About Us

Nandita Agarwala

A passionate and true Montessori Educator and a loved directress, Nandita Agarwala has dedicated her life to the development of children. She completed her Diploma in Montessori Education in 1987. She subsequently completed the Toddler Montessori Training and Lower Elementary training in India and continues to teach and learn, all at the same time.

Nandita completed her MACTE certification (3-6 years) after she moved to Toronto in 2006.She has done her Trainer of trainers’ Course from the Montessori Teachers College, Toronto in 2015 and was a guest lecturer at the college till 2022. She has also successfully completed the Montessori Dementia training and gives workshops to Montessori Educators and Caregivers in the application of the Montessori philosophy when working with people living with dementia.

Nandita has created many on-line webinars and workshops for parents and teachers. Her most recent online course is – Montessori mantra for parents.

Currently, Nandita is enrolled in the Montessori Therapy course that is being conducted from Germany. This course is being done in English for the first time and Nandita is the first Canadian to take this course. Once completed (in 2025), Nandita will be able to incorporate Montessori therapy into her school.

Nandita is a Director at large of the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers and is also associated with the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators. She is the proud mother of two boys.

When Nandita is not busy with children, she spends her time with her dogs that she rescued from Korea. Nandita has a CCMA accredited Montessori School in Pickering- Montessori Mantra that has Infants, Toddlers and Casa children.

Our Team

Casa Directress/Supervisor

Geyza Silva

I have been working with children for the past 8 years in Ontario. I am very passionate about what I do. Working with children motivates and energizes me each day. I strongly believe in the Montessori Method of education, and I am very determined to provide a safe environment for the children to grow both socially and academically. I am fortunate to be doing something I love in the environment I enjoy.

Assistants

Sanjida Chowdhary

Completed her mother craft home based child care (2009). She has also done the ‘Food service worker’ from Centennial college (2016-2017). Has completed Ontario food handler, first Aid and C P R. Was running her own Wee watch home-based childcare (2009–2016). Was also ‘Lunchroom supervisor’ in Highbush Public School, Pickering (2016-2017) Started work Montessori Mantra at the end of November 2017. She is aiming to start her ECE training from the September 2018.

Lamia Parvin

My name is Lamia Parvin and I have been working at the Montessori Mantra for about a year now. My experiences at the school have re-ignited the passion I have for teaching young children. I previously worked with young children in a learning environment many years ago before I moved to Canada. Montessori Mantra has given me the opportunity to re-enter this field of work and to continue to follow my passion. I completed my Casa Assistants’ Certificate Program from Montessori Teacher’s College in 2017.

Jyotika Lekh (Deceased)

Hi, my name is Jyotika Lekh and I was a personal support worker before I joined Montessori Mantra. I completed the Casa Assistant’s Course from Montessori Teachers’ College in 2016 and have been working at Montessori Mantra for more than five years, I love working with children and am very passionate about my job.