sunshine Al-Jumaily
Ustathah Sunshine Al-Jumaily is a Lexington, Kentucky native who graduated from Bryan Station High School. At the University of Kentucky, she received a BA in history and a minor in Arabic and Islamic Studies. She also earned her MA in Secondary Education, social studies. She began working at LUA in 2007 as a substitute teacher, left for graduate school, and returned as the fifth grade homeroom and social studies teacher. She became a Muslim in 2006 during her first year of University. She and her husband have three children, two currently enrolled at LUA and one who just graduated from our school.
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Shahla Alshakarchi
Usthathah Shahla Alshakarchi is one of the pre-k 4 teachers at LUA. She has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, two CDA (child development association) credentials in Early Childhood Education, and an Associate degree in child development and behavior management from Waldorf University. Ustathah Shahla has six years of experience as a preschool teacher and has been with LUA for four years. She is passionate about working with children and supporting their growth, learning, and development. Ustathah Shahla has three children, all of which attend LUA. In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading, and spending time with her family.
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Islam Al Burai
Ustathah Islam Al Burai is one of the PreK-4 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. She worked with Fayette County Public School as an assistant teacher for special education. Ustathah Islam grew up in Gaza, Palestine then moved to Puerto Rico (where she studied at The American University as a Special Education Teacher), and then to Lexington, Kentucky. She has two children; both her son and daughter graduated from LUA. She is looking forward to working with your child to help them reach their maximum education and apply the Islamic Values to their everyday teachings.
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Dana Shalash
Dana Shalash joined the LUA team in 2025. She has taught Pre-K 3 and has a passion for young children. Dana was born and raised in Lexington and graduated high school in 2021. Dana knew she wanted to make her passion for helping young children part of her career. She is currently finishing up classes to complete her degree in Education. Dana is married and has one cat who she loves dearly.
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Amani Shalash
Ustathah Amani Shalash has been a teacher at LUA since 2021. She has taught both Pre-K 3 and 4. She is a proud alumnus of LUA and was a part of the first graduating kindergarten class. When the preschool was added in 2012 after she graduated LUA, Ustathah Amani would spend free any time she had in the LUA preschool classrooms. She then went on to receive 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. Ustathah Amani is a proud Lexington native and is active in the local Muslim community. It felt like a dream come true when the opportunity for Ustathah Amani to join the LUA staff came to her. She enjoys being able to give back to the community that helped shape her as a child.
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Christy Hendrickson
Christy Hendrickson teaches middle school English Language Arts (ELA). She has been a teacher for over twenty vears in both the private and public school systems. Mrs. Hendrickson has her Bachelor’s Degree in English and her Master’s Degree in Education. Mrs. Hendrickson also holds an ABA certification. She has been married to her husband Shawn for 41 years and they are the parents of three and grandparents to four as well as a proud dog parents to thirteen, yes thirteen pugs! In her free time, she loves to read, watch all University of Michigan sports teams and supports the Transylvania University Women’s softball team..of which her husband is the head coach. She is very excited to be part of the LUA family.
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Mahmoud Shalash
Ustath Mahmoud serves at Lexington Universal Academy as the Middle School Math Teacher, Middle School Quran Resource, and the 7th Grade Islamic Studies Teacher.
After having spent his elementary and middle school years at LUA, Ust. Mahmoud went on to complete his memorization of the Quran during his high school years at the Michigan Islamic Institute in Warren, Michigan. Afterward, he earned a Bachelor’s in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky.
He also holds an Ijaza (Authorization to recite, teach, or transmit the Quran), with a complete chain of narration that connects directly to the Messenger of Allah SWS, in the narration of Hafs ‘an ‘Aasim from Sheikh Ahmad Yousuf.
Ust. Mahmoud takes great pride in supporting the development of young muslims, helping them excel in all areas of life and guiding them toward success in this world and the hereafter. He is also currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Islamic Education from Guidance College.