Meet our leadership team

Mr. Surjeet Singh is an accomplished educator with postgraduate qualifications in English, Technology and Education, currently pursuing a Ph.D. With 24 years of experience, including 8 years as Vice Principal at prestigious international schools like GMIS Jakarta, Sarala Birla Academy and Ebenezer International School, he has mentored students and teachers across diverse cultures. Currently Principal of Manthan International School, Hyderabad, he promotes creativity, innovation and tech literacy, emphasising coding and AI skills as essential for students.

Skilled in IB, Cambridge, CBSE and ICSE curricula, he integrates technology to enhance learning. A published author on Computer Science and Social Skills, he enjoys volleyball, singing and podcasts in his free time. His forward-thinking leadership fosters academic excellence and holistic growth. 

Ms Ruchika Upadhyay has been an integral part of Manthan International School since 2013, serving as Vice Principal, Head of Academics and Social Studies Lead. Committed to the school’s vision, she drives holistic student development through global exposure, competitions and innovative initiatives.

As Academic Head, she oversees curriculum design, teaching efficacy and continuous improvement through collaborative teacher discussions and feedback-driven methodologies. A lifelong learner, she engages in debates on global issues, valuing diverse perspectives to refine her leadership.

Passionate about teaching, she instructs Economics and Social Sciences in high school, inspiring students to excel at prestigious institutions like LSE, NYU and Ashoka University. Her greatest fulfilment comes from shaping young minds and maintaining lasting connections with alumni.

Ms. Lata Arora is the Lead for Parent Coordination and Admissions at Manthan, serving as the primary point of contact for parents and managing their relationship with the school. With a Master’s in English and a background in healthcare, she transitioned to the education sector in 2013, drawn by the opportunity to contribute to a growing institution. Over the years, Ms. Lata has played a pivotal role in the admissions process, overseeing the journey of students from registration to graduation. She ensures a seamless experience for parents, guiding them through admissions, coordinating interviews across time zones and maintaining essential school records. As Parent Coordinator, she leads communication efforts, organising meetings, managing event correspondence and addressing parent concerns with efficiency and care. Ms. Lata’s organisational skills, promptness and deep commitment to Manthan’s vision make her an integral part of the school community. A Manthan parent herself, she values the institution’s impact on students and believes in fostering strong, lasting relationships with families from day one.

Ms Shweta Katodia has been with Manthan since 2013. She joined as the Recruitment Manager when the school was expanding to a new campus in Tellapur and had the mandate to complete massive hiring of teachers and staff for the new campus. It was hectic yet exciting, and the initial recruitment phase was a fantastic experience that she will always remember with great joy and pride because she succeeded in attracting immensely talented hires. 
In her time at Manthan, Shweta has been continuously encouraged to learn and explore opportunities without worrying about failure. When she moved to the Tellapur campus, she continued with her recruiting responsibilities and also actively participated in organising teacher training sessions. She is now the Employee Relations Manager and responsible for the entire gamut of Human Resource functions. Her inspiration has been the core HR values of transparency, empathy and mutual respect that Manthan swears by. She enjoys the congenial work environment. She has autonomy to make important decisions and this trust has allowed her to improve professionally and develop her capacity. She is a stronger team player and has more confidence in facing any challenging situation with ease. This positivity and “can do” attitude are direct results of her Manthan association. 
Shweta has gradually built a team over the years to support her in the HR initiatives implemented in Manthan. She believes her experience in Manthan has made her a better individual and a responsible leader, which in turn helps her achieve her professional goals and often go beyond them. 

Mr Phani Kiran joined Manthan in 2009 and now leads the IT Team. He has grown personally and professionally with the school. He coordinates with the Administration, Research & Content teams, Teachers, Teacher Leaders, Subject Leaders and his IT team, to ensure the use of the latest and the safest technology.  

IT services are used in three broad areas – for school operations, learning support and technology learning- for which there are well-equipped ICT labs, necessary software, tools, etc. Phani enjoys what he does and is surrounded by a wonderful team of amazing people. Manthan is a place for continuous learning for everyone – students, teachers and staff.  

The simultaneous growth of his career and his self has been Phani’s most significant achievement and it gives him the motivation to keep scaling new heights. It has allowed him to face all the challenges and helped him develop new skills such as leadership, entrepreneurial skills, interpersonal skills and a positive attitude. He appreciates the Manthan family and his colleagues, who are now his friends, that he made along the way! He looks forward to work and loves contributing to Manthan’s growth.

Ms Sunanda Choudhury has been with Manthan since 2011 and has the experience of teaching all pre-primary and primary school grades. Seeing her kindergarteners grow up into young, responsible adults gives her an immense sense of satisfaction and happiness, knowing that she has been able to contribute to their journey in some way or another.  

This is Sunanda’s 8th year as Teacher Leader. She started as the TL of the Lower Primary School (Grades 1, 2 and 3) gradually moved up to become the TL of the Upper Primary School (Grades 4-5) and since 2022, has been the Teacher Leader for Middle School. She is also a Deputy Safeguarding Lead and is part of the team that handles safeguarding protocols for the school. 

