From the Western Ghats in 2019, InDEC went to the Himalayas in 2020

Amukta Mahapatra.

Founder, SchoolScape, Centre for Educators;

Director, Montessori Preprimary and Elementary Course

Amukta Mahapatra, founder of SchoolScape has been associated with the field of school education since many decades. She has worked with small, independent schools and also developed programmes that have been implemented by the education departments across a state or taken to many states in India. Wherever she has worked, she has fought for the child’s right to live and learn spontaneously.

She started her teaching career at the The School K.F.I, run by the Krishnamurti Foundation India in Chennai.

Later, as the first principal of Abacus Montessori School in Chennai, she enabled Montessori practices from preschool to high school, to be seen from a contemporary perspective.

While working with UNICEF, she helped to develop a Quality Package to be implemented in government schools across ten states.

She conducted a programme called the Professional Development of Teacher Educators for the faculty of the DIETs (District Institutes for Education and Training) in Tamil Nadu. The education department took the evolved modules forward and trained 200,000 elementary teachers across the state. This was the harbinger for the ABL programme for primary schools to be developed and later implemented in all 37,500 elementary schools in the state.

She has organised many national and international conferences and is the initiating force for the movement of democratic education in India, under the banner of IDEC and InDEC. She has participated and presented papers at national and international seminars.

She has published articles and papers; her work has been mentioned in books and reports on best practices to be taken forward.

Member of the Task Force for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India (2023). Karnataka Task Force (2024). Life member, Association Montessori Internationale. Life member, Crafts Council of India.

From the Western Ghats in 2019, InDEC went to the Himalayas in 2020

Nalini Tanguturu.

Associate Director,  Montessori Elementary Course

Coordinator, SchoolScape, Centre for Educators

Nalini Tanguturu comes from a technology background, with ten years of professional IT experience in India and the USA.

After returning from the US, she got interested in Montessori education. She trained to be an elementary Montessori educator at SchoolScape in 2017-18.

Nalini worked as an Elementary teacher in Montessori schools, where she helped in setting up environments for children. She has also been a faculty member ​for ​the ​Elementary Montessori Course run by SchoolScape from the past few years.

Combining her global IT experience with her Montessori knowledge, Nalini has been instrumental in setting up the online platform for the Montessori training at SchoolScape.

Nalini describes her experience of working with Amukta as a career defining one. She has not only been able to realize her inner calling towards Montessori philosophy, but also been able to become an able administrator.

Gracy Kingsley

Gracy Kingsley

Faculty, Montessori Elementary Course

Associate Director of Preprimary Course, SchoolScape, Centre for Educators

Gracy Kingsley is a Post Graduate MBA (HR). She completed her diploma in Montessori Primary teacher training from IMTC-Chennai in 2003 and later completed the Montessori Elementary teacher training from Sharanalaya Montessori School in 2016. She holds a B.Ed and Diploma in Special Education (Autism). She underwent the Training of Trainers programme with SchoolScape.

Gracy has extensive experience working with children since 2003 in Sharanalaya Montessori School, Chennai at both the Preschool and Elementary levels. She started as a Montessori teacher and then became the Principal of the school, which she held for seven years till 2020. She has experience in training and mentoring teachers during this time, while she set up and managed the school.

Looking for new ways of working in the field, with autonomy and to challenge herself, she joined SchoolScape.

Gracy Kingsley

Shobhana Vaidyanathan

Faculty, Montessori Preprimary and Elementary Course

Shobhana Vaidyanathan, Director at IMTC-Chennai (Indian Montessori Training Courses) from 1999.

She is a gold medalist in Home Science from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, 1980. She completed her Montessori teacher’training in 1981, at Hyderabad under the directorship of Mr. S. R. Swamy and received the AMI diploma. During her tenure at IMTC-Chennai, Shobhana Vaidyanathan received her certificate to be an independent Director of Training from IMC, Bangalore in 2008. Shobhana completed the Education Leadership Programme conducted by the Kuruvilla Jacob Initiative, Chennai.

