I'm very glad to be back teaching at Crescent this year alhamdulilah.
I grew up in a small town in the rolling hills of West Virginia. My parents immigrated to America from Syria in the 1980s, and I used to spend all my summers growing up in Damascus studying, visiting family, and experiencing the wonders of one of the world's greatest cities.
After graduating high school, I came to Michigan for college, completing my Bachelor's degree in History and Islamic Studies. I spent the next four years teaching Islam and organizing experiential education programs for young people in various parts of the country and internationally. In that time, I also completed my Master's in Education, with a particular focus on curriculum development and experiential learning.
I pray that God fills this year with immense blessing and envelops the school, the staff, the students, and their families with His infinite Love, Light, and Mercy.
Ms. Sahar: 8B Qura'nic Arabic
My name is Sr.Sahar Gelany. I graduated from The University of Cairo with a bachelors degree in Arabic Language and Literature in 1991. Since then, I've been teaching Arabic, Qur'an and Islamic Studies in Egypt and in the USA. This is my seventeenth year teaching at Crescent Academy. I love teaching Qur'anic Arabic. My students are very special to me, every single one of them.
I always try to teach my students about the unlimited treasures of the Qur'an- one can hardly ever get enough. I love the Qur'an, and I hope to translate that love to my students and instill a sense of curiosity about Allah's holy book.
Allah(SWT) has blessed me with three girls; Asmaa, Sarah, and Salma . My youngest is a Crescent graduate. She has been a Crescent student since first grade. Recently, she has graduated from the University of Michigan. As a parent, I had a wonderful experience with Crescent. In my spare time, I believe it's essential to explore Allah's blessings so I like to walk, cook, and enjoy anything handy.
I feel fortunate to teach Quran and its language in such a special place like Crescent.
Ms. Anam: 8B Homeroom, English Language Arts, Social Studies
I am excited to start my first year teaching at Crescent Academy! I have been teaching in Maryland for 5 years, and I relocated to Ann Arbor in July with my husband.
I have a Masters in Teaching from The Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelors in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. I have experience teaching Language and Literature, Film, and Drama courses, all of which are my passions!
I believe that an outstanding teacher connects with their students on a personal level to establish trust, while holding them to a high degree of academic and personal accountability. Inshallah, my goal this year is to help students reach high expectations as learners and as future contributing members of our community.
I look forward to working with the students, parents, and fellow teachers at Crescent to have a wonderful year full of laughs and learning.
Ms. Mona: 8A Qur'anic Arabic
I pray to Allah (swt) that you are all in the best of health and iman. Ameen.
First I would like to thank all our dear parents and students to our new school year, insha'Allah.
I am very excited to work at Crescent as a Qur'anic Arabic teacher for this year, insha'Allah. It will be my fifth year, alhamdulilah.
My name is Ms. Mona Musa and I was born and raised in Egypt. I have a B.A. in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University in Egypt. I had taught Qur'anic Arabic and Islamic Studies for more than five years, and I have two years of experience as the Islamic Studies and Qur'an Department Head at International Islamic Academy in Detroit. I have taught elementary, middle, and high school ages for more than three years.
I enjoy teaching and sharing my experiences with others and my philosophy in teaching is: effective learning requires collaboration between the teacher, students, and parents grounded in mutual respect and trust. I do believe that learning takes place best in a positive, safe environment filled with good manners (adaab).
May Allah (swt) bless all our children and guide them to the right path. Ameen
Ms. Talath: 8A Homeroom, Mathematics, Science
I am very excited to have this remarkable opportunity to educate your child at Crescent Academy International.
I am a certified teacher having over eleven years of experience. My educational background includes Master’s Degree in Science and Bachelor’s degree in Education. I have been teaching Math and Science to Middle and High School students at various educational institutions including Michigan Islamic Academy (Ann Arbor) and St. Ann’s High School (Hyderabad, India). I also worked as a part time math and science tutor at Schoolcraft College (Livonia, MI) where I earned the certificate of international tutoring. I am also a member of Honor Society in Schoolcraft College and University of Michigan. I am blessed to be a mother of two young kids ages 11 and 6.
I am looking forward to getting to know my students and working directly with them in the classroom to facilitate their exploration, discovery and learning of mathematics and science.