Our Team

Siva Devi

Sivadevi, Director of Kalpavrikshalaya ,is an Engineering Graduate, served as a Software Engineer in various Multinational Companies before her journey in the education field . While seeking a meaningful education system for her daughter , came across Maria Montessori Philosophy and her Pedagogy developed by keenly observing the child . This resonated with her strong belief that each child is unique and needs nurture in a fearless environment for the true nature and potential of the child to flourish. She pursued Montessori Diploma from Indian Montessori Training Course ,Chennai and Child Psychology Diploma from Stonebridge University,UK.She worked as a teacher in a school transformation project at a Delhi Government school after completing the post-graduate diploma in learning and teaching from “I Am A Teacher” Organisation,Gurgaon .Taking inspiration and guidance from her mother Shrimathi J.Kalaivani an able principal of an esteemed school in chennai having 25 years of experience in the field of education, founded Kalpavrikshalaya with a noble intention of creating a learning space for children to explore ,experiment and evolve .

Indhira Gandhi

I am a secondary teacher. I worked as a teacher at the Sai trust school for five years and felt expertise in understanding the students abilities. I pursued Montessori Diploma from Indian Montessori Training Course ,Chennai to get an in-depth knowledge on the philosophy and a way to help children help themselves.In my point of view, very child has unique talents within them. We ,the teachers simply need to guide them to express their various skills. Such skillful children when they learn with Montessori materials we can visibly see the precision in their way of learning. Through which their creativity level increases spontaneously. I always feel proud and fortunate to work with children.

Indhu.S

I am a post graduate in chemistry and having B.Ed in physical science.I am also an AMI certified professional with 13 years of teaching experience in different Montessori schools in Chennai.I worked in Navadisha Montessori school and Abacus Montessori school before joining Kalpavrikshalaya.

I opted for Montessori because when I enrolled my children to a Montessori school,I was happy to see them being independent and confident.This gave me an insight to learn about this field and explore more ways to handle different children.

Kavitha

I am primarily a BCA graduate . I did my AMI Montessori course for the Primary Program from Navadisha Montessori Institute, Chennai.I Have worked in BASS school , Kalakshetra Foundation for 8 years. I am very passionate to work with children and I love to work collaboratively with other teachers.

I believe Independence is most important for a child which as it in turn will help him to learn by themselves and take their own decisions. Montessori education will make a child more independent not only in academics but in all aspects of life.So that he can adapt to his society very well when he grows up.

Aruna

Being an Engineering Graduate, I started my career as a Software Engineer in an MNC. I took a break after my children. Then accidentally came to know about Montessori pedagogy through my brother which made me curious to know more. I started loving the pedagogy which insisted on the independent growth of the child. I fell in love with those child-sized materials in the environment. Then, I finished my Montessori Diploma from Indian Montessori Centre. This gave me more confidence that I can make a difference, and provide a joyous learning space for children. It is been six years since I started this journey and every day is a new learning experience for me from children. There are a lot of beautiful memories with children. I love cooking and sports.

Rehana

I am Rehana, I am Hindi Pandit. Having 9 years of Experience, exceptional knowledge of Hindi language teaching methods and methodology. Immune ability to teach and perform towards student success. Teach Self Help skills to develop kids independent.

Kiruthika Viswanathan

I am a MSc Agriculture Economics graduate from Tamil Nadu Agriculture university, Coimbatore. I have eight years of experience in teaching and managing pre-schools and art classes in Chennai. I am a passionate teacher. As I learn, explore and transform every day I love teaching younger children.

Dr. APJ Abdul kalam said “while children are struggling to be unique the world around them is trying all means to make them look like everybody else”. Here I wish to see every child be unique.

Pradeepa Sridhar

Hi, I am a B.com, MSc Psychology graduate from SRM University and alagappa University respectively. I have an experience as an accountant in Foreign company and also a preschool teacher. I am Passionate towards teaching children. So I did my diploma in Montessori. I was working in Sparklerz International preschool before joining Kalpavrikshalaya. Here in Kalpavrikshalaya, I am handling Admin, accounts work and also a part of primary environment.

I believe every child is unique on their own way. We should always nourish and encourage the child the way they are. Thank you.

Prarthana Royappan

I have done my masters in Bioinformatics and worked in the same field. Later, I pursued my Montessori diploma from Indian Montessori Training Center, Chennai. I have worked in different Montessori school environments like Sharanalaya Montessori, Kidoz Montessori and Edubba Montessori schools and have six years of relevant experience in this field.

I choose Montessori because here children learn the concepts with hands on experience without any pressure. They are guided to be independent and also they learn at their own pace.

I love to be with children and enjoy learning new lessons from the young minds.

I am here to do my best as an Educator and I try to follow my motto as said by Dr. Maria Montessori
“Follow the child but follow the child as his leader”.

