Meet our Faculty and Staff
Administration
Zakaria El-tayash
Executive Director
Zakaria El-tayash received a masters degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering with an emphasis in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Missouri. Zakaria has served the local Muslim community in many leadership roles, such as president of the local Muslim Student Organization, president of Rabbaniyah Youth Group, and on the Shura Council at the ICCM.
Ghada Ayesh
Interim Principal
Sister Ghada Ayesh has worked in education for more than 20 years as both teacher & administrator. Her years of experience include establishing new programs and schools and preparing them and their students to flourish. Ghada is the Registrar of Darul Qasim College and the principal of a full-time Hifz Program. She is a mother of three and enjoys hiking and exploring new places. She looks forward to working with everyone in the Columbia community and helping our school grow.
Sanela Abdurahmanovic Office Administrator
Sanela is pursuing her Bachelors Degree in International Business with a minor in Finance and Business Management at Columbia College. Sanela loves helping the community and watching kids grow and succeed. While continuing her education, she is also excited to be a part of the school community here at The Noor Academy.
Teachers
Mariam Ameesh
Quran & Islamic Studies
Maryam Ameesh has a Bachelors in Law from the Tarath College/ University of Baghdad. She is from Iraq and a mother of four kids whom helped her discover her teaching passion. Mariam enjoys reading books, writing in Arabic and learning to recite the Quran using Tajweed.
Mariya Karaghool
Preschool
Mariya is a masters student in the school counseling program at the University of Missouri. She is from Iraq and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of ten. She loves spending time with children and watching them grow. Sister Mariya also plans to get her masters degree and hopes to become a school psychologist.
