Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) - Eurasia/South Asia

Fellow Biographies - George Mason

Cohort 1 - Summer 2007

Uzma Aamir, Social Studies Teacher
Delhi Public School
Ahmedabad, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Aamir graduated with a bachelor’s of arts in 1992 from Avadh Girls College. She continued her studies with a master’s of commerce degree from Lucknow University in 1992 and a bachelor’s of education in 2004 from Indira Gandhi National Open University. She has been a teacher since 1999 at Delhi Public School. Ms. Aamir would like to gain more experience in the use of interactive teaching tools and technology as a teaching tool for her lessons on geography and social studies.

Anupama Chadha, English Teacher
Raj Hans Vidyalaya
Mumbai, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Chadha received a bachelor’s in education from the Dayalbagh Educational Institute in 1990, a master’s in English from Annamalai University in 1994, and a diploma in journalism from the Harkisan Media Foundation Institute in 2005. She has been a teacher at her present school since 1999 and has published several articles in local magazines and newspapers. Ms. Chadha would like to share her experience in the U.S. by holding workshops with local teachers.

Rashmi Diwan, English Teacher
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Nand Niketan Hazira School
Mumbai, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Diwan graduated with a bachelor’s in arts and education from Kurukshetra University in 1991 and 1992. She continued her studies at the same university and received a master’s of arts in 1994. Ms. Diwan has been a teacher at her present school since 1996. She also serves as the coordinator for co-curricular activities and for the public speaking society. Ms. Diwan would like to gain more experience with American teaching methodologies.

Rashmi Makhija, Lecturer
Sinhgad College of Arts, Science and Commerce
Pune, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Makhija received a bachelor’s and then a master’s of English from the University of Pune in 1997 and 1999. She continued her studies at this university, where she earned a bachelor’s and then master’s of education in 2000 and 2006. Ms. Makhija is a teacher at the Tilak College of Education and the Sinhgad College of Arts, Science and Commerce. She would like to gain more experience using technology as a teaching aid.

Pandya Pareshkumar, Assistant Teacher
Zenith School
Pratapnagar, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Mr. Pareshkumar received degrees in literature and education from S.P. University in 1994, 1996, and 1997. In addition to these degrees, he earned a teaching certificate at Preston College in 1999, a degree in education from Gujarat University in 2002 and an international diploma from Cambridge University in 2007. He has been a teacher at the Zenith School since 1997 and has also led teacher trainings. He hopes to use his experience working with American teacher trainers for the quality enhancement program that he is associated with in Gujarat.

Wilma Pereira, Graduate Senior Teacher
Deepvihar High School
Vasco-De-Gama, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Pereira received a bachelor’s of science from the University of Calcutta in 1982, a bachelor’s of education in 1984 from the same university, and a master’s in economics from Shivaji University in 1996. She has been a teacher at Deepvihar High School for sixteen years and has contributed to teacher training sessions and other professional development activities. She is particularly interested in the role of the PTA in American schools because she is a teacher-parent liaison at her school.

G.V. Rajashekar, Graduate Teacher
D.A.V. Public School
Kusmunda, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Mr. Rajashekar received a bachelor’s of commerce in 1989, a master’s of arts from Ravishankar University in 1992, and a bachelor’s of education in 1996 from Annamalai University. Mr. Rajashekar has been a teacher at the D.A.V. Public School for nine years. He is particularly interested in working with American speakers of English to learn more about public speaking techniques.

Ruchi Goyal, Assistant Teacher
Gokuldham High School
Mumbai, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Royal graduated with a master’s of arts in 1997 from the University of Rajasthan and a bachelor’s of education in 2000 from Mumbai University. She has taught at Gokuldham High School since 1997 and has been very involved with developing curriculum, conferences, and workshops on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Ms. Royal would like to learn more about how American schools conduct HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs.

Pramila Singla, Head of Department in the Social Sciences
St. Raphael’s High School
Indore, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Singla received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta in 1979, a master’s in political science from the University of Calcutta in 1982, a master’s in English at the University of Ujjain in 1986, and finally a degree in education from Vikram University in 1994. She continued her studies at SNDT University in Mumbai where she earned a degree in Education in 1990. In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Singla is in charge of organizing seminars for teachers. She is looking forward to integrating lessons from American faculty members into her courses.

Madhvi Shroff, Head of Geography Department
Greenlawns High School
Mumbai, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Shroff graduated with a bachelor’s of commerce in 1987 and a bachelor’s of education from Mumbai University in 1994. She also earned diplomas in public speaking and computer programming. Ms. Shroff has been a teacher of geography since 1994 and since 2004, head of the geography department. She also teaches commercial applications and environmental education. As a geography teacher, Ms. Shroff is interested in gaining firsthand knowledge of American geography and culture to share with teachers and her students

Narula Veneeta, Assistant Teacher
Kendriya Vidyalaya Bhandup
Mumbai, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Veneeta received a bachelor’s of arts and education from Maharishi Dayanand University in 1980 and 1982, and a master’s in English from the same university in 1983. She has been a teacher at her school in Mumbai for twenty-two years and is in charge of guidance and counseling. Ms.Vaneeta has also been a teacher trainer since 2004. She would like to use her American experience with training and testing to write new Indian textbooks.

