Staff Directory | CORE Cal

Hamza Abdalla

Hamza Abdalla serves as a CORE Hub Teacher, Islamic Educator, and Mentor, where he is dedicated to fostering faith, character, and personal growth among youth. With over a decade of experience as an Imam and Youth Director, he has been a trusted guide and advocate for the Muslim community. He holds degrees in Business, Health Sciences, and Psychology, bringing a well-rounded perspective that blends spiritual leadership with academic and professional insight. Through his role at CORE, he continues to inspire students and families with his commitment to education, mentorship, and service.

Afia Hassan

Afia Hassan is a dedicated educator and community leader with a Master’s in Educational Psychology and a Master’s in Political Science. Afia brings years of experience in teaching, mentoring, and community engagement, with a strong focus on empowering students through education and inclusion. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, civic responsibility, and lifelong learning, helping students build both academic and real-world skills. Alongside her work in the classroom, Afia continues to mentor others and contribute to programs that foster leadership and personal growth.

Hayat Saeed

Hayat Saeed is an experienced educator at CORE with nearly two decades of teaching experience. She studied the Quran and Islamic Studies in Eritrea under a renowned Sheikh and later continued her studies in the United States. Hayat is dedicated to nurturing students’ connection to the Quran and creating a supportive, engaging environment that encourages spiritual and personal growth. Her passion lies in helping students strengthen their understanding and practice of the Quran.

Abla Zeyada

Abla Zeyada is a dedicated educator at CORE with nearly two decades of teaching experience. She studied Quran and Sharia in Saudi Arabia at Al-Imam University in Madinah and furthered he studies in Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, and Sharia at masjid al-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque). She later obtained her Master’s degree in the Ten Recitations. Abla is deeply committed to guiding students in their Quranic studies and fostering a strong foundation in faith and learning.

Sabah ALI

Sabah Ali is a dedicated educator at CORE with four years of teaching experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from California State University, Long Beach, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Academic Leadership. Sabah believes in fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning in her students. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with family and continuing to grow as an educator through ongoing learning and professional development.

Marwa Aboubaker

Marwa Aboubaker is an experienced educator with a Master’s degree in comparative literature from UCLA, with academic interests in English, Islamic Studies, and Arabic. She has taught as a Teaching Assistant at UCLA and served as an Arabic Instructional Aide with the Garden Grove Unified School District. Her teaching approach emphasizes engaged critical thinking and encourages students to connect classroom learning with broader real-world contexts. She also integrates technology into instruction to enrich the learning experience and foster student engagement.

Shaheda Tasneem

Shaheda Tasneem is a seasoned mathematics educator with 37 years of teaching experience across elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. She holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education and has taught in multiple countries, bringing a global perspective and cultural understanding to her work. Throughout her career, she has worked in esteemed international schools and is recognized for making challenging concepts clear and engaging. She is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and inspiring a love of learning in her students.

Mariam Shakeel

Mariam Shakeel is an elementary teacher at CORE Academy with a strong background in education and student development. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from California State University, Fullerton, along with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and later completed the BTSA program through the Orange County Department of Education in 2015. Passionate about creating a positive and engaging classroom environment, Mrs. Shakeel is committed to supporting student, Mrs. Shakeel is committed to supporting to supporting students’ academic growth and building a foundation for their success.

Amina Sheikh

Amina Sheikh is the Elementary Vice Principal at CORE Academy with extensive experience in education and English Language Development. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD authorization from California State University, Fullerton. She has taught in public, charter, and private Islamic schools across southern California, as well as serving in leadership roles internationally. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and an Administrative Services Credential at Cal Poly Pomona, she is committed to fostering inclusive practices and preparing students with the skills needed to thrive academically and personally.

Nasreen Khan

Dr. Nasreen Khan is a dedicated educator at CORE with over eight years of service to the community. She holds a Ph.D in Molecular Biology and Immunology from Johns Hopkins University and previously worked as a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA. With a strong background in genetics and medical research, Dr. Khan has also taught at Chapman University and earned a Single Subject Teaching Credential from the Riverside Department of Education. At CORE, she plays a key role in supporting Dual Enrollment and AP programs, serving on the administrative team as a Teacher of Record.

Ajaz Fatima

Ajaz Fatima is a passionate educator at CORE, who has dedicated over seven enriching years to nurturing students from a myriad of backgrounds and abilities. After an illustrious 30-year journey as a successful businesswoman, she embraced her lifelong dream of stepping into the classroom. Armed with a California Certification in Child Development from Cerritos College, she infuses her teaching with boundless creativity and a genuine love for the arts and crafts. Ajaz approaches her work with warmth and dedication, creating an inviting atmosphere that empowers every student to flourish.

Nabil Idris

Nabil Idris is a Quran and Islamic studies teacher at CORE with extensive experience in Quranic instruction and translation. He completed his Quranic studies at the Islamic University in Sudan and holds a Diploma in translation from Omdurman Ahlia University, with additional certification in English and Arabic translation. Prior to joining CORE, Mr. Idris taught Quran at Ubay Ibn Ka’b Center and AI Hamma Dab Center in Sudan, where he mentored students in recitation and memorization. He brings a deep commitment to Islamic education and language proficiency to his work with students.

Shukria Zaza

Shukria Zaza is an Instructional Assistant and Lunch Supervisor at CORE. She holds a Medical Assistant Diploma from American Career College. With over eight years of experience in the medical field, she also earned a certificate in Educational Occupational Training from the North Orange County ROP, where she completed coursework in child development, learning styles, classroom safety, and self-esteem support. She has been a dedicated member of CORE since 2021. She brings care and patience to her role supporting students daily.

Marwa Azizi

Marwa Azizi is a Marketing Assistant at CORE, where she supports the organization’s mission through strategic communication, social media strategy, and photography. Pursuing a degree in Business Marketing, she applies her academic foundation to manage CORE’s social media presence and capture impactful photography that reflects the organization’s mission and values. She seeks to elevate CORE’s message, strengthen its public presence, and reflect the strength and resilience of CORE.

Karen Kabir

Karen Kabir is an experienced elementary teacher at CORE. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from California State University, Long Beach. With a Strong foundation in teaching and a passion for student success, Ms. Kabir is dedicated to creating a nurturing and engaging classroom environment. She believes in the power of education to inspire confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. She values building strong connections to help students succeed.

Tehsina Raza

Tehsina Raza is a dedicated educator at CORE with a strong academic background in science, holding a degree in Microbiology. She has a passion for painting, embroidery, and sewing activities that also inspire her dynamic approach to teaching. Mrs. Raza has proudly led CORE’s Girl Scout troop, mentoring young girls as they grow in confidence, leadership, and friendship. Her goal is to create a supportive, engaging, and empowering environment for students. She strives to inspire creativity and confidence in every child.

Nasir Jiwa

Nasir Jiwa is an experienced elementary educator and the Department coordinator at CORE. He holds an associate’s degree in education from Orange Coast College and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Education from California State University, Long Beach. He has taught in public, private, and charter schools across Orange County and is deeply committed to advancing elementary education. His leadership at CORE focuses on fostering academic excellence and supporting the holistic development of students.

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