SCHOOL STAFF
ARABIC TEACHERS
Lama Sharaf
Grades KG-3
Timing:
L1: 10:00 - 10:45AM
L2 : 11:00-11:45PM
L3 : 12:00-12:45PM
Asalamualaikum! My name is Lama Sharaf and I will be teaching Quran and Arabic for kindergarten - 3rd grade. I was born and raised in Syria, Arabic being my native language. I have been teaching it at Webb Foundation for the last 9 years. I love teaching because of all the learning, exploring, and the fun, new experiences we get to have together. I can’t wait to help my students learn to recognize Arabic letters and start reading! Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead of us and can’t wait to spend it learning and having fun with you!
Fatima Alzahara Hussein
Grades 2-3
Timing:
11:00 to 11.45 AM
Fatma Alzahara Hussein is a Benedictine University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a minor in Arabic & Islamic Studies. At Benedictine University, Fatma served as the Interfaith and Ecumenical Coordinator in which she would serve as an ambassador to the campus for interfaith events. Outside of school, she is the Secretary at the Sudanese American Charity of Illinois. What interests Fatma the most is doing volunteer work. She loves to get involved with the community and stay connected to it. In her free time, she likes to meditate to diminish stress and engage herself spiritually. Fatma likes meeting new people and growing better connections with her surroundings. The quote that she lives upon is “Everything happens for a reason” in which she believes that people should be optimistic and focus only on the positive sides.
ISLAMIC STUDIES TEACHERS
Sheereen Syed
Grades KG-1
Timing:
10:00 to 10.45 AM
Assalam Alaikum! My name is Sheereen Syed and I am going to be the Islamic studies teacher for the Sunday school year. I am a mother of three beautiful daughters and grandmother of 8! I have been a homemaker for the past few years after running a home daycare for over 20 years. I have experience with teaching children for many many years. Children are my passion and I am very excited to be back in a school setting to teach yours! My hobbies are sewing and cooking! My specialty is Hyderabadi dishes and desserts and I am trying something new every week for my family to enjoy. I love arts and crafts and am always finding something new to make with my grandkids from whatever we can find around the house. I look forward to do this with my students as well! Can’t wait to have a great year!
Fatima Alzahara Hussein
Grades 2-3
Timing:
11:00 to 11.45 AM
Fatma Alzahara Hussein is a Benedictine University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a minor in Arabic & Islamic Studies. At Benedictine University, Fatma served as the Interfaith and Ecumenical Coordinator in which she would serve as an ambassador to the campus for interfaith events. Outside of school, she is the Secretary at the Sudanese American Charity of Illinois. What interests Fatma the most is doing volunteer work. She loves to get involved with the community and stay connected to it. In her free time, she likes to meditate to diminish stress and engage herself spiritually. Fatma likes meeting new people and growing better connections with her surroundings. The quote that she lives upon is “Everything happens for a reason” in which she believes that people should be optimistic and focus only on the positive sides.
Sabahat Awais
Grades 4-5
Timing:
10:00 to 10.45 AM
Salam Webb Families, my name is Sabahat Awais. I currently reside in Naperville with my beautiful family. This is going to be my fourth year teaching Islamic Studies at Webb Foundation. I never thought teaching could be so rewarding and satisfying but I truly enjoy interacting with kids and teaching them about Islam in fun and interactive way. I try to make my lessons informative and engaging so every kid gets to discuss and understand the key elements of being a proud and confident Muslim. I believe now is the time more than ever to strengthen our faith and instill love of Islam in our Children. I hope and pray that our kids will enjoy remote learning sessions and we will have a great school year Insha’Allah!!
Saym Basheer
Grades 6-7
Timing:
10:00 to 10.45 AM
Saym Basheer is a Pakistani-American immigrant. He has a Masters in Computer Science and work as a software development engineer at Nielsen. He enjoys the arts, logic, philosophy, and building things with his hands. His recent interest has been social and emotional intelligence. His goal for his class is that each student thinks critically about their faith and religious practices. By doing so, they will be able to create their own understanding of Islam and become a proud Muslim.
TEENS TEACHERS
Nasah
Grades 8-10
Seerah/Discussion
Timings:
10:00-10:45AM
My name is Nasah (pronounced Naa-say) and I will be facilitating instruction in Islamic studies! I’m 26 years old and have lived most of my life here in Chicago, with the exception of 4 years in Karachi, Pakistan. Living through both cultures has allowed me to see our world through a lens not many people have acquired yet. I’m an American-born Muslim, and as many, I am in the everlasting journey of finding purpose in my life while practicing this faith as it’s meant to be. I had graduated from the Islamic Foundation School In 2012 and have completed my undergrad and graduate studies from DePaul University in Finance and Cybersecurity, respectively. My non-technical education spans from a summer intensive program from ALIM in 2016, completing the memorization of the Qur’an in 2008, and completing a 1 year program in social emotional intelligence. I’m currently in a 4 year program in transformational leadership and development from the Wright Institute and work as a Cybertechnology Specialist for a Cyber-defense company. Some other things to know about me: I’m a jiu-jitsu practitioner, an avid traveler, a foodie, and a jack of all sports. If there’s one thing I can assure you, it’s that I’ll find a way to relate with anyone
Svend White
Grades 8-10
Quran Translation/Discussion
Timing:
11:00 to 11.45 AM
Svend White is an software engineer in Chicago. Svend was raised Muslim. His father Barry embraced Islam in 1957 and his mother Jette did so in Copenhagen in 1970. Through a mutual acquaintance they became penpals and soon got married. They settled in Boston, where they raised Svend and his brother, Erik. Svend is married to Shabana Mir. They have a daughter. Over the past 3 decades, Svend has participated in various Muslim community and interfaith dialog initiaves, including helping to found the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID), on whose board of directors he served in the early 2000s. He has a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Georgia. Over the years, he has authored a number of articles and book chapters on Islam, the Muslim world and the place of Islam in America. He has written on these topics for online publications such as OpenDemocracy.net, altMuslim, Patheos and Religion Dispatches. Svend's vision for the Webb Foundation is for it to be a vibrant community center where Chicagoland Muslim families can explore their Deen and place in American society in an atmosphere of openness, tolerance and diversity."
Aali Rizvi
Vice Principal
AssalaamAlikum! My name is Aali Rizvi. I will be joining Webb families this year as your vice principal. A little about myself: I moved to Naperville ten years ago and fell in love with this beautiful town. My three youngest went to school here. Two have graduated from Central High School, and one is a Jr there. I have been in education field for almost two decades, teaching grades Preschool to 5th in private schools nationally and internationally. I’ve practiced and excelled at the art of balancing relationships with students, parents, and co-workers. It’s something that I genuinely enjoy. During my long education career, besides teaching, I have successfully overseen fundraisers and school events. I have been responsible for setting up a brand-new facility, focused primarily on positively engaging children. I am looking forward to youth service projects at Mohammed Webb Foundation. It would be exciting to have different age groups volunteer at local food pantries. Insha’Allah I am looking forward to meeting with all of you this upcoming school year.