Zara Zafar is a certified Montessori directress and childcare development specialist with over 15 years of experience in the United Kingdom. She received her training from the renowned Montessori Centre International and Crossfields Institute in London, earning a CACHE diploma in Montessori pedagogy. In addition, Zara has completed NCFE-accredited training in key areas such as language development, pediatric first aid, speech disabilities, safeguarding and child protection, as well as strategies for supporting children with autism in the early years, delivered by the Westminster Special School.
As a co-founder and operator of a number of successful Montessori schools in central London, Zara has demonstrated her expertise in designing and managing early education environments. She is now dedicated to bringing this wealth of knowledge and passion to her hometown of Karachi. In 2024, she established Starseed Montessori, with a mission to create a distinctive and enriching early years learning experience.
We have brought together a highly skilled and diverse team of educational specialists, each with a deep commitment to the principles of Montessori education. Our team combines years of hands-on experience with a passion for fostering a love of learning in every child. Each member brings unique expertise and perspectives, ensuring a well-rounded approach to teaching that aligns with the highest standards of Montessori excellence. Together, we are dedicated to creating an environment that inspires curiosity, nurtures independence, and empowers children to reach their fullest potential.
Warda Fahad Effendi is a highly accomplished Preschool Counsellor and early childhood specialist with over two decades of experience in mainstream early years education, including more than eleven years at Bayview Academy. Her work is grounded in the belief that emotional security and social competence formed in the early years are critical to long-term learning and wellbeing.
She has extensive experience supporting children aged 1–3 through structured yet responsive, play-based environments informed by HighScope, emergent curriculum, and evidence-based observation and assessment practices. Known for her calm authority and deeply attuned approach, Warda supports emotional regulation, communication skills, and positive peer relationships.
She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from TRC, multiple specialist certifications, and has completed the Cambridge Professional Development Programme in Teaching and Learning. Warda works in close partnership with parents and educators to deliver consistent, high-quality early childhood support.
With over twelve years of experience in early childhood education, Sabahat Niazi brings depth, structure, and empathy to the formative years of learning. She has worked across some of Karachi’s leading institutions, including six impactful years at Academia Civitas as Head of Department and Early Years Nursery Lead, where she led academic planning, team management, and parent engagement.
A trained Montessorian with international credentials and a strong foundation in curriculum design and classroom leadership, she combines pedagogical rigour with a nuanced understanding of child development. Her approach is rooted in the belief that discipline provides direction and helps children build confidence, responsibility, and self-awareness.
Known for creating calm, inclusive, and aspirational learning environments, she remains committed to early education that prioritises character, curiosity, and creativity, recognising that habits formed in the early years shape both academic success and lifelong development.
With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, Naureen brings a rich, globally informed perspective shaped by work across multicultural environments in the Middle East and Pakistan. She holds an Early Childhood Certification from the Middle East and has completed extensive Continuous Professional Development, grounding her practice in child-centred, reflective, and research-informed pedagogy.
Her experience spans a wide range of early learning stages, from toddlers entering structured environments for the first time to preschoolers preparing for the transition into formal schooling. This breadth has given her a deep understanding of early childhood development and the importance of nurturing curiosity from the outset.
After returning to Pakistan, she spent several years at Civitas contributing to curriculum planning, mentoring educators, and designing thoughtful learning environments. At Starseed, she remains committed to fostering joyful, meaningful learning through strong partnerships with families and educators, supporting children to grow with confidence, empathy, and resilience.
Rawa Knowles is a dedicated Montessori educator with over a decade of experience in early childhood education. Blending her background in Montessori teaching with five years as a theatre instructor and trainer, Rawa brings a creative, dynamic approach to the classroom. She seamlessly incorporates imaginative play and performance into her lessons, encouraging children to think independently, express themselves freely, and explore the world with curiosity and confidence. Passionate about nurturing each child’s unique potential, Rawa creates a warm,
supportive environment where learning is joyful, and creativity thrives.
With over fifteen years of experience in finance, accounts, and operational management, Naeem Haroon has played a critical role in supporting the growth and stability of leading educational institutions in Karachi. For more than fifteen years, he has been a central pillar at Haque’s Academy, overseeing accounts, finance, compliance, and operational systems that have enabled the institution to function efficiently and scale responsibly.
His expertise spans budgeting, fee management, taxation, payroll, procurement, reporting, and the implementation of ERP and MIS platforms. He is known for designing customised financial workflows that enhance transparency, accuracy, and cross-departmental efficiency.
With a practical, solutions-oriented approach, Naeem focuses on strengthening operational foundations so academic teams can perform at their best. His long-standing commitment to process improvement and best practices continues to support sustainable institutional growth.
Sameer serves as Special Coordinator and Digital Marketing Lead at Starseed Montessori, overseeing communications, brand strategy, and digital outreach across the school’s programmes. With a background in media production, he supports Starseed’s storytelling, parent engagement, and online presence, ensuring clarity, consistency, and warmth across platforms.
Prior to joining Starseed, he worked as an Assistant Director in films and advertising, gaining hands-on experience in direction, script development, and visual content creation. This foundation enables him to translate educational values into compelling, accessible narratives for families and the wider community.
Combining creative insight with strong coordination skills, Sameer plays a key role in strengthening communication between educators, parents, and stakeholders. His work supports Starseed’s mission to nurture confident, curious, and independent learners through thoughtful and engaging storytelling.