Ritika Kumar
Founder
Ritika Kumar is the founder of Chalk Montessori, a space born from passion, purpose, and a deep love for children. Although she holds a Master’s degree in Finance, her heart always belonged in the world of early childhood education. Her deep love for children and their formative years led her to transition from the corporate path to the world of education.
With a clear and heartfelt vision, Ritika established Chalk Montessori as a thoughtfully prepared, child-centred environment where learning is joyful, meaningful, and developmentally aligned. Her aim is to create a space that feels calm, inspiring, and secure one where each child is encouraged to grow with confidence and discover their unique potential.
She began her career with two years of experience in a school setting, where she gained valuable insight into early learning environments. Determined to build a strong foundation in authentic Montessori education, she went on to complete her AMI Montessori training, embracing the philosophy of respecting the child, fostering independence, and nurturing natural curiosity.
She believes that early childhood lays the foundation for life. Through meaningful work, hands-on materials, and a nurturing approach, she strives to ensure that every child at Chalk experiences joyful learning and holistic growth.
Farah Lobo
Founder
With over 15 years of experience in school administration and early childhood education, Farah Lobo brings strong leadership, vision, and warmth to Chalk Montessori. Her journey began in school administration from 2011 to 2014, followed by two years of hands-on classroom teaching, giving her valuable insight into the developmental needs of young learners. She then returned to administration before going on to lead Chalk Montessori from 2016 onwards.
With a background in Management Studies and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECCE), Farah combines strong administrative expertise with practical classroom understanding. Her experience across both teaching and management allows her to create a well-structured Montessori environment. Her balanced experience in both teaching and administration enables her to support children, mentor educators, and build meaningful partnerships with parents.
Zenab Khaswala
Counsellor and Co-Ordinator
With more than 17 years of rich experience in Montessori education, Zenab is wholeheartedly dedicated to nurturing children during their most important early years. For her, teaching is far more than a career. It is a true calling.
She brings 7 years of valuable international experience as a Montessori educator in Columbus, Ohio, USA, where she gained deeper insight into diverse learning styles and global educational practices. This exposure has broadened her perspective and strengthened her ability to connect with children from varied backgrounds.
Zenab firmly believes that every child is unique, capable, and filled with limitless potential. She creates a calm, well-structured, and loving classroom environment where curiosity is celebrated, independence is encouraged, and learning unfolds with joy.
She holds a degree in Food and Nutrition (Home Economics), along with a Montessori certification from the prestigious American Montessori Society (AMS), USA.
Rooted in Montessori philosophy, she is committed to the holistic development of every child — nurturing not only academic growth but also emotional, social, and moral well-being.
In addition, she actively supports and counsel’s parents, working in close partnership with families to understand and meet each child’s individual needs. She strongly believes that a collaborative relationship between home and school is essential for a child’s overall success.
Her greatest reward lies in witnessing children blossom into confident, compassionate, and independent individuals. It is this beautiful transformation that continues to inspire and motivate her every single day.
Khushboo Oberai
Admin
Mrs. Khushboo Oberai is an integral part of the Admin Department at Chalk. She efficiently manages backend operations and ensures the smooth functioning of day-to-day processes. Always ready to support wherever needed, she plays a key role in coordinating tasks and assisting the team with dedication and positivity.
Her commitment, willingness to learn, and proactive approach make her a dependable pillar of our administrative team. Mrs. Khushboo truly believes in giving her best every day and values the teamwork and meaningful experiences she shares at Chalk.
Priyanka Patekar
Teacher
Mrs. Priyanka Patekar is a professionally trained Montessori educator with a strong foundation in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCED). With over five years of enriching experience with Team Chalk, she brings warmth, patience, and dedication into her classroom each day.
She firmly believes that every child is unique and possesses immense potential waiting to blossom. Her approach is rooted in creating a calm, nurturing, and joyful environment where children feel secure, valued, and confident to explore.
By thoughtfully observing and understanding each child’s individual interests and learning style, she gently guides them towards holistic growth – academically, socially, and emotionally.
Her vision is to make every child’s early learning journey meaningful, positive, and filled with happy memories, building a strong and lasting foundation for lifelong learning.
Jasmine Mevawala
Teacher
She is an ECCE certified, Montessori trained teacher with two years of experience in early childhood education. She is passionate about working with young children and guiding them as they learn and grow in a positive, caring environment.
She believes that every child is unique and learns in their own way. In her classroom, she encourages independence, creativity, and confidence through hands-on learning and engaging activities. She especially enjoys storytelling, as it nurtures imagination, strengthens language skills, and fosters a love for learning. She is committed to supporting each child’s overall development and ensuring that learning remains a joyful and meaningful experience.
Nikita Bhujbal
Teacher
Nikita Bhujbal is a dedicated Early Childhood Educator who has completed her ECCE certification and has been a valued member of the Chalk family for over four years. She began her journey with one year of hands-on experience and has since grown beautifully within our Montessori environment.
Nikita has a natural gift of working with young children, especially when it comes to settling and nurturing them during their initial transition into school life. Her calm presence, patience, and warmth help children feel secure, comfortable, and emotionally supported in the classroom.
She is exceptionally talented in art and creative expression, bringing imagination and vibrancy into the Montessori environment. From thoughtfully designed activities to aesthetically prepared classroom materials, Nikita ensures that learning is engaging, joyful, and inspiring for every child.
Her creativity, dedication and gentle approach make her an integral part of the Chalk Montessori community, where she continues to support each child’s independence, confidence, and love for learning.