Faculty & Staff

Ms. Shabnem Lakhani

I have been with the Averroes Family since 2019, when my eldest son joined as a freshman. I have since then been working with Averroes for 3 years Alhamdulillah, and have another son at Averroes as a junior this year. My husband and I live in Pleasanton with our two younger sons, while our eldest is studying at UC Davis. I graduated from San Jose State in 2000 with a degree in Document Design & Management and a Minor in Business Management. My professional background is in Technical Writing, and I've lived in the Bay Area my whole life. As the Director of Operations, I can help with calendars, events, technology, facilities needs, tuition, and Blackbaud. I look forward to meeting and getting to know each of you throughout the year!

Principal Faheem Rivers

With over 25 years of experience working with youth and more than 12 years in education, I have dedicated my career to fostering growth, discipline, and leadership among students. My educational background includes a degree in psychology and 7 years of experience in restorative practices, where I have focused on helping students navigate behavioral challenges. I served as the Dean of Discipline for 3 years and as Vice Principal for 2 years, implementing strategies to support student development and academic achievement. My passion for coaching basketball spans over 25 years, where I emphasize the parallels between the struggles on the court and the challenges of life. Through sports, I teach resilience, teamwork, and discipline—skills that are vital both in athletics and in all areas of life. Family is central to my life, and I deeply cherish the time spent with them. Above all, my prayer is for our students to stand firm in their deen and grow into responsible young women and men who can be counted on as leaders and upstanding members of society.

Ms. Danielle Swan

In December of 2015 Danielle Swan, originally from Portland Oregon, left her private practice of somatic therapy and counseling and traveled to Sudan, seeking God. After spending two weeks immersed in the beauty of Islam, she finally felt that after years of searching other religions, philosophies, and traditions, she had finally found her path and converted. Upon returning to the US, Danielle decided to return to school. She spent the following year-and-a-half taking courses in comparative religion, philosophy of religion, Arabic, and tajwīd, while also completing a 2-year training in conflict facilitation and trauma therapy in Los Angeles and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2017, Danielle worked as a Behavior Technician, practicing behavioral therapy with children on the autism spectrum until she matriculated into Zaytuna College’s BA program. Throughout Danielle’s studies at Zaytuna, she became passionate about discovering how Islamic educational institutions could more holistically support adolescents’ academic, personal, and spiritual development. During her junior and senior year, she investigated the adolescent Muslim identity crisis and potential ways that Islamic schools could address it. This led her to complete her thesis entitled “Ṣuḥbah and Futuwwah in Islamic Education: A Prophetic Remedy for the Heart of Adolescent Muslim Identity Crisis.” Danielle now hopes to refine and broaden her views, and she is eager to explore the ways that teaching can support students beyond the classroom as believers in servitude to the Creator and in service of humanity. She will be teaching ELA and World Cultures at Averroes High School.

Mr. Siddique Abdullah

Mr. Siddique Abdullah began his higher education at the University of Maryland at College Park. He studied Arabic in Cairo, Egypt, and completed an Imam Training Program in Damascus, Syria. He later earned a B.S. in Islamic Studies and Ijaza at Zaytuna Seminary and a Master's in Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, in 2020. This year, he will be teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies full-time at Averroes High School. Siddique has extensive teaching experience, starting in 1988 at Al-Huda School in Maryland. He also served as a Vice Principal and Director of Arabic and Islamic Studies Programs at North Star in Hayward, CA, for ten years. Siddique is passionate about education as it helps him grow and positively impact youth. He is a father of six, grandfather of four, and has been married to his wife, Aminah, for twenty-nine years. A former jazz musician and collegiate athlete.

Mr. Mensur Mohammud

Mr. Mensur Mohammud has been a dedicated member of Averroes High School since Fall 2016. In his first year, he managed all student transportation to and from the South Bay and supported transportation for Physical Education activities. Through his efforts, Mensur built strong relationships with both staff and students. Currently, in addition to the transportation, he oversees maintenance and janitorial services at AHS, ensuring the functionality of various equipment and appliances. Mensur is deeply committed to student safety and maintaining a positive working environment. He consistently strives to embody and uphold the values of Averroes in every task he undertakes.

Ms. Nawal Laymoun

I’m very excited to be back at Averroes, and get to know each of you in this coming year. Here’s a little about myself; my name is Nawal Laymoun, and I received my B.A. in English Literature from Kuwait University. I began my career teaching high school English for five years, before moving to California. Here, I transitioned to teaching Arabic to Elementary and Middle school students at Granada Islamic school. I was at GIS for ten years, and concurrently earned two teaching credentials (Clear Multiple, and Single Subject, Arabic) as well as a M.A. of Education in Best Practices and Differentiated Instruction. 

During this time, I also taught elementary and intermediate Arabic at SJ City College, SJSU, and Nueva High school. My next move was to become an Arabic instructor at UC Berkeley and Zaytuna College, before rejoining Averroes. For the last decade, I’ve also participated in and acted as a trainer in the STARTALK Building leadership in the Arabic Language Teaching Community workshops. Additionally, for the past 12 years, I have been an instructor in the STARTALK teacher training program; Integrating Technology into the Standards-Based Teaching of Foreign Languages. In addition, I am a co-author of two grants: A Model Thematic Unit for the Qatar Foundation International Curriculum and the Occidental College STARTALK Infrastructure Teacher Training program. 

