Spotlight:
Champions of Change: Meet Our Ambassadors
At Upschool.co, our vision to revolutionize education is made possible by a community of dedicated individuals who use and promote our platform. These are some of our Ambassadors – leaders who are passionate about shaping the future of learning. They are not just representatives; they are the embodiment of our mission. Their dedication to using our platform to empower children and to usher in a new era of educational possibilities is nothing short of extraordinary.
Meghaa Ahuja
Head: Experiential Learning at Somaiya Vidyavihar
Ms. Meghaa Ahuja, an accomplished education specialist, holds a Master’s in Human Development from Delhi University. She advocates for real-world, transdisciplinary learning, fostering teacher empowerment and dynamic education globally.
What is your vision for education, globally?
My vision for global education involves real-world learning, empowering educators, and nurturing curiosity, while promoting emotional well-being. It encourages embracing mistakes and drawing wisdom from ancient knowledge for lifelong learning.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
While studying human development, I engaged with children and explored educational theories like Constructivism and Scaffolding. This highlighted a gap between theory and practice, inspiring my passion for educational transformation.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is revolutionizing education by offering programs rooted in a meaningful learning framework, equipping educators to become effective facilitators, and fostering curiosity-driven learning closely aligned with the real world.
Contact me: educationbymeghaa@gmail.com
Dr Snehal Pinto
Director at Ryan International Group of Institutions
Dr. Snehal Pinto is the Director at Ryan Group. A seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience in teaching and leadership and a renowned leader in India’s K-12 sector.
What is your vision for education, globally?
A personalized education that infuses a passion for lifelong learning in our children
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
My passion for changing education ignited through witnessing the profound impact personalized teaching methods have on students’ growth and realizing the potential to shape a brighter future.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is changing education with some interesting creative tools which I hope will lead to a more personalized learning experience for children.
Contact me: Via Linkedin
CEO & Founder Guide & Grow | Director My Montessori School
Sylvia Arotin, award-winning, Australia-based expert, founder and director of My Montessori School and CEO of Guide & Grow. With 230K followers, she is a global influencer championing children’s growth.
What is your vision for education, globally?
To foster an inclusive, adaptive learning environment that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning in every child, globally.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Witnessing the transformative power of tailored education ignited my commitment to championing innovative, child-centric learning methodologies worldwide.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool harnesses technology to democratize education, offering personalized, accessible learning that adapts to each student’s unique needs and pace.
Contact me: marketing@guideandgrow.com
Professor Terry Lovat
Emeritus Professor
Researcher of Religion, Ethics and Education. Specialising in Values Education and Interfaith Studies.
What is your vision for education, globally?
We need an education that thinks big, deals with the major issues, personal and global. An education that aims to address and resolve the problems that beset the human community.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
My experience of values-based education (VbE). I saw how it lifts levels of trust, enhances wellbeing, and improves academic attentiveness. It accords with age-old wisdom and updated neuroscience.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
It is built on a combined VbE and Montessori philosophy. It prioritises trust and wellbeing as foundational to holistic achievement. It provides a model for educational systems to follow.
Contact me: Terry.Lovat@newcastle.edu.au
Dr Neil Hawkes
Founder of Values-based Education
Neil is well known as a leading practitioner of good educational practices. His research created an educational philosophy called Values-based Education (VbE), which is being embedded in schools globally.
What is your vision for education, globally?
An education that inspires children to grow as values-based leaders of themselves and others, full of compassion, integrity, altruism, peace and love.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
As a teacher working with children: realising how Education, based on first-hand experiences and positive relationships, can transform their lives.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
By bringing outstanding teaching and learning to thousands of children and influencing the pedagogy of schools. Real inspiration!
Contact me: dr.neilhawkes@gmail.com
Lisa Jones
CEO | Co-Founder at Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation
Lisa is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation. She also serves as Co-Founder: GGAF Learning Institute, offering free online classes for people of all socio-economic backgrounds.
