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Furqaan Academy

  • 630-914-5015 (Ext. 800)
  • Mon - Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  • 8141 S Cass Ave, Darien, IL 60561
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About us

Welcome

Dear Prospective Students, Parents, and Guardians,

Assalamu Alaikum and welcome to Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children (FAEC). 

With great enthusiasm and by the grace of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), we proudly announce the opening of the first Islamic special education placement school in America! 

I warmly welcome you to our new school! This year will be filled with opportunities for growth, learning, discovery and deepening our deen. As the principal of FAEC, I am deeply committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every student, regardless of their abilities. We create an environment where our students can thrive and tailored to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). It is a blessing to bring my passion for education to lead this new division at Furqaan Academy. We are excited to be one of the first Islamic public school educational placements in Illinois offering students with unique abilities the opportunity to receive individualized education and therapeutic services in an Islamic environment. 

“What matters most when educating your child/children at  FAEC? 

We will continuously collaborate with our families to support our students in achieving their individual goals. We work alongside various organization including MUHSEN, Illinois Public Schools, and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)  to seek additional resources for our students. Our goal is to help our students and families thrive by providing the necessary support needed to ensure our students make progress and meet their yearly IEP goals. We have a whole child approach and work together with our families to support the community and create an environment for our children to succeed. 

At FAEC we use an evidence-based curriculum that is based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Science of Reading. This provides exceptional academic goals covering subjects such as ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies which are aligned to standards and allows us to embed each student’s IEP goals into their personalized program. 

We offer Islamically-focused lessons as a foundation of key topics and themes and integrate this into our overall curriculum. We provide an equitable and inclusive general education curriculum with individualized interventions that support our children’s success. As special educators, we all aim to provide our students with comprehensive learning opportunities that pave the way for educational and personal success. FAEC uses an award-winning adapted core curriculum and supporting interventions to deliver a whole-child approach. We help you improve your child’s academic, behavioral, and adaptive skills – from Pre-K through the transition years.

At FAEC we respond to the needs of our community with what the world needs now more than ever – respect, discipline, compassion, generosity, grace, intention, justice, and hope. As a result, our children enjoy the experience, and we hope to enable them to be confident young learners. We recognize a world beyond their needs and hope to facilitate our families and children preparing them for the world around them. 

Our school culture demands that our students, teachers, and families be ever mindful of their role in setting and reaching goals and work together as a team putting our students at the heart of everything we do. 

Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children will provide our students with all the tools, support, and services they need to succeed in their physical, emotional, and spiritual endeavors, both Islamically and academically.

We look forward to welcoming our students and families to Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children.

Meet Our Staff!

Our therapists work closely in teams, collaborating to meet the unique needs of each student and their family. Through these sessions, we address the skills necessary for meaningful participation in everyday life, ensuring that every child feels supported and included in their journey.

Ms. Samiya Zamani

Deputy Executive Director

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Dr. Seema A. Imam

Chief Academic Officer, Consultant

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Sarah Shams M.S., BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

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Iliana El-Khailani

Director of Special Education

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Laura Sagheer

Teacher

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Iliana El-Khailani

Director of Special Education

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Biography:

Ms. Samiya is a distinguished leader with a unique and diverse background. She began her career in the healthcare sector and has worked for reputable companies such as CVS pharmacy. She brings a wealth of experience from the corporate world to the field of education that enriches her role as an administrative leader. Her career transition from Pharmacy to education was driven by her passion to make an impact in the Muslim Community and nurture young minds.

Ms. Samiya joined Furqaan Academy after its inception in 2008, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the Academy’s vision and mission. Her commitment to education reflects her contribution to the growth and development of the Academy. Under her guidance, Furqaan Academy has achieved many milestones. Her proactive approach has led Furqaan Academy to achieve state recognition and Accreditation from prestigious organizations such as COGNIA and CISNA. She also collaborated with local public school district and secured free public school buses for the students, making Furqaan Academy the first Islamic School in Illinois to offer free bus transportation!

As the Deputy Executive Director, Ms Samiya is entrusted with overseeing the operations of Furqaan Academy Bolingbrook, Furqaan Academy Online and its Networked Learning Centers, and Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring the institution’s smooth operation and continued growth, while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.

Biography:

Dr. Seema A. Imam is a distinguished educator, scholar, and academic leader with extensive experience in teaching, school leadership, and educator preparation. She is a Professor of Elementary and Middle Level Teacher Education at National Louis University, where she prepares students for certification in Elementary, Middle Level, and Special Education.

