We feel that teachers are one of the main factors that distinguishes a good school from the rest. A Montessori Directress’ main role is to create an environment that is a perfect learning setting, this means they need to continuously understand and give what each child needs. We believe that the teacher training is only the beginning of the journey, it is also utmost important that each teacher has the willingness to change themselves so they can provide an unobstructive, calm and truly nurturing environment. We therefore put a lot of care in choosing our teachers, ensuring they meet this criteria.
We follow a student-teacher ratio of between 5 to 7 children to 1 adult (depending on the mix of ages) and we have at least 2 fully trained Montessori teachers in a session and other assistant staff, as required.
Head and Manager – Neha Rao
Neha is a trained and qualified Montessori Directress from Indian Montessori Training Centre. Being raised in Mumbai, she obtained her Bachelors Degree in Pharmaceuticals from S.N.D.T University and Masters in Management Studies (Marketing). After having worked for the pharmaceutical industry, she soon realised that she was not meant to be in a corporate job. In 2014, after her daughter was born, she began practising Montessori at home from birth to childhood with her new born. The deeper she went into understanding the practices and philosophies of Montessori education, the more convinced she was about her calling of becoming a Montessori Educator. Neha has also undergone the basic course of Yoga for Young Adolescents from The Yoga Institute, Mumbai.
She believes that in a Montessori environment you are merely a ‘Guide’ for the Child; it is truly the ‘Child’ who is your ‘Teacher’! Neha is the head of the school and works in ensuring we provide the quality of education and experience as promised.
Admissions and Team Coordinator – Moonira Badshah
Moonira is a trained and qualified Montessori Directress having completed 3-6 AMI Diploma from the R.T.I. Montessori Training Center in Mumbai. She is also qualified to assist the Elementary Classroom having completed AMI Elementary Assistants Course at Navadisha Montessori Foundation in Chennai. She has obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Jai Hind College. Moonira enjoys painting and is trained in Ballroom Dancing.
She was a stay-at-home mother before starting her career with the corporate world. She has a diverse corporate background, having worked with a recruitment consultancy, background verifications firms and a leading gaming company. Albeit being successful at her jobs, her quest to find what felt satisfying and fulfilling brought along a sabbatical, during which she worked as a Freelance IELTS Invigilator with the British Council.
Soon she recognised her keenness to be around children. She adores the energy, innocence and curiosity they display. With her passion to work with children and zeal to assist them in building a strong base in the area of education, she started home tutoring under what she called “Firm Foundations”. Subsequently, her strong faith in “the child” led her to connect with the Montessori pedagogy. This was her calling !
Moonira is a committed practitioner, who has the best interests of the children at the forefront of her work. She strongly believes in the principles of Montessori and sees herself bringing it to the children of the world. She agrees when Maria Montessori says “Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.”
Moonira helps supervise the day to day classroom activities and works closely with the teachers to deliver a learning experience as committed. She manages admissions enquiries and processes.
Montessori Directress – Urvi Chaplot
Urvi has a degree in Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS). After which she pursued and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Training Course and qualified as a Montessori Directress. Urvi decided on becoming a Montessori directress as she feels the way knowledge is imparted is really beautiful through this education method. Urvi is 100% dedicated to this career path and looks forward in learning and growing more and more through all the unique experiences she will encounter with the children.
Urvi brings a warm, smiling personality to the classroom. Urvi works in both our core morning and late afternoon session.
Montessori Directress – Ssimran Ahuja
Ssimran (spelt with two ‘s’) is a trained Montessori directress from Association Montessori International. She has completed Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design. After working in the Fashion field for couple of years she realised her true calling was to help and serve children on their path of self development. She believes that the every child has immense potential which can be enhanced within the means of a ‘Prepared’ environment’ She also realises that when the inner needs of the child are fulfilled, what we see is manifestation of the child’s true personality.
She has done the basic Yoga course for young adolescents. She has also done Silva Ultra Mind Course which helps you to go deep in meditation and explore aspects of the subconscious mind.
Ssimran brings her creativity from the Design background and her drive towards self improvement to work with children on all levels. She currently works in the morning session.
Montessori Directress – Mumtaz Kapasi
Mumtaz is a fully qualified Montessori Directress from NAMC. Born and bought up in Mumbai, always found her passion in teaching. Along with her studies she used to teach neighbour’s children. Mumtaz then pursued a career in the corporate world working for Datamatics, where she used to amend American laws. However, her passion for teaching children continues side by side as she conducted home tuitions. After three years into the corporate she finally decided to completely follow her passion for teaching and joined TMSI. She is glad to be given this opportunity where she can help mould and strengthen the base of fragile and curious minds. Mumtaz currently works for the afternoon session.
