High School Teachers - BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

Expertise that Inspires

There are many ingredients in the recipe for student success, but none more important than an incredible teacher. All middle school classes are led by Subject Expert Teachers (SETs), who are a hallmark of the BASIS Curriculum. SETs are professionals with degrees or years of experience in the subjects they teach and the skill and care necessary to make complex material accessible to students. With different SETs for each subject, students grow under the mentorship and expertise of poets, musicians, actors, engineers, chemists, mathematicians, and more.

Mr. Adams

Physics

Mr. Adams

Subject Expert Teacher Physics

Mr. Adams received his Bachelor of Science in Physics from George Mason University.

“I am excited to use my role as Subject Expert Teacher to guide the exploration of physics in the world around us. I want each student to leave my class confident with disciplined and innovative problem solving skills. My students will be able to use my physics classes as a launching point for math, engineering, science, and coding skills,” he shares excitedly.

Continuing, “BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is an enthusiastic community built for the passionate exchange of knowledge. I love being surrounded by brilliant minds that are all constantly teaching and learning together,” says Mr. Adams.

Outside of the classroom, he plays and follows ice hockey, while also enjoying old music, fresh produce, flow yoga, and slow cycling.

Dr. Allendoerfer

Biology

Dr. Allendoerfer

Subject Expert Teacher Biology

Dr. Allendoerfer earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Princeton University magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She then received a PhD in Neuroscience from Stanford University. She also completed a Teaching Certificate program at the MIT Center for Teaching and Learning.

Her goal is to teach engaging and educational hands-on science lessons, with an emphasis on biology and the brain. She is excited about the emphasis on STEM education at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, the close-knit, personal atmosphere of the school, and the diverse student body and faculty. She believes “that students of all ages learn best through an approach that emphasizes student explorations, engagement, and inquiry.”

In her free time, Dr. Allendoerfer plays the violin and viola in local community orchestras. She performed her first solo concerto in 2018! She enjoys spending time with her husband and their two teenage children.

Mr. Archambault

Physics

Mr. Archambault

Subject Expert Teacher Physics

Mr. Archambault graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. His goal as a Physics teacher is to create a classroom environment where students can feel comfortable challenging themselves, making mistakes, and engaging in the learning process.

Before coming to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, he taught at BASIS Washington, D.C. from 2014-2017. Mr. Archambault loved teaching the BASIS curriculum, and is thrilled to continue teaching it in a new location. He believes that “learning is a collaboration between students and teachers, and that true engagement in the learning process results from active collaboration from everyone involved.” He wants his classroom to be a safe and enjoyable space for students to work through the process of learning, rather than be a place for rote repetition and recollection of facts.

In Mr. Archambault’s free time, he enjoys reading comic books (and talking about superheroes), hiking, camping, baking, and exploring the Bay Area. He’s always looking for new favorite hiking/camping spots, so please share your favorites from around the Bay Area!

Ms. Banga

English

Ms. Banga

Subject Expert Teacher English

Ms. Banga received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Classical Culture from the University of Georgia. She received her Master of Arts degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago, where she slipped on sidewalk ice a lot and also completed a master’s thesis on contemporary adaptation of ancient Greek myth.

As an English Subject Expert Teacher, she wants to incite a passion for the humanities in her students. Ms. Banga loves to see her kids get excited about Odysseus’ fight with a cyclops in The Odyssey or about historical figure Qin Shihuangdi’s terra-cotta army.

Ms. Banga appreciates that BASIS Independent Silicon Valley combines rigor with freedom. She explained, “We expect a lot of our students, and in doing so we give them incredible opportunity for growth.” She always want students to look more closely. She went on, “Don’t just read something once. Read it twice, and then three times, and then a fourth, and you’ll have discovered something brilliant.”

Ms. Banga likes swimming in the ocean. She picked up knitting very briefly and promised a lot of people scarves and shawls that she has yet to deliver.

Mx. Barnett

Latin

Mx. Barnett

Subject Expert Teacher Latin

In 2015, Mx. Barnett received her Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Studies with departmental honors from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. While in school, she received an Undergraduate Research Award to research, write, present, and publish her undergraduate thesis: “The Portrayal of Female Killers Clytemnestra and Hecuba in 5th BC Athenian Tragedy and Pottery.” This research took her from London to New York, Baltimore, and Boston during the summer and fall of 2014. She earned a Masters in the Art of Teaching in Latin and Greek from the University of Vermont in 2017.

Mx. Barnett chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley for its dedication to rich education and the challenge such dedication requires. As a Latin teacher, she strives to inspire each of her students with an appreciation and love of the classics. She believes every student wants to learn and can, if everyone works together to figure out how. She uses a variety of methods and approaches, and puts in just as much effort as her students do, to help him/her achieve their goal.

In her spare time, Mx. Barnett is either writing, reading, watching Netflix, or entertaining her adorable cat Remy.

Ms. Bhattacharya

Computer Science

Ms. Bhattacharya

Subject Expert Teacher Computer Science

Ms. Bhattacharya, a dedicated teacher who believes that learning is a life-long experience, wrote her first computer program when she was 13 years old. Through that simple code, which told a digital turtle to draw a square, she discovered a passion for technology, and went on to graduate in Computer Science from Nadgir Polytechnic in Bangalore, India.

After developing her professional experience in Information Technology, Ms. Bhattacharya ventured into teaching, and for more than 17 years has been working with children of all ages. Through her commitment to finding every opportunity to expose her students to interesting technological applications, she emphasizes the importance of preparing students for life in the digital age, where computer literacy has not only become an asset, but a necessity.

