Our Team at Tarbiyah

Tarbiyah Learning Academy has been so blessed by Allah through the years with fantastic educators and facilitators. Since we began in 2012, we’ve had lessons full of passion and lasting connections made between staff and students. We welcome you to learn more about this year’s all-star group of staff.

  • Principal

    Ghazala Choudhary received her Bachelors in Social Studies from the University of Ottawa and her Bachelors with honours from Carleton University. She has also completed both her Bachelors and Masters of Education at the University of Ottawa. She is currently the principal of Tarbiyah Learning Academy and has been involved with the school since 2012.

    Ghazala's passion for education began over 20 years ago when she became heavily involved with the Muslim Youth of Ottawa and more specifically, when she began teaching at the Ottawa Islamic School.

    Following that, she moved to Windsor, where she also taught at An Noor School. She then moved to Doha, Qatar, where she homeschooled her two children and taught at a Canadian School in Doha.

    Ghazala has a strong passion for Islamic education in North America and around the world and is also the current director of events for the Islamic Schools Association of Canada.

  • Junior Kindergarten

    Tr. Amera has had the pleasure of teaching at Tarbiyah Learning for the last nine years, Alhamdullilah.

    She began her journey at Tarbiyah Learning as a Quran and Arabic teacher working with children of all ages. In 2019, she was given the opportunity to work as a junior kindergarten homeroom teacher and Alhamdulillah, she has loved it and enjoyed every moment of it so far. Prior to joining Tarbiyah Learning,

    Amera has worked at several Islamic Schools in Ottawa as part of the early childhood education team. She has studied child development and human behavior, child psychology, and how children learn in different ways and settings. However, Amera's focus and specialization is in classroom management and early childhood education.

    Amera's philosophy of education is that children, especially in their early years, are like little sponges, absorbing all the information around them. They are incredibly bright and fast learners when given the right environment to thrive in.

    Amera's goal as an educator is to excite our young learners about the world of learning and to broaden their interests. Insha'Allah, Amera will work with our kindergarteners to make them leaders for tomorrow.

  • Senior Kindergarten

    Tr. Rafia graduated from ICS Canada and received a diploma in Early Childhood Education, and the Teacher’s Aide program, focusing on child development and behaviour, classroom management techniques, and how children learn.

    She has been working at Tarbiyah as an ECE for the past 9 years in JK, SK, and Grade One. This is Rafia's third year as the Senior Kindergarten homeroom teacher.

    Throughout the years at Tarbiyah and being part of the amazing ECE team, Rafia has learned so much about child development and different learning styles. It is essential to understand that each child is a unique individual with special qualities and needs.

    Rafia's goal this year is to create a classroom where students are encouraged to practice their reasoning and thinking skills, motor skills, and problem-solving and help them create original ideas, comparing and contrasting, identifying, classifying, sequencing, and ordering through fun games, art, and hands-on activities.

  • Grade 1 and ECE Division Head

    This is Tr. Wala’s 9th year at Tarbiyah. This year, she is taking on the role of ECE division head and also completing her masters in educational leadership.

  • Grade 2

  • Grade 3

    Tr. Nadia has taught the elementary age group for eight years. She began her teaching career in London, UK where she taught the second grade for four years at a private Islamic school. After moving back to Canada, Nadia was fortunate enough to continue my passion for teaching at another private Islamic school in Milton, Ontario, Alhamdulillah.

    This is her third year at Tarbiyah Learning Academy. She also has twin girls who are students at Tarbiyah. She considers herself blessed to be a part of this school community, working with a wealth of incredible educators mashaAllah!

  • Literacy Head

    Tr. Farheen has completed an undergraduate degree in Communications and Culture at the City University of New York and my Bachelor of Education degree at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She has completed numerous additional teaching qualifications and also serves as the school's literacy head.

    Farheen has over 12 years of teaching experience in North America in public and private schools. She has been teaching at Tarbiyah Learning Academy for nine years.

    Farheen is also involved in serving the larger Muslim community in developing and conducting youth and women's Islamic programs.

