Passion For Excellence
Passion For Excellence
Inspiring excellence in children.
Da Vinci Montessori always strives to inspire excellence in children by providing nurturing environment, qualified teachers and an inspiring curriculum.
- Da Vinci's Timeline
2010
Inception of Da Vinci Montessori
With a purpose to deliver quality Montessori learning, Da Vinci is founded at Babulnath, Mumbai
2014
Second Branch Established
Adding another spacious location with sunlit classrooms, Da Vinci at Marine Drive opens for admissions.
2015
Enrollment crosses 100 students
In June, Da Vinci has now over a 100 children enrolled in its programs.
2018
Third Branch Established
Da Vinci Montessori, opens doors to its third premises in Worli.
2021
Started Elementary Program
Launched a complete Montessori Elementary Program for 6-12 years old’s – the first of its kind in South Mumbai.
- How we do it
A decade of
Our name is inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci; one of the most talented and multifaceted individuals in the history of mankind.
Known popularly for his ‘Mona Lisa’, it was Leonardo Da Vinci who designed the first flying machine on the principles of which modern day airplanes are based. Additionally, Da Vinci was a mathematician, engineer, scientist anatomist, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer.We believe that every child is born with many different talents that often remain unexplored. At Da Vinci Montessori we want our children to get in touch with each of their senses, talents and emotions and thus discover themselves just as they discover the world around them.
- our Story
Our name is inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci; one of the most talented and multifaceted individuals in the history of mankind.
Known popularly for his ‘Mona Lisa’, it was Leonardo Da Vinci who designed the first flying machine on the principles of which modern day airplanes are based. Additionally, Da Vinci was a mathematician, engineer, scientist anatomist, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer.We believe that every child is born with many different talents that often remain unexplored. At Da Vinci Montessori we want our children to get in touch with each of their senses, talents and emotions and thus discover themselves just as they discover the world around them.
2021
Started Elementary Program
Launched a complete Montessori Elementary Program for 6-12 years old’s – the first of its kind in South Mumbai.
2018
Third Branch Established
Da Vinci Montessori, opens doors to its third premises in Worli.
2015
Enrollment crosses 100 students
In June, Da Vinci has now over a 100 children enrolled in its programs.
2014
Second Branch Established
Adding another spacious location with sunlit classrooms, Da Vinci at Marine Drive opens for admissions.
2010
Inception of Da Vinci Montessori
With a purpose to deliver quality Montessori learning, Da Vinci is founded at Babulnath, Mumbai
“Our education should allow our children’s minds to open up to possibilities. We are not breeding race horses but are nurturing powerful minds. We are creating a generation of thinkers who are empathetic, creative and capable.”
- our Purpose
Da Vinci Montessori has been setup with the mission to provide for children’s innate love of learning. We nurture a wide range of interests to feed their natural curiosity.
Our program inspires a passion for excellence in children, nurtures their curiosity, creativity and imagination; teaches timeless values and seeks to awaken each child’s full potential as a human being.
Our goal is to sow the seeds of knowledge and culture that will blossom in our atmosphere of kindness, respect and intellectual inquiry
Certified Directresses
- Our Purpose
Nurturing the
Da Vinci Montessori has been setup with the mission to provide for children’s innate love of learning. We nurture a wide range of interests to feed their natural curiosity.
Our program inspires a passion for excellence in children, nurtures their curiosity, creativity and imagination; teaches timeless values and seeks to awaken each child’s full potential as a human being.
Our goal is to sow the seeds of knowledge and culture that will blossom in our atmosphere of kindness, respect and intellectual inquiry
"It is not the children that need to fit into our classrooms; our learning environments need to be created to suit the needs of children, so each one of them can feel at ease and then grow to meet his potential"
"It is not the children that need to fit into our classrooms; our learning environments need to be created to suit the needs of children, so each one of them can feel at ease and then grow to meet his potential"
- Founder & School head
Ashani Hirway
Ashani has over a decade of experience in the field of education. She has been trained to teach at and start Montessoris worldwide by Association Montessori Internationale, headquartered in the Netherlands.
Ashani holds an MBA from Wharton School (USA) and has worked as a strategy consultant for global clients in New York and Mumbai. Prior to this Ashani worked as a hardware engineer in the Silicon Valley post her BE from Gujarat University and MS from Purdue University (USA).
While Ashani has always had a passion for education, the birth of her daughter Sanaya, inspired her to follow her heart and give in to her passion; the result of which is Da Vinci. Ashani feels grateful that both her daughters could spend their formative years at Da Vinci Montessori.
- Founder & school head
Ashani Hirway
Ashani has over a decade of experience in the field of education. She has been trained to teach at and start Montessoris worldwide by Association Montessori Internationale, headquartered in the Netherlands.
Ashani holds an MBA from Wharton School (USA) and has worked as a strategy consultant for global clients in New York and Mumbai. Prior to this Ashani worked as a hardware engineer in the Silicon Valley post her BE from Gujarat University and MS from Purdue University (USA).
