Staff
Principal: Homaira Wassel
Homaira has been in the field of education for the past 15 years. She began her career in education as a teacher at Peace Terrace Academy in 2001. She was the Principal of Northstar School in Hayward, California for six years from 2001-2006 after which she began homeschooling her children and became an independent consultant. She has extensive knowledge of child development both from an Islamic and developmental perspective.
Homaira is very passionate about Islamic education and feels that it is very important for children to have a balance between their spiritual and academic education. Homaira is a graduate of St. Mary’s College with a degree in Political Science. In her spare time she likes to paint, knit, write poetry, read, and enjoy nature.
“Knowledge without action is wastefulness and action without knowledge is foolishness.” ~Imam Ghazali
Administrator: Zolaikha Khaliqi
Zolaikha graduated from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. After six years of being a stay at home mom, Zolaikha decided that teaching would be the path she wanted to take. She values the importance of education, especially within the primary grades. “Kindergarten – 2nd grade is where the root starts to grow and the foundation of education is formed!” Zolaikha is currently working on finishing her Master’s and Credentials in Education. Her five plus years of experience in Management and Administration, along with her educational background has enabled Zolaikha to successfully merge the two. Most of all, working in an Islamic environment is truly a blessing for her. Outside of work, Zolaikha spends her time with her children doing arts and crafts, baking, and volunteering at her daughter’s school.
“There are two gifts we should give our children; one is roots, and the other is wings.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Business Manager and Development Director
Asia Mohamed was born and raised in the Bay Area and is very active in her community. Asia attended California State University of East Bay and majored in Ethnic Studies and Minored in Recreation Management.
Asia’s hobbies include writing poetry, crafts, performing arts, and photography.
“Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
Interventions Instructor
Alaa Suliman obtained her bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After working for over five years in the corporate world, she decided to pursue a more fulfilling career where she could make a bigger impact. With extensive tutoring experience in college, as well as leading middle and high school halaqas at the Muslim Community Association (MCA) in Santa Clara, she started teaching at Peace Terrace Academy. From 2011-2013, Alaa taught Math at the 5th-8th grade levels. In 2013, Alaa started a new position with Islamic Relief USA as their events coordinator, where she planned events for different campaigns to help the needy and the poor all over the world. Alaa is now the Interventions Instructor at Peace Terrace Academy.
In her spare time, Alaa enjoys learning about Islam and its beautiful teachings. She also volunteers her time as a life coach/mentor to help people pursue and achieve their dream goals.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — Leo F. Buscaglia
