Aarti holds a BA in English Literature from SIES College of Arts and Science and has interned with Teach for India in 2021-22. Aarti is passionate about creating nurturing learning environments and believes in the transformative power of education. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, as a Fellow, she teaches MS Prep and NIOS 10th, applying skills in active listening, leadership, and team management to foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
Abhinaya holds a BA in Psychology from Mumbai University and an MSc in Psychology from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, along with a Certificate Course in Child Psychology. She is passionate about fostering an inclusive society and building awareness and acceptance. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Abhinaya teaches Functional Communication and Multidisciplinary Learning Units. She manages the Service Learning Programme, Community Visits, and Internships for the High School Adaptive Programme, focusing on building advocacy, healthy peer relationships, self-regulation, critical thinking and communication skills to facilitate smoother community transitions for high school students.
Abhishek holds an MA in Art Education from Boston University and is certified in the use of Art for Community and Social Impact by Flow India. He is trained by Cambridge International Education for the Cambridge Extension and CTP for IGCSE Art and Design. Abhishek is passionate about integrating the arts into the core curriculum to enhance learning for children with disabilities. He is dedicated to teacher development, optimizing school systems by incorporating culturally relevant practices, and advocating for inclusive education practices to ensure all students have equitable learning opportunities. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Abhishek supports administration, strategic planning, oversees the Visual and Performing Arts Programme development and learning outcomes, leads the Post-Secondary Transition Programme, collaborates with coordinators for the Current Affairs curriculum, the Gateway Café, and the Job-Task Force. He also works with the Marketing, Communication, and Social Media department, participates in the Gateway Teaching Fellowship programme, and oversees school and student safety.
Adellina holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology from Xavier Institute of Engineering and has completed a Fellowship Programme at Teach for India. She is passionate about teaching the English language and helping students improve their reading and comprehension through play-based and activity-based learning, catering to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Adellina teaches Language to both middle school and high school students and collaborates with The Gateway Intervention Centre to provide after-school support for students needing extra help in English reading fluency and comprehension.
Aditi holds an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, a BA in Psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and an ATCL Diploma in Communication Skills from Trinity College London. She is intrigued by the transformative power of theatre and its potential to change behaviours, relationships, and lives. Aditi is also passionate about using drama as a pedagogical tool to reimagine teaching and learning. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Aditi designs and teaches the Drama programme for High School and drives the Performing Arts Showcase. She also collaborates with different departments to embed drama-based tools across various subjects.
Aditi has a BTech degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Bombay and MS in Environmental Eng. from the University of Michigan. She worked for 13 years as a design consultant in Urban Infrastructure.Following this, she studied again and moved to the world of Education. She has a diploma in Special Education (for Multiple Disabilities: Physical & Neurological) from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
She is currently the Language Program Coordinator at Gateway and teaches Language in middle and high school. She finds her daily joys in working with her students and joining along as a tiny part, in their journey of self discovery!
She is also an author of children’s books and when in the zone, can spend hours and days lost in writing. If she really has time to herself she would love to cuddle with her family on the side-berth of a long distance train, and to imagine the stories of unknown places that whiz by on the horizon.
Akshada holds a BA in Arts from SNDT University. She has been with The Gateway School of Mumbai since 2014. She started her journey as a support staff member, and for the past few years, she has been working as a Library Assistant.
Alisha holds a Master’s in Psychotherapy and Counselling from The Indian Institute of Psychotherapy and Management Studies, and a Bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Topiwala National Medical College. With over 15 years of clinical experience across schools, hospitals, early intervention centres, and therapy clinics, she specializes in evaluating and treating speech, language, listening, social communication, and feeding disorders. Alisha is also experienced in diagnostic audiology and is committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure skill transfer and generalisation. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Alisha currently serves as a Speech Therapist and previously held the role of Lower School Section Coordinator. She continues to manage a private practice alongside her work at Gateway. Dedicated to continuous professional development, Alisha is certified in VitalStim Therapy and Therapeutic Listening by VitalLinks, and actively participates in various courses, seminars, and professional learning communities.
Anirudha has a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. He was formerly a student at The Gateway School of Mumbai and graduated from the school in 2019. In 2023, Anirudha returned to his alma mater as an assistant art teacher. He teaches visual arts across lower, middle, and high school.