While Ashani has always had a passion for education, the birth of her daughter Sanaya, inspired her to follow her heart and give in to her passion; the result of which is Da Vinci. Ashani feels grateful that both her daughters could spend their formative years at Da Vinci Montessori.
Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Administrative Team
Ritu Gupta
Head of Administration & Admissions Coordinator
After completing her post-graduation in Financial Management, Ritu went on to work with corporates such as Indiabulls & Treehouse. Thereafter, she came across Da Vinci Montessori and was quickly drawn to its diverse culture and productive management. After interacting with the founder, she realized that Da Vinci would allow her to fulfill her longstanding passion of working around children to achieve a greater good for all. She is passionate about this role because it allows her to spend time among children & ensure they have a secure & healthy environment.
Umme Aimann
Head of Finance & Centre Coordinator - Babulnath
Umme Aimann is a post graduate from Mumbai University. Post a decade and a half of working with MNC Banks, she decided to venture into an area that has always been her calling - working with and contributing to the holistic development of children. Umme enjoys being around kids and financial management comes naturally to her
Neha Sanghvi
Centre Coordinator - Marine Drive & Elementary
Neha is as a trained Montessori directress from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Having pursued Montessori teaching for over 10 years, she believes that the quality of education a person receives in early life is indispensable in bringing out that person's potential. It is every child’s right to have access to quality education and care.
Anujaa Ajinkya
Librarian & Centre Coordinator - Worli
Anujaa is enthusiastic about embracing Montessori principles and values to contribute effectively to the Worli Branch of Da Vinci Montessori.
Anujaa has a background in computer science and has taught ICT in the top International schools for 7 years.
As a librarian she will act as a guardian for our treasure trove of stories and cultivate a love for reading through magic of books.
Teaching Staff
Elementary
Saranya Nair
Directress
Saranya is trained to work with 3–6-year-olds as well as 6–12-year-old children. She has completed her Montessori certification from Bangalore. She has several years of experience working in Montessori Primary and Elementary environments. She is an art & craft enthusiast and a culinarian. Saranya is committed to providing students with necessary tools to achieve academic goals, instilling love of learning and cooperative teamwork and is actively dedicating her time in mentoring and inspiring little bright minds.
Suchi Shah
Directress
Suchi is a trained AMI directress from the Ratan Tata Institute of Montessori Training. She has over ten years of work experience in the Montessori System. Suchi loves working with children. She creates many interactive and engaging activities so that children can appreciate the little things that everyday life offers.
Babulnath
Megha Gandhi
Directress - Primary, Babulnath
Megha Gandhi is trained in the Montessori system from Ratan Tata Institute. She has completed her Master’s in Commerce from Mumbai University. She has also more than 5 years experience in working with little children in preschool environments.
Krupa Solanki
Directress - Toddlers & Primary, Babulnath
Krupa Solanki is a commerce graduate from Mumbai University. After her graduation she pursued a career in Early Childhood Care and Education and later trained herself as an AMI Directress from Sir Ratan Tata Institute. She has more than seven years of experience working with children in preschools such as Activity Infant School, Casa Vista Montesori and Little Palms Miniland School. Krupa is passionate about teaching and believes that teaching is lifelong process of learning.
Neha Gupta
Directress - Primary, Babulnath
Neha holds a degree in law and a masters in finance. She has worked as a corporate restructuring lawyer. While raising her son, she experienced Montessori for the first time. She was inspired by Montessori pedagogy and recently acquired an AMI Primary Diploma from Sir Ratan Tata Institute.
Karuna Lulla
Directress - Primary, Babulnath
Karuna is a trained AMI directress from Ratan Tata Institute. She found her calling as a teacher when her daughter enrolled at a Montessori school. Through her daughter's education she realised how the Montessori system of education liberated the child and guided her towards concentration. She now passionately looks forward to working with inquisitive young minds.
Yogini Sonawala
Directress - Toddlers, Babulnath
Yogini Sonawala holds a Diploma in Early Child Care from Association Montessori Internationale. She has interned with Activity High School and Little Butterflies.
Chitra Nair
Directress - Toddlers, Babulnath
Chitra is trained by AMI at the Ratan Tata Institute. She also hold International Certification in Pre-primary Montessori Teaching, from Florida Montessori centre and currently pursuing Bachelor's of Early Childhood Education, EIU, Paris. Chitra's journey as an early childhood educator guide began 6 years ago and she has a wealth of experience working with the children in Kerala and Bengaluru.
marine Drive
Pooja Patel
Directress - Primary, Marine Drive
Pooja always wanted to be a teacher. So after her graduation in Arts (Psychology & English), she trained herself with A.M.I. (RTI) and started working with Activity Infant School. She has over 14 years of experience working with children. She believes in giving the child the freedom to explore and be independent.
Punita Kothari
Directress - Primary, Marine Drive
Punita is a commerce graduate from Mumbai University. She is trained by AMI at the Ratan Tata Institute, to work with children in the 3- 6 age group. She has over 18 years of experience working with the children. Punita loves to interact with children and being around them is exciting as well as inspiring.