At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, she finds a great community that supports the highest levels of education. She strives to develop hands-on lessons that challenge, inspire, and support the creative endeavors of her students, and says, “I believe every one of my students has extraordinary potential! I enjoy sharing with them my passion for technology, and for learning.”
Mrs. Bhattacharya is a science-fiction fan, amateur photographer, and loves providing for the many little birds who have made a home of her backyard.

Dr. Bozidarevic

Chemistry

Dr. Bozidarevic

Subject Expert Teacher Chemistry

Dr. Bozidarevic received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the Faculty of Chemistry at University of Belgrade, Serbia. Within one week of defending her BS thesis, she flew to Florida to continue her education at University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Bozidarevic graduated from University of Florida with a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry and then worked as a postdoctoral associate at the Neuroscience Department of McKnight Brain Institute in Gainesville.

As a chemistry teacher at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, she strives to spark an interest in science within her students by giving them opportunities to engage in activities and experiments. Dr. Bozidarevic began to learn chemistry in the 7th grade, and after one week of classes, declared that she wanted to become a chemist. Absolutely all the credit for that decision goes to her 7th and 8th grade chemistry teacher. She loves to teach at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because she believes it is crucial to introduce different science disciplines to students at a young age, and BASIS Independent is one of the few schools in the country that does that. Even though Dr. Bozidarevic is fairly certain that most of her students will not become chemists, she’s really excited about the prospect of having them develop an interest and a joy for learning chemistry.

When not in the classroom, Dr. Bozidarevic likes hiking, biking and snowboarding with her family. She loves to travel and this summer has plans to sail the Adriatic Sea.

Mr. Brady

English

Mr. Brady

Subject Expert Teacher English

Mr. Brady received a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from Middlebury College during which he had the opportunity to study abroad at Cambridge University. He then completed a Masters of Arts in Ancient Culture, Religion, and Ethnicity at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

He joined BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in 2015 as part of the founding faculty. His origin story at the school involves being offered a job as a Latin Subject Expert Teacher and then having about four days to get everything in order and move to California from Vancouver, B.C. He was thrilled to do so and spent three years in the World Language department. Mr. Brady then spent two years teaching in the Monterey Bay Area, and returned home to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley to serve as the Dean of Students for grades 10-12 and the Senior Projects Coordinator for two years.

Back in the classroom as an English Subject Expert teacher, Mr. Brady can often be found engaging in spirited discourse with students, and is always available for a lunchtime board game tournament.

A source of personal pride, Mr. Brady was once the second best speller in a spelling bee in Vancouver during his college years. In his free time, he sees many movies in theaters, probably a little over a hundred every year.

Mr. Cruz

Economics, Math

Mr. Cruz

Subject Expert Teacher Economics, Math

Mr. Cruz is a PhD candidate for Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, on the topic of Quality. He received his Master of Sciences in Information Quality and his Bachelor of Arts in Statistics. Most recently, he has worked for the State of Arkansas in both Data Analyst and Fiscal Support roles. Mr. Cruz is excited to work in education, and make the transition over from the private sector. His lifelong dream has been to become a teacher.

In his free time, he enjoys music and collaborating with musicians.

Dr. Davies

Chemistry

Dr. Davies

Subject Expert Teacher Chemistry

Dr. Davies is a Chemistry and Physics teacher who came to us from The Harker School in San Jose. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and a Ph.D. from Leeds University in England. Dr. Davies also spent one year at Brigham Young University doing research in multidimensional super-critical fluid chromatography. Additionally, she has co-authored 33 papers, published in peer-reviewed journals such as Analytical Chemistry and Journal of Chromatography. After graduating, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and worked for KLA-Tencor, Matheson, Varian and Hitachi before switching to a teaching career.

“I enjoy spending my days with teenagers, and my goal as an educator, is to share my deep passion for Chemistry with my students,” she says.

When Dr. Davies is not working she likes to travel with her four children.

Ms. Duran

Spanish

Ms. Duran

Subject Expert Teacher Spanish

La Señorita Carmen grew up in Madrid, learning in a bilingual Spanish-French school from age four through high school. Carmen completed her 5 year degree in the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and has accredited degrees in French fromL’Alliance Française and the Escuela de Idiomas de Madrid. She has more than 20 years of experience in the corporate finance world both in Spain and in the U.S. Her passion for educating children has taken her to several classrooms in different schools in Madrid and the Greater Bay Area.

Having worked for multinational enterprises and traveled to Asia, Europe, and South America, she values the incredible benefits of becoming fluent in several languages, and the efforts that BASIS puts into the children’s education fostering successful futures. “I want to help BASIS Independent Silicon Valley achieve its vision of becoming the best school in the world.”

Carmen’s objective as a teacher is for her students to learn Spanish rather than to study Spanish, and to converse in Spanish rather than to translate their thoughts to Spanish. “I want my students to talk to me only in Spanish and understand when I talk to them, as a native speaker, in Spanish. I am very excited about attracting the students interest, so that they thrive- participating and contributing to a memorable Spanish learning experience… “en Español.”

Mr. Ear

Art

Mr. Ear

Subject Expert Teacher Art

Mr. Ear graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Animation and Illustration from San Jose State University. He contributed visual development and lighting in the 3D short film The String, as well as visual development on six episodes of a science curriculum show based on sustainability, Green Ninja.

As the Arts Subject Expert Teacher at BISV, his goal is to build upon the student’s ever-growing library of taste and preferences, and create a palette for how to represent themselves. He choose BASIS Independent because of the innovative approach to education that encourages teachers to share ideas to improve the curriculum. The concept of teacher autonomy, which is a cornerstone of BASIS Independent Schools, appeals to him as the best way of getting the most out of the classroom.