Apeksha holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and a Master’s in Pediatric Physiotherapy. She has completed workshops in kinesio-taping, neural tissue mobilization, and basic concepts of NDT, and is a registered OT-PT practitioner. Apeksha is passionate about maximizing functional independence in her learners by assessing and evaluating a child’s movement, strength, balance, coordination, and overall physical abilities to create individualized treatment plans. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Apeksha works as part of the Sensory-Motor team, collaborating with learners across the school on motor planning, executive function, visuo-perceptual skills, and self-management skills. She also contributes to the Vision Therapy committee to improve visual skills such as tracking, scanning, convergence, and divergence in students.
Aprajita holds a BA in Mathematics and Economics, a BEd, and an MEd with a specialization in Inclusive Education and Equitable Practices. She is passionate about bridging the divide between mathematics and real-life applications and is proficient in simplifying mathematical concepts for diverse learners. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Aprajita teaches Mathematics to middle and high school students.
Arsheen holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accounting and Auditing and a Master’s in Commerce. She was a 2022 Teach for India Fellow. Arsheen is passionate about fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, with a particular interest in leveraging innovative teaching methods to engage students. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Arsheen is a Homeroom Teacher for middle school students, to whom she teaches Multidisciplinary Learning Units. Additionally, she teaches Home Science to middle school preparatory students and Painting Theory to NIOS 10th students.
Aruna holds a Bachelor’s in Commerce from SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, is a Chartered Accountant through ICAI, and has a Diploma in Special Education from SIES Comprehensive Education. She is passionate about nurturing music development in children, believing that immersion in music can lead to a lifetime of understanding and enjoyment. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Aruna teaches Music to lower school and High School Adaptive Programme students, focusing on introducing playful ways to integrate music into their daily lives and incorporating a wide range of creative movement activities to teach comprehensive rhythmic understanding. She believes a deeper understanding of pitch and rhythm makes it easier for children to learn an instrument, dance, or succeed in any creative art they choose as they get older.
Barkha holds a Bachelor’s in Commerce from HR College of Commerce and Economics, a Master’s in Commerce from HR College of Commerce and Economics, and a Master’s in Arts (Philosophy) from Mumbai University. She is driven by performing arts and their impact on character, personality, understanding, and perspective. Barkha believes that every aspect of performing arts—movement, music, literature, and drama—offers immense scope for holistic development. Her passion lies in exploring performing arts through various channels and inspiring others to discover themselves and the world through this medium. Barkha is an experienced performer on stage and plays the flute and harmonium. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, she teaches Music across lower, middle, and high school.
Bindiya holds a PhD in Multicultural Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin, an MA in Learning Disabilities, and a BA in Psychology. She is passionate about exploring how language acquisition and development impact learning and skill acquisition, as well as the intersection of context, culture, and education. Her recent work involves developing job coaches for the Career Path Programme learners. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Bindiya serves as the Programme Development Coach, working with teachers to develop and support new initiatives and optimize existing programmes.
Darshana holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ruia College, and a Master’s in Applied Psychology from Mumbai University, and a BEd in Special Education from SNDT Women’s University, Juhu, Mumbai. She also holds a Diploma in Arts-Based Therapy from Nirmalani Ketan College, Mumbai, and Certificate Courses in Using Drama in Learning and Storytelling. Darshana is fascinated by interactive and immersive theatre designed for diverse audiences, particularly children aged 3-5 years old. She believes in the power of play and multi-sensory storytelling to inspire creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and motor skills development in children. Additionally, she utilizes speech and drama tools to foster life skills in teenagers and young adults. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Darshana oversees the Performing Arts (Drama and Music) Programme. She designs and implements the Drama programme across lower, middle, and high school, and drives Performing Arts Showcases, open stage performances, and Language Arts Week to showcase learners’ strengths and learnings. Darshana collaborates with the Multidisciplinary Learning Units and Language teams to implement Process Drama tools for teaching social sciences and language concepts. Currently, she is spearheading a pilot programme of functional speech and drama in collaboration with the Speech and Language therapy team.
Daya holds a BSc in Psychology from McGill University (Montreal), is trained as an AMI Casa Directress at the Foundation for Montessori Education (Toronto), and has a Post Graduate in Autism and Behavioral Sciences from George Brown College (Toronto). Daya is passionate about understanding how social skills develop in children on the Autism Spectrum, having conducted research on the subject. She finds observing students fascinating and enjoys integrating various aspects of their development. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Daya works as a Counselor, supporting students with regulation and helping them develop essential social skills for interacting within and outside the Gateway community. She is focusing on enhancing the Middle School Programme to better support learners and teachers.
