ILM Academy administration
Ilm Academy’s faculty members, with qualifications from traditional Islamic institutions and modern Western universities, provide students a distinctive and integrated educational experience.
Mrs. Huma Bokharey
Head of School / Administrator
Mrs. Bokharey has founded Ilm Academy and has served as its Principal since its inception. She brings over 25 years of distinguished educational expertise and experience to Ilm Academy. She has an MS in Administrative Sciences and over the course of her career her credentials have included the roles of both teacher and administrator in the Challenger School System. Additionally, she has held the position of Corporate Quality Assurance Manager for CA, NV, and UT Challenger Schools. She is also the founder of Sapienza Educational Publishing, Ilm Academy’s publishing division established with the aim to produce Islamic school curriculum. Under her leadership Ilm Academy has grown from a school of 16 students in 2010 to 192 in 2019. Ilm Academy has anchored the community through its Tarbiyah and academic program which was designed to serve the Muslim community of Fremont and beyond. Mrs Bokharey has been the catalyst for bringing a cohesive environment and taking the school to the next level with the WASC accreditation and continuing the successful model into establishing Ilm Academy high school program.
Ms. Reshma Farooqui
Director of school and Curriculum (EL-HS)
Ms. Reshma Farooqui brings more than 20 years of extensive experience in various capacities as an educator, to Ilm Academy. Her background as a middle school and high school Math, Science teacher; Math/Science Department head; and mentor teacher has provided Ilm Academy with an invaluable resource. She has a degree in Science with a major in Chemistry. She has received Certification in School management and Leadership from Harvard Business School (2023). She continues to support Ilm Academy in all areas for a positive and impactful outcome - she has successfully supported Ilm Academy with the WASC accreditation process. Her expertise in the A-G articulation process through University of California has been instrumental in the expeditious approval of Ilm Academy’s High School courses. She applies her philosophy of providing every child with adequate tools to be the best version of themselves, into her curriculum design and implementation. Her focus is to support all students by integrating innovative and creative strategies for greater student engagement in every class. At Ilm Academy, she continues to support teachers and students to ensure that learning is accessible for every student and they are given opportunities to discover their true potential.
Ms. Irum Sarfaraz
Director of Language Arts
Ms. Sarfaraz is a veteran journalist with over 25 years of experience in the writing field. With an MA in English Literature, and writing diplomas, her published credentials include over two thousand bylines in magazines, newspapers, and blogs, and a poetry anthology and novel. Ms. Sarfaraz is seasoned in English and Urdu fiction and non-fiction writing, translations, and editing, and along with her administrative duties she overlooks Ilm Academy’s ELA program as Director of Language Arts, 8th Grade LA teacher, and School Publications Editor. Ms. Sarfaraz is the lead writer for Sapienza Educational Publishing, Ilm Academy’s publishing division dedicated to producing Islamic school curriculum. Ms. Sarfaraz has been with Ilm Academy for 6 years.
Ms Shehnila Vaid
Kindergarten Program Coordinator
Mrs Shehnila Vaid has been a dedicated and crucial part of Ilm Academy for 12 years. She has supported ILM Academy in various capacities. She was one of the earliest contributors towards establishing and building ILM Academy. She started working as a kindergarten teacher during the early years. She has continued to be an ardent supporter and her work and dedication has had a huge impact in helping ILM Academy grow to what it is today. In her capacity as the kindergarten program coordinator, she has trained kindergarten teachers, and played a vital role in school for the smooth running of daily operations. She is extremely passionate about teaching and making a difference in the lives of young children and in her role as the kindergarten program Coordinator and school office manager she continues to be a valuable asset for Ilm Academy.
Ms. Wahida Lambe
School Accountant
Ms. Lambe has a BA in Economics and Politics and over ten years of experience in accounting. Additionally, she also has over two years of abacus teaching experience. Prior to joining Ilm Academy, Ms. Lambe worked at the American Heart Association accounts division. She overlooks the schools accounts at Ilm Academy. Ms. Lambe has been with Ilm Academy for 5 years.