Eka Superheroes

Co-founders

Ms. Sharmila Jois Vellal

With the Master’s Degree from Bangalore University (Child Guidance) and University of Northampton (Inclusive Education) and Diploma from KPAMRC (Learning disability), Sharmila has experience of working in both Inclusive and Exclusive institutes for over 14 years now. She was also co-founder of another organization. She is currently serving as a board member of SERPA. This has broadened her understanding of varied perspectives when it comes to working with children with various disabilities across the age- groups. She firmly believes that for inclusion to become a reality in educational institutes, organizations as well as in society; parents & family members, mainstream educators, Special educators, therapists, friends and the child with disabilities need to work in collaboration with each other, this means taking realistic measures that are attainable, affordable and accessible. She thoroughly believes in teamwork and follows the multiple-intelligence theory in her working methodology. Her experience of using hands-on working model with students has been a key-factor behind her success stories. She is an avid reader and keeps herself up-to-date by reading a lot of research papers & journals online. 

Ms. Santhi Karamcheti 

Santhi holds a Master’s degree in Human Genetics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. She worked with three international schools at the beginning of her career and later started a special school, EDventure Academy in Bangalore. She volunteers with a couple of organisations and is also serving as President of S.E.R.P.A. She is a guest faculty in one of the special educators' training institute in Bangalore. Santhi is one of the top-50 finalist of Global Teacher Prize, dubbed as Nobel prize for Teachers, in the year 2016 & marked India on global map from around 20,000 nominations from 55 countries around the world. She has also received extraordinary teacher award from IRC, Bangalore. Her previously founded school EDventure Academy has won 'People's Choice' award in the category of special schools from Karnataka, by BrainFeed. Her close to 14 years of experience provided her an opportunity to work across disabilities and age groups. Her work mainly comprises on increasing children’s capacities in essential areas like personality development, socio-communication skills, self-belief, academics, vocational and Pre-Vocational skills. Mainstreaming children and young adults into schools and employment are her mission in life and she intends to further her aim by making inclusion a norm. She has conducted close to 50 workshops and training for teachers, corporate offices, parents, educators, therapists etc on various special needs topic, especially on showing inclusion as an attainable concept. 

Coordinators

Jaishree Muralidharan

Jaishree Muralidharan has 8 years of experience as Special educator. Certified by KPAMRC, she has trained many students in completion of NIOS examinations & mainstreamed almost all the young students she had an opportunity to work with. Her bond with students helps them not just come out of their shell but helps them showcase their talents as well. Jaishree is our Dancing Diva as well as art expert. Jaishree is leading Eka's NIOS.

Sarika Goyal 

Sarika Goyal has Diploma in Special Education for Inclusive Education  from Spastic Society of Karnataka. She has been working towards the betterment of children with special needs for the last 7 years. She has been successful in mainstreaming young students with her talent in school-readiness. Her aim is to make her students self reliant and confident to stand out in the society. Sarika’s hobbies include listening to music, painting, playing with kids and cooking. She is leading Eka's primary academic levels.

Ashreta

With a Master’s degree from Manipal University in Clinical Psychology. With experience in clinical as well as remedial settings, Ashreta is go-to person for any challenging tasks. She has been working with students across the age group and disability. Her extremely organised and methodical way of planning and teaching has been a great inspiration for her students & colleagues. She is leading Eka's Vocational unit. 

Teaching staff

Ben

Ben is from Nagaland, she was working with Teens in Springs Buds Nagaland. She holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology, BA in Literature, Economics, Political Science and History. She has the heart to serve people and always believes in an inclusive society because of which she is here with us on board as an special educator. She is always ready to work with students and her positivity brings in smile on everyone’s face. She is training students from across the age groups and needs. She is our Math expert. 

Chithraa

Chithraa holds a diploma in Inclusive Education from Spastics Society of Karnataka and a diploma in Counseling skills from Banjara Academy. She has experience working with students across the age groups, especially in vocational & prevocational skill training. Chithra is a great dancer and is extremely empathetic. She is considered as second mother by many students. She is our culinary & housekeeping skills expert. 

Naveena

K Naveena Rao, holds a Masters (MSW) from St. Joseph's College. She has had quite a number of internships from various organisations in Bangalore and in USA. She loves to work with children and adolescents. She loves to dance, sing, art-craft, etc. Naveena has various feathers to her cap and has insatiable needs to acquire a new skill. She has been an expert in remedial classes especially in teaching academics to young students and for NIOS. She is our Music and events expert. 

Aparna Anna

Aparna a multi-talented and versatile special educator with diploma in Special Education, (LD) and Master’s degree is Biomedical Genetics, shows no stopping when it comes to being creative with lesson planning. Aparna has a talent to be accommodative and has an extreme sense of bonding with students. She works from Australia through online and is our Lesson plan expert.

Esther

Esther holds a Master’s Degree in Social work from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore. She cares for each and every student and makes them feel like a champion. Her compassion extends to being excellent in planning co-curricular and hands-on activities. Esther is consistent with her work and intends to touch one soul at a time. She has been rendering amazing developments in students with severe needs. She is our Music expert. 

Shraddha

Shraddha Modi is from Gujarat. She has a bachelors in Psychology and a certification course in Autism and Behavioral Science from George Brown College, Toronto. She has 3 years experience working with individuals with autism. Shraddha has been working with students across age groups. Her peaceful nature makes students fall in love with her & bond at various levels. She is our theatre expert.

Vidushi

Vidushi hails from Darjeeling and has done her master's in Counselling Psychology. She has 4 years of experience in working with persons with disability. She is an India Inclusion Fellow. She has been Vlogging on Sign language and aims at making Sign language as a norm. She is good at building lasting relations. She has been our expert in socio-emotional-cognitive development.

Sreeji S

Sreeji holds a masters degree in Disability studies & Rehab sciences & a bachelors degree in Psychology from MG University. She has done paper presentations at international and national seminars on various topics. she has also done internships from various National organizations including NIMHANS & RCI. She has worked as a special educator in mainstream schools and is now Eka's Science expert. 

Non-teaching staff

Nivedita

Nivedita holds a degree in Computer Applications (BCA) from Christ University. She is our admin & is a steadfast at work. She is versatile and multi talented. She is a budding musician & photographer with her own YouTube channel. She is Eka’s Administration Head, Tech Advisor & social media expert.

Teresa Shankar

Teresa Shankar, is an English Literature graduate. After a long stint in the corporate world, she decided to pursue a career in teaching. She holds a Diploma in Modern Methods of Teaching from ‘The International School Bangalore’.  Her passion to teach children with special needs was realised when she worked and volunteered at EDventure Academy for two years. She was able to combine her passion for baking and teaching, when she got the opportunity with children with special needs. She is our volunteer & baking expert.