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Staff
Ms. Zubeda Kazi - Director
Ms. Zubeda is the director of the school. she is a mother of three children, and has two grandchildren. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Early Childhood Education, Certificate of Proficiency in Computer Science and Director permit form California Teaching Credentials. As each child is unique, her job as an educator and a director of the school is to help them discover their individuality and work alongside them to maximize their strengths.
Ms. Zubeda is the director of the school. she is a mother of three children, and has two grandchildren. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Early Childhood Education, Certificate of Proficiency in Computer Science and Director permit form California Teaching Credentials. As each child is unique, her job as an educator and a director of the school is to help them discover their individuality and work alongside them to maximize their strengths.
Ms.Rihab Itani -Administrative Assistant
Ms. Rihab holds a certificate in Child Development from Lebanon and has completed three years of Psychology studies while working as a teacher. Ms. Rihab has completed multiple trainings in child development, including specialized instruction in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for working with children..
She Speaks English and Arabic
Ms. Rihab holds a certificate in Child Development from Lebanon and has completed three years of Psychology studies while working as a teacher. Ms. Rihab has completed multiple trainings in child development, including specialized instruction in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for working with children..
She Speaks English and Arabic
Ms. Amani Chalati - Special Subjects Teacher
Ms. Amani Abdulbaki Chalati is a mother of 1 daughter. She is certified as an early childhood and school age educator and she's been teaching for almost 20 years. She likes teaching the age 31/2 – 12 years old group because she value their building blocks of education and love the energy and excitement that small children display. She wants to help children with special challenges and develop special relationships with them.
Ms. Amani Abdulbaki Chalati is a mother of 1 daughter. She is certified as an early childhood and school age educator and she's been teaching for almost 20 years. She likes teaching the age 31/2 – 12 years old group because she value their building blocks of education and love the energy and excitement that small children display. She wants to help children with special challenges and develop special relationships with them.
Ms. Aliaa Barakat - Lead Toddlers Teacher
Aliaa Barakat is a passionate early childhood educator with over 10 years of experience working with toddlers and infants. She studied Early Childhood Education in both Dubai and California. She has also completed specialized training in Asperger Syndrome and has experience working with children with special needs, including autism. She enjoys creating a warm, structured, and engaging environment where every child feels safe and supported.
Aliaa Barakat is a passionate early childhood educator with over 10 years of experience working with toddlers and infants. She studied Early Childhood Education in both Dubai and California. She has also completed specialized training in Asperger Syndrome and has experience working with children with special needs, including autism. She enjoys creating a warm, structured, and engaging environment where every child feels safe and supported.
Ms. Noor Aljumma - Toddlers Teacher
Ms. Noor joined Pillars Academy with a strong passion for early childhood education . She holds two bachelor's degrees in History and Education, one earned in Iraq in 2016 and the second from the University of California, Irvine in 2024.
Ms. Noor believes that early childhood is a powerful time for shaping a child’s character, and she finds joy in seeing the world through their bright, curious eyes.
Ms. Noor joined Pillars Academy with a strong passion for early childhood education . She holds two bachelor's degrees in History and Education, one earned in Iraq in 2016 and the second from the University of California, Irvine in 2024.
Ms. Noor believes that early childhood is a powerful time for shaping a child’s character, and she finds joy in seeing the world through their bright, curious eyes.
Ms. Niran Ibrahim – Lead PreK Teacher
Ms. Niran has her BS in Electrical Engineering and her California Teacher’s Permit. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in play-based learning, with respect for each student’s uniqueness and individuality. Her goal is to make each child feel special. She especially enjoys working in as Islamic school where there are many different cultures and backgrounds. She loves taking walks along the beach and spending time with her family. She speaks Arabic and English.
Ms. Niran has her BS in Electrical Engineering and her California Teacher’s Permit. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in play-based learning, with respect for each student’s uniqueness and individuality. Her goal is to make each child feel special. She especially enjoys working in as Islamic school where there are many different cultures and backgrounds. She loves taking walks along the beach and spending time with her family. She speaks Arabic and English.
Ms. Tabinda Rahman PreK Teacher
Ms. Tabinda Rahman is originally from Bangladesh and brings 18 years of experience working in early childhood education. She truly enjoys working with young children and creating a warm, nurturing environment where they can learn and grow.