Being a part of the leadership team at Manthan allowed Sunanda to openly express her feelings about everything and put forward her points of view during discussions. She has the freedom to make decisions for her team and the children under her care.  

Sunanda’s Manthan experience has taught her to empathise and appreciate other points of view. She evaluates situations better, handles crises calmly and has become a great leader. Manthan has been more like a family rather than a place of employment where she has always received guidance and encouragement from colleagues and the founders whenever needed. This has often encouraged her to stretch her boundaries and take on additional responsibilities when the situation demanded – whether filling in for someone else or taking on a new role. It has been a journey filled with learning, and Manthan has helped her create lasting memories that she will cherish forever. 

Ms. Vijayalakshmi Jayaprakasam has been a part of Manthan since 2015 as Teacher Leader for Grades 3 and 5 in the Upper Primary school. She holds a Master’s in Medical Electronics and a Bachelor's in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering from Chennai.

Though she began her career in engineering, her passion for working with young minds led her to primary education. Her journey with Manthan began as a parent, and the school’s approach to learning inspired her to transition into teaching. Starting as a Science teacher for primary students, she spent seven fulfilling years fostering curiosity and scientific thinking among young learners. Her teaching philosophy emphasises connecting Science to real-life experiences, encouraging students to think beyond textbooks. She cherishes the excitement in students when they conduct experiments, make discoveries and apply knowledge creatively. As a coordinator in Upper Primary, she played a vital role in planning and organising school events, special assemblies and educational fairs. Now, in her role as a Teacher Leader, she is eager to mentor and support her team, fostering the same enthusiasm and commitment she has always valued.

While she misses her time in the classroom, she is excited about guiding and inspiring fellow educators. Beyond her professional role, Ms. Vijayalakshmi enjoys dancing, listening to film music and exploring different cultures through travel. She has a deep love for gardening and dreams of conducting outdoor classes in Manthan’s lush green spaces - her "home away from home."

Ms. S. V. Sweety has been with Manthan since early 2016 and holds Bachelor's degrees in Commerce and Education along with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Her career began with Care Technologies, where she worked on proofreading and transcribing medical reports, but it was motherhood that sparked her passion for teaching. Before joining Manthan, she taught at Suchitra Academy and Credence School of Excellence. As the Teacher Leader for the Pre-Primary School, she believes that kindergarten years are the foundation for lifelong learning, where children develop essential skills such as listening, comprehension, thinking and social behavior. She collaborates with teachers to implement skills-based learning, fostering independence in children while instilling values through storytelling, role play and other engaging activities. At Manthan, she has witnessed the school’s remarkable growth in both infrastructure and educational approach, with well-equipped classrooms, libraries, labs and green playgrounds enhancing the learning experience. Her most rewarding moments come from the joy and curiosity of her students, their laughter, progress and unique perspectives - like the child who painted the sun blue because it was in the sky. She takes immense pride in their enthusiasm for learning, especially when parents share how their little ones look forward to classes even on weekends. Being part of the senior leadership team has given her valuable insights into curriculum planning, teacher training and inclusive education, reinforcing her commitment to supporting children with diverse needs. Manthan’s inclusive environment and emphasis on holistic education have shaped her into a more empathetic and evolved educator. She finds immense fulfillment in nurturing young minds and is grateful for the enriching journey that teaching at Manthan has given her.

Ms Kriti Chakraborty is the School Counsellor & Health & Safety Coordinator at Manthan International School. Joining in 2021, she brought a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Psychology, with prior experience in a juvenile home and corporate counselling. At Manthan, she introduced structured counselling processes, creating a proactive support system for students and staff. As she navigated complex safeguarding concerns, her role expanded to include health and safety coordination. Through counselling, workshops and risk assessments, Kriti fosters a safe and supportive school environment, ensuring the well-being of the Manthan community.

Ms. Priyanka Sen has led the Mathematics department at Manthan School since 2018. She teaches Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Further Statistics at AS and A Levels, and is known for bringing clarity, structure and academic depth to her classes. 
With an M.Sc. in Pure Mathematics from the University of Delhi and nearly 20 years of experience, she began her career as an Assistant Professor and later transitioned to school education to make maths more engaging for young learners. At Manthan, she mentors teachers and leads student-centred initiatives like Srijan 2024, a whole-school celebration of mathematics. 
She enjoys travel and believes it connects maths to real-world contexts like architecture and nature. She aims to build a learning environment where students appreciate the value of mathematics and apply it with confidence.

Ms Farzana Begum joined Manthan on Hindi Diwas in 2012 and used to teach students from Grade 2 to Grade 7. She has since then been part of various IGCSE training sessions and was recently promoted to the role of Hindi Subject Lead.  