As an art teacher, Mr. Ear finds that one major aspect of art is capturing life on a canvas. He is a believer, as well as an example, of the theory “anybody can train themselves to draw,” and likes to debunk the common phrase that artists are born with their abilities. He believes that the training to both understand, and execute, art techniques is applicable to any and all students who are willing.

Mr. Ear feels strongly about the importance of teaching, and a personal philosophy of his is that, “The ones that stand out in their profession, are the ones that put art into the way they teach.” During lectures and demos, he has students take notes and then he randomly selects students to participate in order keep students on their toes. During art studio hours, he constantly moves around the room and checks the progress of the students’ projects. He likes to keep his artists busy, and if they finish class work always has something fun for them to work on. “Students learn best when they are aware of the high expectations of the class, and are then challenged by, and feel invested in the subject matter to confidently meet or go beyond those expectations.”

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Ear spends the majority of my time with his family. They frequent hiking trails, beaches, museums, dessert shops, various parks and playgrounds. When he has time to himself, he enjoys writing and illustrating stories in various forms.

Fun Fact: Every Mother’s Day since his eldest child was born, he makes a portrait of his wife and children with a new medium, or in a new style.

Dr. Fan

Math

Dr. Fan

Subject Expert Teacher Math

Dr. Fan holds a PhD in Engineering from University of California at Berkeley. He obtained both his Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Peking University. Dr. Fan chose to work at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because he connects with our philosophy of creating a supportive, joyful learning culture to educate students to the highest international levels.

As a Math Subject Expert Teacher, his goal is to have all of his students meet the class requirements, and for the majority of them to reach their personal goals in subject mastery. However, it is not simply about students understanding math concepts, but learning how to apply problem solving skills in the process. Dr. Fan supports his students as they gradually build up mathematical thinking skills. His strategy is to start with fundamental concepts and skills, so that his students fully understand the why and how. Dr. Fan then works step by step from easy to hard problems. He uses fun examples of how to solve real-world problems with math, and how math is useful and important in all aspects of life. He will always link math concepts in both algebraic and graphic ways, so that his students can begin to make bigger connections from concept to concept. An example of this is occurs as his students learn about the polar coordinate system. Dr. Fan has his students draw Rose curves as the initial assignment. They are always impressed that simple trigonometric functions could generate the beautiful Rose flowers. This helps them to realize that math is fundamental to computer graphics.

As students get more and more confident with their skills and knowledge, they no longer feel that math is that hard; but instead is fun to learn! Dr. Fan explains, “Students are all different, and they each have great capabilities; as long as I am patient while encouraging them to realize and reach their potential, they always get there.”

Besides teaching, Dr. Fan likes to spend his time reading math, science, and technology articles; playing volleyball; and practicing Tai Chi.

Ms. Flood

Computer Science, Math

Ms. Flood

Subject Expert Teacher Computer Science, Math

Ms. Flood earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics cum laude from Bob Jones University. Upon graduation, she took a job at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, California. As a senior scientific programmer, Ms. Flood worked to turn mathematical concepts into software algorithms. She also worked on the design, coding, and maintenance of satellite ground station software, and was able to support several satellite launches and missions. Several years later, Ms. Flood earned a Master’s degree in English Education from Golden State Baptist College. She taught mathematics, English, and linguistics at Golden State for thirteen years, rising to the position of English Department Chair.

As a math and computer science teacher at Basis Independent Silicon Valley, Ms. Flood has had the privilege of working in classrooms across the grades. “I want to be that teacher who inspires and equips my students to reach their goals. I enjoy working at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because the students are prepared to learn and because the school promotes academic excellence,” Ms. Flood says.

In her free time, Ms. Flood loves spending time with her family. Her four adult children and their spouses live in the Bay Area, and they all get together several times a month. “These are the best of times,” she exclaims. Mrs. Flood also enjoys reading, taking long walks, and staying active in her church, where she serves as a nursery supervisor and meal ministry coordinator.

Mr. Floyd

Physical Education

Mr. Floyd

Subject Expert Teacher Physical Education

Mr. Floyd graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. He has taught Physical Education and a variety of sports classes for over 15 years.

Mr. Floyd believes passionately that it is not only important to provide exceptional instruction and lessons in physical fitness to students, but also to set a personal example by leading a healthy, active lifestyle. Physical activity has played a central role in his life from early in childhood starting with PE, to playing extra-curricular sports such as football, volleyball, and baseball as student, and into adulthood through personal ventures like triathlons, marathons, and various recreational sports leagues.

In his free time, he enjoys traveling, outdoor sports, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Hansen

English

Mr. Hansen

Subject Expert Teacher English

Raised on a working farm, Mr. Hansen received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History at the University of Nebraska. As a classroom teacher, most of Mr. Hansen’s experience has been with AP English language and AP world history, a course he co-taught with his wife and which earned recognition from the College Board as the best of its kind in the nation. In addition to working as a grader of AP English language exams at the national reading, Hal has also been a featured presenter on AP English at the National AP Conference.

As a writer and communicator, Mr. Hansen has nearly twenty years of experience in which he has learned to connect with a wide range of audiences. After earning a second place finish in public speaking at the National Forensics League National Championships during his junior year in high school, he went on to work as a registered lobbyist both during and after college. Mr. Hansen has also worked as the communications advisor to a hi-tech start up and as a Subject Matter Expert in Writing for the Department of Defense, in addition to publishing a book on campaigns and elections in the fall of 2012.

