Yaqeen Snipes
Physical Education Teacher
Hello. I am Yaqeen Snipes, also known as Coach Snipes. I have been a member of the community for a number of years dedicating countless hours to improving the skill-set of basketball players of all ages and levels. I have conducted a numerous amount of basketball camps including 1:1 training and a travel teams. In addition, I coached the boys & girls middle and high school teams at the Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park. Both girls teams ranked high in their respectable divisions and concluded the season in the top 3 last season. I taught Physical Education at the Islamic Foundation School, participated in the creation and implementation of the curriculum and the different related activities such as Students versus Staff basketball game, mental health awareness week, and first-ever cross country team, and much more.
I am very motivated and excited to join Kindi Academy and bring a new level of sports and physical education to the table. I am looking forward to getting to meet with your children soon.
I am very motivated and excited to join Kindi Academy and bring a new level of sports and physical education to the table. I am looking forward to getting to meet with your children soon.
Khadeeja Jabri
Arabic and Religion
Hello and Salam, everyone! I’m honored to be an Arabic and Islamic Studies teacher here at Kindi Academy. I grew up in Amman, Jordan and moved to the U.S when I was about 17 years old. I live with my wonderful husband and beautiful daughter, Sara, who is a student at Kindi!
I graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. However, teaching the Quran and Arabic has always been a passion of mine. I love kids and totally enjoy working with them while also learning from them. I worked as a private tutor for about 10 years and worked with so many lovely kids teaching the principles of Arabic and Quranic reading. My goal is to have kids master reading Arabic comfortably and passing it on to the next generations.
Away from school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and I really cherish good food.
I graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. However, teaching the Quran and Arabic has always been a passion of mine. I love kids and totally enjoy working with them while also learning from them. I worked as a private tutor for about 10 years and worked with so many lovely kids teaching the principles of Arabic and Quranic reading. My goal is to have kids master reading Arabic comfortably and passing it on to the next generations.
Away from school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and I really cherish good food.
Maryam Razvi-Rajek
STEM Department
Mathematics Teacher
Dear Kindi Family,
I feel very blessed to be a part of the team at Kindi Academy! I am a Mathematics teacher certified for grades 5-12 and have been teaching for the past 15 years. I have a degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, the same town where I was born and raised. After getting married we moved to Saint Paul, MN where I got my Master’s degree in Math Education from the University of Minnesota. My teaching experience has been in both public and private school settings as well as homeschooling my own children for four years. I am very passionate about teaching, connecting and working with students at their level, and sharing my love of math with all my students! In addition to teaching math, I am also a childbirth educator and certified doula, supporting families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Aside from teaching, my favorite things to do include taking road trips and hiking in National Parks, macramé, and baking.
I am very much looking forward to getting to know all the Kindi students and their families during the coming school year!
I feel very blessed to be a part of the team at Kindi Academy! I am a Mathematics teacher certified for grades 5-12 and have been teaching for the past 15 years. I have a degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, the same town where I was born and raised. After getting married we moved to Saint Paul, MN where I got my Master’s degree in Math Education from the University of Minnesota. My teaching experience has been in both public and private school settings as well as homeschooling my own children for four years. I am very passionate about teaching, connecting and working with students at their level, and sharing my love of math with all my students! In addition to teaching math, I am also a childbirth educator and certified doula, supporting families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Aside from teaching, my favorite things to do include taking road trips and hiking in National Parks, macramé, and baking.
I am very much looking forward to getting to know all the Kindi students and their families during the coming school year!
Alia Assaf
Lower Elementary Teacher Assistant
Hello! I am passionate about working with children and dedicated to supporting their mental and emotional development. I have taken education courses at Triton College and have gained valuable experience in various childcare settings since 2009. I am eager to continue in this field, offering my full care and support to the children, families, and staff at the Montessori of Kindi Academy.
I earned my Health Associate credentials and am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Health and Science. I am also excited to begin my Montessori credential coursework , where I look forward to deepening my understanding of the Montessori approach.
In addition to my work with children, I enjoy cooking, hiking, and engaging in all kinds of outdoor activities. I believe that early childhood is a critical developmental period, and I am committed to creating a warm and safe environment where children can thrive and be themselves.
Qamar Abdulwahid
Early Childhood Assistant
Hello Everyone,
I am excited to be part of Kindi Academy and be part of the Early Childhood Program. I have a strong passion for kids and love to be around them, teaching, playing, and nurturing.
I graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Once I graduated, I started my career immediately working with children. I am thrilled to go back to pursue my passion again after my own kids grew up.
In my spare time I like to read, run, cook and enjoy the outdoors.
I am excited to be part of Kindi Academy and be part of the Early Childhood Program. I have a strong passion for kids and love to be around them, teaching, playing, and nurturing.
I graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Once I graduated, I started my career immediately working with children. I am thrilled to go back to pursue my passion again after my own kids grew up.
In my spare time I like to read, run, cook and enjoy the outdoors.
Zaina Alkahwaji
Early Childhood Assistant
Greetings fellow Kindi parents!
I am a proud mother of two beautiful children. I hail from Syria, where I earned my bachelor's degree in Law. However, I realized early on that my passion lies in working with children. I have always loved the teaching field as it is incredibly rewarding to watch little ones grow and develop into successful individuals.
My ultimate goal is to provide a healthy learning environment to help children develop and flourish. I strongly believe that when we grow confident children with the right skills and mindset, we build a better, peaceful, and successful community.
I am a proud mother of two beautiful children. I hail from Syria, where I earned my bachelor's degree in Law. However, I realized early on that my passion lies in working with children. I have always loved the teaching field as it is incredibly rewarding to watch little ones grow and develop into successful individuals.
My ultimate goal is to provide a healthy learning environment to help children develop and flourish. I strongly believe that when we grow confident children with the right skills and mindset, we build a better, peaceful, and successful community.
Sowebah Ashraf
Social Counselor & Life Coach
Hello everyone!
I’m very excited to be joining the Kindi Academy. I am a Licensed Social Worker with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work from the Rutgers University in NJ. I have experience working in many different settings and populations, providing both direct services and as a Care Coordinator. Most recently, I have experience working as a Care Navigator to connect families with mental health services, including therapy, psychiatry, psychological assessments, etc.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, 3 children, and cat. We are an active family and love playing games, traveling, and hiking in forests, up mountains, sand dunes, and anything challenging!
I have always loved interacting with children and am looking forward to meeting and helping the wonderful students at Kindi.
I’m very excited to be joining the Kindi Academy. I am a Licensed Social Worker with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work from the Rutgers University in NJ. I have experience working in many different settings and populations, providing both direct services and as a Care Coordinator. Most recently, I have experience working as a Care Navigator to connect families with mental health services, including therapy, psychiatry, psychological assessments, etc.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, 3 children, and cat. We are an active family and love playing games, traveling, and hiking in forests, up mountains, sand dunes, and anything challenging!
I have always loved interacting with children and am looking forward to meeting and helping the wonderful students at Kindi.