Rachita Romani
Directress - Primary & Toddlers, Marine Drive
Rachita is a Law graduate and has worked in the field of Corporate Laws and Arbitration for almost 7 years. Her passion for working towards creative methods of teaching made her pursue the AMI Diploma course for 3 to 6 years. After the course she got an opportunity to work at “Ratan Tata Montessori School” as a head Directress under the guidance of Ms. Zarin Malva. She has also pursued her Assistant Certificate course for 0 to 3 years directed by Ms. Julia Hilson. She is currently associated as a volunteer with “Indian Montessori Foundation” and is also a mentor with an NGO “The Light House Project”.
Ansira Aboobacker
Directress - Primary, Marine Drive
Ansira Aboobacker has completed her Primary training from Sir Ratan Tata Institute. She is passionate about the Montessori way of learning.
Shreya Gupta
Directress - Primary, Marine Drive
Shreya has been an entrepreneur and a fashion designer from - P V Polytechnic -SNDT University. She worked with retail clients like Shoppers Stop and Big Bazaar before stepping into the world of education. She was exposed to the Montessori philosophy as a mom of two. She built on this interest by becoming a professionally qualified AMI trained Montessori directress from the Ratan Tata Institute. Her time in the classroom is generally her favorite part of the day.
Praghya Chaplot
Directress - Toddlers, Marine Drive
Praghya is a trained Montessori Directress certified by AMI. She also holds a Bachelors in Management Studies. Praghya believes that the Montessori System imparts education that is long lasting and helps form a child’s personality. She is excited about her journey at Da Vinci and is looking forward to working with the toddler children.
Dania Ansari
Directress - Toddlers, Marine Drive
Dania is trained AMI directress from Ratan Tata Institute. She is currently pursuing law and she found her calling as a directress as her nephew enrolled in a montessori school. Her love for children and passion to teach kids lead her to montessori teaching. She looks forward to working in the classroom everyday.
Bijal Doshi
Directress - Toddlers, Marine Drive
Bijal is a commerce post-graduate from Mumbai University and after her post graduation she trained herself as an AMI Directress from Sir Ratan Tata Institute. She has several years of experience working with the children in the Toddler Montessori environment. She is passionate about being with and around children.
Worli
Harsha Dagliya
Directress - Primary, Worli
Harsha is a commerce graduate and started her journey with children early in life. She has worked with children in various capacities over the past 14 years. Motherhood is what led her to her fascination for early education. She completed her AMI diploma course from Ratan Tata Institute and feels blessed to have found a career that she is passionate about.
Ashlesha Shah
Directress - Primary, Worli
Ashlesha has a post graduate degree in Management Studies and has worked with corporates for almost 6 years. The arrival of her son and her journey as a Montessori mother at Da Vinci Montessori, inspired her to train and work with children. Ashlesha would like to use her AMI training to help inculcate positive values among children and bring more joy to Montessori classrooms. Ashlesha is certified to work with children with learning disabilities and has volunteered with an NGO.
Jyoti Deval
Directress - Primary, Worli
Jyoti was introduced to the Montessori method of learning through her son'd educational journey. While pursuing a diploma in Montessori (3-6, primary program), she realised that a child gives birth to a directress and this is how she would like to summarise her experience thus far. She hopes to do justice and bring about change through education, while also discovering herself in the process.
Aarushi Shah
Directress - Toddlers, Worli
Aarushi is trained by AMI at the Ratan Tata Institute to work with children in the 0-3 and 3-6 age groups. She has over 8 years of experience working with children. Her love for being with children and passion for teaching led her towards the Montessori philosophy. She enjoys learning with and from the children.
Ankita Jain
Directress - Toddlers, Worli
Ankita Jain completed her bachelors degree in commerce before training herself as an AMI Directress from Ratan Tata Institute.
A career as a Montessori Directress has helped Ankita combine her passion for teaching and interacting with children. Ankita enjoys guiding children in our Toddler Classroom, knowing how these early skills will equip them for life.
Tejal Kulkarni
Directress -Toddlers, Worli
Tejal graduated in Arts and then pursued a career as a cabin crew member in Qatar Airways. She always had a keen interest working with children and grooming young minds, which led her to complete the Montessori course at the prestigious Ratan Tata Institute in Mumbai. She has over 3 years of working experience in Montessori classrooms.
As an educator, she aims to prepare children not only for higher school education but also for life.
Karunya Selvaraj
Directress - Toddlers, Worli
Karunya her graduation in engineering and then pursued her passion in the field of childhood care and education. She is a trained AMI directress from RTI and has several years of experience working with the children in Montessori environment. She feels excited to be around children.
Deepali Shah
Directress - Primary & Day Care, Worli
Deepali Shah started her career at an accounting firm in Mumbai after completing her MCom. As an art enthusiast, her first experiences in working with preschoolers led her to the Montessori System. She obtained an AMI Certificate to guide children in the age group of 3-6 years old. Her six years of work experience at Montessori Schools in India and abroad (USA) has given her opportunities to grow hone herself as a Montessori guide. Deepali finds working with children satisfying and fulfilling.