She has 25 years of working experience with children and teachers in Montessori organisations. She passionately believes it is the only method that addresses the developmental needs of ALL children. She shares with the adult students of IMTC-Chennai, her varied experience of working with children – at Lumbini, Hyderabad, Abacus Montessori School, and Maitri, in Chennai. Founder-Principal of Maitri, she has the distinction of integrating children with special needs into the school.

Shobhana has gained deep insights into the doubts and difficulties adults face while working with children through her other experiences at Namma Bhoomi (a project of Concerned for Working Children, Karnataka) and SOS Village School, Tambaram. As a member of the IMTC-Chennai team, she has been a consultant for various Montessori Schools to help them set up Montessori environments and provide in-house training for their teachers. She conducts workshops for organizations and schools to spread awareness of the Montessori Method and philosophy.

Shobhana Vaidyanathan was honorary Vice-Chairperson of the Indian Montessori Centre – Tamil Nadu Chapter and has been the Convenor of the Maitri conferences held at Chennai, an IMC initiative to create awareness regarding the Montessori movement. She has presented papers at national conferences including one on “The Social Question of the Child” at a national seminar organised by the Department of Elementary Education, NCERT , New Delhi. Single-minded and energetic, Shobhana Vaidyanathan is a stickler for work and wholeheartedly gives her time and energy to any task that she undertakes.

Now Mrs. Shobhana Vaidyanathan has formally retired from her full-time director ship from IMC. She now sees herself in the role of a Montessori consultant for schools and a visiting faculty for the Montessori Training Courses

Gracy Kingsley

Sharon Caldwell

Faculty, Montessori Elementary Course

Sharon Caldwell is a teacher, teacher trainer, writer, and speaker. She was the founder of Nahoon Montessori School, a radical experiment in student empowerment embodying the pedagogy and vision of student liberty encouraged by Dr Montessori, but also inspired by the model of student self-governance exemplified in schools within the Democratic and Free School tradition. She has experience working with children in a Montessori context from 2½ to 15
years and has taught in conventional high school, as well as homeschooling her sons from age 13.

Sharon has key-noted and presented at conferences in India, the USA, Australia, Indonesia, Honk Kong and in South Africa. She has consulted and conducted Montessori teacher professional development in Tokyo, Hanoi, Beijing and Dakar as well as South Africa. She has contributed to two books on school innovation (Turning Points: 35 Visionaries in Education Tell Their Own Stories! and The Directory of Democratic Education) and co-authored and edited teacher training materials for the Centre for Guided Montessori Studies. She is a regular guest lecturer for the Montessori Campus, a Montessori teacher training program in South Africa, as well as running her own professional development seminars for Montessori teachers.

She served on the Executive Committee of SAMA (South African Montessori Association), and for two years was CEO of that association. She is currently the General Secretary of SAMA and represents the Association on NAISA (National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations), on which she holds the ECD portfolio.

For a number of years, she mentored Montessori school leaders for the Montessori Foundation, and has designed and written three short online courses for the Montessori Leadership Institute. She has been a regular contributor to Tomorrow’s Child Magazine and Montessori Leadership, magazine of the International Montessori Council, of which she was Assistant Editor.

In 2014, she was invited to begin an Adolescent programme at the Montessori School of Tokyo, after completing the AMI/NAMTA Orientation to Adolescent programme. In 2015/16 she was employed as Curriculum Coordinator and Director of Professional Development at the same school, during which time she led the school through the IMC (International Montessori Council) Accreditation process.

She is currently working as an independent consultant supporting South African Montessori Schools.

Gracy Kingsley

Khushbu Gupta

Faculty, Montessori Preprimary Course

Khushbu Gupta is a trained Montessori Educator from AMI – RTI Mumbai. She has had a background in banking, is a mother of a pre-teen, a storyteller, and has participated in various children’s events by organising and performing puppet shows and book reading sessions.

She has always found the world of children to be vastly fascinating and intriguing.

What thoughts do they have?

