Shivani Savdharia

Shivani Savdharia has spent the past twenty years cultivating learning communities built on inquiry, discourse, and connection. She began her career as a bilingual Peace Corps educator in Nicaragua and has since taught mathematics at independent schools across the Bay Area – including The Nueva School, Julia Morgan School for Girls, and The Athenian School. Just prior to joining The Academy, she served as Assistant Principal at Yu Ming Charter School.

Shivani’s work is shaped by both classical and contemporary approaches. Drawing on the classical trivium mode – moving from foundational knowledge to reasoning to articulation – she encourages students to think critically, communicate clearly, and learn collaboratively. As a former Learning and Development Lead at IDEO, a global design and innovation firm, she also brings design-thinking practices into classrooms to strengthen teaching. She earned her B.A. in Economics with a minor in Business Administration and her M.A. in Education, along with a California Teaching Credential, all from the University of California, Berkeley.

Outside of work, Shivani loves exploring farmers’ markets, hiking in redwood forests, and gardening with her husband. She also delights in arts and crafts with her two kids, bold colors, global textiles, and the joys (and challenges) of home organization and interior design. Although she dreams of minimalism, she embraces a colorful maximalist spirit – always striving to bring a little more order into the mix.