STAFF

Halima Ismail
PRINCIPAL

Sister Halima Ismail is a Michigan State College of Education graduate with a master’s in TESOL and an Education Specialist degree from GVSU. She completed all coursework for her doctoral program at Eastern Michigan. With nine years of experience as an assistant principal in Grand Rapids Public Schools and teaching second and third grades, she is eager to collaborate in nurturing our youngest scholars’ academic and social growth this year.

Naseem Al Hadi
PRE-K 4 TEACHER

Naseem Alhadi is the Pre-K 4 teacher. A GVSU graduate with a degree in social work, Naseem is passionate about helping and supporting others. She values meaningful connections and enjoys crafting, DIY projects, and listening to podcasts in her free time. She also loves spending quality time with her family.

ALAA ALSMEAL
PRE-K 3 TEACHER

Alaa has studied at the Faculty of Sharia in Damascus and has a deep passion for teaching and guiding children as they grow and learn. A lover of early mornings, springtime, and cold coffee, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She greatly values the cooperation and teamwork at Guidance Academy and is dedicated to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for her students.

KATE NACHTEGALL
TEACHER

Kate holds a Bachelors Degree in Science from Western Michigan University and a Masters Degree in Consciousness and Human Potential from Maharishi International. She enjoys challenging herself by running marathons and hiking with her three dogs. She is committed to supporting others on their journey and believes in being a life-long learner.  

Kip Curnutt
IMAM

Imam Kip Curnutt was born in Columbia, Missouri, in 1986. Inspired by a childhood friend from Afghanistan, he embraced Islam at 24. Dedicated to learning and teaching, Imam Kip studied Arabic and Islamic studies at Cambridge Islamic College and Qasid Institute in Jordan, along with traditional Islamic subjects from scholars in the US, Jordan, and Egypt. He previously served as the Imam of the Islamic Center of Morgantown before moving to Grand Rapids with his wife and two children to join Masjid-At-Tawheed.

Ruba AbuHaltm
K TEACHER

Ruba AbuHaltm is the kindergarten teacher at Guidance Academy, holding a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Petra. Known for her patience and creativity, Ruba finds joy in watching her students grow into extraordinary learners. A lover of coffee, springtime, and the color red, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and indulging in some retail therapy. Ruba's favorite aspect of Guidance Academy is the loving community that creates a safe and nurturing environment for young minds to flourish.

HALA KARAEIN
1ST GRADE TEACHER

Hala holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is a dedicated teacher at Alhuda Weekend School. As a mother of four, she is passionate about nurturing and supporting young people, both at home and in the classroom. She brings a wealth of teaching experience from outside of Guidance Academy and has loved every minute of it. Committed to helping students grow, she strives to create a positive and engaging learning environment that inspires her students to reach their full potential.

CAITLYN NEWTON
TEACHER

Caitlyn received a bachelor's degree in Anthropology at Grand Valley State University. She is passionate about helping others find the value of knowledge and wishes to provide students with the tools to progress in their learning. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and going to cafe shops. She appreciates the welcoming environment that has been built here at Guidance Academy and strives to continue upholding the values of the school.

Br. Khader
ISLAMIC STUDIES & QURAN TEACHER

Sister Lujane
ARABIC TEACHER

Lujane holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Damascus. Despite an accounting background, Lujane has extensive experience teaching Arabic to students from Pre-K through 5th grade at Al Huda Islamic School, as well as working as an elementary school substitute teacher in local public schools. With a talent for connecting with young learners, she makes learning Arabic engaging and enjoyable. As a parent of three young boys, Lujane has been teaching them Arabic at home and is well-versed in the materials needed to help English-speaking children grasp the basics of the language.

LILAH SHARAF
2ND GRADE TEACHER

Sister Lilah earned her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut.  As a certified teacher, Sister Lilah has taught in both public and private Islamic schools from Massachusetts and Connecticut to New Mexico.