When he’s not writing, teaching English to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley students, or reading, Mr. Hansen likes gardening, classic cinema, and traveling in Europe and the western United States with his wife and daughters.

Ms. Holloway

Math

Ms. Holloway

Subject Expert Teacher Math

Ms. Holloway was born and raised in Italy and moved to the U.S. to attend University of California, Santa Cruz. At UCSC she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and was only one class away from a double major with Economics. After completing her undergraduate work, she obtained a Master of Arts in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Science in Mathematics from California State University East Bay. Ms. Holloway was a dedicated student and graduated with Honors for all of her coursework.

As a Subject Expert Teacher in Mathematics and Economics her primary goal is to foster critical thinking in all of her students. Through her lessons, she will help them discover the intrinsic beauty, logical cogency and interconnectedness of mathematical ideas and topics. Together they will explore strategies and she will support her students to discover results for themselves. All of these strategies help them acquire the necessary self-confidence needed for them to understand that they can successfully handle arguably the single most difficult subject of human study: Mathematics. Ms. Holloway feels that where there is high risk, there is high reward; and that by learning to understand mathematics her students will feel very satisfied.

She feels a connection to the BASIS Independent curriculum as we are well known for access to and appreciation of STEM subjects, and she appreciates the rigor with which such disciplines are taught. Incredibly high level math courses are available to students in high school, which is unusual in many secondary schools, but very exciting for her. Math is truly a passion of hers, and sharing that passion with others if very fulfilling. It is very important to Ms. Holloway that she makes math interesting as well as makes it seem possible in the eyes of the student as opposed to dauntingly difficult. Finally she strives to dismantle the unfounded myth that there are Math people and non-Math people out there.

Ms. Holloway relies on many strategies in the classroom to keep her students engaged.
She always stresses the logical connections between mathematical ideas, and tailors the examples in her lectures to the specific interests of her students to ground them in their daily life experiences. To make math relevant, she draws from her own past work experience to create/find problems that mirror the types of situations that might realistically arise in a lot of jobs, and that require problem-solving, analytical, logical, and decision-making skills. All of these elements are precisely the skills that Math is so perfect at developing in the first place. Finally, Ms. Holloway tries to make her students see how intrinsically beautiful Math is, because, if students can see Math as an end in itself and not simply as a means to an end, they will hopefully develop a passion for it which will further motivate them to want to learn it.

Ms. Holloway is an active teacher in the classroom, and understands intently that different students learn differently. She always make an effort to get to know my students well on a personal level, so she can tailor her instruction to their individual needs, and thus maximize her effectiveness as a teacher. She lectures using a tablet and an apple pencil while projecting notes to the students rather than using a whiteboard, which allows her the freedom to move around the class and face her students at all times. Ms. Holloway asks lots of questions, and gives plenty of independent practice activities, that they can work on either in groups or individually. When proving results rigorously, she will often ask for students’ input on parts of the proof that they can handle on their own.

When not teaching, Ms. Holloway loves to read, go for hikes, go to the opera and the symphony, watch films, and travel. She also likes to program. A fun fact is that she is fluent in five languages: English and Italian (bi-lingual), Spanish, French and German.

Dr. Huet

Math, Physics

Dr. Huet

Subject Expert Teacher Math, Physics

Dr. Huet obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the Université de Liège in Belgium and his Ph.D. from City College of the City University of New York. He has taught Physics at institutions ranging from Belgian public schools to elite Bay Area private schools and community colleges.

Dr. Huet ‘s passion for Physics led to six years of prolific research at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and other West Coast institutions, producing seminal work in various areas of fundamental Physics, on topics like the origin of matter-anti-matter asymmetry of the universe, black hole evaporation, and the laws of quantum mechanics. Dr. Huet received 10 United States patents under KLA-Tencor in the semi-conductor industry.

“As a BASIS Independent Silicon Valley educator I want to promote the four core aspects of physics, namely: curiosity, exploration, discovery, and fun. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley offers a unique curricular framework that allows passionate educators like myself to dive deep and broad into their subjects. My teaching principles and methods are rooted in my personal learning experiences. My philosophy revolves around stimulating the students’ curiosity, inviting them to develop their own abilities, and elevating them to the levels of innovators, collaborators and leaders,” says Dr. Huet.

In addition to astrophotography, woodworking and woodcarving, he also enjoys the occasional weekend bike ride, and taking care of his dog, Tobi.

Ms. Iskandar

Engineering, Math

Ms. Iskandar

Subject Expert Teacher Engineering, Math

Ms. Iskander received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering on 1999, from Cairo University. In 2003, she finished the Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers. She later studied for her Master’s in Education, at Acacia University Arizona, receiving the degree in 2014.

Ms. Iskander is the subject expert teacher of Engineering, Physics and Statistics. She has great passion for students and their education. Her goal is to promote and empower students to be the best version of themselves.

She chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because of how the school deftly balances rigorous academics and art, performing arts and sports in its academic community. This well executed combination of activities produces students who are discerning and well rounded.

When not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, diving, and meditation. She also serves as a volunteer counselor.

Ms. Jones

Spanish

Ms. Jones

Subject Expert Teacher Spanish

Ms. Jones was born and raised in a small town called San Sebastián in the west side of Puerto Rico. She attended Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Level Education-Minor English as a Second Language. She has completed the No Child Left Behind paraprofessional certification as well as the State of California Bilingual Services Provider Certification.

Ms. Jones’ goal as a Spanish Subject Expert Teacher is to “develop high levels of proficiency, incorporating multiple in instructional activities, explore different Spanish cultures and inspire scholars to continue to study Spanish throughout their high school years and beyond.”

