YES Prep Public Schools proudly celebrates three exceptional global educators, Tulsi Dalwadi, Priya Canzius, and Kunal Kataria for receiving the Y. Ping Sun Award for Educators, presented by Asia Society Texas.
The Y. Ping Sun Awards recognize outstanding Houston-area K–12 educators who bring global engagement and intercultural learning into their classrooms, helping students understand the world beyond their own communities. These YES Prep honorees embody our mission to prepare students to lead choice-filled lives and to contribute meaningfully to a diverse, interconnected world.
Tulsi Dalwadi – Dean of Instruction, YES Prep Gulfton
For Tulsi Dalwadi, diversity is the foundation of educational excellence. A four-year YES Prep educator, Tulsi currently serves as Dean of Instruction at Gulfton after three years as Dean of Students and Lead DOS. “Receiving the Y. Ping Sun Award is a profound honor that validates my belief that diversity is a strength, and global education is not an elective, but a necessity in education,” she said.
Tulsi’s career has been marked by her commitment to culturally responsive teaching and leadership. From her early days developing global-context lessons featuring The Night Diary and I Am Malala, to leading campuswide professional development sessions that highlight the importance of understanding Gulfton’s rich school demographics, Tulsi ensures that staff are equipped to support emergent bilingual students with empathy and intention. Through her leadership, she has built a culture where every student’s background is celebrated and leveraged for learning.
At Gulfton, she also founded the South Asian Student Association, now in its fourth year, which hosts cultural events such as cricket matches, Iftar gatherings, Eid formals, and henna fundraisers for students, staff, and families. Beyond campus, she collaborates with local partners like Connect Community and BakerRipley to advocate for resources and opportunities that reflect the community’s diversity.
Her proudest accomplishment is helping provide translation for underrepresented languages like Urdu, Pashto, and Farsi. Multiple YES Prep Gulfton alums she once mentored volunteer or work part-time as translators for Connect Community, where they travel to various Gulfton campuses and businesses throughout the week to support staff with daily communication and meetings. “It brings me so much joy to see our South Asian students find not just their voice, but also use their skills to uplift others,” Tulsi shared.
Priya Canzius – English Teacher, YES Prep Northwest
For English teacher Priya Canzius, belonging and global curiosity go hand-in-hand. Now in her sixth year with the Northwest community, Priya teaches English III: Rhetoric and Composition and Interpersonal Skills/Professional Communication, weaving intercultural understanding throughout her curriculum. “I fundamentally believe that when students engage with cultures and identities that differ from their own, they not only deepen their understanding of others, but also of themselves,” she said.
Priya challenges her students to see themselves as “of this world” through Socratic seminars, restorative circles, field trips, guest speakers, and cultural events such as an APIA Block Party and international tours. Her classroom motto— “You are of this place; it is changing you”—reminds students that identity, learning, and belonging evolve together.
A highlight of her teaching journey has been witnessing her first group of middle schoolers graduate high school after years of shared growth. “I’ve taught siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, even the same students multiple times,” she reflected. “I’m proud to be part of a community so easy to love and ‘grow up’ with.”
Priya hopes her recognition reminds students and colleagues alike that impact starts with authenticity. “When you lean into your passions, like community building or intercultural learning, you naturally make a difference,” she shared.
Kunal Kataria – Music Teacher and Program Director, YES Prep Northline
At YES Prep Northline, Kunal Kataria’s music classroom is a living example of intercultural connection. His Music I and II classes focus mainly on piano whereas his Music III class focuses on forming bands and putting on community events. Kunal embraces cultural exchange as a daily practice.
“Our classroom is intercultural by nature. I am Indian, the students are Hispanic, and I am teaching them classical piano, a typically East Asian or White instrument.” he shared. “We also make a point to learn songs that represent different cultures and interests.”
In just three years, Kunal has built Northline’s high school music program from the ground up, launching piano recitals, rock bands, and corrido groups, and giving students free rental pianos through partnerships with colleagues and community supporters. His work has already produced dozens of talented alumni who continue to shape YES Prep’s growing arts community.
“Receiving this award means the world to me,” Kunal said. “It recognizes the work I’ve done and gives me more resources to pour back into my students.”
For him, music education is essential to YES Prep’s broader mission. “I hope we all get recognized for the effort we put into making music an integral part of education. We’re doing our part to make YES Prep an A-rated district—academically, artistically, and culturally.”
Honoring the Power of YES
Tulsi, Priya, and Kunal represent the best of YES Prep, educators who celebrate diversity, nurture curiosity, and prepare students to thrive in a global society. Their recognition by Asia Society Texas affirms what the YES Prep community already knows, that when educators lead with integration, empathy, and purpose, students gain not just knowledge but the confidence to lead with it.
Together, they exemplify the Power of YES where every culture is valued, every student is seen, and every classroom is a bridge to the world.