Meet the Team
Nirali, Nihir, and Gopika Patel
Owner/Operators
Nirali, Nihir and Gopika Patel are the Owner-Operators of Celebree School of Columbia–North, and they are delighted to be bringing the Celebree difference to the Columbia community and providing a place to “Protect, Educate and Nurture” every child that walks through their doors.
Nirali spent her early years in India before moving to Columbia, MD when she was 11 years old. She has a Bachelor’s in Gerontology, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and has worked in numerous industries over the years such as education, and healthcare. Gopika was born and raised in Karnataka, India, where she completed her Bachelor’s in Business Administration as well as a post-Graduation diploma in International Business. In 2011, Gopika married Nihir, and they moved to United States. She is currently working at a Behavioral Healthcare.
Over the years, the power trio has worked in a number of different fields. Working in these different fields, they realized, regardless of which field you work in, the most common concern of an adult with children is the guilt of leaving their child to go to work. In today’s world, working is not just a necessity, but it is also about personal growth. No parent should feel guilty for choosing their growth. So, she wanted to provide a childcare service where parents feel like their children are learning, growing, and gaining something from the experience, as well as being taken care of like a family member would take care of them.
The three were inspired to pursue early childhood education because of Nihir’s grandfather, who always emphasized that education is the foundation of a successful society. Growing up, education was never an option for him, so he worked hard to become principle of the first ever Science University in the state of Gujarat, India. He instilled the value of a quality education in his children, who continued to teach Nihir and Nirali not only the importance of getting a quality education, but also to continue to pass the learning to future generations.
Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Nihir, along with Nirali and Gopika, are committed to instilling a lifelong love of learning in the children they serve and providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children are able to develop the skills they need to prepare them not only for kindergarten, but for life. They are so happy to have the opportunity to “Grow People Big and Small”, provide the very best early childhood education experiences for the families of Columbia, and create a true sense of family within the walls of their school and the greater Columbia community. Welcome to Celebree School of Columbia-North!
Tasha Upchurch
Your School Director
Tasha Upchurch is our wonderful School Director at Celebree School of Columbia – North, bringing with her a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for the field of early childhood education. With over 15 years of experience in the early childhood education field, Tasha has held director roles at a variety of preschools and childcare centers. She most recently served as the Owner/Operator of an independently owned childcare center in Owings Mills, MD, where she played a pivotal role in startup operations. She is thrilled to bring her knowledge and passion to Celebree!
Tasha holds a B.A degree in Communications from Salisbury University and a M.S degree in Business Management from University of Maryland, University College. She holds several certifications in the field of ECE, including: Infant/Toddler certification, Preschool certification, Medication Administration, Emergency Preparedness, and First Aid/CPR.
Born in Washington, DC and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Tasha is a proud mother of five wonderful boys, ranging in age from 4 to 18. She cherishes spending time with her children and other family members in her free time, and has a special appreciation for the arts, particularly singing.
As your School Director, Tasha is dedicated to providing the highest quality of early childhood education and fostering a warm, supportive, and nurturing environment for children, families, and staff alike. Her wealth of experience, certifications, and educational background make her an invaluable asset to the Celebree team, and we are so glad to have her on board. Welcome Tasha!
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