“I enjoy teaching at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley as its focus is on preparing scholars for any challenges they will face in their life in college. As a Spanish teacher I have the opportunity to incorporate Spanish culture in their lessons each day through language and related activities,” says Ms. Jones.

Ms. Jones enjoys going to the movies with her husband, spending time with family who live in Puerto Rico. She also likes to listen to music, dance, swim, and play volleyball.

Ms. Jordana

Music

Ms. Jordana

Subject Expert Teacher Music

Ms. Jordana has been working as a professional musician and educator in the Bay Area for some time. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at San Jose State University where she also studied choral and orchestral conducting. While completing her studies, she performed with numerous professional groups including a cappella ensembles +4db, SoVoSo, Opera San Jose, and served as the assistant conductor to the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Jordana was also commissioned to write the “De Anza College Jingle” broadcast on radio stations throughout the Bay Area.

As a choral teacher, her groups have been chosen to sing on televised performances including one chosen by the Oakland Raiders organization. While completing her Teaching Credential in Secondary Education Music at San Jose State University, she served as a fellow with the California Music Project assisting music teachers in low-income schools. Ms. Jordana’s studies also include Levels I and II Kodály training from Holy Names University where she awarded a scholarship by the Northern California Association of Kodály Educators. Active in the Bay Area arts community, Ms. Jordana served as the President of the Silicon Valley Arts Coalition and was the founder and artistic director of the Foothill Community Concert Series.

As an educator, she has taught in the public school system, done guest conducting, led workshops and clinics. Currently, Ms. Jordana spends part of her professional life as the Intermediate Choir Director and Teen a cappella Vocal Jazz Director with Vivace Youth Chorus. “As a music teacher at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, I teach the 5th grade and Upper School Choirs as well as the keyboarding classes where I want to foster music literacy by familiarizing the students with the choral art through standard choral repertoire and vocal ensemble technique and by exposing the students to the different levels of keyboarding, respectively. While we’re doing so, I want the students to experience the best part of music-making – the joy!”

Ms. Jordana chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because of its holistic approach to education. “BASIS Independent Silicon Valley values academia not just for its own sake but with the goal of developing well-rounded individuals, and independent thinkers versed in a myriad of subjects including the humanities and the arts,” she says.

When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Jordana enjoys cycling, hiking, and working out. She also loves to read and knit. Ms. Jordana is an avid Trekker and has attended a few Star Trek conventions dressed as Lieutenant Uhura.

Mr. Juarez

Drama

Mr. Juarez

Subject Expert Teacher Drama

Mr. Juarez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from California State University, Chico and a Master of Arts in Theatre Arts from San Jose State University. He has been a part of the Dance and Theatre Arts program at De Anza College since 2016. At De Anza College, he recently directed Anon(ymous) by Naomi Iizuka and The Bacchae by Euripides. He is a theatre maker based in the Bay Area. Selected credits include: Ed in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at The Pear Theatre, Henry VIII in Anne of the Thousand Days at Dragon Productions Theatre Company, Malcolm in The Scottish play at Half Moon Bay Shakespeare, and Tom Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Livermore Shakespeare Festival.

He is thrilled to be joining the BASIS Independent Silicon Valley family as a Drama Subject Expert Teacher. As an educator and actor, he has had the honor and opportunity to work with people from all backgrounds and ages. Theatre arts inspires him as a discipline because it encourages humans to come together, embrace our backgrounds, and work towards a goal.

When building his curriculum he believes in including a variety of playwrights who can introduce diverse stories that support our students in building their identity and sense of belonging. As a teacher, it is his goal to provide his students with classical and contemporary acting training where they can hear, see, and share their stories. As a performer and audience member, Mr. Juarez has witnessed the power of storytelling and its ability to expand perspective. His experiences have informed his understanding of the need for representation and inclusion. He truly believes theatre has the power to change the world as it has done for him.

Mr. Juarez loves spending time with his family exploring nature, supporting local theatre, and visiting Disneyland.

Mr. Jupin

English

Mr. Jupin

Subject Expert Teacher English

Mr. Jupin received an Associate of Arts from Grossmont College in general studies with an emphasis in political science and psychology. He then received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in American Politics. As a lover of the written word, he also studied English literature. Mr. Jupin was a poetry teaching assistant, leading group discussions and focusing on creative discourse. He also served as a tutor for American political development. During his time at UCSD he was both a freelance editor and student mentor. He is working on his Master of Arts in Political Management at George Washington University.

As an educator, he has several goals. The first is to make sure that the students not only learn the material, but also enjoy their time. The second is to help students to see the connection between the academic and the creative, and to teach them to instill a passion for one’s hobbies while balancing or incorporating that passion into their current studies and future careers.

He was attracted to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because of its high academic standards. Academic success for our future leaders is found wanting if the staff does not work together and provide genuine care for students. He feels that “BASIS Independent Silicon Valley has all the working parts to create a higher academic standard, and a better world, through education.”

Mr. Jupin likes reading, writing and hiking. He also enjoys a good movie, spending time with his family, playing retro video games, swimming in the ocean (when the water isn’t bone chilling), and meeting new people. Everyone has a unique story and he enjoys hearing what people have to say about this world.

Mr. Magno

Engineering, Physics

Mr. Magno

Subject Expert Teacher Engineering, Physics

Mr. Magno earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from California State University East Bay, and his Master of Science in Physics from the University of Wyoming. As a Subject Expert Teacher who focuses on Physics, his primary goal is to instill joy for learning the sciences in each of his students. A secondary goal is to ensure his students have the correct tools to learn independently when outside the classroom.
He believes that BASIS Independent is a good fit professionally because he shares the philosophy that any student can excel in any academic environment as long as they put in hard work, and receive support, encouragement and inspiration from their teachers. Following these tenants helped him tremendously on his academic journey.