What is your vision for education, globally?
An educational landscape prioritizing student-centered learning where educators take the time to understand each student’s unique learning needs and tailor the curriculum accordingly, ensuring every learner reaches their full potential.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Completing my MBA later in life emphasized applying knowledge to real life. K-12’s single-idea approach limited learning opportunities, underscoring the importance of a more student-centered and dynamic education.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
By providing a student-centered approach to education, and offering immersive classes engaging students in various ways. By tailoring the learning experience to individual needs, ensuring students reach their maximum potential.
Contact me: lisajones@globalgoodwillambassadors.org
Phil Jarvis
Chief Education Reimagineer and Upschool Global Ambassador
Phil has dedicated his career to helping young people imagine the future they want to create for themselves, through leading initiatives that have reached millions of students globally.
What is your vision for education, globally?
The focus of education will be helping students discover how they want to make the world better and rehearsing their roles through collaborative, project-based learning.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Through decades of fighting inertia in education systems to shift the focus from rote learning of arbitrary curriculum and standardized tests to students’ dreams and aspirations.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool provides free tools and resources so any school, community agency and family can engage students hearts and minds in genuine self-discovery and learning to become happy, fulfilled world-changers.
Contact me: phil@philjarvis.ca
Sabrina Li
Teacher/Edupreneur/40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians
Sabrina Li, an innovative educational leader, specializes in cross-cultural engagement and edutech area, fostering global networks between Australia and Asia.
What is your vision for education, globally?
I envision a globally interconnected education system where innovative, experiential learning bridges cultural divides, fostering global citizenship and collaborative problem-solving.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
My journey as an international student ignited my passion for transformative education. Experiencing diverse systems, I became dedicated to creating more engaging, culturally inclusive educational experiences.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is transforming education by providing experiential, globally-connected learning opportunities. It’s dedicated to bridging academic and cultural gaps, ensuring free, equitable education for every child, irrespective of their background.
Contact me: lis@smbg.vic.edu.au
Mohammed Afzal
ICT Director NIMS Group
Afzal Mohammed is a Google Certified Innovator, Microsoft Master Trainer and also heads Edtech companies as Software architect. He is School Innovation Ambassador for Ministry of Education, India
What is your vision for education, globally?
Afzal envisions a world where education is affordable and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation. He believes that education is the only path for human survival.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
As someone who studied in public schools, I understand the need for quality education to break barriers and find innovative solutions to problems. It helps eradicate the biggest crime- HATE
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
It helps children work together for social causes by providing impactful educational opportunities. The system of education it has makes all children appreciate their own lives while helping others.
Contact me: afzal.m@gmail.com
Ligia Chacón Hernàndez
English Teacher and Martial Arts Trainer
Ligia has an experience of teaching for more than 29 years and training for Martial Arts for more than 14 years.
What is your vision for education, globally?
To make a positive difference in children’s life.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Over the years, Ligia has developed her passion for education by sharing valuable experiences with children.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool gives tremendous access of learning to students across the globe.
Contact me: ligiach29@gmail.com
Zen Kahn
Managing Partner
Zen is a motivational, speaker and expert in safeguarding who has over 15 years of experience in leadership positions. Her passion, energy, and varied background are what empower communities.
What is your vision for education, globally?
I would like to see learning opportunities created for both children and adults
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
My own experiences, seeing the transformational power of learning, and seeing the need of equitable educational opportunities all contributed to the development of my enthusiasm for reforming education.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
By providing students with easily available, educational resources, encouraging participation, and providing access for all children to engage in interactive learning experiences, the Upschool platform is transforming education.
Contact me:
zen@zenpd.ae
Fiona Boyd
Co-Founder - EdSmart
Fiona has been in the tech startup space for 25 years and is passionate to leave a legacy of value in EdTech with her global scale-up, EdSmart.