Deon has a BA in Sociology from Mumbai University. At Gateway, he observes learners’ activities and monitors their progress, and mentors and supports learners to become independent at their workplace.
Ekta holds a BEd in Special Education from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai. Her interests lie in systematizing support for individuals with special needs, particularly in language remediation and teacher training for reading interventions. At Gateway, she oversees the NIOS programme, collaborating both within and outside the team to design and implement components of the programme while striving for continuous improvement and maintaining its holistic approach. Ekta designs and conducts language remedials for middle school students and participates in outreach projects such as PDP and FABLe.
Fatema holds a BEd in Special Education (Learning Disabilities) from SNDT Women’s University and a BA in Literature from Sophia College for Women, Mumbai. She is a dedicated and compassionate special educator with a passion for fostering an inclusive learning environment. At the Gateway School of Mumbai, Fatema serves as a Homeroom Teacher to middle school students to whom she teaches Language and provides remeditation support. In addition, she also teaches Language to high school students.
Frazer holds a Diploma in Physical Education from Samarth Vyaam Mandir, Mumbai. He is a Certified D-licensed Soccer Coach from All India Football Federation and is a Level 1 coach in Athletics from AIF. Before joining The Gateway School of Mumbai, Frazer served as a Physical Educator and Soccer Coach at DY Patil International School, Worli. At Gateway, Frazer serves as the Coordinator of the Physical Education Programme. He is passionate about both sports and teaching, bringing his expertise to enhance the physical education curriculum at Gateway.
Georgia holds a BEd in General Education from SNDT Women’s University and a BA in Ancient Indian Culture from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. She is passionate about inclusive education and strives to provide her students with a safe space for learning and expression. Georgia believes in integrating academics and therapies to ensure holistic learning and development. At Gateway, she serves as a Homeroom Teacher and teaches Maths to middle school students. As an active member of the Post-Secondary Transition team, Georgia is dedicated to supporting learners in their seamless transition into life after graduation. She also leads the Grandstand programme for lower and middle school students.
Gunjan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Uttar Pradesh. At Gateway, Gunjan observes learners’ activities, mentors them, and supports their journey towards independence in the workplace.
Harsha holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Liberal Arts from Ashoka University and a Bachelor’s degree in Banking & Insurance from Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics. She has completed the Teacher Training Programme from the American School of Bombay. Harsha is a passionate individual dedicated to supporting students holistically. She believes in creating an inclusive and safe space for students to learn and grow. At Gateway, Harsha serves as a Paraprofessional. She assists students in monitoring behaviour, provides academic accommodations and modifications, and facilitates social interactions. Additionally, she thoroughly supports homeroom teachers in planning and executing classroom structures.
Hrishita holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from MMK College, Mumbai University, and is currently pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Welingkar Institute of Management. At Gateway, Hrishita leads the Gateway Cafe with a dedicated team of support staff and students. This cafe serves as an onsite internship for our students, which has the potential to become long-term employment for them.
Indrani holds an MEd in Special Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders from the University of Cincinnati, OH, a BEd in Special Education from SNDT University, Mumbai, and a BA in Psychology and Sociology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Indrani loves reading and strives to instill this passion in her students. She enjoys teaching English and particularly loves working with high school students. At Gateway, she teaches English to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students pursuing the NIOS board. Additionally, Indrani serves as the school librarian, working with different grades across the school.
Jimita holds an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University, a Diploma in Financial Management from Welingkar Institute, and an MCom from Mumbai University. Jimita is passionate about dance and singing. She also loves working with and understanding more about children with special needs. At Gateway, Jimita serves as a 1:1 Support Teacher.
Juhi holds a Bachelor’s in Commerce from HR College of Commerce and Economics and Alankar-Master of Performing Arts in Dance (Bharatanatyam). Passionate about early childhood education, Juhi believes in a holistic approach that balances therapy, movement, and learning. Her interest in positive behaviour management and sensory-integrated classrooms ensures every child feels valued and capable of success. At Gateway, Juhi is a Homeroom Teacher, teaching Maths, Language, and Multidisciplinary Learning Units to students aged 9-11. She is also part of the FABLe team, which is involved in creating fluency intervention learning packets.
Kalpana holds a BA in Economics from SNDT University and has completed the Teacher Training Programme from the American School of Bombay. She previously worked as an intern at The Gateway School of Mumbai, and has also interned at Seva Sadan and Bombay International School, accumulating three years of experience. Passionate about education, Kalpana is dedicated to self-improvement and believes in the unique learning contributions of every individual. At Gateway, she works as a Fellow in the High School Adaptive Programme, supporting teachers with Maths, Home Science, ILP, and Community Visits with dedication and enthusiasm.