Farzana’s educational journey began with limited resources, but her determination was unwavering. She secured a government seat for Hindi Pandit Training (HPT) across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and later completed her Master’s degree. Her teachers have been her guiding lights who always supported her desire to learn and often helped her by lending books and other learning material. This created an immense respect for teaching in Farzana’s mind and she wanted to play the same role for others who needed that guidance.  

Farzana has taught Hindi in several schools before becoming a lecturer in a junior college. Later at MNR College, she donned multiple hats as Hindi Lecturer, examination officer, counsellor and parent coordinator. This allowed her to become an efficient and effective multi-tasker.  

At Manthan, Farzana has found her groove and is dedicated to creating impact in learners’ lives. She has a passion for writing that continues to find expression in the form of poems written for staff members’ birthdays as well as in the form of literary contributions to Manthan’s Sparsh magazine. 

Ms. Nagamalleswari has been teaching French at Manthan since 2013. With a Master’s in Business Administration and an Advanced Diploma from the English and Foreign Languages University, she has also completed B2-level certification in French. Originally from the corporate sector, her passion for the language led her to a fulfilling career in teaching. Starting as a part-time faculty member, she soon transitioned to a full-time role, drawn by her love for teaching young learners. As the Subject Lead for French for the past five years, she focuses on creating an engaging and immersive learning environment, encouraging students to think, speak and express themselves confidently in French. She takes pride in seeing her students grow from beginners to fluent speakers who showcase their skills through skits, songs and creative writing. Ms. Nagamalleswari believes that every student deserves a supportive and inspiring space to reach their full potential. She adopts diverse teaching techniques to cater to different learning styles, ensuring students not only excel in board examinations but also develop a genuine appreciation for the language. As a senior leader at Manthan, she values the collaborative culture and continuous professional growth the school fosters. Beyond teaching, she enjoys dancing, singing, reading and spending time outdoors with her children.

Ms. Sangita Sarangi has been a part of Manthan since 2014 and serves as the Subject Lead for Information & Communication Technology (ICT). With a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and prior experience in software, she discovered her passion for teaching while volunteering for STEM programs at her children’s school in the USA. Upon returning to India, she transitioned into education, bringing her expertise to Global Edge School before joining Manthan. At Manthan, Ms. Sangita has played a key role in developing the ICT curriculum, integrating problem-solving into computer science education across all age groups. She finds immense fulfillment in mentoring students, encouraging them to explore emerging technologies beyond the curriculum, and guiding them through research projects. Her teaching philosophy emphasises critical thinking, adaptability and fostering an engaging learning environment where students feel inspired to innovate. As a senior leader, she values the collaborative and transparent culture at Manthan, where diverse ideas and perspectives are welcomed. She has contributed significantly to curriculum design across CBSE and IGCSE, built a strong ICT team and helped navigate the challenges of remote learning during the pandemic. Beyond teaching, Ms. Sangita enjoys reading non-fiction, cooking, baking and travelling with her family. She finds baking bread therapeutic and loves watching old movies in her free time.

Since joining Manthan in 2022, Ms Bhavani's journey as the Telugu Subject Leader has been both fulfilling and transformative. With a strong academic foundation, holding multiple degrees including M.A. in Telugu, Sanskrit and Public Administration, along with B.Ed., M.Ed. and a PG Diploma in Computer Applications, she brings a deep and diverse perspective to education.
Her professional path began in the corporate sector, but her passion for nurturing young minds led her to teaching. At Manthan, she leads Telugu instruction with a focus on experiential learning, storytelling and cultural immersion. She actively contributes to curriculum design, mentor fellow educators and organise vibrant celebrations of Telugu Language Day and major festivals, fostering unity and creativity among students.
Beyond the classroom, she loves traveling, exploring regional cultures and cooking traditional dishes - interests that enrich her teaching and connect students to the roots of Telugu heritage. She is excited to launch a Telugu Literature Club to inspire storytelling, poetry and a lifelong love for the mother tongue.
Her mission is simple: to make learning Telugu joyful, meaningful and deeply connected to our cultural identity.

Meet Mr. Srikar Para, the Transport Manager at Manthan who has been with us since 2018. Mr Srikar exemplifies dedication and precision in his role. Renowned for his punctuality, he oversees the daily operations of a fleet of over 50 buses, ensuring a smooth and safe journey for more than 1,400 students every day. His attention to detail and commitment to perfection are evident in his careful planning and execution, which ensure that each bus journey is timely, secure and well-coordinated. His unwavering dedication provides peace of mind to parents, students, and the entire school community, as he works diligently to uphold the highest standards in school transport.

Ms Kriti Chakraborty is the School Counsellor & Health & Safety Coordinator at Manthan International School. Joining in 2021, she brought a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Psychology, with prior experience in a juvenile home and corporate counselling. At Manthan, she introduced structured counselling processes, creating a proactive support system for students and staff. As she navigated complex safeguarding concerns, her role expanded to include health and safety coordination. Through counselling, workshops and risk assessments, Kriti fosters a safe and supportive school environment, ensuring the well-being of the Manthan community.