She holds a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Social Inquiry from National Louis University and a Doctorate in Islamic Theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation, along with advanced degrees in Reading and Educational Administration from Northeastern Illinois University.

Dr. Imam previously taught in Chicago Public Schools and served as a founding principal of one of the largest Islamic schools in the United States. She currently serves on the Board of the Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA) and is an active speaker on Islamic pedagogy and educational innovation.

Biography:

Sarah is a Board Certified Behaviour Analysis, and a  compassionate community member. She is an alum of Chicago-land Islamic Schools. She believes that every student, of every capacity, should have access to an Islamic environment. 

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts  at Benedictine University Lisle, IL, where she majored in  History and Biological Health Sciences. She gained her Masters Degree at Aurora University in  Applied Behavioral Analysis.

Sarah has professional experience as an educator, coordinating behavior services at therapeutic day schools, school consultation, and district-wide support. She started her career teaching psychology and social sciences primarily in secondary education. Sarah then pivoted to applied behavior analysis at the curtail of her teaching experience. During her graduate studies, she dedicated much of her research to cultural competency and client-led programming. Sarah co-founded Starlight ABA Services, PLLC where she continues to expand on her clinical experience in behavior skills training, functional communication training, school readiness, behavior reduction, and data analysis. 

Sarah offers training to classroom staff on positive behavior strategies and rapport-building with students. Sarah trusts that collaboration of caregivers, staff, and related disciplines is essential when trying to produce meaningful change for students. She remains observant and considers all factors when planning long-term goals, including cultural background, learning history, and environmental variables. Sarah is enthusiastic and continues to enhance her knowledge in applied behavior analysis in the latest research of skill acquisition, trauma-informed care, and acceptance and commitment training. We are excited to have her skills and expertise at Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children.

Biography:

Iliana El-Khailani is a seasoned educational leader with over 2 decades of experience in special education, student services, and inclusive practices across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.Iliana’s career reflects a deep commitment to equity, compliance, and program innovation for students with diverse needs, including those with disabilities, English learners, and medically fragile populations. She has served in many pivotal leadership roles. She led specialized services in many poor urban and rural districts in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, where she spearheaded district-wide efforts to improve IEP compliance, expanded access to bilingual clinicians, and enhanced preschool screenings for at-risk learners.Iliana’s leadership also extended to organizations and school districts, where she opened schools and programs that are still in operation and the programs she started are still flourishing. She has supported students from early childhood through transition-aged youth, including oversight of IEP teams, specialized evaluations, and restorative practices. Across each role, Iliana has demonstrated a consistent ability to bring school systems into compliance with IDEA and Section 504, build inclusive frameworks grounded in data and best practice, and recruit and retain highly qualified staff in hard-to-fill positions.Iliana is known for fostering cultures of continuous improvement, implementing early childhood screening and intervention protocols, and managing large-scale programmatic change aligned with both local and state expectations. Iliana holds advanced licenses in three states in teaching and school administration such as teaching with several endorsements including special education, Principal and Director of Special Education. She is currently finishing her superintendent endorsement. Her career is marked by a passion for dismantling barriers and building programs where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Iliana is an advocate first and her decisions are always based on equity. Iliana is excited to be leading the opening of the first Islamic therapeutic Day school, FAEC for the Furquann organization and her goal is to serve the Islamic community ensuring equitable special education programming, but still preserving the Islamic practices and culture.

Biography:

My name is Laura Sagheer, and I am originally from San Antonio, Texas. I recently relocated to the area and am honored to be a part of Furqaan Academy’s inaugural year. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and earned my teaching certification in special education after being inspired by my personal journey advocating for my own child with unique learning needs.With five years of experience in special education, I am passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing environments where all students can thrive. This year, I will be leading cross-categorical special education programming, providing support in areas such as reading, writing, math, behavior, and social-emotional development. I am committed to delivering instruction that is differentiated, scaffolded, and culturally responsive, while ensuring that all Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are implemented with fidelity. This includes adapting lessons, providing accommodations, modifying assignments, using assistive technology, and working closely with families and related service providers to monitor progress and adjust instruction as needed.As a practicing Muslim, I also bring a strong foundation in Islamic values and daily practices, which I aim to gently weave into the school day. My goal is to support the academic, emotional, and spiritual development of each child by instilling values such as patience, kindness, and gratitude, while fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah.InshaAllah, I look forward to seeing our students blossom this year—growing in their learning, confidence, and connection to their deen—within a supportive and inclusive school community.