OUR TEAM
We are a passionate group of educators determined to bring about a much needed upgrade to the current standardised system of schooling. Our team has extensive experience with leading international schools across the city and has recently undergone rigorous training in the US and in Australia by world-renowned thinkers and practitioners. We are united by a common goal – to bring the highest quality educational experience to our children.
PARMEET SHAH
CEO, Big Picture India and NEXT
Parmeet is the founder and CEO of Next and also works at Marathon Group. He has been scouring the globe for the best educational models for the last 6 years. He holds a BA in Economics from Yale University and an MS from Columbia University, USA.
ELLIOT WASHOR
Co-Founder, Big Picture Learning
Elliot, who is the co-founder of Big Picture Learning is our coach, mentor and guide. He has been involved in school reform for more than 30 years as a teacher, principal, administrator and writer. He leads Big Picture’s international endeavours and has been working very closely with our team
SUKRITI PANT
Advisor
Sukriti has spent the last six years supporting language development through play and daily routines at Fröbel Kindergarten in Potsdam, Germany. Prior to this, she led a learning centre for first-generation learners with H.E.L.G.O.e.V. in Howrah. She holds an M.A. in Education from Azim Premji University and is pursuing an M.A. in Childhood Studies and Children’s Rights at Fachhochschule Potsdam
NIKHIL BANGERA
Program Director
Nikhil has spent the last 10 years setting up and leading programs at NEXT, Mumbai. Prior to NEXT, he spent a decade developing educational content and curricula for students and adults at Packt Publishing, Zaya Learning Labs, and Kotak Education Foundation. He holds an M.A. in Education from Azim Premji University, an M.A. in Sociology, and a B.E. in Computer Science from Mumbai University.
AMOLIKA LAVATE
Advisor
Amolika has been a member of NEXT, Mumbai for the past five years and is an integral part of the Early Years Programme. With over 17 years of experience, she brings a strong understanding of early childhood education. She is deeply passionate about the Montessori approach and a holistic, big-picture view of learning. She has worked with institutions in Mumbai, served as an Academic Coordinator in Bengaluru, and has been a Montessori trainer at RKC. She holds a B.E. in Computer Science from Pune University.
POONAM AUGUSTINE
Advisor
Poonam has 28+ years of experience as a Graphic Designer, Visual Arts Facilitator and Therapeutic Artist. Poonam has extensive experience in curriculum development, interdisciplinary learning and integrating technology into arts education. She believes that every child is creative and that art provides a powerful pathway for communication, self-discovery and personal growth.
MAISY PEREIRA
Advisor
Maisy holds a Bachelors Degree in History and is currently pusuing a Certificate in Montessori Education from the Rosary College of Commerce and Arts in Navelim.
MANOJ LAKHWANI
Advisor
Manoj has trained capoeira for 11 years with Grupo Capoeira Brasil (Pune, led by Instrutor Arrepiado) and Ginga Saroba (Auroville, led by Prof. Samuka da India and Formada Maravilha). He has served as a substitute capoeira teacher for several years and initiated a children’s capoeira class at Udhayam, a social centre in Kottakarai, in 2016. A professional French–English translator since 2000, he holds a Master’s degree from Université René Descartes Paris V.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Are you a passionate educator determined to make learning engaging, authentic and relevant for every child? We have a revolutionary proposition that you can help us bring to life.
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