Faculty
Elementary Program



Maryam Salman
Classroom Teacher (grades 3 - 5)

Hailing from Michigan, Maryam was born and raised in the Detroit Metro area. After her high school graduation, she pursued religious studies in Damascus, Syria, where she spent three years completing Arabic courses, the memorization (and completion) of the Quran and received an Ijaza (Certificate) in the science of Tajweed. After her return to Michigan, she pursued a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development from Baker College, in Auburn Hills. She has also contributed to the Michigan Muslim community by conducting Quran classes for children, giving talks for the sisters at local MSA and masjid youth group, and teaching at the local Islamic School. This is her second year teaching at River Garden.



Amina Elmahdy
Classroom Teacher (grades 1 - 2)

Amina Elmahdy was raised in California, and currently resides in Glendale Heights with her husband and four children. Amina obtained her Masters of Science degree in Counseling, with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. She has additional experience working in areas of relief and development for impoverished countries, and has worked in the area of counseling both nationally and internationally. Amina homeschools her children and has been a part of the elementary program since its first year; this year she joins the teaching staff.


Montessori Program



Thazneem Faiz
Head Teacher

Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Thazneem is an AMI Montessori-certified Teacher. She received her certification from a highly regarded Montessori program in Sri Lanka. She worked in the Montessori setting for two years until she moved to the United States. This is her fourth year teaching in the River Garden Montessori program, and she has been instrumental in the development of more advanced works in the classroom. She resides in Des Plaines with her husband and three children.



Noor Mawlaoui
Co-Teacher & Arabic Teacher

Noor Mawlaoui was born in California, but lived eight years in Syria. She is currently a senior student at Northeastern Illinois University majoring in Early Childhood Education. Her minor is Teaching English as a Second Language. Noor studied tajweed for a year. She has been teaching at Dar Al-Huda Saturday School at the IFS in Villa Park, IL for the past six years. Noor has completed observations in three different schools in Chicago, and is currently observing at a fourth. She also tutors children in the Arabic language and has volunteered at the DuPage Children's Museum. Noor received a certificate from the para-professional program at the Seton Montessori School.


After-school Program



Maryam Almirah
Classroom Teacher (preschool - kindergarten)

Maryam is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Chicago and she is studying Biological Chemistry. She is skilled in teaching Arabic, English, and Mathematics, as she has tutored elementary school students throughout her years in high school and college. She thoroughly enjoys teaching youth and watching their knowledge grow.



Eman Zahran
Classroom Teacher (grades 1 - 3)

Eman graduated from al-Azhar University in 2000 with a degree in Islamic Studies (Islamic Law). After graduation, she worked at Menoufiya University-Egypt as a Cultural Affairs Specialist for 7 years. During that time, she obtained a one-year diploma in Islamic and Greek Philosophy. She is now doing a Master in Religious Studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School on a Fulbright Scholarship.