Priya

I have completed my graduation in B.E (E.C.E) in the year 2004 and started my career as a software engineer. Continued working in IT till 2018 in different organisations, then I quit for health reason (drastic weight loss primarily due to IBS digestive issues). With a break of 1 year, I realised many things in life about mental health and physical health and I nurtured myself as a different person altogether. I have decided to take up Montessori Elementary course(Diploma) with AMI recognition in Navadhisha Montessori School and successfully completed it. It was indeed a wonderful and strenuous course which helped me to gain more clarity on the purpose of my existence and my role as a human in this world. It also helps to understand how to observe the child and learn/unlearn along with the child.I am sure that being part of this school and contributing in all possible manners will undoubtedly make me feel contented and energetic.

Mahalakshmi Ramadhass

I am a commerce graduate and worked in one of the BPO services company for 8years. From my childhood I have great passion towards Tamil language. School and college days were driven with my desire to pursue Tamil. Elocutions and debates became my hobbies and stage was the place where I felt myself complete.

Though my career path shifted from my passion I always excelled in my works. I came to know about Montessori methodology When I started searching for school for my daughter. I was inspired to follow my passion towards Tamil and started my journey to teach Tamil language creatively through Montessori methodology. I love to work with children as learning happens always when they are around. It’s been 2.5 years with Kalpavrikshalaya and the learning continues…

Malathi Chandrasekar

Primarily I am a Bsc graduate in Mathematics. I have also completed My BA (Sahitya Ratna) in hindi from Allahabad university. I took my Diploma in Montessori Education through SSV MontessoriChennai.I pursued a financial career and went on to work in many Accounting and Auditing companies. Butinspite of my different choice of career I was deeply passionate about teaching. I have been takingprivate classes for various subjects for more than 25 years.

I believe every child is talented and unique. They just need the right guidance to achieve theirdreams which drew me to Montessori Education. Montessori cultivates good bond between the teachers and the kids and creates a safe environment for them to learn and grow. This eventually brought me to Kalpavrikshalaya.

Narmada Natarajan

I am Narmada Natarajan. I am an architect with conservation of buildings as my primary elective. I was interested in child development studies after my first child and wanted to see the nuances of learnings when I came across Montessori education from Bangalore. I completed it and then volunteered in UK schools, speech therapy clinics, study centres for refugee kids for 8 years. During these years I completed courses in Hand and multi-sensory activities,Autism and its related delays, Asperger’s syndrome, child psychology which helped me understand children better. Then I moved to Chennai and have worked in 2 schools as a facilitator in Akshayah and in HLC as a functional curriculum facilitator for the past 4 years. Now I have joined Kalpavrikshalaya as both a special educator and a NIOS trainer and Now I am a RCI qualified special educator, certified special education in B.Ed. (spl ed) CBT diploma.Looking forward to more fascinating experiences in this new environment.

Sneha Thomas

Had completed MBA in Finance and Marketing was working with ICICI Bank as Investment and Relationship Manager. Took a break from Co-operate field to concentrate on my children, which is what helped to come across Montessori education.

I did my Montessori Primary Training from Navadisha and since 2021 working with Kalpavrikshalaya family to enhance my experience of working with children.

Keerthi

I am a MCA graduate. I have worked as an Executive in Search Engine Analysis for three years in Dot com Infoway Limited, Chennai. I am very much passionate towards teaching and hence I worked in different schools. Meanwhile I did the Montessori course at Indian Montessori Training centre and pursued as a Montessori teacher in Kalpavrikshalaya Montessori School for three years. Again after a break, the love from kalpavrikshalaya students and Montessori system dragged me to rejuvenate my career here. To my Knowledge, Montessori system is not only for students academic progression it also paves the way for their independence, practical knowledge, socialism, self confidence, creativity and many more.

Praseetha.Y

I am an Engineering graduate. I have 4Plus years of experience in the IT domain. I decided to switch my career from IT to teaching for my daughter. I successfully completed Early childhood education from KLAY & ITD from Asian College. I have 3 years of work experience as an early childhood Facilitator with IGCSE board and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Now I am Thrilled to be here as a Montessori facilitator.

What drew me to Montessori education is its unique approach to nurturing the holistic development of each child. I firmly believe that education should foster a child’s natural curiosity, promote independence, and provide opportunities for hands-on learning. Montessori education embodies these principles, allowing children to explore and learn at their own pace while developing a deep sense of respect for themselves, others, and their environment.

Now I have got the privilege of working with young learners in the Montessori environment and I am excited to be part of this wonderful Montessori community.

Dhanvanthini

Dhanvanthini was born and brought up in Chennai and her upbringing was closely intertwined with farming and the cultural strong holds of any South Indian household. She holds a masters in Human Development and Family Dynamics, and clearly remembers the course of her education was always her conscious decisions and it was for her to make them. When her son got enrolled into a Montessori Program in the year 2015 , that was prophecy for her and ever since she has taken greater interest in understanding the pedagogy as she witness not just her family but also her children in the environment she works with take a step towards their own unfolding and discovery.

She has completed her Pre Primary from IMTC, followed by an Elementary diploma from Sharanalaya Teacher Development Initiative and also School Scape. She has been working with children as a lead adult since 2017 . She is passionate about the Montessori method and play a part in the Cosmic Plan.

FUN FACT: “People think I day Dream, but I would say that’s my imagination at work”