Our Faculty and Staff
Our dedicated faculty and staff at ZamZam embody a commitment to nurturing young minds within an Islamic educational framework, fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment.
Founders and Administration
Cheryl Boehm
Co-Founder
Cheryl Boehm, the co-founder of Zam Zam Knowledge Academy, identified a pressing need for an Islamic school in the community. Driven by a commitment to contribute for the sake of Allah, Cheryl took it upon herself to play a pivotal role in the establishment of this educational institution. With three wonderful sons who would have greatly benefited from an Islamic school, Cheryl has a personal stake in the success of the academy.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Cheryl finds joy in activities such as swimming, appreciating nature, observing wildlife, and taking walks in parks or along the beach. Cheryl actively volunteers her time and serves as the Financial Administrator for the school.
Farida Ibrahim
Co-Founder, Director, and VPK teacher
Farida graduated from Bethune Cookman University in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics and a minor in Psychology. Her first teaching roll was at the Muslim Academy of Florida in Orlando. She taught there for three years as the Lead teacher. She moved to Daytona Beach and continued her teaching career at Daytona State University for Adults with Disabilities Programs and UPC/WORC Adults with Disabilities. On weekends she worked at the Islamic Academy of Daytona Beach Sunday School from 2003-2004. In 2006 she was appointed Assistant Principal of Islamic Academy of Daytona Beach.
Farida is the Co-Founder of ZamZam Knowledge Academy. She has the accreditation for Directorship of the VPK program. She continues to be the Director and she oversees the running of ZamZam.
Farisha (Laila) Ali-Bhola
Principal
Farisha earned her Bachelor’s degree (with honors) from The University of The West Indies. She completed a Teacher’s Diploma with distinction from Corinth Teachers’ College (in Trinidad). In Trinidad, she taught at High School, Junior High and Elementary Levels. She migrated to Florida in 1999 and earned the Master of Arts degree (summa cum laude) at the University of Central Florida. She became a National Board-Certified teacher in 2013. She taught at Silver Sands Middle School and Atlantic High School in the ESE department. She was Curriculum Leader at Atlantic High School. With her vast knowledge and experience in education, she is and will continue to be an asset to ZamZam Knowledge Academy.
(386)-334-3234
Faculty
Fatimah AbdusSamad
Mathematics and science teacher, 3rd - 5th grade
Fatimah earned studied Biology at Clayton State College and Georgia State University. She lived in Jordan for 13 years and during that time taught students ranging from early elementary to middle school to college students and even adult professionals. She has experience teaching all subjects, but currently teaches Math and Science. After returning to the states in 2016, she has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
Zarine Ahmed, M. Ed.
English/language arts teacher, 3rd - 5th grade
Zarine was born in West Palm Beach, Florida and raised in the metro-Atlanta area of Georgia. She completed Hifdhul Quran in her youth and taught Hifdhul Quran classes, daily, evening classes, Sunday school, and summer camp programs at Masjid Omar Bin Abdul Aziz. This allowed her to gain experience working with learners between the ages of 7-16. She holds a degree in Public Health as well as a Master’s in Education, reflecting her commitment to both community well-being and quality teaching. Her diverse background enriches her role, making her a dedicated educator who positively impacts the lives of her students.
Aicha Chahbaouy
Islamic Studies teacher, kindergarten - 5th grade
Aicha earned her Bachelor’s in English as a Second Language at the Hassan the 2nd University in Morocco. She graduated from AIU in Chicago with a Masters in Curriculum Development and Instruction. She was a substitute teacher in the public schools for four years. She continued her teaching Career at ICDB Sunday School and taught Islamic Studies. Aicha joined ZamZam Knowledge in 2018 and taught Mathematics, Science, and Islamic Studies for two years. Presently she teaches Islamic studies to kindergarten to grade 5 students. In Islamic Studies she teaches the students how to make Salah. During Salah time she selects the students who will call the Azan, say the Iqamah and lead the Salah. She loves teaching Muslim students about their Deen, for she always quotes prophet Mohammad, {peace and blessing of ALLAH be upon Him}, ‘seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim’.
Sahar Mahmoud
Mathematics and science teacher, kindergarten - 2nd grade
Born and raised in Khartoum, Sudan, Sahar has a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Ahlia University. She attended Daytona State College and earned credits in Education. She started her teaching journey in Boca Raton, Florida where she taught children ages 4-11 years old for many years. She moved with her family to Daytona Beach in 2015 and continued her teaching career at the Sunday school at ICDB. In 2017, she joined ZamZam Knowledge Academy.
Sahar is very passionate about working with children and seeing them play, learn, and grow. So, naturally, teaching children allows her to live this passion every day. As a proud mother of three wonderful teenagers, Sahar believes that early school years are the perfect age to have the most impact on children’s development. She believes that after parents, children view their teachers as role models and examples to follow. Sahar’s philosophy in working with young children is that in addition to delivering life skills and knowledge, teachers complement the parents’ efforts to develop the children according to Islamic revered traditions and values. These believes and passion drive Sahar to always look forward to working with each parent to ensure that their child has a great social and academic experience.
Jinnie Mizanin
Co-Director VPK
Having been born in Chicago, Ill Ms. Mizanin spent most of her life in Southern California where she received her AA degree and had her daughter. Volunteering in her daughter’s school is where she discovered her passion for working in a school setting, in any and every capacity. It brought her such joy that when they moved to New Jersey Ms. Mizanin began continuing her educational training and worked with special needs children. Working in that environment gave her a greater respect and understanding of what is important in the classroom and how the administration needs to function. After her husband retired and the family settled here in FL she continued working with special needs in Volusia County before finding a home here at ZamZam and earning a Director’s Credential.
Maisa Saboungi
Arabic and Quran teacher, VPK - 5th grade
Sister Maisa Saboungi is a teacher at ZamZam Knowledge Academy, helping kids from VPK to Fifth grade. Originally from Damascus, Syria, she moved to Daytona Beach in 1992 and raised her children in the local mosque.
After obtaining her Bachelors degree in Architectural Design in Syria, Sister Maisa started her teaching journey. She helped establish Sunday school when her oldest son was six, and later earned her AA in Education from Daytona State College. After 19 years of experience in teaching Arabic and Quran at Sunday School, she transitioned to teaching those topics at ZamZam Academy.
Sister Maisa holds licenses in Al-Nooraniya (teaching a beginner how to correctly read the Quran) and Quran Ijaza (how to correctly recite the Quran with all tajweed rule ). She’s known for her creativity and talent in teaching students of all ages, creating special plans for each. Her goal is to make learning Arabic and Quran enjoyable for everyone at ZamZam Academy.
Ashley Tatro
VPK teacher
Originally from Vermont, Ashley moved to Florida at the age of 15 with her family and although her family moved back to Vermont; she stayed here to finish her education. She is working towards a Bachelors Degree in Education and is also working on completing her DCF credentials. Ashley always wanted to be a teacher and thankfully her journey to becoming an educator started at the age of 18, working in childcare. She also worked with ages 6 weeks to 6 years. She moved to the infant classroom to better understand children, the way they learn, and to get hands-on experience. She uses her experience and knowledge in teaching the foundation of childhood development as an integral part of her teaching style. Now she is teaching the VPK class here at ZamZam Knowledge Academy and couldn’t be more excited! Despite all the bumps in the road to get here it has been worth it for her and she can’t wait to see where this journey of life takes her! Thank you!