MEET
The Team
With great pleasure and pride, we present you with our dedicated team of directors, leaders and teachers who have come together under the noble name of Fatimatul Zahra (AS), committed to making her proud and represent a school that is fitting of her name.
MEET THE
Board Directors
ALIREZA ZEHTAB
Director – CEO
PhD in Chemical Engineering
Business Planner in Oil & Gas Industry
More than 10 years of volunteer experience and leadership roles in few non-profit & charity organizations
Strong network with other Shi’a communities and schools across Canada
ALI DHIA
Director – Treasurer /Secretary
BSc in Electronic Engineering
MA in Engineering Management
Founder and President of Al-Zahra Learning Centre. Principal and teacher of Madinatul-Ilm Saturday school, for the last 14 years, where Shi’a students learn Arabic, Quran and Islamic studies for ages 6-18.
NARGES SHOJAEDIN
Director – IT and Marketing
MSc in Computer Science
Marketing strategist in community organizations
Volunteer in the Iranian community at Calgary Towhid Centre for over 5 years. Cultural and religions planner for the community events.
Organizational developer for Dawnish Sunday school where Shi’a students learn Quran and Farsi at different levels.
ASFA RIYAZ
Director – HR and Community Engagement
BA in Communication,
Service & Information Designer
Over 10 years of volunteer experience with the Hussaini Association of Calgary, about 8 years of experience as a Sunday School teacher, and volunteer and designer with the Al-Qaim Charity Foundation.
Strong leadership, team player, deep listener and creative and curious mind. Taught history in Hussaini School Madrassah to senior grade level.
MEET THE
Board Directors
ALIREZA ZEHTAB
Director – CEO
PhD in Chemical Engineering
Business Planner in Oil & Gas Industry
More than 10 years of volunteer experience and leadership roles in few non-profit & charity organizations
Strong network with other Shi’a communities and schools across Canada
ALI DHIA
Director – Treasurer /Secretary
BSc in Electronic Engineering
MA in Engineering Management
Founder and President of Al-Zahra Learning Centre. Principal and teacher of Madinatul-Ilm Saturday school, for the last 14 years, where Shi’a students learn Arabic, Quran and Islamic studies for ages 6-18.
NARGES SHOJAEDIN
Director – IT and Marketing
MSc in Computer Science
Marketing strategist in community organizations
Volunteer in the Iranian community at Calgary Towhid Centre for over 5 years. Cultural and religions planner for the community events.
Organizational developer for Dawnish Sunday school where Shi’a students learn Quran and Farsi at different levels.
ASFA RIYAZ
Director – HR and Community Engagement
BA in Communication,
Service & Information Designer
Over 10 years of volunteer experience with the Hussaini Association of Calgary, about 8 years of experience as a Sunday School teacher, and volunteer and designer with the Al-Qaim Charity Foundation.
Strong leadership, team player, deep listener and creative and curious mind. Taught history in Hussaini School Madrassah to senior grade level.
MEET THE
Leadership Team
TAHIRA JAFAR
School Principal
Certification-Alberta Teaching
Certification- Ontario College of teachers
Certification- College of New Jersey
How to train Teachers Certification-Université de Franche- Comté; Besançon France
Masters in linguistics
University of Punjab; Pakistan
Tahira, with 26 years experience in teaching, is passionate about creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic excellence, and fostering a culture of collaboration among students, staff, and parents.
Tahira is proud to serve Lady Fatima Academy and is dedicated to leading the school community towards success and empowering students to achieve their full potential under the umbrella and guidance of the Ahlul-bayt (SA).
ZAHRA GOLNESHAN
Vice Principal
MA in Education (Language and Literacy) at University of Calgary
PhD Candidate in Education (Language and Literacy) at University of Calgary
For over ten years Zahra has experience teaching kids, youth, and adults in both English and Farsi from elementary level to university level.
She is an Islamic and cultural instructor for female youth at Towhid Centre assisting them in getting acquainted with their religious roots.
She is also a Farsi teacher at Dawnish Sunday School where Shia children come to learn their mother language and understand their culture.
ZAINEB LATIF
Board Member and Religion Coordinator
BA in Graphic Design
Founding director of Al-Zahra Learning Centre, serving the youth and children of the Calgary Shia community for the last 14 years.
Vice Principal and Teacher at Madinatul-Ilm Saturday school, for the last 14 years, where Shi’a students learn Arabic, Quran and Islamic studies from ages 6-18
Zaineb is able to communicate religious knowledge and values in creative and engaging ways with proven success to win the minds and hearts of children and youth to the straight path of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and AhlulBayt (AS).
MEET THE
Education Team
Mahrukh Ali
Teacher
Bachelor of Education, University of Calgary (Specializing in French Elementary)
Teaching Second Languages Certification – Level 1- (French) University of Calgary
BA Honors (French) Kinnaird College For Women Lahore, Pakistan
MA (French As A Foreign Language) Kinnaird College For Women Lahore, Pakistan
“Anyone can learn with empathy and the right opportunity”. This motto has been Mahrukh’s motivation for years. Being fluent in English, French, Urdu, and Punjabi, she seeks to cultivate the term “I believe in myself” in her students. One of the reasons for her love for languages is the possibility it offers her to interact and affect a multitude of learners.
Mahrukh aims to build learning around her students’ emotional, physical, and mental well-being. She enjoys internal spirituality and intellect and aspires to touch the souls and minds of learners through her teaching.
SARA KAMAR
Teacher
BEd, BSc, BA from University of Calgary
Current volunteer coordinator with For the Mehdi YYC
Former youth program volunteer at AlKawthar Community Centre and children program volunteer Al-Zahra Learning Centre
Sara strives to ensure that each of her students achieve success every day. Her students’ differences are celebrated in an inclusive environment while also maintaining a unified and supportive team spirit in the classroom. Lessons are designed for each child to be able to reach their highest potential across subjects through working individually and collaboratively. She shares her special passion for sciences and nature with her students and integrates her love for Islam and Ahlul Bayt throughout every part of her teaching.
HIBA AL MOUSAWI
Teacher Assistant
Childhood Development Certificate
Early Childhood Diploma
Education Assistant Diploma
Bachelor’s in Biology Science
With more than five years of experience in Education and Childcare Fields, Heba has a wide range of skills that enable her to work effectively with students with added knowledge of how to work with students who experience varying challenges such as Seizure, Autism, and ADHD.
Hiba is highly skilled in supervising and interacting with children due to her strong communication skills and her empathetic and gentle nature. Her sincere intention to support children in her care makes children at ease, confident and happy to learn. Hiba is passionate about guiding students towards spiritual and academic success in the light of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and the Ahlulbayt (AS).
Zeena D. Alwarraq
Teacher
B.A., B.Ed from University of Calgary
Zeena is passionate about encouraging and uplifting her students in an effort to have them reach their full potential. She strives to foster a safe and positive community experience in the classroom wherein universal and targeted strategies/supports are employed effectively. Being trained in the field of second languages acquisition (French, English and Arabic), Zeena values diversity and seeks to find meaningful connections between each individual and our collective faith and beliefs.