The people behind every step.
An expert team of educators, therapists and specialists working together around each child, not in separate silos.
Phalguni Kurani
Centre Head & Senior Special Educator
Phalguni Kurani is the Centre Head and a Senior Special Educator at Hopestone, and has been working in the field of special education since 2000, a span of 26 years. She holds a degree in Child Psychology and Counselling and a Bachelor of Education in Special Needs. Her experience includes two years at Arushi, a special school, two years at Human Development, a remedial centre, and five years at Beacon High School, working within an inclusive education setup.
Across more than two decades in the field, Phalguni has developed a steady, practised eye for how each child learns best, and brings that experience to guiding Hopestone's approach as a whole. Outside work, she is fond of cooking, music, painting and travelling.
Minal Dholakia
RCI Registered Special Educator
Minal Dholakia is an RCI Registered Special Educator with over 18 years of experience working with children and young adults with diverse learning needs. She holds a Degree in Special Education (Intellectual Disability), specialized training in Learning Disabilities, a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, and a degree in Hotel Management & Catering Technology.
Her experience spans Dilkush Special School, CP Goenka International School, Ummeed Child Development Center, Samaavesh, and Yash Charitable Trust, with expertise in IEPs, curriculum development, teacher training, vocational education, inclusive practices, and NIOS programs. She is committed to creating meaningful learning opportunities that foster independence, confidence, and inclusion for children and young adults with diverse needs.
Mahek Vatnani
Special Educator, Counsellor, Clinical Psychologist
Mahek Vatnani holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and has over 3 years of experience as a Special Educator, working with neurodiverse children aged 4–16 and supporting their academic, communication, social-emotional, and developmental needs. She also has over 1 year of experience counselling neurodiverse students aged 11–13, helping them develop greater self-awareness, understand their emotions, and find ways to cope with new and uncomfortable experiences.
She has been at Hopestone for two years, where her areas of specialisation include Language & Communication and Social-Emotional Learning. Her teaching style incorporates sensory integration, music and rhythm, which helps her connect with students better. Her purpose is to create fun, meaningful, and novel experiences for children each day while nurturing their communication and connection with the world around them.
Manisha Thakur
RCI Certified Special Educator
Manisha Thakur is an RCI-certified Special Educator with a B.Ed. in Intellectual Disability and an M.A. in Psychology, with 4+ years of experience working primarily with children aged 4–10 years. Her areas of experience include Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), academic and developmental skill-building, behavioural management, and social-emotional development.
She has also worked under a Speech-Language Pathologist, gaining foundational knowledge of speech and language intervention. Currently, she works within a multidisciplinary team involving Speech and Occupational Therapy, collaborating to support each child's learning and overall development through an individualized, child-centred approach.
Yashvi Ambani
Admin In-Charge & Assistant Teacher
Yashvi Ambani holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and has three years of experience in the field of education, working with neurodiverse children. She works with the aim of advocacy and independence, bringing to light each child's strengths, talents, and potential rather than focusing on their weaknesses or labels, and making sure they get the opportunities and platform to showcase the same. She believes in opportunities that are earned, deserved, and accessible to every child.
For her, this also means looking beyond the label: not an autistic child, but a child with autism, a distinction where one defines the child and the other names just one small part of them. She entered the field of education with the thought of giving back, only to realise she is equally on the receiving end of countless lessons, perspectives, and unconditional love from the children she works with, and it has shaped how she sees children and their abilities ever since. Outside of work, she is passionate about food, children, books, and music.
Join Our Team
If working with neurodiverse children feels less like a job and more like a calling, we'd love to hear from you. We're always looking for educators and therapists who bring patience, curiosity, and real warmth to their work.