Falak Shaikhani, the founder of The Aster School, is extremely passionate about making a positive difference in Pakistan’s education system. Her drive to contribute to education in Pakistan led her to conduct extensive research around early childhood education. After completing her Bachelors in Economics at the University of Warwick in 2015, she pursued a Masters in Finance from the London School of Economics, after which she also worked as a consultant with Deloitte London. Her time abroad has introduced her to innovative and exciting learning techniques and methodologies, and she developed particular interest in the education systems of UK, Sweden and Finland. Since January 2018, she has surveyed more than sixty schools in Pakistan and abroad, and has met educationists from all over the world to realize her dream of providing quality early childhood education in Pakistan. During her time in Europe, she was especially inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach She believes firmly in the value of quality education, as she knows that it can change lives. Falak received training in early childhood education from Finland, UK and Dubai, and is also completing a Certificate of Educational Leadership from Harvard University. She is deeply inspired by the Finnish and Reggio Emilia approach, as well as the Early Year Foundation Stages (EYFS) approach in the British curriculum, both of which place student needs and abilities above all else. As founder, it is her objective to provide quality education through incorporating the best, most innovative pedagogical techniques in early childhood education from around the world. “Nothing without joy!” is a phrase that succinctly captures her vision for little learners having a happy childhood and a successful future. It is because of her belief in joy that she loves travelling, exploration and adventure, and would like to make Aster an institute that embodies her love for discovery. She also loves animals, and believes in extending joy to all creatures, big and small.
Her motto can be described as follows: “Whatever it Takes!” Falak is committed to giving her all in making Aster a joyful, nurturing place. Our entire team also believes in giving their all — whatever it takes!
Our Advisors
Njeri Richardson-Carty
Advisor
Njeri Richardson-Carty is the CEO of Branches Of Learning Inc., an education consulting firm on the beautiful island of Anguilla. Her career has been geared towards the empowerment of children, teachers and parents; specifically children with special needs, training and mentoring new teachers, education leaders, and parent advocacy. She holds a BSc in Elementary and Special Education, MS Ed in Multicultural Education with a concentration in Literacy Instruction, a MEd in Educational Leadership and Supervision and numerous speciality certifications. She is known as a creative instructional strategist implementing research based strategies and best practice in innovative ways. She has over 15 years of international teaching and training experience. She is an education visionary with a passion for innovation in the field of education and is the founder of BIG On Learning, a Non-Profit Organization, creating, supporting and promoting innovative education initiatives and solutions in the Caribbean region. As one of founding members and Vice President of The Valley, Anguilla Business Professional Women’s International Affiliate, she is committed to their mission of, “developing the professional, business and leadership potential of women on all levels through advocacy, mentoring, networking, skill building, economic empowerment programs and projects around the world.” She lives her motto of “adding value through education.”
Njeri Richardson-Carty
Advisor
Njeri Richardson-Carty is the CEO of Branches Of Learning Inc., an education consulting firm on the beautiful island of Anguilla. Her career has been geared towards the empowerment of children, teachers and parents; specifically children with special needs, training and mentoring new teachers, education leaders, and parent advocacy. She holds a BSc in Elementary and Special Education, MS Ed in Multicultural Education with a concentration in Literacy Instruction, a MEd in Educational Leadership and Supervision and numerous speciality certifications. She is known as a creative instructional strategist implementing research based strategies and best practice in innovative ways. She has over 15 years of international teaching and training experience. She is an education visionary with a passion for innovation in the field of education and is the founder of BIG On Learning, a Non-Profit Organization, creating, supporting and promoting innovative education initiatives and solutions in the Caribbean region. As one of founding members and Vice President of The Valley, Anguilla Business Professional Women’s International Affiliate, she is committed to their mission of, “developing the professional, business and leadership potential of women on all levels through advocacy, mentoring, networking, skill building, economic empowerment programs and projects around the world.” She lives her motto of “adding value through education.”
Elena Chukhlantseva
Advisor
Elena Chukhlantseva is an educator, who has a strong academic and practical experience in early childhood education and care in multicultural and multi-language settings. She completed her Master of Education at the Stockholm University in Sweden, and the University of Tampere in Finland. A large share of her expertise is in developing and implementing early childhood education curriculum for a bilingual centre based on the EYFS, Te Whāriki and the Finnish Core Curriculum for ECEC. She has also gained a valuable experience in working with children with behavioural and learning difficulties. Her pedagogical interests connect to themes of learning by doing, learning through movement and multimodal learning. She has also provided training to international experts visiting Finland as well as in China. Her strong belief is that shared experiences and curiosity make a difference to learning.
Rebecca Hillman – Reggio Emilia
Approach Consultant
Rebecca Hillman has been a Teacher and practitioner of the Reggio-Emilia Approach since 1999. She grew up in the United States of America and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Florida International University. After being exposed to the Reggio-Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education, she immediately recognized it as an incredibly effective way to help foster the learning, imagination, and creative expression of young children. In addition to working in Early Childhood Centers in both teaching and administrative roles, Rebecca has taught English to children and adults in Europe. She now lives in Madrid, Spain, and enjoys sharing the values and joy inherent in the Reggio-Emilia Approach with her colleagues and other Educators throughout the world.
Rebecca Hillman – Reggio Emilia
Approach Consultant
Rebecca Hillman has been a Teacher and practitioner of the Reggio-Emilia Approach since 1999. She grew up in the United States of America and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Florida International University. After being exposed to the Reggio-Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education, she immediately recognized it as an incredibly effective way to help foster the learning, imagination, and creative expression of young children. In addition to working in Early Childhood Centers in both teaching and administrative roles, Rebecca has taught English to children and adults in Europe. She now lives in Madrid, Spain, and enjoys sharing the values and joy inherent in the Reggio-Emilia Approach with her colleagues and other Educators throughout the world.
