Shikshaa, Come learn with us

Teachers of My Udhaan - end of the year get together 🥰

🤗

Ms MELANIE PEREIRA, was a lecturer and artist whose work inspired teacher trainees of the Department of Preschool Teacher Training at Sophia Polytechnic; The Early Childhood Care and Education at Sophia Polytechnic and the Early Childhood Teacher Education program at Shikshaa, Mumbai. Her commitment to children of the Early years was filled with innovation, originality and imagination that resonated with the world of these children.
Many of our trained teachers have been recipients of the award given in her memory and we congratulate all of them.

The prize winners so far:
2008 - 2009 - Shilpa Majithia, Teacher, JB Petit Girls High School, Mumbai
2008 - 2009 - Urooj Qureshi, Teacher, Shikshaa, Mumbai
2009 - 2010 - Anisha Bharadwaj - Teacher, Cathedral Primary School, Mumbai
2009 - 2010 - Namrata Singh - Supervisor, Neerja Modi School, Jaipur
2010 - 2011 - Nandini Malik - Supervisor, Neerja Modi School, Jaipur
2011 - 2012 - Minal Gurav - Jodo Gyan, Delhi
2011 - 2012 - Sonal Shah - Owner, Tender Times
2011 - 2012 - Komal Gupta - Supervisor, Neerja Modi School, Jaipur
2013- 2014 - Nili Sharma - Teacher, Neerja Modi School, Jaipur
2013 - 2014 - Zill Botadkar - Founder, Lighthouse, Mumbai
2014 - 2015 - Mansi Paralkar - Preprimary HOD, Hill Springs International School
2015 - 2016 - Namita Talreja - HOD Primary, Little Angels International
2015 - 2016 - Nida Mansuri - Head teacher, By the Sea Nursery, Mumbai
2015 - 2016 - Monisha Bajaj - Teacher, Casa Bambino
2016 - 2017 - Manisha Sarawgi - Teacher, JB Petit Girls High School, Mumbai
2016 - 2017 - Renu Nair - Teacher, Neerja Modi School, Jaipur
2017 - 2018 - Sweta Patalia Jhaveri - Special education teacher, AURED, Mumbai
2017 - 2018 - Shabana Khan - Supervisor, Neerja Modi School, Jaipur
2017 - 2018 - Divya Rajani Shroff, Teacher, Cathedral Infant School, Mumbai
2018 - 2019 - Anjum Barodawala Bhagat, HOD LRCC, Cathedral Infant School, Mumbai
2018 - 2019 - Farah Jafry, KG2 Homeroom teacher, GEMS International School, Al Khail
2019 - 2020 - Farzeen Chaudhary, Director, Niyaz National School, Bhiwandi
2019 - 2020 - Poonam Ritesh Shah, Teacher, Little Angels International School, Mumbai
2020 - 2021 - Ashima Mehta, Teacher, Cathedral Preprimary School, Mumbai
2020 - 2021 - Sonia Srivastava, Teacher, Cathedral Preprimary School, Mumbai
2021 - 2022 - Farida Ahmad, ASEEMA, Mumbai
2021 - 2022 - Hamida Shaikh, MESCO, Mumbai
2022 - 2023 - Karuna Mangharam, Principal, By the Sea Nursery
2022 - 2023 - Hena Aggarwal - Director - By the Sea Nursery
2023 - 2024 - Sonal Pinto, Director, Ryan Foundation
2023 - 2024 - Ananya Goenka, Founder, My Udhaan
2024 - 2025 - Mamtaa Dalal, DAIS
2024 - 2025 - Vibhika Gupta, Early years coordinator, Bombay International School
2024 - 2025 - Asha Thomas, Coordinator Pre Primary, Nahar International School
2025 - 2026 - Nimisha Gupta, Pre primary coordinator, Shishuvan
2025 - 2026 - Ankita Anand, Owner 'Anand Preschool' - Gurgaon, Delhi

The one year intense training the teacher trainees undergo builds a relationship that allows us to be in touch with ex students. This also helps us to understand their continued motivation and commitment to the children they teach and the environment they work in. Over the years, it has given us immense satisfaction and filled us with gratitude that these teachers have maintained the discipline, hard work, knowledge and understanding that has been imparted to them during the training.

March 18th, the birthday of Ms Melanie Peeriera is a landmark day for us at Shilshaa when we give prizes for two ex-students who we consider have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of children of the Early Childhood years. This is the way we honor her for her contribution to all our lives
We are proud to announcet he prize winners for 2025 - 2026 for the:
THE MELANIE PEREIRA PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

are:

MS SIMHA MASURKAR AND MR RONAK SHAH

Simha trained with us at Jamnabai Narsee Monjii, School, twelve years ago. From a shy young woman she has become confident and thorough with her teaching skills. She has evolved into a caring, sincere and committed teacher. Her teaching abilities and her professional attitude have made her the Pre Primary Coordinator of Jamnabai Narsi School, Juhu. We are proud of Simha's progress and achievement in the field of Early Childhood.