Mr. Magno’s passion for teaching is rooted in a deep belief of always maintaining a growth mindset. “In my personal experience having one person rooting for you can make a world of difference. If I can do what my mentors did for me in college, but for a whole class, I would find great joy. My aim is to develop leaders who are responsive scientists, responsible scientists, and compassionate scientists.” He derives this philosophy from Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst from their work in Disruptive Thinking. He continued, “Beers and Probst aim to develop readers who are leaders, responsive, responsible, and compassionate. My goal is to take their approach with reading and apply it to future students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).”
Active learning is a teaching tool that Mr. Magno finds to be extremely valuable, and he often integrates various techniques into his classroom. While traditional lectures hold value as well, he always seeks to find the right balance between new teaching pedagogy and traditional teaching methods. He shared, “Students learn best when they are engaged and when they believe what they are learning is useful. Having a sense that what they learn can be applied in everyday life situations is what I think develops a passion for science in the hearts of students.”

He has found that building a sense of community is vital in order to foster an atmosphere of engagement in the classroom. One of his favorite activities to spearhead this process is a group brainstorm session. In a session like this, five questions are revealed to the class and students, who do not have any prior knowledge of the topic, are grouped in small discussion circles to collaborate and write down what they believe the answers are. Once all groups have addressed the questions, the class meets as a whole to discuss and reflect on their answers. Another lesson that works well with students is one where air pressure is used to launch a paper rocket. This activity is especially fun because the participants are often very surprised that a paper rocket that is designed properly can fly 80 feet through the air! This sort of wonder and disbelief that something can actually work is often what propels students to want to continue leaning.

In his free time, Mr. Magno enjoys boxing. He likes to work on his cardiovascular health by hitting what is called a double end bag, which is a ball suspended in the air between bungee cords. He also attends yoga classes to help with his flexibility and breathing.

Mr. Meyerowitz

English

Mr. Meyerowitz

Subject Expert Teacher English

Mr. Meyerowitz has been a teacher at BASIS Curriculum Schools since 2011, having come to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley from BASIS Peoria in Arizona where he taught a variety of History and English courses, including AP World History, AP European History, and English Literature. He studied at Arizona State University and UC Santa Barbara, earning undergraduate degrees in English and History, a Master’s degree in English Literature, and certificates in Medieval and Judaic Studies. Since graduating, he has finished a certificate in Secondary Education and has qualified for National Board Teaching Certification. At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, he coaches Academic Decathlon and enjoys chaperoning student trips to far off places. He accompanied students to Peru in May 2018, and will be travelled to Italy in 2019.

Mr. Meyerowitz works for BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in order to help fuel the culture of critical thinking and contribute to the premier academic experience our community of learners has established.

When he is not cultivating tribal consciousness and dismantling colonial presumptions in the classroom, you can find Mr. Meyerowitz parading his corgis about town, drafting plots to restore the Habsburg monarch in Europe, and decoding the politics of eyeshadow in Bollywood films.

Ms. Miller

Physical Education

Ms. Miller

Subject Expert Teacher Physical Education

Brooklyn, New York is where Ms. Miller developed her passion for sports, playing volleyball, basketball, softball and running track. She was named Best Athlete all four years of high school. Choosing to stay close to home, she attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. She taught Physical Education at several schools, both public and private, in Brooklyn, New York until making the decision to move to California in 1999.

She developed the volleyball program at William C. Overfelt High School where they won the girl’s championship for the 2004/05 season, and also won Coach of the Year that same year for the Santa Teresa Division. Moving on, Ms. Miller coached at Ann Sobrato High School where she developed the volleyball program for both boys and girls. “We won two girls championships in my two years of coaching (2007/2008) going 14-0 in the league our first year and 13-1 our second year,” she says quite proudly.
As a Physical Education teacher, she provides students with the foundation and skills necessary to live a healthy and active lifestyle long into adulthood.

“I chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because of the new experiences and challenges that a new school provides,” says Ms. Miller. “I enjoy creating a new program where I can foster in students a passion for exercise and sports that is both rewarding and fun. I welcome the opportunity to introduce team sports to the students.”

In her free time, Ms. Miller enjoys gardening, shopping, photography, and watching classic movies. She has also coached club volleyball in past years. She enjoys chaperoning student trips to different places, stating, “I have taken students to Egypt, Florida, New York, Washington DC, and Yosemite National Park.”

Dr. Moshofsky

Chemistry

Dr. Moshofsky

Subject Expert Teacher Chemistry

Dr. Moshofsky travelled the world while completing his education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from UC Santa Cruz and was the recipient of the Ellen Renard Chemistry Scholarship. After completing his undergraduate degree, he participated in an international exchange and did year of research in Germany at the University of Heidelberg by the Baden-Württemberg Stipendium. Dr. Moshofsky attended UC Berkeley and received a Master of Science degree in Chemistry in 2010 working on nanoparticle synthesis. While doing the coursework for his Ph.D., he helped build a new nanoscience lab in the brand new Ilse Katz Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Israel. He went on earn his Doctor of Philosophy in the same subject from Ben-Gurion University, also in Israel. Finally back stateside, Dr. Moshofsky received a Master of Science in Teaching from Montclair State University.