Kandice holds a BEd in General Education from SNDT Women’s University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Montessori Education from Aspiring Professionals Teacher Training Institute, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from Kangaroo Kids. Her passion is early childhood education, focusing on integrating play-based and therapeutic learning to support holistic growth. Kandice believes this approach provides tailored support for each child’s unique needs, fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning. At Gateway, Kandice is a Homeroom Teacher, teaching Maths, Language, and Multidisciplinary Learning Units. She is an active member of the Vision Therapy committee, where she integrates innovative strategies into the curriculum and specializes in remedial teaching to help every student reach their academic potential.
Karman has a BSc in Human Development with a specialization in Developmental Counseling. She is passionate about working with children with special needs and has experience as a remedial educator. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Karman is a Homeroom Teacher for Career Path Programme Year 1 learners.
Lineta holds a Master’s degree in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work from Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore. She is passionate about connecting with learners, understanding their perspectives, and providing support to foster their holistic growth. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Lineta serves as a Homeroom Teacher and an advisor for Career Path Programme Year 2 learners.
Madhavi holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital and Health Care Management from Symbiosis College of Pune and a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery from Sir HN Hospital, Mumbai. She is passionate about ensuring the wellbeing of students and staff in school and is dedicated to providing them with comprehensive healthcare. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Madhavi serves as the full-time School Nurse, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health and safety of the entire school community.
Madiya holds a Master’s in English Literature and a BEd from Bombay Teachers’ Training College. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Madiya serves as a Homeroom Teacher for high school students, to whom she teaches Language, Business Studies, and Service Learning Programme. She is also a member of the FABLe team.
Mala holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, and a certification in Sensory Integration from USC, California. She has been a dedicated founding member of The Gateway School of Mumbai since 2012, consistently enthusiastic about taking on new challenges and creating programmes that foster holistic development for her students. At Gateway, Mala oversees the High School Adaptive Programme, spearheading initiatives like the Service Learning Programme, Internships, and Community Visits, while designing the overall programme to ensure it is holistic and aligned with the school’s outcomes. She is also a part of the Vision Therapy core team.
Manika holds a MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Indianapolis and a BA in Honors Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She is passionate about viewing each child holistically and ensuring equitable education by helping create and implement school-wide positive-behaviour structures. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Manika supports strategic planning and outreach initiatives. She works closely with the social-emotional team, assisting teachers and parents in creating supportive learning environments and implementing child-specific behaviour support structures. She also conducts individual and group sessions focused on social-emotional learning.
Manvi holds an MSc in Developmental Psychology from King’s College London and a BA in Psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. She is passionate about understanding the factors that influence children’s social and emotional development and is dedicated to creating nurturing environments where individuals can fully realize their potential. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Manvi conducts individual and group sessions that promote and develop the socio-emotional skills of students. She collaborates with other therapists to address students’ needs, supports their holistic development, and works closely with teachers and parents to create a supportive environment for students.
Mariam spent 14 years as a television professional, with a focus on children’s content, before she decided to move to education to pursue her passion for teaching. She completed her B.ed. in Special Education (Learning Disabilities) from SNDT University, Mumbai after which she had a brief stint as a Learning Coach at American School Bombay. She joined Gateway in 2018 as a teacher, and continues to be passionate about teaching Language, as well as providing remedial education in language skills.
When not in ‘teacher mode’, she is most likely to take off on an exploratory road trip, with no fixed destination and a fully loaded playlist to keep her company.
Merin holds an MASLP from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, and a BASLP from Ali Yavar Jung National Institute, Mumbai. She is trained and certified in Oral Placement Therapy (Level 1) by TalkTools and is a member of the Indian Speech and Hearing Association – Maharashtra (MISHA, India). Merin is passionate about helping young learners communicate, believing that it is the key to unlocking their bright futures. She is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment and utilizing various communication mediums to support diverse learning needs. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Merin works as a speech-language pathologist, conducting individual and group therapy sessions for learners with speech, language, listening, oromotor, and other communication needs. She collaborates with different departments to ensure a holistic approach to student development and is an active member of the Social committee, supporting the organization of social activities within the school to foster a vibrant and inclusive community.