What is your vision for education, globally?
That all children, everywhere can access quality learning in a safe and inspiring way. And that they also get to ‘learn how to learn’ so they are future ready.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
By noticing how I myself did and did not learn and also teaching for a while and watching my own children learn and struggle with learning at times.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is bringing quality lessons and resources and the tools to deliver those lessons to teachers everywhere. It is a way to make school education truly universally available.
Contact me: fiona@edsmart.com
Lisa Gale
Montessori Early Childhood Educator
I have an educational background in Psychology, Montessori Education, and School Management and Leadership. I currently hold the position of Assistant Director of Education with the nonprofit TEACH (Together Educating All Children in Hospitals) as well as serve on the board of directors for The School Fund
What is your vision for education, globally?
I aim for a world where quality education is a universal right, transcending backgrounds. It equips individuals with skills to address global challenges, fostering diversity and justice through collaboration across borders.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
My passion for education reform stems from personal experiences and a belief in its transformative power. I’ve seen how quality education breaks barriers and perpetuates social justice. This drove me to advocate for inclusive and innovative approaches, dedicating myself to this cause.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
I love that the Upschool platform is accessible and truly committed to the mission of empowering children and making education accessible to all. Upschool is also unique in that it provides services for teachers such as teacher training workshops and courses as well as lesson materials and the opportunity to engage with charities and other projects.
Contact me: lkgale91@gmail.com
Karishma Samtani (Kash)
Early Careers Professional
Kash has been coaching young adults on their education and career prospects aligning them to their aspirations. She has also dedicated time in creating awareness on Cancer Prevention measures.
What is your vision for education, globally?
My vision is to have Human values based experiential learning reach the remotest villages in the world and nurture our fellow humans irrespective of status as it is their birthright.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Education options are available to those from well-off, or those born gifted. I was neither, and I struggled with the education system To have options I had to borrow money.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is bringing experiential learning to every child, parent, teacher and educator, providing equal opportunity and sense of worthiness irrespective of their financial and social status. Without any financial pressure.
Contact me: samtani.kash@gmail.com
Founder of Beyond Brick & Mortar International Education Consultancy
Carla Gipson is a co-author of SDG4: Quality Education at the Sherpa Institute, founder of Beyond Brick & Mortar, and a member of DKG International Society for Key Women Educators.
What is your vision for education, globally?
Quality education is a human right and the world community is responsible for ensuring that even our most vulnerable populations are served.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Caring teachers made an indelible mark on me. Now, as an education leader, my ultimate goal is to make the biggest positive impact possible to ensure quality education for all.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
UN SDG4 is the key to unlocking all of the other SDGs for the benefit of humanity. Upschool is partnering with experienced, talented, and compassionate leaders for an altruistic purpose.
Contact me: carlagipson@gmail.com
CEO/GM LisAndi Co. Ltd., Founder of Montepedia.com
Since 1986, Andi has been dedicated to democratizing Montessori Education. A multi-talented teacher and unifier at heart, he’s launched platforms like https://montessori-international.com and https://montepedia.com to further this mission.
What is your vision for education, globally?
Every child and teacher deserves Montessori and Upschool-inspired education. Quality isn’t just for the wealthy. Erase financial barriers; achieve peace as Maria Montessori envisioned.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Working with underprivileged children revealed educational gaps. Their resilience inspired me to champion equitable opportunities and harness the power of inclusive learning to transform education.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
The Upschool platform revolutionizes education by offering personalized, inclusive learning experiences, removing barriers, and leveraging technology to reach diverse learners globally, ensuring quality education and training opportunities for all.
Contact: andi@lisandi.com
Chrissy Sykes
CEO and Founder MBMB Foundation
Chrissy started this internationally recognised My Body is My Body Programme 34 years ago. This programme is being used in over 60 Countries and is available in 27 languages.
What is your vision for education, globally?