As a Chemistry Subject Expert Teacher, Dr. Moshofsky’s goal is to give the students at BASIS Independent the highest quality science education that is possible. This will include exposure to labs and hands-on science and development of science-based skills such as modeling, reasoning, and data analysis. On top of this, he hopes to build community, both within his classroom and at the school itself, with the hope that students support each other while they grow to their full potential. Dr. Moshofsky was attracted to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley as wanted to join a program that has a track record of consistency and excellence when it comes to student performance. He continued, “I am excited to add to this legacy and see how I can inspire students to love science as I do.”

Dr. Moshoksy’s teaching philosophy is that students will learn best when they are invested in a topic. For this reason he tries to ground all of his instructional units in real-world phenomena that help promote curiosity and attention to detail. He also likes to promote higher levels of critical thinking over memorization and recall. Dr. Moshofsky’s goal for any student who matriculates from his class is that they understand how science works, how to approach a problem in a scientific manner, and that they have solid mental models for how the world works as a launching pad for more interesting questions and investigations.

He feels strongly that students learn best by doing. “If we can learn something by doing a lab that is the most authentic way to promote learning a topic in class. In chemistry, there are some topics for which a realistic lab is impossible but through the use of technology, simulations, or models students can also get a realistic feel for the topic. Lastly, students learn best in an environment that is collaborative and where challenges are sought out.” He enjoys doing labs, labettes (shorter versions of labs), teacher-led demonstrations, simulations, projects, and of course some problem-solving practice as well. One of Dr. Moshoksky’s favorite units that he did win the classroom was on homeopathic medicine. They analyze what the claims are of this branch of alternative medicine, examine the science behind these claims (mostly related to solutions, concentration, and dilutions for chemistry class) and then he asks his students to argue whether or not they would personally use this medicine or what they would tell a loved one who uses homeopathic medicine. It is an excellent example of the cross-sections of science content, philosophy, and real world dilemmas.

When he is not in the classroom, he enjoys team sports like basketball and ultimate Frisbee, as well as some more individual sports such as rock climbing. Dr. Moshofsky also likes to cook and bake. He likes science fiction movies and novels and will almost always welcome a conversation about what the future of humanity might look like!

Ms. Myers

English, Photojournalism

Ms. Myers

Subject Expert Teacher English, Photojournalism

Ms. Myers grew up in southeastern Ohio where she earned her Bachelor of Specialized Studies degree from Ohio University. She has a strong background in Linguistics and English Language Arts with a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) endorsement. Since the completion of her graduate coursework in Education, Ms. Myers has taught English Literature and Composition at the secondary level for the past fifteen years.

Instilling a love of knowledge and the critical thinking skills that one needs in order to effectively communicate is one of Ms. Myers’ passions as an educator. “The study of literature and language gives students the tools that are essential for understanding the complexities of humanity” Myers states.

As to why she chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley: “As exemplified through the BASIS Curriculum Schools model, high academic achievement and the established system of excellence partnered with ongoing student support each step of the way mimics my personal philosophy of education is why I chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley.”

In her spare time, Ms. Myers is an avid photographer who enjoys hiking adventures with her dog along with collecting vinyl records and watching documentary films.

Mr. Nielsen

Math

Mr. Nielsen

Subject Expert Teacher Math

Mr. Nielsen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Arizona. After completing his undergraduate degree, he joined the Teach for America movement to help close the achievement gap in Philadelphia. He lived for five years in the city of Brotherly Love, dedicating himself to the cause. In concert with this purpose, he decided to pursue a Master of Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Moving back to his home state of Arizona after graduate school, he taught at BASIS Peoria for six years. Mr. Nielson is well versed with BASIS Curriculum having taught a variety of mathematics courses. At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, he teaches Pre-Calculus AB.

Mr. Nielson considers himself a curious person. His desire to learn more has inspired his love of traveling and discovering new places. He has visited China, Japan, Scandinavia, and much of the United States. This same desire is one of the primary reasons that Mr. Nielsen was so excited to join BASIS Independent Silicon Valley—he is forever seeking out new life and civilizations.

Dr. Noble

Physics

Dr. Noble

Subject Expert Teacher Physics

Dr. Noble graduated from Saint Mary’s College of Maryland with a Bachelors in Mathematics and Physics. He later attended the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and received his Masters and Doctorate in Physics.

Prior to joining BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, Dr. Noble was a math teacher at Esperanza Academy Charter School in Philadelphia, and he also held a variety of teaching and research positions within the Physics department at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Dr. Noble’s dissertation was titled: Approximation Methods in Relativistic Eigenvalue Perturbation Theory.

Dr. Noble is excited to be at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because of the obvious passion of the faculty and staff, as well as the incredible students who attend the school.

Dr. Noble also brings to the school many international experiences, having spent the first 14 years of his life living overseas in Honduras, Pakistan, Botswana, and the Republic of Georgia. In all, he has visited over 25 nations.

Fun fact! Dr. Noble joined us from our sister campus in Virginia, BASIS Independent McLean.

Ms. Ourthiague

Art

Ms. Ourthiague

Subject Expert Teacher Art

Ms. Ourthiague was born and raised in the Central Valley of California and stayed close to home while she earned her Associate of Arts degree in Two-Dimensional Design from Fresno City College and then her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Art History from California State University, Fresno. In 2019, she graduated with honors from San Jose State University with her Master of Arts degree in Art History and Visual Culture. During her time there, she served as the Treasurer of the Art History Association and a Teaching Assistant to various undergraduate Art History classes. She also took great pride and pleasure in writing her Master’s thesis entitled He’s the Hero We Deserve: Batman as a Figure of Dominant Masculinity, which discusses topics such as comic book tropes, masculine identities, and visual representations of male heroes. Since graduating, she has presented her research at multiple conferences, both locally and nationally.

