About Us

Functioning in the Adyar area of Chennai since 2010, CASCADE FLS is a Montessori based replicable educational eco system that empowers children, self-directs their learning, and helps families to learn and grow as involved parents in their children's lives.

We continue to generate success stories among members in our community who ally with the system, thriving in its growth and stabilisation.

It's parent organisation Relief Foundation (public charitable trust) runs four rural Montessori resource centres since 2015. CFLS and RF collaborate to offer rural learning experiences for elementary and adolescent ages.

Meet the Team:

Montessori House for Children and Elementary School ensures that the Casa, Elementary and Adolescent guides are trained in Montessori Pedagogy under the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) OR IMTC Indian Montessori training Courses. The Centre prides itself on the quality, educational depth and Talent of its faculty. Lead guides hold Montessori credentials recognized through the AMI. All trained assistants undergo specific Montessori Assistant Training both in-house and from independent trainers to achieve consistency.

Founder

Mrs. Vidya Shankar Chakravarthy

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Founder, Mentor - Senior AMI Elementary Guide, Facilitator Adolescent Studies and Montessori Sports

Vidya Shankar is a Child Rights Practitioner and a Montessori advocate for children. Her role as a founder and mentor of the entire guides team at CFLS, has made possible the collaboration with her organisation - Relief Foundation’s rural Montessori centres for mutual benefit and growth. Vidya is passionate about the holistic approach of Montessori education and the skills Montessori Children develop, which allows them to contribute to society in a meaningful and profound way.

Anusha Rajaraman (Photo) AMI Elementary Guide and CFLS Parent Committee Member.

Anusha Rajaraman is an Engineering graduate, trained in AMI Primary, now pursuing AMI Elementary. She is passionate about art based education and fostering inner well being of children. She is a proud parent of two children in Cascade FLS and is a part of its Core team. She keenly pursues her passion for bettering the educational options available to the families.

Ms. Nandini Murali (AMI Primary Guide and CFLS Parent Committee Member)

Nandini is an MBA, trained as an AMI Montessori primary guide. She is immensely passionate about children's early experiential education the Montessori way. She's a firm believer and follower of the quote "Children become what you are and so be what you want them to be".

Ms. Bhooma Suresh (Elementary Support and High school Guide)

With a Bachelors degree in English literature and Psychology, Bhooma has done certification courses in handling special children. Children and animals are the causes she relates to and works for . Committed member of Rotary International . She can speak English Hindi, Marathi, Tamizh and Malayalam.

Ms. Akila Ramesh (Homescience)

Akila is a Special Educator and Assessor with accreditation from RCI Rehabilitation Council of India(RCI)-CRR No. A24019. B.Ed (SEDE),TNOU, Chennai, India.

She has over 16 years of experience in teaching Business studies, accountancy and Home science for class 10 and 12 (National Institute of Open Schooling-NIOS curriculum ). She is adept in teaching children with learning difficulties.

Mr. Nataraj Panchapagesan - Environmentalist (offering Earth Ethics)

An IT professional turned social entrepreneur, he gave up a successful career in the US to follow his passion for setting up a social enterprise. He created a network of like-minded individuals with a passion for transforming communities. Namma Ooru Foundation (NOF) is a not-for-profit organization founded by him and run by a group of passionate individuals who care about the environment.

Vidya Mahesh Kumar - Painting

Ms. Vidya is a homemaker and hobby crafter turned full time artist. A masters degree holder in sociology, she pursued art training under Artist A. V. Ilango, later working as a teacher in his studio. She then went on to obtain a PG diploma in painting. She now works in her home studio, branded as "vidyarty creations", painting and teaching students art both offline and online. Travelling and sketching on location particularly interests her.

Mr. Murali Krishnan (AMI Elem Guide for Upper Elem and Advanced Tamizh)

Murali Krishnan is a post graduate in English and Computer Applications. During his tenure in the Software Industry, he had volunteered for many years in the child welfare sector, especially the Juvenile and Observation Homes in Tamilnadu.

His core Strength is adopting best classroom practices that will make learning meaningful for children.

Vinoth Maximus, High School Science guide / Cascade FLS Elementary Alumnus / Engineering College Student

High school graduate from a Cambridge International (A level) certified school. High achievement award winner in Physical Science at IGCSE exams. Aspiring to become a Sound Engineer. Applied for an Electronics and Communication engineering program. A science and math enthusiast. A Physics lover especially interested in Astronomy. Classical trained singer and a Western Dancer. Pianist (Grade 1 Trinity exam) and a Badminton player. Participated in IIMUN ( India's International Movement to Unite Nations ) and have conducted intra- school debates.

Dr. Chandra Shekar Balachandran (Humanities and Cultural Geography)

Dr. Chandra has been involved with Geography education in India and US for over 35 yrs. He anchors tigsindia.com through which he helps students learn the power of Geography education, teachers make Geography teaching exciting, and parents have meaningful conversations with their wards.

Ms.Meena Devarajan (Middle school math and science, high school business studies, entrepreneurship, economics and social studies)

With a Bachelors degree in Economics she completed Spl Ed diploma committing to support children with differential learning needs. Her conviction in the true potential of each child has endeared her to all ages of students. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi, thereby supporting languages study in the classroom learning at high school levels.