Tarbiyah Academy Spotlight: Ms. Soha Tabana

Many of the most meaningful moments in Tarbiyah Academy’s school counselor’s day happen in various ways: helping a student find the confidence to present in front of their class, guiding a child through disagreements amongst classmates, or giving a student the space to work through something that feels overwhelming. For Ms. Soha, these moments are at the heart of why she does what she does.

“I'm passionate about supporting the whole child and prioritizing our students' well-being,” Ms. Soha said. “My goal is to support all students at Tarbiyah Academy socially and emotionally so they can overcome any challenges, feel confident in themselves, and have all the tools necessary for success in the classroom, insha'Allah.”

With nearly three decades of experience in the education field, Ms. Soha first began her journey as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at an Islamic school and transitioned to working in Prince George’s County Public Schools. She worked as a teacher and instructional coach in Cairo, Egypt where she helped train new educators through co-teaching and planning. As a professional learning specialist for Frontline Education, Ms. Soha traveled across the country to train teachers, school administrators, and district leaders in educational software and tools designed to support teaching and learning. It was then that she realized she missed engaging in classrooms and connecting with students on a deeper level.

Ms. Soha joined Tarbiyah Academy in 2023 as the schools’ counselor, bringing with her a dedication of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. At the school, she leads Social Emotional Learning (SEL) classes, and in those classes, Ms. Soha teaches Tarbiyah students how to manage their emotions and build healthy, strong relationships. Students and parents can also request to meet with Ms. Soha one-on-one for personalized support. As a counselor, she implements the CASEL Framework when helping students: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness.

“In order for our students to learn effectively, they need to have a safe, supportive environment and my role is to help provide that sense of safety,” she said. “Our students are never alone. Whatever they are going through, it's important to recognize that Alah SWT challenges us all in different ways, and that we are all hear to help one another.”

Noting that the support of students is a collective effort at Tarbiyah Academy, Ms. Soha emphasized the importance of collaboration amongst teachers, administrators, and parents. She highlighted how this shared responsibility ensures that students receive consistent and quality guidance and encouragement.

During this month of Anti-Bullying Awareness, Ms. Soha highlighted the importance of ensuring that the entire school community understands what constitutes bullying and how to recognize it. Bulling, she says, is repeated, intentional aggression with a clear power imbalance. Oftentimes, it's easy to conflate conflict and disagreements as bullying, but knowing the difference between the two is critical to better help understand the situation. Throughout this month, our students have been learning about what bullying is, how to stand up against it, and how to report it.

“Our students are the future of this ummah, and our responsibility to them extends far beyond the classroom,” Ms. Soha said. “We have an opportunity to shape not only what they learn, but who they become. My hope is that insha’Allah, we help nurture well-rounded individuals who grow into thoughtful, compassionate adults prepared to make a meaningful difference in their communities.”