Misbah holds a BA in Psychology from Sophia College, Mumbai, and an MA in Clinical Psychology from SNDT University, Mumbai. She is passionate about creating spaces for young minds to explore mental health themes, build peer relationships, and practice age-relevant social skills, fostering their all-round development and community spirit. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Misbah is part of the SE team, conducting individual and group sessions that address the social-emotional needs of learners across all ages. She collaborates with teachers and therapists to ensure holistic development and creates supportive structures for effective learning. Additionally, she is an active member of the Grandstand team and co-facilitates the monthly Parent Support Group meetings.
Nidhi holds a Bachelor’s degree from Sancheti Institute, College of Physiotherapy, Pune, and a Master’s degree from the University of Connecticut (UConn), USA. She has completed a Fellowship in Pediatric Rehabilitation at Sancheti Hospital, Pune, and is certified in dry-needling, kinesiotaping, and Strength & Conditioning for Sports. Nidhi is passionate about developing and applying the latest techniques in pediatric rehabilitation within a school setting, particularly in helping children with special needs navigate real-world environments. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, she is part of the Sensory-Motor team, working with learners on motor planning, balance, coordination, and overall academic readiness. Additionally, she contributes to the Vision Therapy committee, collaborating with Dr Fran Reinstein to enhance visual focusing and reduce vision issues in children.
Nikhil holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Mumbai University. He is interested in solving and supporting real-time queries. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Nikhil manages the front desk, oversees support staff and security guards, and is a core team member for dismissal procedures. He also supports the backend processes of the NIOS programme.
Nikita holds an MA in Education from TISS, Mumbai, and a BE in Electronics and Telecommunication from VIIT, Pune University. She is interested in understanding students’ social constructs of reality and deeply enjoys teaching and exploring mathematics and its pedagogy. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Nikita teaches ICT to IGCSE students and Mathematics to middle school students. She is also a member of the Tech Task Force and FABLe team and has previously led Marathi FABLe teacher training.
Nikita holds a BEd in Special Education from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, an MA in Sociology from Mumbai University, and a BA in Ancient Indian Culture from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. She is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment where every student feels respected and valued, and she uses differentiated learning approaches to meet the unique needs of each student. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Nikita is a Homeroom Teacher for the High School Adaptive Programme group, teaching Language, ICT, and Life Skills, and she also supports the IGCSE Language class.
Nituna holds a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai University, a Bachelor of Education in General Education from SNDT Women’s University, and a Trained Teachers Certificate Course from St. Margaret’s College, Byculla. She has completed a Therapeutic Counseling course from Nirmala Niketan, IB workshops on PYP, and Harvard’s Differentiation certificate course, among other certifications. Nituna is passionate about creating life-worthy learning experiences and developing primary years curriculum for Humanities and Science, incorporating multidisciplinary and inquiry-based approaches. She is dedicated to differentiation in the classroom and mentoring teachers to foster an inclusive learning environment. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Nituna collaborates with the core team on the design and execution of the Science-Humanities curriculum, oversees the implementation of the IGCSE programme, and serves as the Cambridge examination officer.
Pankaj holds an MA and BA in English Literature from Mumbai University. He is passionate about providing individualized support and creating inclusive learning environments for students. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Pankaj works as a 1:1 Support for a learner with autism, focusing on personalized educational assistance. He also manages the school’s monthly newsletter, The Gateway Buzz, and is an active part of the Communications team.
Parvathy holds a Bachelor of Commerce from MS University, Tamil Nadu, and has completed a certificate course in Shadow Teaching from Education Matters. She is passionate about working with children and furthering her knowledge in special education. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Parvathy supports learners at their job sites, observes their progress, and provides feedback and customization to enhance their career development.
Pooja holds a Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology from AYJNISHD and a Bachelor’s in the same field from BYL Nair Hospital and Topiwala National Medical College, both in Mumbai. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening, is a member of the Indian Speech and Hearing Institute (ISHA), and has presented a paper at the International Pediatric Association Congress. Pooja is passionate about developing pragmatic and social-communication skills in children, using real-life simulations to teach 21st-century skills such as collaboration and problem-solving. She also enjoys working with groups to enhance functional communication. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Pooja coordinates the Speech and Language Therapy department, provides individual and group therapy at The Gateway Intervention Center, and collaborates closely with the Performing Arts and Language Departments. She teaches the speaking and listening components of the IGCSE examination and leads social skills and speech and drama enrichment programmes.
Purvang holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Hindu College, University of Delhi, and a Master in Education from TISS Hyderabad. He has a deep passion for Mathematics and enjoys exploring its intricacies. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Purvang serves as a Homeroom Teacher, teaching Mathematics to middle school, adaptive track, and NIOS students, while also managing data entry class. He is an active member of the Social committee and has interests in baking and investing in stocks and forex.