Ms. Tabinda completed her Early Childhood Education (ECE) units at Santa Ana College. She is also a proud mother of three and grandmother of one.
Outside of school, she enjoys cooking and gardening and spending time with her family.
Ms. Tabinda Rahman is originally from Bangladesh and brings 18 years of experience working in early childhood education. She truly enjoys working with young children and creating a warm, nurturing environment where they can learn and grow.
Ms. Tabinda completed her Early Childhood Education (ECE) units at Santa Ana College. She is also a proud mother of three and grandmother of one.
Outside of school, she enjoys cooking and gardening and spending time with her family.
Ms. Faten Akiel - Lead Preschool Teacher
Ms. Faten Akiel Moubayed is a dedicated educator and mother of four—two boys and two girls. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Damascus, Syria, she brings a unique blend of analytical skills and compassion to her teaching. For the past five years, Ms. Moubayed has been with Saddleback School District, where she worked with children with special needs, providing individualized support and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
Ms. Faten Akiel Moubayed is a dedicated educator and mother of four—two boys and two girls. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Damascus, Syria, she brings a unique blend of analytical skills and compassion to her teaching. For the past five years, Ms. Moubayed has been with Saddleback School District, where she worked with children with special needs, providing individualized support and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
Ms. Hasina Noorzoy – Preschool Teacher
Ms. Hasina has been teaching at Pillars since 2014. She has her BA in Liberal Studies from CSU Long Beach and her Master Teacher’s Permit through California CTC. She has a passion for early childhood education, where she can watch the children learn and grow. In her free time, she loves reading, road trips, and spending time with her family. She speaks Pashto, Farsi, English, German, and Urdu.
Ms. Hasina has been teaching at Pillars since 2014. She has her BA in Liberal Studies from CSU Long Beach and her Master Teacher’s Permit through California CTC. She has a passion for early childhood education, where she can watch the children learn and grow. In her free time, she loves reading, road trips, and spending time with her family. She speaks Pashto, Farsi, English, German, and Urdu.
Ms. Shazia Ikrame - Preschool Teacher
Shazia Ikram holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and is certified in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about creating a warm, engaging classroom where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. Her teaching philosophy centers on building strong, trusting relationships with both students and their families. Outside of the classroom, Shazia enjoys writing, traveling, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Shazia Ikram holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and is certified in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about creating a warm, engaging classroom where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. Her teaching philosophy centers on building strong, trusting relationships with both students and their families. Outside of the classroom, Shazia enjoys writing, traveling, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Ms. Fozia Shahzad - Lead Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Fozia is a California-certified educator credentialed in both Single Subject and Multiple Subject teaching (K–12). She has extensive experience teaching English and TESOL to elementary, middle, and high school students and has also served as a substitute teacher with the Irvine Unified School District. Ms. Fozia is passionate about early childhood education and believes that Kindergarten lays the foundation for a child's lifelong love of learning. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing, engaging, and supportive classroom where every child can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. In her free time, Ms. Fozia enjoys cooking, embroidery, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Ms. Fozia is a California-certified educator credentialed in both Single Subject and Multiple Subject teaching (K–12). She has extensive experience teaching English and TESOL to elementary, middle, and high school students and has also served as a substitute teacher with the Irvine Unified School District. Ms. Fozia is passionate about early childhood education and believes that Kindergarten lays the foundation for a child's lifelong love of learning. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing, engaging, and supportive classroom where every child can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. In her free time, Ms. Fozia enjoys cooking, embroidery, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Ms. Shagufta Qadeer - Extended Care Teacher
Ms. Shagufta Qadeer brings 26 years of experience working with young children. She has been part of the Capistrano Unified School District for many years and has been a valued staff member of the Pillars Academy family for the past three years.
Ms. Shagufta truly loves working with children, and her warm and caring personality makes her a favorite among her students. She enjoys creating a nurturing environment where children feel happy, loved, and supported.
Outside of school, she loves cooking and making beautiful jewelry
Ms. Shagufta Qadeer brings 26 years of experience working with young children. She has been part of the Capistrano Unified School District for many years and has been a valued staff member of the Pillars Academy family for the past three years.
Ms. Shagufta truly loves working with children, and her warm and caring personality makes her a favorite among her students. She enjoys creating a nurturing environment where children feel happy, loved, and supported.
Outside of school, she loves cooking and making beautiful jewelry
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