Junior Kindergarten

Tr. Amera has had the pleasure of teaching at Tarbiyah Learning for the last ten 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.

Grade 1

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 10 years in JK, SK, and Grade One. After three years in Senior Kindergarten, she is our Grade 1 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 10th 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 Homeroom

Tr Filiz returns for her third year at Tarbiyah Learning Academy as the dedicated homeroom teacher for Grade 2.

Her wealth of experience in teaching over decades and over the world informs her students as they spend their precious last year in the ECE program.

Grade 4

Tr. Nadia has taught the elementary age group for nine 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 fourth 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 14 years of teaching experience in North America in public and private schools. She has been teaching at Tarbiyah Learning Academy for ten years.

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

Grade 7 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 and 8 Science

This is Tr. Margena's eighth 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 three children, one graduate of TLA, and one who is at Tarbiyah. 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 11 years. She holds a Masters in Education. She is currently the school's math head and supports/trains math teachers.

Upper Elementary Division Head

Grade 7 & 8 Science

Since the very beginning, Tr Ryan has offered his wealth of teaching experience to students at TLA in math and science for the upper levels.

He has his own children at Tarbiyah Learning Academy, with one graduate and one on his way there soon.

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.

Islamic Studies (gr 6 & 4), Hifdh Teacher and Arabic Support

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 in this second year at TLA 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 second 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 Support Teacher

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

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

Grade 6 Homeroom

Tr Zainab is new to TLA this year, but not to teaching, as her experience spans not only years but the globe with her experience in Pakistan and Canada.

She brings new energy and youth to the Grade 6 classroom, expecting the very best from her students each day.

Grade 3 Homeroom

With international and local experience, Tr Awo brings to TLA in her first year the energy and passion needed to support her students through passage from ECE into Elementary.

Boys’ Gym Coach

In his second year working at TLA, Tr Jacob brings the energy and discipline needed to inspire and motivate physical education sessions for TLA’s upper elementary and junior high school boys.