Radhika holds a PhD in Special Education (Learning Disabilities) from the University of Texas at Austin and both MEd and BEd in Special Education from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai. She is currently the Co-Principal at the Gateway School of Mumbai and one of its founding members. Her areas of interest are in teacher education, developing systemic supports for children with disabilities, and harnessing technology to optimise learning. At Gateway, Radhika teaches Language to high school students, supports teacher development, contributes to strategic planning, and leads the research and outreach department.
Reena holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Podar College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai, and an MBA in Human Resources from SIES College of Management Studies, Mumbai. Passionate about fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, Reena focuses on preparing high school students for real-world transitions. She emphasizes teaching essential life skills such as planning, organizing, time management, functional communication, and self-advocacy through both explicit instruction and experiential learning. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Reena is a Homeroom Teacher for NIOS 12th students, teaching Business Studies, Mass Communication, Home Science, and Data Entry Operations. She also works on Language Remediation for middle school learners and contributes to outreach programmes like FABle, where she drives teacher training and support for partner schools.
Rinkita holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Passionate about making an impact through social media and visual content, she enjoys traveling and exploring diverse cuisines. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Rinkita manages the school’s social media platforms and is responsible for capturing photos and videos.
Rudri’s academic background includes a BA in Psychology from Mumbai University, as well as an MA in Clinical Psychology and a BEd in Special Education (Learning Disabilities) from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai. She believes in the philosophy, ‘When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.’ This philosophy underlies her passion of solving systemic barriers to learning and teaching. At Gateway, Rudri leads the design and execution of the maths program, fostering a deep understanding of the subject in Middle and High School classes she co-teaches. She contributes to whole-school strategic planning, teacher development through coaching, and outreach initiatives like the Professional Development Programme, FABLe, and school partnerships.
Ruhee holds an MSc in Biotechnology and is passionate about integrating biotechnology with education to create innovative learning experiences and promote STEM education. She is committed to developing inclusive teaching practices that cater to the diverse needs of students and support the growth of essential life skills alongside STEM subjects. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Ruhee serves as a Homeroom Teacher in lower school, where she teaches all subjects. She focuses on delivering a comprehensive curriculum while fostering an inclusive and nurturing classroom environment that encourages curiosity, promotes growth, and instills a love for learning.
Ruzin holds a BEd in Early Childhood Care and Education from New Zealand Tertiary College. She is passionate about fostering a love of reading in her students and making language learning enjoyable. Ruzin is also keenly interested in language development, particularly in effective methods for teaching English to non-native speakers. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Ruzin teaches English to middle school students and provides remediation support for middle school and High School Adaptive Programme learners.
Safiya holds a BEd in Special Education from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, a BA in Psychology and Anthropology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Bombay Teachers Training College. She is passionate about teaching early years and integrating art as a medium of expression to enable Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and holistic learning. Safiya has also published a research paper on teacher experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in an international journal. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Safiya serves as a Homeroom Teacher for lower school students aged 8-11, teaching Maths, Language, and Multidisciplinary Learning Units. She is actively involved in the Current Affairs committee and the Socials committee.
Sakina holds a BCom, a BEd and MEd in Education from Pune University, and an MBA in HR from Ghaziabad Distance Learning University. She is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every learner can thrive, enjoying the process of engaging with students and supporting their holistic growth. Her interests include crafting, arts, and Mathematics. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Sakina teaches learners in the Career Path Programme, focusing on Life Skills, Job Readiness, ICT, and Functional Communication. She brings prior experience from Dawn Breakers High School, Nashik.
Sangeeta holds a Master of Commerce from Mumbai University. She is passionate about maintaining financial accuracy and transparency, ensuring effective management of financial resources. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, she is responsible for overseeing all financial matters, including fee collection, tax payments, payroll calculations, and financial reporting. She also prepares financial statements for audit purposes and provides crucial financial information to the management.
Sapna holds a BA in Psychology from Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore, and an MSc in Psychology from the University of East London, UK. She is also trained and certified to deliver the ASDAN Curriculum. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Sapna leads the Career Path Programme, specializing in creating customized employment strategies for neurodiverse young adults (18 and above). Her work focuses on leveraging their skills, strengths, and interests to help them become active and contributing members of the community.