Why do their perspectives differ so much?

During her journey as an Educator, she realised that it’s not just helping her find some of the answers to these questions; but it’s also increasing her self-awareness and providing opportunities for self-discovery.

She has 4 years of experience working in the Casa and elementary environment.

She firmly thinks that Montessori is not only a method of education but also a means of nurturing life that can benefit the whole of humanity.

Gracy Kingsley

Bulbul Hasan

Faculty, Montessori Preprimary Course

Bulbul Hasan was born in Shillong, Meghalaya in India and later went on to live and study in Bangalore and Chennai where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Literature, Psychology and Journalism and also completed a Montessori training as a 3-6 guide with the Association Montessori Internationale. Soon after completing her diploma course she started on a search for a Montessori school where she could put into practice the theory of Montessori education that had had such a deep impact on her life. She went on to work in different schools across the globe and also deepen her understanding of different cultures. She has worked and lived in Montessori schools in Singapore, New York, Jersey City, Chihuahua Mexico, and Madrid, Spain.

Bulbul has also conducted Montessori related workshops at various schools across the world for teachers and parents. She has provided support and consultancy to schools in Mexico, Spain and India. Bulbul looks at her work in schools, with teachers as one of support and mentorship where her observations form the basis of a more sustained approach to the changes required in their work as continually preparing to be the adults working with children and also in terms of the preparation of their environments. She has also had the opportunity to create and teach short Montessori courses for teachers and parents and is interested in continuing to offer training to new students who are looking for a practical understanding of Montessori education. While including Montessori theory Bulbul also keeps in mind the very important experiential aspect of learning. Her lectures often include anecdotes from her personal experience.

Her other interests include travelling and exploring new cultures and she currently lives in Mexico.

Gracy Kingsley

Chandhrica Pagadal

Faculty, Montessori Courses,

Public Relations Executive, SchoolScape Centre for Educators

Chandhrica Pagadal is the in-house singer and also the PR Executive.

She dabbled in the corporate field briefly until she felt the need to do something more rewarding and fulfilling for her career. That’s when she discovered the wonders of Montessori and a newfound love of working with children. She is now an alumnus of SchoolScape, having obtained her Elementary Montessori Diploma.

She also has a flair for music and singing and conducts singing sessions for both the Preprimary and Elementary courses. She continues to work with children by conducting music classes for them every week.

She currently works with the lower elementary children at Annasamy Academy’s Skylight school in Bengaluru.

Gracy Kingsley

Jeta Kumar.

Faculty, Montessori Courses

Jeta Kumar is a teacher, teacher trainer, erstwhile HR professional, and mother to a teen and two dogs.

When she read the book The Secret of Childhood, Jeta encountered Montessori’s ideas in her first year of motherhood. This led to her doing the Montessori course at the Indian Institute for Montessori Studies, Bangalore, in 2013. After that, she worked at The Earth School for eight years as a lead adult in the Montessori environment, where she began to better understand early childhood. Working with children has been a transformational experience for Jeta, leading to a clearer appreciation of being human and building empathy and common ground with others. During the course of her time in the classroom, Jeta encountered children with diverse needs and worked towards building an inclusive classroom. This is also something close to her heart.

Jeta is a faculty member for the pre-primary course. She also conducts workshops for SchoolScape and is active in various school projects that Schoolscape undertakes.

Gracy Kingsley

Praveena Babu.

Faculty, Montessori Courses

Praveena Babu is a dedicated Montessori educator with eight years of experience working with pre-primary and elementary children. She discovered her fascination for the Montessori system through her own children and has since become passionate about providing the best education possible for young learners.

She believes that in order to be an effective teacher, one must first love and understand the Universe and continually work towards self-improvement. Her responsibilities have included observing and assessing the needs of her students, creating an appropriate learning environment, and facilitating their growth and development. She remains open to new ideas and approaches and is committed to expanding her knowledge and skills in Montessori education. She joined School Scape to further her professional development in this field.

