Meet Mrs. Zee
Founder & Executive Director, Education Explorers
Welcome to Explorer Learning Academy (ELA), the flagship center of the Education Explorers network. I'm Mrs. Zakkiyya Ibrahim, affectionately known as “Mrs. Zee.” As a mother of five and a dedicated early childhood educator, I founded Education Explorers in 2017 to create nurturing, culturally responsive learning environments for children from infancy through preschool.
My journey began in Delhi, Louisiana, a close-knit community where family and resilience are paramount. In 2015, my husband and I moved to Oregon, seeking opportunities for our growing family. However, I quickly recognized a pressing need for high-quality, culturally affirming childcare options, especially for Black and Brown families. This realization led to the establishment of Education Explorers, a network of licensed, certified family childcare programs across Washington and Multnomah Counties.
Credentials That Shape the Vision
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a focus in Family Life and Early Childhood Development from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. I also earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Ball State University, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis on Autism.
As a certified Master Trainer and a Step 11 on Oregon’s Early Learning Division Registry, I leverage my expertise to mentor early childhood professionals in developmentally sound and culturally grounded practices.
A Vision Beyond the Classroom
Explorer Learning Academy is more than a childcare network—it is a movement to reimagine early childhood education through a lens of equity, cultural pride, and whole-child development. We proudly serve children of all abilities in environments that are sensory-friendly, nature-rich, and deeply intentional. Our programs offer no-cost preschool through Preschool Promise and Preschool for All and infant and toddler care supported by the Early Childhood Equity Fund and Employment Related Daycare (ERDC) assistance.
At ELA, we believe that early education is a collaborative journey between educators and families. Our team is dedicated to fostering an environment where children can explore, discover, and thrive.
Whether you're a parent seeking a nurturing, high-quality preschool, or a grantmaking organization aligned with our mission, I invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we are cultivating brilliance in every child.