Smita Warpe, Teacher
Symbiosis Society’s College of Arts & Communication
Pune, India
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Warpe received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pune in 1987. She continued her studies at SNDT University in Mumbai where she earned a degree in Education in 1990. In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Smita has contributed to several seminars and has published papers on methodology. She would like to learn more about the differences between American and British English and the use of English in the world of business and the internet.

Mukhabbat Abdukarimova, English Teacher
State Gymnasium #1
Jilikul, Tajikistan
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Abdukarimova graduated with a bachelor’s in foreign languages from Dushanbe State Pedagogical University. She has been an English teacher at the gymnasium since 1996. She also serves as a teacher trainer and has participated in several international teacher conferences. Ms. Abdukarimova is particularly interested in the interaction between parents and teachers and how American schools teach classes with students of different abilities.

Tadzhidin Khaitov, English Teacher
School #9
Kurgan-Tube, Tajikistan
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Mr. Haitov graduated with a bachelor’s in foreign languages from Kurgan-Tube State University in 2003. He has been an English teacher at School #9 since 2000 and since 2003 he has been the supervisor of English teachers. Mr. Haitov has also participated in several teacher conferences and training seminars. He is particularly interested in using his experience in American schools to improve and update English textbooks in Tajikistan.

Shoista Khayolbekova, English Teacher
Aga Khan Lyceum
Khorog, Tajikistan
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Khayolbekova graduated with a bachelor’s in foreign languages from Khorog State University in 2000. She has been an English teacher at the lyceum for six years. She also serves as a teacher trainer at Aga Khan Education Service and has presented at trainings and seminars. Ms. Khayolbekova would like to share her experience in American schools with her colleagues through seminars and training sessions.

Munavar Zaripova, English Teacher
School #7
Khujand, Tajikistan
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Zaripova graduated from Leninabad State Pedagogical Institute with a bachelor’s in English in 1977. She has been an English teacher at School #7 since 1978. She has also participated in several teacher trainings sponsored by the Soros Foundation. Ms. Zaripova would like to share her experience in American schools with her colleagues through seminars and training sessions.

Iryna Chepyha, English Teacher
Chortkiv Gymnasium
Chortkiv, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Chepyha graduated from the Ivano-Frankivsk Pedagogical Institute with a bachelor’s in foreign languages in 1981. She has been a teacher at the Chortkiv Gymnasium since 1981. She has also participated in many professional development activities. Ms. Chepyha would like to gain more experience with American teaching methodologies.

Lidiya Cherepynska, English Teacher
Zaporizhia Classical Lyceum
Zaporizhia, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Cherepynska graduated with a bachelor’s in 1985 from Zaporozhia State Pedagogical Institute. She has been a teacher at the lyceum since 1990. She has also participated in several professional development activities and published articles on teaching. Ms. Cherepynska would to gain more experience with working in a multicultural environment in American classrooms.

Oksana Havryliuk, English Teacher
Vyzhnytsia Secondary School
Vyzhnytsia, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Havryliuk graduated with a bachelor’s in 1989 from Chernivtsi National University. She has been a teacher at the Vyzhnytsia Secondary School since 1989. She has also served as a trainer and a participant at teacher trainer conferences and workshops. Ms. Havryliuk would to share her experience in American schools by conducting workshops and publishing articles in her community.

Nataliya Khymych, English Teacher
School #1
Irshava, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Khymych graduated with a bachelor’s in English in 1980 from Uzhgorod State University. She has been a teacher at School #1 since 1983 and since 1994 the head of the teachers of English methodological association. She has also participated in many professional development activities. Ms. Khymych is particularly interested in how American schools work with gifted students.

Iryna Nikolayenko, English Teacher
Nadiya High School
Odesa, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Nikolayenko graduated with a bachelor’s in 1984 from Odesa State University. She has been a teacher at Nadiya high school since 2001 and is now head of the English department. She has also participated in teacher conferences and workshops. Ms. Nikolayenko hopes to use her experience in American schools to build ties between Nadiya high school and an American school.

Olga Oliynyk, English Teacher
Lyceum “The Professional”
Kharkiv, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Oliynyk graduated with a bachelor’s in 1996 from Kharkiv State University. She has been a teacher at the lyceum since 2004 and a teacher at the Kharkiv Center of Foreign Languages since 2000. She has also participated in several teacher training workshops and conferences. Ms. Oliynyk is particularly interested in the interaction between American schools and other institutions such as universities, institutes, and local government.

Svitlana Rakhmanska, English Teacher
Pidvolochysk Gymnasium
Pidvolochysk, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Rakhmanska graduated with a bachelor’s in 1989 from Drohobych State Pedagogical Institute. She has been a teacher at the Pidvolochysk Gymnasium since 1990 and is now head of the Foreign Languages department. She has also served as a trainer and a participant at teacher trainer conferences and workshops. Ms. Rakhmanska would to learn more about how teamwork and leadership are taught in American schools.

Lyudmyla Skrypnyk, English Teacher
Dovzhok Collegium
Dovzhok, Ukraine
U.S. Host University: George Mason University
Ms. Skrypnyk graduated with a bachelor’s in 1990 from the Ivano-Frankivsk State Pedagogical Institute. She continued her studies at Kamyanets-Podilsky State University, where she received a degree in English language and literature. She has been a teacher at the collegium since 1990. Ms. Skrypnyk is particularly interested in how American educational officials interact with teachers and students.

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