I wish for more educational innovation, offering free classes to ensure every child gets an opportunity to learn.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Ensuring children’s safety is vital to me. In order to learn a child must feel secure, know their surroundings, and know they can seek help when needed.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is important as it is offering free and unique education to children and communities, what a wonderful platform.
Donia Adel
Certified Parenting and Life Coach
Certified Parenting and life Coach – ICF. More than 500 hours of work experience. Life coaching, parenting coaching, consultations. Anger management online courses for 0 to 3 years old for basic psychological needs
What is your vision for education, globally?
I give free psychological awareness into my community to improve women’s and kids lives in all the Arab countries, My goal is to perform that with the highest possible standards.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Combining my love for psychology with having a child led me to study parenting and then the passion expanded.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
By offering free high standard interactive school allover the world.
Contact me: donia.adel@hotmail.com
Yasir Dil
Corporate Innovation and Marketing Manager
With over 10 years of experience in senior-level marketing and communication roles in corporates and development sector. Recognized by LinkedIn as Top Internal Communications Voice.
What is your vision for education, globally?
Globally, I envision an education system that promotes diversity, nurtures critical thinking, and adapts to the digital age to inspire lifelong learning.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Through mentorship and collaboration with educators, I saw the immense potential for reshaping education to foster creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is changing education by creating a versatile and inclusive learning ecosystem that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the 21st century.
Contact me: yasirdil@outlook.com
Amna Manzoor
Education Influencer | Education Policy Advocate | Curriculum Developer | Digital Learning Specialist
Amna is a passionate educator, served as judge, and speaker, and excels at networking, she is CERN Beamline Schools National Contact and a member of the IHIQS, top 5%.
What is your vision for education, globally?
My vision for education globally is to enhance the learning experience for students through inclusive and innovative practices, effective policies, and tailored curriculum development.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
My passion for changing education stems from her role as an Education Influencer, where she actively promotes innovative practices and policies, and her extensive experience in various education-related roles.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
The Upschool platform, changes education by creating engaging and effective learning materials, tailoring educational programs to educators’ and students’ needs, and leveraging technology to enhance the educational experience.
Contact me: amna.manzoor@live.com
Founder-STEM Global Network
Mr. BC is a passionate STEM Educator, Entrepreneur, Author, Policy Advocate, International Olympiads Board, STEM Education Consultant & Thought Leader.
He is also a Former Buddhist Monk & Meditation/NLP Practitioner.
What is your vision for education, globally?
My vision is to advance human civilization by inspiring a curious generation of innovators through globally accessible STEM education, fostering progressive thinking and real-time problem-solving.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
My passion for transforming education developed from witnessing the profound impact of scientific innovation in modern civilization which is possible through inspiring young learners for the STEM careers.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is transforming education through a technology-driven, interactive platform, enhancing accessibility, and nurturing a worldwide network of collaborative and dynamic learners.
Contact me: surgeonbc@gmail.com
Educational and cultural consultant
I am a proud Roma Gabor human being. I am a peace activist and an educational consultant for underserved communities. Founder of Care for Young People’s Future & Welcoming Cultures UK
What is your vision for education, globally?
My vision ,dream and ambition for education globally is to have it accessible to some of the most isolated children and communities from the rest of the world.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
I feel like no matter where I would be in the world , I would do the same thing. Education. I have developed it from my own community.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is reaching young people, children and adults from all over the world and empowers them to see the values of education.
Contact me: teretzuca@gmail.com
Komal Nathani
School Head Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld, Teacher Trainer
Seasoned Educationist with over 25 years of dedicated experience in Early Childhood Education, specializing in curriculum development and comprehensive teacher training.
Committed to cultivating global future leaders nurturing empathetic individuals.
What is your vision for education, globally?
