Staff
Arti Khanna
Director
Arti Khanna
Director
Educational Qualification: With a Bachelor's degree in Arts and Education from Delhi University, India, supplemented by Montessori Early Childhood certification from the American Montessori Society, I have cultivated a strong foundation in both traditional and innovative educational methodologies.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2005
I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School in 2005. Following a decade of teaching experience as a lead teacher in the Houston area, I transitioned to the role of School Director at DAVMES in the same year. My previous teaching experience has provided me with the joy of nurturing young minds and instilling in them a passion for learning.
Transitioning to the role of School Director/Principal at DAVMES marked a pivotal moment in my career. In this capacity, I am privileged to contribute to an exceptional school community, characterized by dedicated parent partnerships, a talented cohort of educators and staff, and a student body teeming with potential. Together, we are steadfastly committed to sculpting a brighter future, enriching the lives of children one step at a time. This holistic approach underscores my unwavering dedication to education and my fervent desire to cultivate an environment where each child can thrive and flourish.
- Email:director@davhouston.org
Sukhinderjit Kataria
Assistant Director
Sukhinderjit Kataria
Assistant Director
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Bachelor’s degree in Education & Post-Graduation in Sales & Marketing.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2013
I feel very privileged to be able to help nurture and shape the future of our young promising students. When I am not at work, I love spending time with my family, reading, being outdoors and catching up on the latest music & shows.
Shilpa Pokhriyal
Preschool Lead Teacher
Shilpa Pokhriyal
Preschool Lead Teacher
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, AMS – Early Childhood Montessori Certification
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2006
I have been teaching since 2002. I like finding new ways to improve student learning, while using Montessori materials as well as other teaching strategies. Students enthusiastic response towards learning and their happy faces make teaching worthwhile. It has been blissful teaching and such a privilege to be part of their early childhood education.
- Email:shilpa.p@davhouston.org
Uma Jajoo
Hindi Teacher Preschool to 1st Grade
Uma Jajoo
Hindi Teacher Preschool to 1st Grade
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce & Economics, Diploma in Computers, Teachers Certification.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2011
I taught as a private teacher and at DAVSS for 6 years before joining DAVMES. “Teaching is always learning” … I believe this very much and hence feel privileged to be the Hindi Teacher at DAVMES and blessed to have these little people in my life. I continue learning with them and I don’t remember a dull moment in my classroom…I love the honesty, curiosity and innocence the children bring with them. I enjoy being part of their excitement as they learn a new language and I take pride in guiding them take their first steps in learning Hindi in USA.
Sarita Tripathi
Hindi Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Sarita Tripathi
Hindi Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in Hindi Literature , B.Ed in Education.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2024
I am a passionate and experienced Hindi teacher with over a decade of dedication to educating young minds. I am committed to promoting the beauty and depth of the Hindi language through engaging and interactive teaching methods. My approach combines traditional literary studies with modern educational techniques, aiming to cultivate a deep appreciation for the language and its cultural heritage among students. Outside the classroom, I enjoy exploring Hindi poetry and classical literature, continuously enriching my knowledge to inspire students further.
Madhu Bangia
Lead Teacher K.G
Madhu Bangia
Lead Teacher K.G
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Diploma in Computers from NIIT and Montessori and Primary Teacher’s Training from New Delhi. Director’s Certification from Child Care Council of Greater Houston.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2000
I started my teaching career from Bal Bharti School, New Delhi and taught there for 14 years. I joined DAVMES as a Hindi and Assistant teacher during the 1st year and thereafter have been working as the Lead teacher for K.G. and 1st grade. Teaching is my passion. I thoroughly enjoy being with my students. Smiles on their faces is my biggest priceless reward. There is nothing in the world I love more. DAVMES is a wonderful school to teach. The amazing students, outstanding parent community, dedicated and friendly management and staff, makes it a wonderful place for everyone to learn and grow. I am proud to be part of such an exceptional institute which is spreading the knowledge of both the world. I am very pleased to be associated with this marvelous, awesome and alluring school. I am thankful for the opportunity to work in a nurturing, loving environment.
- Email:madhu.b@davhouston.org
Aruna Gummadi
Lead Teacher 1st Grade
Aruna Gummadi
Lead Teacher 1st Grade
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Master’s degree in English literature, AMS Early Childhood Montessori Certification.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2006
It only seems like yesterday that I started teaching at the school. No two days in school are ever the same, and watching the children grow and flourish and become passionate about their learning is a joy to be involved in. Teaching will allow continuing our own journey as a student and a life learner. Creating a class in which students are at their best in character is a joy. I believe each child embodies a unique and wonderful spirit. My aspiration is to see children growing into adults who are independent, responsible, and compassionate innovators. While I am with my students in the class, I try to remember that we are really growing….is with them. I thoroughly enjoy working with the happy staff and wonderful children.