  • Grade 6 and Elementary Division Head

    Dr. Saba Alvi's philosophy of education revolves around character development and helping students develop academic resilience and grit.

    She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed), A Master’s of Arts in Education, and a PhD in Education. Dr. Saba's doctoral thesis centered around inclusive education with a particular focus on Muslim youth.

    Aside from the work she does at Tarbiyah Learning Academy, she is also a Long-Term Appointment Professor at the University of Ottawa where she teaches at the Faculty of Education. Her work at Tarbiyah and the University of Ottawa complement each other as she gets to work on both sides of the educational spectrum. Dr. Saba feels incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to do both and serve the community.

    This year, Dr. Saba is also leading the elementary team as the division head.

  • Grade 7 Homeroom

  • Grade 7 and 8 Science

    This is Tr. Margena's seventh year at Tarbiyah Learning Academy, and she has had the pleasure to be in a variety of classrooms throughout the years, ranging from grade 5 to 8.

    She is a graduate of the University of Toronto in the fields of psychology and immunology. She has also completed the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) program at the University of Ottawa.

    Margena has experience teaching students in the subjects of math, science, biology, chemistry, and social studies.

    In her spare time, she enjoys reading and visual arts, as well as volunteering in the community. She has two children who are also at Tarbiyah and Margena is a proud Ottawan at heart.

  • Quran & Arabic Head, Art

    Tr. Rana is the grade 3 Quran & Arabic teacher and also serves as the school's head of Quran & Arabic. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Damascus University, a website designer certificate from Algonquin College, and a certificate in Nouraniyyah.

    She has studied Quran, tajweed, and Islamic studies lessons from certified scholars in Damascus and has been teaching Quran and Arabic in Ottawa since 2012 at Madina Quran school and Hikmah Saturday school as well as a private tutor, Alhamdulillah.

    Rana is also a self-taught visual artist and is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of students' experiences and artistic growth. She loves the fact that she is able to share her love of art with her students and help them grow as artists and creative thinkers.

  • Math Head

    Tr. Tayyabah has been a teacher at Tarbiyah Learning Academy for over 10 years. She holds a Masters in Education. She is currently the school's math head and supports/trains math teachers.

  • Upper Elementary Division Head

  • Grades 5-8 Girls' Physical Education

    Tr. Aisha is the Grade 5 Assistant Teacher and Girls’ Physical Education Teacher this year at Tarbiyah Learning Academy.

    Tr. Aisha will teach physical education through mindfulness/meditation techniques (Adhkaar, learning and understanding names of Allah swt) and many enjoyable activities and games.

  • Grade 6 Homeroom, Grade 2 Language Arts and Math Support, Hifdh Teacher

    With over 25 years of teaching experience in homeschooling, 15 years in weekend Islamic school, and presenting topics to local and online halaqas and MSAs for years, Sakina Binterik brings to her classes creativity, energy and multi-sensory games. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Studies.

  • Senior Kindergarden

    Tr. Huda is a certified Ontario teacher with extensive working experience in public school boards across Ottawa, as well as in Islamic education settings. She holds a Bachelor of Education and diplomas in Early Childhood Education and Autism & Behavioural Science. With over a decade of experience as a teacher, educational assistant, and family support worker, Tr. Huda is committed to fostering both academic excellence and strong character rooted in Islamic values. She is passionate about creating a welcoming, faith-based learning environment where children feel supported, inspired, and encouraged to grow in knowledge, faith, and good manners.

  • Grade 5 Homeroom

    Having graduated from Western University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Education, this is Tr. Sara’s first year teaching at Tarbiyah Learning Academy.

    In her undergraduate studies, she completed an Honours Specialization in Health Sciences. She is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) committed to fostering an inclusive, nurturing, and supportive classroom where all students feel empowered to succeed, inshaAllah.

  • Grade 4 Homeroom

    This is Tr. Saima’s second year teaching at Tarbiyah Learning Academy in Grade 4. She recieved her BA in Psychology and her B.Ed from York University.

    She is committed to creating a positive and supportive classroom community focused on student learning and growth.