My goal is to be a transformer, not an information transmitter; to help students understand the value of learning Arabic following the sunnah of our prophet as he said: 

“Learn Arabic for it strengthens the mind and enhances chivalry.” [Al-Baihaqi, Shu’ab El-Eman [Branches of Faith]]

To achieve this goal, Students are expected to come prepared for every class by arriving to class on time, doing the assigned daily tasks, having their books and Arabic binder ready and organized, and most importantly to come with an inquisitive mind ready to explore the treasures of this beautiful language.I’m looking forward to a fruitful school year with my students, full of growth and achievement, as we embark on this journey of learning the language of the Quran.

Ms. Mai Hefni

Hello, I’m Mai Hefni, and I’m thrilled to join Averroes High School. With a bachelor’s degree in Science from Ain Shams University and advanced coursework in Cell Biology and Histology, I’ve spent three years teaching science at both elementary and high school levels, with a preference for high school. After moving to California with my husband, I’m excited to return to my teaching career. I’m currently enrolled in the Advanced Bio-science and Clinical Scientist Preparatory Program at UC Berkeley Extension. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, art, cooking, and gardening, and I live with my two children and a cat. I’m passionate about the transformative power of science and look forward to sharing that enthusiasm with my students.

Mr. Atmar Mundu

My name is Atmar Mundu, a proud graduate of Southern Oregon University, where I spent five years immersed in basketball. Beyond the game, I organized basketball camps and one-on-one training sessions for young athletes, helping them grow and succeed. My passion for mentoring the youth stems from a deep belief in the power of knowledge and guidance. Seeing young people progress and succeed, both on and off the court, brings me immense joy. Now, as a PE teacher and administrative support at Averroes High School, I'm dedicated to helping the students excel in sports and life, knowing they can achieve their dreams with the right support.

Ms. Dounya Mohamed

Rania Eltantawy

Hi, I’m Rania Eltantawy from Egypt. I’m an Arabic teacher and a mom of two teens, with my daughter in 12th grade and my son in 10th. Outside of teaching, I enjoy walking, traveling, and reading. I started with a pharmacy degree but shifted to education due to my passion for nurturing young minds. After moving to California, I studied holistic medicine and practiced from home. The pandemic underscored the importance of Arabic and Quran education for my children, which led me to teach and eventually pursue a role as an Arabic tutor. I recently joined Averroes High School, where I’m excited to share my love for Arabic and its cultural heritage with students.

Danielle Swan

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Danielle Swan traveled to Sudan in 2015 seeking spiritual fulfillment, which led her to convert to Islam. After returning to the U.S., she worked as a Behavior Technician with autistic children while immersing herself in Islamic studies, ultimately earning both a B.A. and M.A. from Zaytuna College. Danielle taught ELA and World Cultures at Averroes in 2021 before taking a year off to complete her M.A. She is now back at Averroes, where she will lead the Developing Muslims advisory program, transition into college counseling, and teach girls’ PE. Her holistic approach is shaped by her background in somatic therapy, conflict facilitation, and a deep appreciation for health and fitness.

Zeenat Umar

My name is Zeenat Umar, I have over 15 years of experience working with young adults, I am dedicated to supporting their academic, social, and personal growth. I specialize in personalized tutoring and college admissions coaching, and I’m proud to have helped many students gain acceptance into top universities. I’m passionate about enhancing education within the Muslim-American community and strive to create an engaging and inclusive classroom environment. At Averroes High School, I teach English Language Arts and English Grammar across all grade levels. I hold a B.A. in Journalism from San Jose State University and an M.A. in Multimedia Communications from the Academy of Art Institute in San Francisco. My background includes work in newsprint, magazines, and multimedia projects. As a Bay Area native, I currently live in Fremont, where I enjoy reading—especially Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s *One Hundred Years of Solitude* and the Holy Quran—spending time with my daughter, and playing with my cats.

Nahla Mohamed

My name is Nahla Mohamed, and I bring over 12 years of teaching experience across both private and public schools. I have taught Chemistry, Earth Science, and AP Physics in public schools, and Arabic and Quran at Northstar and MCC. This year, I completed my teaching credential and master’s degree in Education, alhamdulillah. My Muslim identity and educational background profoundly shape my teaching philosophy, which emphasizes hard work, curiosity, critical thinking, and hands-on STEM learning. My goal is to inspire students to become confident, independent thinkers who can apply their values and skills to real-world problems. I am passionate about nature and dedicated to making a positive impact, aiming to empower and inspire the next generation at Averroes.

Orzala Arsala

My name is Orzala Arsala, and I proudly serve as one of the administrators at Averroes High School. In my role, I am committed to supporting the needs of our students, staff, and families, ensuring that everyone in our community has the resources and guidance they need to thrive. I believe in fostering an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential. As a parent, I have a personal connection to the school. Two of my four children attend Averroes High School—one is a junior, and the other is a sophomore. My other two children are enrolled at Northstar School. Balancing my role as an administrator and a parent allows me to understand the needs of both the school and the families we serve. I am passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive atmosphere that benefits not only my own children but all the students at Averroes High School. My goal is to ensure that every student has the tools and support necessary to succeed academically, socially, and personally. I am deeply committed to the mission of our school and look forward to working closely with the entire Averroes High School community to create an environment where every student can flourish.