- Email:aruna.g@davhouston.org
Preeti Rana
Preschool Lead Teacher
Preeti Rana
Preschool Lead Teacher
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in Family Resource Management with Minor in Child Development. Montessori Certification from American Montessori Society.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2013
I love being with children, working with them gives me immense pleasure. Their smiles make my day beautiful.I love being in school each and everyday.
- Email:preeti.r@davhouston.org
Geeta Kadakia
ELA Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Geeta Kadakia
ELA Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Educational Qualification: BBA- Finance and Entrepreneurship, MEd-Educational Psychology, EdD-Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2018
I joined DAV Montessori and Elementary School in 2018. I like the challenge of having mixed-ability classrooms and differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students. I enjoy reading about brain research and the implications it has on teaching and learning.
- Email:geeta.k@davhouston.org
Purnima Biswas
After school Teacher
Purnima Biswas
After school Teacher
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Science
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2014
I love children and I enjoy every moment working with them.
Biswajita Nanda
Assistant Teacher Preschool
Biswajita Nanda
Assistant Teacher Preschool
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in Political Science from Utkal University Bhubaneshwar India.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2014
I find that children are refreshing and stimulating, and they keep me grounded. I want to help them to prosper and protect them from anything harmful as best as I can.
Shama Arya
Science Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Shama Arya
Science Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Science (Chemistry Honors), Master’s degree in Chemistry from Delhi University
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2019
I have taught Science at DAVMES institutions all my career, starting in India and now in Houston. As a Science teacher, my goal is always to make the subject accessible to students by ensuring that they have fun in my class through hands-on activities and understand the real-world implications of their learnings. I aim to alter my teaching methods to fit the individual needs of each student and to ensure that they have an overall positive learning experience.
- Email:shama.a@davhouston.org
Ana Chamon
Math Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Ana Chamon
Math Teacher 2nd to 5th Grade
Educational Qualification: B.S. in Mathematics from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, MBA and MA in Mathematics from Texas Tech University
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2021
I have loved teaching since I was a teenager in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After graduating from college with a degree in Mathematics, I taught 6th through 12th grade at a prominent private school in Rio until I came to the United States to pursue my graduate degrees. I taught Advanced Mathematics courses for seven years at TTU. After taking a break to raise my three children, I was lucky to be offered a position at DAVMES, where I have been teaching Math since 2021. In my free time I love to watch movies and play cards with my friends.
- Email:ana.c@davhouston.org
Hema Thakor
Social Studies/Technology Teacher 2nd -5 th Grade
Hema Thakor
Social Studies/Technology Teacher 2nd -5 th Grade
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Biological and Physical Sciences, with Minor in Microbiology and Psychology from University of Houston-Downtown. Elementary through 6 th grade certification training from Texas Teachers of Tomorrow.
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2019
I joined DAV as a substitute teacher in 2019, during that experience I was able to learn about DAVMES values, the curriculum, and had the opportunity to connect and work with the students on all the subjects. As I began this school year with a new role as a Social Studies/Technology Teacher, I look forward to getting to know each of my students and their families. I firmly believe that education should be a lifelong activity, and every student here at DAVMES have the opportunity to pursue a quality education. Education is something I value very highly, to me being a teacher means making learning fun for students and engaging lessons that are pivotal to a student’s academic success. Making the classroom an exciting environment that will help students to speak freely and share their thoughts. Students who are inspired by their teachers can accomplish amazing things, and that motivation always stays with them throughout their life. I want to be able to make sure the students I teach receive the full knowledge on the subject. I am very excited to start this 2020-2021 school year with the DAVMES family. It is going to be a great year full of learning, fun, and growth.
- Email:hema.t@davhouston.org
Pravina Jogi
Assistant Teacher Preschool
Pravina Jogi
Assistant Teacher Preschool
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Montessori Training course
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2018
I love to work with children and enjoy every moment that I get to spend with them. Their smiley faces make my day.
Priya Kamble
Assistant Teacher Kindergarten
Priya Kamble
Assistant Teacher Kindergarten
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (University of Mumbai, India), Diploma in Accounting Specialist (Texas School of Business, Houston Tx)
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2019
Namaste!!! I believe all students can be successful with patience, unconditional kindness and passion from teachers at any age. Especially, I love working with 5 years old and answering their many questions shows me their curiosity and eagerness to learn, grow and explore new things. I enjoy working in DAV Montessori & Elementary School with such a positive and nurturing environment for students and teachers.
Sarika Gupta
After School Teacher
Sarika Gupta
After School Teacher
Educational Qualification: Master's in Economics
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2016
I taught for 3 years in a Montessori School in India before joing DAV. It gives me great pleasure and happiness to work with kids. I enjoy playing with my little ones and love to help them make beautiful art and craft. My goal as an after schoolteacher is to provide each child with love, affection, and care so that they come to school and return home as happy child!
Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlal
Priest
Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlal
Priest
Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Certification in Banking Studies, Master's in Vedic Philosophy
Year I joined DAV Montessori & Elementary School: 2022
Lilian Joseph
Bus Driver
Lilian Joseph
Bus Driver
Paresh Desai
Bus Driver
Paresh Desai
Bus Driver