Primary focus is to provide leadership and oversight in the development and design of Religious Education curricula, resources and teaching guides for learners aged 0–18.
Reeshma is an educational leader and curriculum specialist with over two decades of experience. She currently serves as a senior curriculum developer at The Institute of Ismaili Studies(IIS) in London, where she leads the design and development of Ta’lim religious education materials for learners aged 0–18. Her current focus is to rewrite the Ta’lim Primary curriculum for ages 4-12, with the aim of designing curricula, resources and materials which will help learners develop an informed, contextualised and confident understanding of their histories, cultures and identity as Ismaili Muslims within the broader Muslim world, and the diverse societies where they live.
Reeshma’s educational leadership background includes heading the primary, nursery and high school divisions within the Aga Khan Schools in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as well as supporting the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) as a school programme and evaluation leader for PYP and DP schools, conducting programme evaluations of international schools teaching these programmes.
Reeshma holds a Master of Education in International Educational Administration from Endicott College, and a Master of Arts in English and Literature from Middlebury College. She began her career as a religious education teacher with ITREB Kenya in Mombasa before transitioning into the secular education sector. She has served as an educator for 23 years, including 17 years with the Aga Khan Schools and Academies in East Africa. In addition, Reeshma has worked in the field of Special Education as a teacher and psychometric assessor developing specialised learning programmes that support students with diverse educational needs.
Education
Master of Education in International Educational Administration, Endicott College, USA (2019)
Post Graduate Certificate of Education, University of Nottingham, UK (2017)
Science of Early Childhood Development, Red River College of Applied Arts and Sciences, Canada (2016)
Advanced Diploma in Inclusive Education, Queen’s University, Ireland (2012)
Master of Arts in English & Literature, Middlebury College, USA (2008)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, United States International University, Kenya (1997)
Languages
English, Kiswahili, Hindi, Gujerati, Kutchi and Urdu
Community engagement
ITREB KENYA: Honorary Secretary (2024 – 2026)
ECD Consultant for Aga KhanA title granted by the Shah of Persia to the then Ismaili Imam in 1818 and inherited by each of his successors to the Imamate. Education Services Tanzania (2023)
SEN Policy Development: Aga Khan Schools (July 2023 – July 2024)
ITREB KENYA: RE Member for T’alim, STEP, Communications and T&D (2020 – 2023)
AKEB UGANDA: Education portfolio (2015–2017)
GRB UGANDA: GRB Management Audit support member (2016 to 2018)
ITREB KENYA: RE member for STEP (2003–2008)
SWB Mombasa: Member for Community Counselling Services (1999–2001)
Awards and grants
Elizabeth Bailey Award for Excellence in Teaching: Middlebury College, Vermont, USA (2007)
Grant awarded by the International Academic Partnership, Andover, Boston. To support Teacher training workshops for teachers working in underprivileged communities in Kayole, Nairobi, Kenya (2004)
Fully funded Scholarship for a Master of Arts in English & Literature, awarded by Middlebury College, Vermont, USA and Oxford University, UK (2004)