Fostering independent thinking, thoughtful decision-making, critical analysis, collaboration, appreciation with intellectual humility to accept difference in opinion.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Drawing inspiration from visionaries like Dr. Stya Paul, founder chairman of Apeejay, and global education leader Gavin McCormack, I am motivated by their commitment to value-added education.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool has built a system of education where all children and teachers can participate in meaningful and impactful educational opportunities and learn things being anywhere in the world.
Contact me: komalnathani14@gmail.com
Dr Priti Ojha
An inspirational school leader, decisive mentor fostering innovation through collaboration
As a school leader she has invested in unlearning and learning for progressive educational needs through positive inspiration, resilience, vision, decisive, empathetic, mentor, innovator, collaborator, accountable and proactive planner.
What is your vision for education, globally?
My vision for global education is to cultivate diverse, inclusive environments that empower students with critical thinking, creativity, intelligence and adaptable skills for a changing world.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Through observing students’ unique needs, embracing innovation, and witnessing the transformative impact of tailored, student-centered approaches, my passion for changing education flourished.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
The Upschool platform revolutionizes education by offering personalized, interactive learning experiences that adapt to individual student needs, fostering engagement and growth.
Contact me: ojha786@gmail.com
Massrat Shaikh
Educational Psychologist
Massrat is a GESS Leader in Education, speaker, author and is addressing the World Education Summit 2024. A two-time GESS Awards finalist, she’s a PhD scholar, APA and MEPA member.
What is your vision for education, globally?
Fostering equity with an empathetic approach, ensuring every child, regardless of differences, receives personalized support, cultivating a world where learning thrives harmoniously for all.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Working with children with learning difficulties and special needs led to my passion for education. I am committed to ensuring every child thrives and has equal opportunities.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
By connecting children worldwide, Upschool expands access, promotes collaboration, and transforms traditional education paradigms.
Contact me: massrat@ahlameducation.com
Richelle Lee Ramella
Owner and Founder of Labyrinth Schools South Africa
Richelle has been educator and curriculum developer for 15 years. She is the founder of the only fully inclusive school in KwaZulu-Natal. She has a passion to revolutionise Education.
What is your vision for education, globally?
My vision for education is to totally revolutionise it. My vision includes bringing love and play into the curriculum and to help children remember who they are.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
When I was 16 years old I told my guidance counselor that one day, I would design a curriculum that includes all children. 20 years later I opened my school.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is connecting children all over the world and revolutionising the way society see education. It is reminding children of their super powers and reconnecting them with their souls.
Contact me: labyrinthprep@outlook.com
Divjot Kaur
Principal
A postgraduate in English Literature and Education with over 25 years of experience as a mentor, educator and facilitator. Founder Principal of three corporate schools. Awarded as Principal of Merit.
What is your vision for education, globally?
An education with a holistic 21st century learning. Grooming children to be adaptable and resilient with sustainable development engrained in to the fabric of their thought.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
Exposure to innovation, equity, and inclusion, plus empowerment in flexible approaches, fuel my passion for educational change. Evolving paradigms prioritize critical thinking, leading me toward enlightenment in societal shifts.
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool empowers learners to own education, explore interests for research. Prioritizing teacher support fosters professional growth. Enhanced community engagement signifies transformative change in education.
Contact me: principal.mriscw@mris.edu.in
Anna-Mart Schoeman
Principal Teacher at Silvermist Academy, Educational Consultant
Anna has 23 years of experience in education in South Africa and the Middle East. She is an Instructional Coach, teacher trainer, and advocate for alternative education.
What is your vision for education, globally?
We need a world where students feel empowered to explore, question and drive their learning. We need systems that inspire them to make a positive impact in the world.
How did you develop your passion for changing education?
School did not inspire me and what we learned, did not feel relevant. It was just something to finish as soon as possible. A waste of our most creative years!
What do you love about the Upschool platform?
Upschool is fantastic. It is meaningful, makes children aware of the wider world and gives them actionable steps for improving it. This empowers them and brings a feeling of hope.
Contact me: anna@silvermistacademy.co.za