Sejal holds a Master of Science in Electronics from Gujarat University, a BEd in Special Education (Learning Disability) from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, and is pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy from TISS. She is an RCI licensed special educator and has completed the Project Zero Online: Visible Thinking course by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Passionate about equipping young adults with special needs with essential life skills, Sejal focuses on areas such as communication, money management, hygiene, health, nutrition, and cooking, while also emphasizing social skills, emotional management, and task organization. Her approach includes community integration through visits and activities to make learning practical and engaging. At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Sejal serves as a homeroom teacher for young adults in Year 1 of the Career Path Programme, where she develops and implements curricula to support their growth and integration.
A people’s person, Shailaja has transitioned from being a practicing solicitor to a special educator. Having completed her MBA (Finance), MCom (International Business Operations) and L.L.B, she worked at corporate legal firms, in legal-tech startups and practiced across courts and legal forums in Maharashtra. During her corporate stint, she often wondered of a more fruitful purpose – one that brings her contentment and brings her joy. Finally, however, in 2023, seeking work that better matches her values, she decided to apply to Gateway. What began as an internship soon met her heart. Impressed by the opportunities for learning, the children and seeing a growth trajectory for herself, she commenced her journey as Homeroom teacher. She is a Brain Gym® Movement Facilitator and has completed a certificate course in Phonetics and Phonology from the Mumbai University. You can find her where conversations over world politics, current affairs, legal world gossip and good reads are on. She loves what she does for Gateway, met her where she was and is often found making merry with children.
Shalini has completed a Bachelor’s (BA) in Arts from SNDT University, Mumbai. She has been with The Gateway School and Mumbai since 2012. She started her journey at Gateway as a support staff and has been working as an Admin Assistant since the past few years.
Sheetal Waychal is a graduate from Maharashtra University of Health Science, India with a degree of Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2011. She has been practicing as an Occupational therapist for more than 7years. She has pursued her career in pediatrics, her domain is early intervention. She is specialized in Sensory Integration therapy (USA). Also trained in, Brain Gym, Handle Techniques and handwriting assessment and treatment. Along with that she is certified ChildBirth Educator (USA), She trains pregnant women for Ante natal & Post Natal care.
Sheetal is an animal lover and an animal rescuer, she loves to feed strays, which is part of daily routine 🙂
MA in Applied Linguistics & PG Diploma in Teaching and Learning + SEN. Shivani always knew her heart was into teaching, from an early age. Before joining GSoM, Shivani has contributed to varied assignments in the field of education for a decade now – Teaching languages, Teacher training, Language assessments, Right brain education, etc. Recently, she found her calling for Individualised learning, so she could cater to different learning needs in her classroom. At Gateway, she is a Homeroom Teacher in middle school and a member of the Yearbook committee. What keeps her engaged are the challenges and layered approaches in planning and executing lessons in the classroom, and the feeling of contentment that comes after successful learning has happened. What keeps her going are Food (especially samosas), Angry Birds game on her phone and Dancing!
Smruti has completed her B.Ed. M.Ed.Integrated degree from Tata Institute of Social Science. Prior to that she completed her master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from Utkal University, Odisha. She interned at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai, and Somaiya School, Mumbai during her education journey. She is actively involved in providing students with an environment where they can attain both knowledge and skills, enabling them to meet their needs in everyday life. She loves gardening, and composting and is very cautious about plastic waste disposal and recycling. Donating plastic waste every month to ‘Project Mumbai’ is now a ritual for her. At Gateway, she teaches MLU and geography/EVM to middle school students. She is also a part of the fitness committee at Gateway.
Sneha has completed a B.com from Mithibai Motiram Kundnani College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai. Prior to joining GSoM, Sneha has worked in administrative capacities at corporate organizations like Toyota, Associated Architects and International College of Financial Planning in India for over 8 years. She is an animal lover.
Sunayana has completed a Bachelor’s in Catering, Hospitality Management and Administration from Alagappa University, Mumbai.
Prior to joining The Gateway School of Mumbai, Sunayana has worked in administrative capacities at corporate organizations and in hospitality services, for over 6 years. In her free time she enjoys cooking and travelling.
Suneel has completed a Bachelor’s (BSc) in Science from Kanpur University, India and a Certificate Course in Hardware & Networking from Jetking Institute, Mumbai, India. He has been with The Gateway School of Mumbai since 2015, handling the IT department.
Suresh has completed a Certificate Course in Hardware & Networking from Jetking Institute, Mumbai, India. Prior to joining GSoM, he performed civil work for 13 years, and then worked in Technical Support for a year. He has been with The Gateway School of Mumbai since 2012, supporting its development since the early stages.