Gracy Kingsley

Sumithra AT.

Admin & Accounts Manager, SchoolScape Centre for Educators

Sumithra AT is an experienced Finance and Customer Service professional with exposure to the financial, HR and telecom industry having in-depth knowledge of business processes and general management.

Coming with an Entrepreneurial mindset having set up her own Paying Guest Accommodation and later setting up own BPO company managing the Finance, HR and Admin functions.

She has managed roles in Finance, HR, Admin, Customer Service and Corporate Relations during the course of her career.

She is a process driven individual and always looking to improve set processes.

Gracy Kingsley

Leelavathi.

Faculty, Montessori Courses

Leelavathi is a Master’s degree holder in Biotechnology and worked with a drug research and development team.

Her constant search was for a real education system, such as ‘Can school be a happy place for all children?’, ‘Is there a school, where children are not judged based on their academic performance?’, led her into the Montessori world. Being inspired by the approach she was trained by IIMS and IMTC for Primary and Elementary levels respectively.

She has worked with children at the Elementary level for the past seven years and is presently a teacher for the Upper Elementary at Anweshana Montessori School in Bangalore.

She works with SchoolScape in its work of supporting schools in teacher development and for the elementary training courses.

Her Montessori journey has guided her to enjoy the learning, unlearning, and relearning process.

Gracy Kingsley

Keerthana Sunil.

Faculty, Montessori Elementary Course

Keerthana Sunil is an Elementary Montessori trained Educator. She was inspired by her daughter to do the Elementary Montessori course.

She is very passionate about working with children. Working with children has been life-changing. She has deeply understood the role of an adult in an environment and truly believes that giving children the right freedom and support makes them confident, curious, and lifelong learners.

She has worked in Anweshana Montessori School and The Earth School Elementary environment.

Gracy Kingsley

Nisha Dias.

Faculty Intern, Montessori Elementary Course

Nisha Dias is a devoted educator with a background in early childhood education and a deep commitment to nurturing children’s holistic development.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunications and accumulating over a decade of experience in HR management, Nisha followed her true passion: working with children. For over 10 years, she served as the founder and centre head of Munchkins Montessori and Daycare Centre in India, leading the team in creating a nurturing environment where children could thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. She currently operates a Montessori-based homeschool for children aged 3 to 12 years in Malaysia.

With a Diploma in Preprimary and Elementary Montessori education from the Indian Montessori Training Centre and SchoolScape Centre for Educators, respectively, she brings a comprehensive understanding of child development and a hands-on approach to curriculum planning and implementation.

Now, as a Faculty Intern at SchoolScape, Centre for Educators, she aims to further develop her skills and contribute to the global Montessori community.

Gracy Kingsley

Dhanvanthini.

Faculty, Montessori Elementary Course

Dhanvanthini was born and brought up in Chennai, where her upbringing was closely intertwined with farming and the cultural strongholds of a household in South India. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Dynamics and clearly remembers that the course of her education was always a result of her conscious decisions.

When her son enrolled in a Montessori programme in 2015, it felt like a revelation to her. Since then, she has taken a greater interest in understanding the pedagogy, witnessing not just her own family’s growth but also the unfolding and discovery of the children in the environments she works with.

Dhanvanthini has completed her Preprimary training from IMTC-Chennai, followed by an Elementary diploma from Sharanalaya Teacher Development Initiative and with SchoolScape. She has been working with children as a lead adult since 2017. She is passionate about the Montessori approach and is committed to playing a role in the Cosmic Plan, whatever it may be. She is an intern faculty for the Preprimary and Elementary courses, as well as the School Development projects for SchoolScape.

She continues to be based in Chennai.

Faculty

People from India and other countries are included as faculty for different areas and subjects. Those who have experience working with children are preferred. Those who are willing to learn, unlearn, work as a member of a team, guide students in a collaborative manner are those who have grown with this experience at SchoolScape.

With an internship programme for becoming trainers, the team evolves with mentorship and reflective practices built-in to the process, as one continues to teach and learn.