When Ronak decided to join our program, we had to be convinced that he wanted to really be a teacher. in no time, and with positive feedback from schools we enrolled him. It was an unusual and different experience for us staff to train a young man to believe in the nuances of teacher training. But we all succeeded. Ronak started his Playschool and Daycare centre - My Happy Place with a sense of enthusiasm and happiness that he had achieved a goal he always wanted. It's been 10 years now, and we are proud of his committed to the children whoa are a part of My Happy Place.

CONGRATULATIONS SIMHA AND RONAK

And warm wishes,
Mrs Mathew and Mrs. Mitra

SIMHA MASURKAR
I was truly delighted when Mrs. Mathew called to inform me that I was a recipient of this award. I completed my schooling at Our Lady of Remedy High School and graduated from Bhavans College with a degree in Economics. I never imagined that my wildest dream thatI would become a teacher, yet it has been a journey I have thoroughly enjoyed.In many ways, I inadvertently followed in my mother’s footsteps, paving the wayfor my daughter, who soon followed suit. Before entering the field of education, I worked in the corporate sector for several years. After my second child was born, I spent about three years as a homemaker, caring for my two little angels, with my husband’s constant support and encouragement to pursue my dreams.My sister and I later discovered a one-year teacher training program at Jamnabai Narsee School, and we decided to sign up.I must admit, it wasn’t a cake walk! There were moments when I nearly gave upon the course, but thanks to my sister Jessica’s unwavering support, I persevered. The experience taught me a great deal, and along the way I also formed meaningful friendships. Mrs. Mathew and Mrs. Mitra became my mentors and played a significant role in shaping my journey as a teacher. One lesson from Mrs. Mathew that has stayed with me is her insight about our expectations of“designer students.” Completing the course, with its numerous assignments and strict deadlines, made me stronger as an individual and unknowingly prepared me to face challenges. Meeting deadlines and striving for excellence after I started working has never felt like a chore to me, and it still doesn’t. In many ways, this course and my interactions with Mrs.Mathew had a profound impact on my career. I also completed a course in Learning Difficulties, which deepened my understanding of diverse learning needs and helped me support children more effectively in the classroom.After getting the Diploma, I worked in two playgroups before eventually deciding to join Jamnabai Narsee School. I metMrs. Naaz Lokhanwala, the Preschool Coordinator at the time, who warmly encouraged me to apply. I have now been at Jamnabai Narsee School for 12 years,starting as a Nursery teacher, then moving on to becoming a Senior KG teacher. After twelve years of perseverance and commitment, I have now been promoted as the Junior KG Foyer Coordinator. Working with children is an absolute joy, and I continue to learn so much from them every day. Each class has been unique, reminding me that there are no “designer children,” only wonderful individuals with their own personalities and potential. This has been my journey so far, one that I have truly enjoyed and look forward to continuing.

RONAK SHAH
I studied in St. Mary's School, Byculla. And then I did science from Jai Hind college; Engineering from DJSanghvi College; MBA in finance from NMIS. After that I worked in HDFC Bank. I love traveling, sports and learning new things. I have travelled to 29countries and I have represented all my institutions through various sports. From the beginning I always wanted to have a Preschool of my own. And both my parents were always supportive of all my decisions. After joining the corporate world, I realized, it wasn’t for me. I wanted to explore something either in sports or education. My love for children pulled me towards opening a preschool and that is when I decided to join Shikshaa and learn to become a teacher under Mrs. Mathew and Mrs. Mitra. My Happy Place completed 10 years in November 2025. Running a Preschool, Day Care Centre, activity classes and camp has been amazing and fulfilling. Over the years, I have been a part of the journey for more than 1500 children and their parents. I continue to learn everyday while planning, teaching and nurturing young minds. It really doesn’t feel like work but more like play and fun every day.

A big thank you to Mathew Maam and Mitra Maam for their guidance and unending support. Receiving the Certificate is a recognition of my hard work and contribution to the lives of children of the Early Childhood years and fills me with gratitude and thankfulness for this remarkable venture of mine.

learningatshikshaawixsite.com

Shikshaa, congratulates ECTE class of ‘24-‘25 for record placements….👏🏻👏🏻

THE DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION

WILL COMMENCE FROM: JUNE 2025 - APRIL 2026

REGISTRATION: Have begun.
FEES: On request
TIMINGS:
INTERNSHIP: Every morning - 8.30 am to 12.30 pm in a school
THEORY CLASSES: Tuesday and Thursday - 1.30 - 4.00 pm - ON ZOOM

WEBSITE:

learningatshikshaawixsite.com

समाज में रहते हैं इसलिए यह हमारी जिम्मेदारी भी बनती है 🫡