Urvi Sethna after completing her Bachelor’s in Fine Art in Sculpture from M.S University, Baroda, pursued and completed her Master’s in Fine Art, Intermedia from the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design (Czech Republic). She is a practicing artist and has been part of many exhibitions abroad as well as in India. She is the Art teacher in Gateway school, teaching across school. She has a hands-on approach towards artistic ideas and is always open to experimenting with different materials. She loves a good cup of coffee and travelling.
Varsha is a founding member of The Gateway School of Mumbai (GSoM) and joined the team in 2011. Currently, she is the Executive Director and overlooks the therapies and the admin department.
She has completed a Master’s (MA) in Clinical Psychology from University of Mumbai, India and has recently completed her B.Ed in general education.Prior to joining GSoM, she has worked with a variety of non-profit organizations, corporate institutions and schools for over 6 years. In her down time, she enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Veena holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and a BA (Hons) Psychology from Delhi University. She believes that people are the expert of their lives and have their own unique ways of responding to life experiences. Her approach involves curiosity to know more about these life experiences and supporting individuals to work towards social and emotional wellbeing. She has worked extensively with different stakeholders to facilitate social and emotional learning spaces and spaces catering to Mental Health for children and families. At Gateway, she is the Social Emotional Learning Specialist and works with all learners in different spaces. She also facilitates the Parent Support Group that happens every month. In her free time, she likes to draw, sing, and watch bollywood movies. Putting on nail polish is something that helps her relax and feel calm.
Vikas has completed his B.P.Ed. from Mumbai University and is a certified ‘D’ licence holder from AIFF. He is a Maharashtra Road Safety Patrol and Civil Defence Officer. Prior to The Gateway School of Mumbai, he has worked with many institutes and international schools over a period of 9 years as a Physical educator, Football Coach and House parent. He was Head of delegation for U-19 Football boys (2018-19) in School Games Federation of India (SGFI Nationals) from International Board Schools sports organisation (IBSSO) held at Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. His U-19 Girls was Runners-up at West Zone CBSE Clusters in the year 2012 – 13 and they qualified for CBSE Nationals held at Greater NOIDA.
At The Gateway School of Mumbai, Vikas is working as a Sports Coach. He maintains a passion for teaching children the significance of lifelong learning,health and fitness.
Vishakha works as a high school homeroom teacher at Gateway. They teach Painting, English, Business Studies and Life Skills to the students here. Before this, they did the Teach for India fellowship where they taught at a low income public school for 2 years. They also set up a community center cum library in the community which they continue to run now. They believe that education can act as a tool of sustainable, systemic, social change. With this philosophy, they view their role at Gateway as a tool to create empathic, critical thinkers of tomorrow. In their free time, you’ll find them reading poetry or rewatching the final season of Euphoria yet again.
Zara Parekh is a Peabody Medalist with an M.Ed in Special Education (high incidence disabilities) from Peabody College, Vanderbilt University and a B.A. in Psychology from Jai Hind College, Mumbai University. She began her teaching career as a fellow at Teach for India (TFI) where she taught 4th and 5th graders in a public school in Mumbai. Her experiences at TFI led her to The Gateway School of Mumbai (GSOM). At GSOM, she taught for two years as a homeroom teacher, teaching Math, Language, and a Multidisciplinary Unit (MLU). After her M.Ed, she returned to join GSOM in the capacity of an instructional coach and a remedial interventionist. She aspires to improve the current state of special education in Indian public education through professional development and on-going coaching. If you’re looking for her in school, you will often find her with a cup of coffee, passionately discussing how to improve instruction in a classroom, or chilling with the babies in the baby room! Apart from education, Zara’s interests lie in fitness, travel, and live music!
Zeba has completed her M.A. in English Literature and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) from Mumbai University. Prior to Gateway, she worked at Hill Spring International School for 5 years. Zeba explored learning beyond the curriculum while mentoring students for the World Scholar’s Cup, a global debating tournament. In June 2017, she volunteered at government schools in Sri Lanka, conducting after-school Language enhancement programs for high school students. This experience motivated her to co-found a creative writing workshop – Wordsmith’s Wizardry, in the following year. She is curious about innovative learning strategies which encourage the use of hands-on activities, development of 21st century life skills and global citizenship among students.
In her free time, she loves reading sci-fi and thriller novels, binge watching reality TV shows and over-indulging in all things made of chocolate!