Meet Your Consultant
Shakti Dalal, MAT
I am the president and founder of Excel Educational Consulting, LLC. I grew up in the public and private schools in Houston, which include Montessori Country Day School, Roberts Elementary, Duchesne Academy, and Jersey Village High School. I earned my BS in Biology from Trinity University and my MA in teaching from Rice University. I studied to be a high school educator and have taught AP Biology, Chemistry, and Biology for high school students. I started exploring careers in admissions and gaining experience while teaching, and I have served as Director of Admissions at St. Francis Episcopal School, Duchesne Academy, and Holy Spirit Episcopal School. I have also served on the board of the Houston Area Independent Schools admissions consortium. I am a proud mom of three married to my college sweetheart, who is a well-known physical therapist in the Houston area. Our two sons attended St. Francis Episcopal School and The Regis School, followed by Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School. Our oldest son graduated from Strake Jesuit and is now at Baylor University. Our youngest is our princess and she attends Duchesne Academy as a proud middle schooler!
Shakti Dalal, MAT
Shakti earned a BS in Biology with a minor in Religion from Trinity University in San Antonio. She completed her MA in Teaching with a concentration in secondary science from Rice University.
Shakti worked as an AP Biology and freshman and sophomore level Biology and Chemistry teacher at Duchesne Academy for 8 years, while also serving on the Upper School admissions committee. She was an active participant in the Rice University Summer School Program for Middle and High School Students as well as the AP Biology Institute at Rice University and the Genetic Update Conference. Shakti also founded and directed the award-winning Duchesne dance team, and she taught dance to Duchesne students in PreK-12th grade.
Shakti served as Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance at St. Francis Episcopal Day School for six years. She led the admissions team, brought new diversity to the school, and cultivated strong relationships with the admissions directors and administration at schools in the Houston Area Independent Schools association. She served as Parliamentarian for the board of HAIS and organized professional development for the association. Shakti continued to serve as Director of Admissions at Duchesne Academy for two years and Holy Spirit Episcopal School for one year.
Shakti opened her consulting practice in July of 2010, while continuing her admissions work in HAIS schools. She prides herself in her knowledge of HAIS schools and her efforts to be on top of administrative and program changes that occur in schools. Shakti’s consulting style is a unique blend of her teaching experience with her knowledge of and expertise in Houston area private school admissions. She maintains close ties with admissions directors and works alongside them and with the families she serves to ensure best-fit placement.
