Our Team
Dedicated Teachers & Staff
Get to know our Team
At Hoppers Crossing Montessori Centre, our passionate team of qualified Montessori educators and childcare professionals bring extensive experience and strong educational backgrounds to create a nurturing learning environment.
Our diverse team includes professionals from 16 countries, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of more than 60 nationalities of children and families. This rich blend of skills, disciplines, and perspectives helps us provide personalised care and education tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Together, our dedicated teachers and support staff foster a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space where children feel valued, supported and encouraged to thrive.
Raise your standards to create change
Message from Mr Aseem Gupta
The message in this adage seems simple, but it touched me deeply when I started working with young children in the education sector. My decades of knowledge and success in the business world cannot compare to the fulfilment I get from working with children – they are the source of my inspiration.
My qualifications (Bachelor of Engineering, Postgraduate in Management, Certification of Global Business Leadership from Harvard Business School, and Managerial Excellence Program from Duke University) gave me the skills and knowledge to manage the business in terms of education and medicine, and help me to serve my community, but it is my love for children and rationale to learn from them and with them that brought me to AMI (Association Montessori Internationale).
Working on the principles of Montessori Education, we recognise the importance of the global dimension and the need to prepare our children for the future, keeping in mind cross-cultural competency skills. Montessori Minds Childcare and Kindergarten places a strong emphasis on hands-on experience and aims to ensure that children maximise their abilities, ambitions, and potential in everything they do, while teachers are facilitators, observing them, supporting them, and following.
They need to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their wellbeing. As a father myself, I know it is not always easy to leave your child in someone else’s hands, and we at MM are grateful for your trust in us. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all who currently are and will in the future experience the learning journey along with children first-hand. MM has chosen to place itself at the forefront of educational development with a focus on developing a learning environment and commitment to excellence and inclusiveness in the early childhood years.
Poonam Kowarkar
Poonam, Centre Director brings over 20 years of experience in the early childhood education industry to our centre. With a Bachelor’s degree in Science and a Diploma in Montessori Teaching, Poonam’s wealth of knowledge and expertise is at your service. She is managing the day-to-day operations of the Centre.
Throughout her extensive career, Poonam has made a profound impact on the lives of countless children and educators. Her diverse background in various educational settings across India, Singapore, and Australia has provided her with a deep understanding of different cultural and educational practices.
Poonam’s passion for early childhood teaching is evident in her approach to education. She firmly believes that children, including the children you work with, are natural learners who have much to teach us. Under her guidance, Poonam encourages and fosters children’s interests, allowing their future learning and success to flourish.
With over two decades of experience, Poonam’s leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of the evolving needs and best practices in early childhood education.
Safina Babar
Hello, I am Safina and I hold a Bachelor in Education, a Diploma in Early Childhood, a Diploma in Montessori Education as well as a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. I also got a level IV certification in the Green Steps Sustainability Program.
I am at the moment upskilling myself with a certificate IV in Education and Support. Being a mother of three, I enjoy educating my children, sharing my knowledge with them so, I decided to extend the same in an early childhood setting.
I have been at Hoppers Crossing Montessori Centre since day one. I believe children are like nature’s true gold that needs responsible nurturing hands, supervision, guidance to make them feel secure and confident when stepping out in the real world.
Rosepreet Kaur
My name is Rosepreet, and I am a passionate Kindergarten Teacher (VIT) who truly enjoys being part of children’s early learning journeys. I hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Deakin University and a Master’s degree in Science, which has nurtured my love for inquiry, exploration, and hands-on learning.
I believe children are naturally curious, capable, and full of wonder, and I love creating experiences that encourage them to ask questions, explore their ideas, and learn through play and discovery.
Building genuine relationships with children, families, and colleagues is very important to me, and I enjoy creating a warm and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and included. I bring a multicultural perspective to my practice and can communicate in English, Punjabi, and Hindi, helping me connect with families from diverse backgrounds. I believe that strong partnerships with families create a positive foundation for children’s learning, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading books, as it gives me a chance to relax while continually learning and discovering new ideas. As a proud mother of a boy, I understand how important love, encouragement, patience, and a sense of belonging are in a child’s life. I feel very fortunate to do what I love every day and look forward to getting to know the children and families in our learning community.
Iqra Sadiq
Hi! I am Iqra Sadiq. My academic qualifications include Bachelor’s in Microbiology, another Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Care and education from University of Swinburne, and Certificate 4 in Training and assessment.