Montessori Directress – Lisha Chotriani
Lisha is a fully qualified Montessori directress from NAMC. Lisha has done her B.pharm from Principal K.M Kundnani College of Pharmacy. She has worked as a teacher at Toddler House for 2 Years . She is confident and happy to be contributing to the lives of children.
Lisha is a lead teacher, and through gentle interaction with the children, all in service toward a peaceful, harmonious classroom. She is a part of our morning session and extended session.
Montessori Directress – Juuie Saavant
After completing her Post Graduation in Business Management and working in the corporate world for 10-12 years, Juuie decided to change her career to a more fulfilling career in Teaching. She is a trained and qualified Montessori Directress from Sir Ratan Tata Institute which is also recognised by Association Montessori Internationale. She believes Montessori Teaching Method is fruitful as it allows the child to grow and gain independence and perfection which comes through repetition of activities. She enjoys her time Teaching and feels it is a continuous learning process. “Each day is a new experience with the children and am glad I can cater to the children’s needs and lead them to their successive path”.
Juuie is a lead teacher and works part of our morning session and afternoon session.
Assistant Directress – Farhat Merchant
Farhat took to the Montessori Method and philosophy so naturally that it seemed to make complete sense from her soul that this is the right way in educating children. Farhat brings her wisdom, love and nurturing character to the environment and all children seem to take to her gentle and kind sense of being almost immediately.
Farhat is part of our morning session. She takes care of the children’s needs at all levels and occasionally presents the Practical Life activities and group work.
Assistant Directress – Poornima Menon
Poornima has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, simultaneously she pursued a Performer’s Certificate in Speech and Drama from the Trinity College of London. It was during this time that she was given an opportunity to teach children speech and drama and that’s when she experienced the Joy of Teaching. Post graduation she went on to study Diploma in Accessory design from London College of Fashion. After working in the field of fashion for a few years, she found her way back to teaching. Poornima has completed her ECC Ed course from Podar School, and is a trained assistant Directress from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Poornima really believes that the Montessori method of learning not only imparts knowledge to the child but also helps in the holistic development which eventually prepares the child towards absolute independence and self-awareness
Poornima is an assistant directress, part of our morning and extended session.
Assistant Directress – Anmol Kamra
Anmol has completed her bachelor’s of Mass Media from R.D National College in Mumbai. She was always inclined towards teaching and took tuitions for an older age group while studying and working. She worked in PR and marketing for 2 years post-college but eventually realized her passion lied in teaching and decided to make a switch. The Montessori method of education always intrigued her and she wished to learn more about it, hence she took up the role at TMSI. She believes working with children on a day-to-day basis brings a positive energy to her life.
Anmol is an assistant directress, part of our morning and extended session.
Helper – Kajal Rathore
Kajal has a love for children and has worked as a nanny for expat families before joining TMSI. She is caring, responsible and supports the team in general care and lunch time duties.
Helper – Swati Minz
Swati always has a smile on her face and keeps the school environment clean and hygienic. She really enjoys being around the energy of the children and has been a loyal and important team member.
Founder and Director – Payal Patel
Payal is an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) qualified Montessori Directress. She has recently qualified with the Montessori Elementary Training. She was born and raised in London, UK. In 2012, she made the decision to move to Mumbai in pursuit of following her dream and passion of educating children. Payal has a strong belief of the Montessori system where she knows that this method of educating, if conducted in the purest way will give every child exactly what they are searching for.
Payal has obtained a Bachelors in Mathematics with Management and Masters in Computer Science from the University College London. She worked in the computing field for about 10 years in the UK before she realised that being an educator is her true purpose in life.
Payal is the founder of the school. She says “Concerns about your child can be resolved or at least dealt with as best as possible, when both the parents and teachers are communicating openly and discussing a way forward”. Payal is most concerned about the emotional and spiritual well being of each child under her care, she says “if these two are in well balance then learning and happiness becomes organic”.
“The training of the teacher who is to help life is something far more than the learning of ideas. It includes the training of character; it is a preparation of the spirit” Dr Maria Montessori
PLEASE CALL ON 7045504419 OR EMAIL payal@tmsi.in, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A ROLE AS A MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS.