NYA Experts: Collective Excellence
It takes a village to raise a child! As a community school, Noor Youth Academy (NYA) was built on the belief that a student's greatest teachers are not always found in one classroom. Adolescents grow when they are connected to the real world — when knowledge meets application, and learning has a face, a story, and a purpose. Our educators, mentors, rotating instructors, and visiting community experts each play a distinct role in shaping well-rounded, grounded young people.
Alhamdulillah, the village keeps growing.
Core Instructors
Jennifer Gharsa
Program Director & Lead GuideJennifer graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication. She holds an AMI Certification in Administration and an AMI Adolescence Education Diploma for ages 12–18. After being introduced to Islam while working with Muslim colleagues, she moved to Anaheim, California, where she began studying Islam and embraced the faith.
Jennifer spent six years at Minaret Academy, an accredited Islamic school in Anaheim, supporting families and school operations while developing the school’s communications and community outreach. In 2017, she and her husband moved to Maryland, where they built a life centered around horses, agriculture, nature, and raising their three boys.
Jennifer held the administrator position at Aya Montessori from 2023 until 2026. She now serves as the founding Program Director and Adolescent Guide of Noor Youth Academy, bringing together her experience in Islamic education, Montessori administration, and adolescent education.
Jennifer is passionate about helping adolescents build their Muslim identity and character through purposeful work, seeking of knowledge, nature, and community. She is honored to help establish Noor Youth Academy alongside its pioneering students and families.
Yerlan Uteulin
Mathematics InstructorYerlan is an experienced mathematics educator with over a decade of distinguished service in developing advanced STEM education across Central Asia and Europe. During his tenure at the prestigious National Schools of Physics and Maths in Kazakhstan, one of the region's top-tier educational institutions, he specialized in preparing students for the most rigorous academic challenges in mathematics and the sciences.
His expertise encompasses advanced mathematics instruction, having successfully tutored students in preparation for admission to top boarding schools in Kazakhstan. He brings significant experience in economics education, having taught Advanced Placement Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, demonstrating his ability to bridge mathematical concepts with real-world applications and interdisciplinary learning. As a strategic educational leader, he played a pivotal role in building a comprehensive network of STEM schools across Central Asia and Europe, working to elevate mathematics and science education standards throughout the region. His academic credentials include a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, where he deepened his understanding of educational theory, pedagogy, and curriculum development.
His teaching philosophy centers on making advanced mathematical concepts accessible while maintaining the rigor necessary for student success in higher education and professional pursuits. He is committed to fostering mathematical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and utility of mathematics in students of all levels.
Enrichment Instructors
Suhbah & Islamic StudiesHassan Ali
NYA is honored to offer Al-Madina Institute's Suhbah Teens curriculum, taught by Ustadh Hassan. A student of Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui for nearly two decades, he has taught and served as an administrator in both Islamic and public schools, working with students from kindergarten through university level. He previously served as Principal of the Suhba High School in Türkiye.
Arabic LanugageAisha Khalilo & Fadia Hamed
In collaboration with Midad Al-Madina, Noor Youth Academy is proud to offer a rich Arabic language curriculum taught by native Arabic-speaking instructors. The program meets each student where they are, with a focus on conversational Arabic, comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary building, ensuring that every child grows in their connection to the language of the Quran.
Quranic StudiesLocal Hifth Instructors
NYA brings expert Hifth instructors from the local community to guide students in daily Qur'an memorization alongside reading and Tajweed practice. Sessions are conducted at Dar Al-Taqwa Musallah, offering students a sacred and focused environment dedicated to their connection with the Book of Allah.
Self-Expression Instructors
Self-Expression at NYA encompasses Art and Physical Education.
Our roster of visiting Self-Expression instructors keeps growing. Offering four-week workshops, they bring a range of skills and perspectives that complement and enrich our integrated Study and Work program, equipping students with practical knowledge for life. We look forward to introducing them as they join us.
Visiting Experts
We believe that knowledge is best carried by those who live it, and we are grateful to welcome experts from our community who generously share their time, wisdom, and experience with our students. Our Integrated Study and Work plans are enriched by their presence, connecting adolescents with real-world application and expanding their horizons beyond the classroom. Each expert presents at least one special workshop tied to the theme of the Study and Work cycle, and alhamdulillah, our list will continue to grow.
Coming Soon …
Interested in joining our village as a visiting expert?
We would love to hear from you. We ask that visiting experts commit to at least one 45-minute workshop per year, though many of our experts return more than once. Complete the form below, and our Program Director will be in touch to explore how your field of expertise can come alive through our project-based Study and Work program.