Mona possesses a distinguished academic background, holding a Master’s degree in science, which complements her extensive experience as a preschool educator spanning an impressive 25 years across three continents.
Her profound belief in the transformative influence of the learning environment, often referred to as the “third teacher,” underscores her commitment to fostering meaningful early years experiences. Mona values the collaborative efforts of parents, teachers, and children, recognizing the pivotal role they play in shaping and cherishing these formative years.
“I strive to create a positive learning environment where students are motivated to succeed.”
Gigi Tate brings over 20 years of experience in the field of education to her role as the Head of School at Stratford’s Santa Clara Pomeroy campus. She strives to create a positive learning environment where students are motivated to succeed and realize their full potential. When students feel safe, supported, and included, there is no limit as to what they can achieve.
Namrata Bhalla brings over a decade of experience in the field of education to her role as the Director of Lower School (3-5th Grade) at Stratford’s Santa Clara Pomeroy campus. Before assuming her current role, Namrata served in both teaching and leadership roles at Stratford.
Namrata believes in each child’s ability to succeed, but knows that children learn in a variety of ways. Stratford’s curriculum provides an excellent framework of learning opportunities to all students that allows educators to help students tap into their unique potential to learn, perform, and accomplish their educational goals. She knows that the teachers in students’ lives play a vital role in development by creating a nurturing and enriching environment to help each child shine.
More than anything, Namrata appreciates Stratford’s focus on the overall development of each student and the family partnerships that are core to a Stratford School education.
Our School Leaders
Mona Pandit
Director of ECE and TK
Mona possesses a distinguished academic background, holding a Master’s degree in science, which complements her extensive experience as a preschool educator spanning an impressive 25 years across three continents.
Her profound belief in the transformative influence of the learning environment, often referred to as the “third teacher,” underscores her commitment to fostering meaningful early years experiences. Mona values the collaborative efforts of parents, teachers, and children, recognizing the pivotal role they play in shaping and cherishing these formative years.
EmailJinkie Galvan
Director of Lower School (KG-2G)
Meher Irani
Assistant Director (PS-5th Grade)
Gigi Tate
Head of School
“I strive to create a positive learning environment where students are motivated to succeed.”
Gigi Tate brings over 20 years of experience in the field of education to her role as the Head of School at Stratford’s Santa Clara Pomeroy campus. She strives to create a positive learning environment where students are motivated to succeed and realize their full potential. When students feel safe, supported, and included, there is no limit as to what they can achieve.
EmailNamrata Bhalla
Director of Lower School (3-5th Grade)
“I believe in each child’s unique potential.”
Namrata Bhalla brings over a decade of experience in the field of education to her role as the Director of Lower School (3-5th Grade) at Stratford’s Santa Clara Pomeroy campus. Before assuming her current role, Namrata served in both teaching and leadership roles at Stratford.
Namrata believes in each child’s ability to succeed, but knows that children learn in a variety of ways. Stratford’s curriculum provides an excellent framework of learning opportunities to all students that allows educators to help students tap into their unique potential to learn, perform, and accomplish their educational goals. She knows that the teachers in students’ lives play a vital role in development by creating a nurturing and enriching environment to help each child shine.
More than anything, Namrata appreciates Stratford’s focus on the overall development of each student and the family partnerships that are core to a Stratford School education.
EmailOur Faculty
Jed Adler
4th Grade Teacher
Lakshmi Akella
Kindergarten Teacher
Kathleen Alldredge
3rd Grade Teacher
Kanchan Arora
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Rizwana Balkish
Preschool Teacher
Ghada Bedair
5th Grade Teacher
Diana Celis
Preschool Teacher
Sandy Donis
Extended Day Supervisor
Fatima Farheen
5th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Vicky Gong
Mandarin Teacher
Nicole Graves
Kindergarten Teacher
Mona Grillo
Spanish Teacher
Gloria Guizar
PS Spanish Teacher
Shivani Gupta
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Chaitra Hadimani
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Alyssa Holsworth
PE Teacher
Karen Hovey
3rd Grade Teacher
Sonali Jain
1st Grade Teacher
Nandini Jaiprakash
Preschool Teacher
Arundhati Kale
Elementary Floater Teacher
David Kawaye
4th Grade Teacher
Garrett Lee
1st Grade Teacher
Urvi Madhani
Kindergarten Teacher
Kimberley Matthews
2nd Grade Teacher
Charisse Medina
Elementary Music Teacher
Anna Melville
Kindergarten Teacher
Aziz Merchant
5th Grade Teacher
Mikayla Minard
Kindergarten Teacher
Manisha Mistry
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Aarthi Mohan
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Cayla Molina
1st Grade Teacher
Nancy Morrison
3rd Grade Teacher
Shellie Murison
2nd Grade Teacher
Sangeetha Muruganantham
5th Grade Science, History and Math Teacher
Akhila Naralasetti
Preschool Floater Teacher
Peggy Pacis
3rd Grade Teacher
Nandita Parikh
PS/PK/TK Science Teacher
Kajal Patel
2nd Grade Teacher
Swati Pathak
4th Grade Teacher
Rubina Pervez
3rd Grade Teacher
Sarahi Pompa
4th Grade Teacher
Kasthuri Rajan
Preschool Teacher
Komala Rangachari
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Subhashree Ravishangar
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Charlene Romero
Extended Day Lead
Adriana Salazar
2nd Grade Teacher
Sarahi Pompa
Fourth Grade Teacher
Uma Sethuraman
Kindergarten Teacher
Abija Sherelyn
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Priya Srivastava
1st Grade Teacher
Christopher Teasley
1st Grade Teacher
Anna Tibbets
PE Teacher
Tingzhu Tzu
Elementary Music Teacher
Neelam Verma
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Asha Vinesh
Preschool Teacher
Evelyn Peiling Wei
PS Music Teacher
Sydney Wieland
1st Grade Teacher
Sadia Wynne
4th Grade Teacher