My passion for teaching young children made me change my profession from Microbiology to Early Childhood education. I believe that every child can accelerate in his learning with a right start and a right environment, be it academics, arts, sports.
Being a sports person myself, I take pleasure and pride in organizing and participating in outdoor activities. My love for reading books keep me updated with my professional skills and I look forward to a new and exciting experience every day with these children.
Truc Le
Hi, my name is Truc. I am originally from Vietnam but I have been living in Australia for twenty years now. I have been working in the Early Childhood Sector for four years.
I have always been a child at heart and I wanted to be surrounded by them. I believe that every child is different and unique in the way they grow, learn, and develop. I believe in building on children’s motivation and actively engaging in their learning.
Through my experience in Early Childhood teaching, I had the opportunity to work with children with disabilities and I find it so rewarding to see and celebrate their achievements.
Manpreet Kaur
Hello! My name is Manpreet Kaur and my qualifications are diploma in Early childhood education. I have an experience of working with children for over 7 Years. I believe every child is unique and learns best when they feel safe, loved and encouraged.
What encourages me to work with children is seeing the world through their eyes. Their curiosity, laughter and those small everyday milestones — first words, first friendships, first artworks — make every day so rewarding.
I love creating a warm, playful and inclusive environment where children can explore, learn and grow at their own pace.
Sophie Maclou
I am Sophie, I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and have over 11 years of experience in the industry. I am deeply passionate about working with children and creating a warm, caring and engaging environment where they feel safe, valued and supported.
I believe every child is unique and capable, with their own personality, strengths and way of learning. My goal is to encourage children to become confident, creative and independent learners by giving them opportunities to explore, make choices, express their ideas and learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
I take great pride in my professionalism, strong work ethic and attention to detail. I am committed to providing high-quality care and building positive, respectful relationships with children, families and colleagues.
I come from a Mauritian background and am fluent in both English and French. I also enjoy travelling and have explored countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. These experiences have strengthened my appreciation for cultural diversity, which I enjoy sharing with the children in meaningful and inclusive ways.
Manmeet Kaur
Hi! I am Manmeet and I have done my Master’s in Education from India. I currently hold Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education and being with children is one of the best parts of my life.
I am known for my cooking and organisational skills in the centre. Being a mother of two beautiful children, I know the journey of motherhood and can relate to all the motherly emotions. This helps me relate to the families and to the children.
I believe that children should be involved in everything we do to give them the best start in their practical and sensorial education.
Divya Ganesh
I am Divya, and I want to work with children for as long as I can in my life. I have Diploma in Montessori Education and I have worked for an international school in Singapore for 7 years.
My other accolades in education are Bachelor’s in Commerce, Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, Cambridge International Diploma in Teaching, Certificate in Education Support from Monash University.
My years in teaching have taught me to be a humble person as I believe we learn more from children than what children learn from us. I am fond of gardening and follow the sustainable practices with a vision and a wish for a better and greener future.
Mandeep Purewal
Hi, my name is Mandeep Purewal. I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, and I also have a Certificate IV in Education Support. I have over seven years of experience working in the early childhood education sector.
I believe that every child is different and unique in their own way. They grow, learn and develop at their own pace. I believe every child is special, and I bring their individual strengths, interests and needs into my practice.
I am a warm, caring, positive and creative educator who is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and engaging learning environment for every child. I am passionate about supporting children to learn, grow and develop through meaningful and enjoyable experiences.
Preeti Arya
My name is Preeti Arya. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from India, with more than 10 years of experience in the early childhood education and care sector.
I am passionate about my work and genuinely enjoy working with children and supporting their learning, development and wellbeing.
I value building positive and respectful relationships with children, families and educators through open communication, teamwork and collaboration.
I believe every child is unique, capable and full of potential, and I enjoy creating a warm, supportive environment where children feel secure, confident and encouraged to learn and grow.
Ravdeep Kaur
My name is Ravdeep, and I am an Early Childhood Teacher at Hoppers Crossing Montessori Centre (HCMC). I have been part of the HCMC team for over three and a half years. Originally from New Zealand, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Teaching and have over 14 years of teaching experience across New Zealand and Australia.
I am passionate about creating a warm, inclusive and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, respected and confident to learn. I enjoy supporting children through Montessori practices, intentional teaching and meaningful play-based experiences that encourage independence, curiosity and a love for learning. I believe in building strong relationships with children and families and working in partnership to support each child’s individual strengths, interests and development.