As a Subject Expert Teacher for Art and Art History, she loves introducing lesser known pieces of historical art into her lessons because it not only helps students understand various art styles more completely, it also gives them an opportunity to learn about artworks they may never have seen. Her main goal is to simply get her students excited about art: creating it, discussing it, critiquing it, and appreciating it.

Ms. Ourthiague worked at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in 2017 as a Teaching Fellow but left to move to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a time. She has since returned, not only to California, but to the school that always made her feel welcome and appreciated! This is a school where your colleagues make you feel like part of the family on day one and will never hesitate to support you when you need help.

Her teaching philosophy is based upon a trifecta of foundational ideas: Encouragement, support, and positivity. Her classroom is a safe, fun space for fostering students’ love for art while they sharpen their newly-learned skills. She stays engaged with students during class while they work so they feel free to ask questions and feel supported while they learn and create. With some positive support and encouragement, most students will feel the freedom to be creative.

Ms. Ourthiague feels that students learn best when they are allowed to just go for it! Explanations and visual examples work very well at first but ultimately when students are able to try their hand at various art techniques, they have more fun while they learn to hone their artistic skills. Quick in-class art projects are a great way for students to understand basic techniques. Projects that are not incredibly time-consuming help students to practice their technique and revamp their original ideas. Sketch books are also a wonderful tool that allow students to parse out ideas, improve their skills, and work at their own pace.

A great way to learn what students know and remember about art is a type of word association activity. Ms. Ourthiague will call out the name of an artist or art style/period and her students will say words or phrases that they associate with that person or style. It helps to get conversations started as students begin to learn more about the topic at hand.

Though she swears she is a full-fledged adult, Ms. Ourthiague finds joy in reading comic books, playing video games, eating pizza, and collecting dinosaur trinkets. She most loves spending quality time with her Tonkinese cat, aptly named Nymphadora Tonks (shortened to Tonksy when she’s not in trouble).

Dr. Parson

History

Dr. Parson

Subject Expert Teacher History

Each day, Dr. Parson is prepared to bring history and law to life for his students. “My senior thesis was about baseball during the Great Depression, and published at Santa Clara University,” said Dr. Parson. After studying law at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, he was admitted to the California Bar, practiced law, and served as a law clerk to a federal judge. He also received high honors for his internship with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Sacramento.

Turning from law to teaching at a local private school, Dr. Parson discovered his penchant for education, “I look forward to going to work on Monday morning, socializing with students, connecting with the class, and learning from the students.”
“I am delighted to share my love of American Government and the political process with the students at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley,” said Dr. Parson. “Experience as a lawyer and my love of the law will give students an understanding at a wholly different level.”

The father of three active children, and self-admitted die-hard fan of the San Jose Sharks, San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Dr. Parson avidly mixes his love of sports and love of technology as a devoted Fantasy Football participant.

Ms. Pilot

French

Ms. Pilot

Subject Expert Teacher French

Madame Pilot comes from Provence, France. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Landscape Architecture, and then received a Master’s Degree in French Literature from San Jose State University. Madame Pilot also completed a single subject credential in French at San Jose State University. For the last 20 years, she has taught French in the Bay Area at various private and public institutions.

Madame Pilot is excited to be a part of the World Language Department so that she may share her enthusiasm and passion for French with students and faculty alike. She teaches French to students across the grades. Madame Pilot chose to join BASIS Independent Silicon Valley for its excellent reputation. She believes that the school does a superb job empowering students and giving them a voice so that they may develop their desire to learn.

She sees herself as a facilitator and wishes to foster students’ growth and inspire them to become lifelong learners. She uses a hands-on approach in her classroom to promote collaboration and enhance communication. When not teaching, she is often creating and looking for ways to better reach her students. To further her education, she regularly attends Stanford World Language Program.

When Madame Pilot is not working, teaching or studying, she enjoys sailing, gardening, reading and cooking. Once, while on a 5-day safari on the Zambezi River, she was charged by an elephant.

Ms. Settle

History

Ms. Settle

Subject Expert Teacher History

Ms. Settle was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio but has spent time living and teaching both in America and abroad in China. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Ohio University and a Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary social studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Settle started teaching during her service in Morocco with the United States Peace Corps and found a real passion for education.

After completing her Master of Arts, she taught IB History of the Americas and AP Government in both urban and rural schools in Virginia. After this, Ms. Settle began her international teaching career teaching AP Economics and World History at an international school in Shanghai, and AP US history for the last 3 years at the BASIS International School Guangzhou.

The best part of teaching for her, are the relationships that she builds with her students. Ms. Settle explained, “I enjoy seeing them grow, challenging their perspectives, and watching them make real world connections with the content.”

Ms. Silva

English, Introduction to Business

Ms. Silva

Subject Expert Teacher English, Introduction to Business

Ms. Silva graduated from Fitchburg State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While attending, she also minored in Philosophy. During her third year, she was able to speak at Clark University’s first ever Shakespeare Conference. In 2003, Ms. Silva attended the University of New Hampshire to acquire a Master’s degree in literature. She went on to teach at various colleges on both the East and West Coasts for 11 years.

Ms. Silva currently teaches 8th grade English at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, along with the Introduction to Business elective. “BASIS Independent is the most unique and inspiring school I have ever had the honor of working for. I believe that we do not give our students enough credit. Even our younger students can be challenged at a college level,” she says.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Silva enjoys oil painting.

Ms. Tamhane

Computer Science

Ms. Tamhane

Subject Expert Teacher Computer Science

Ms. Tamhane holds a Master of Science degree in General Engineering, and is currently pursuing a Data Science certificate from U.C. Berkeley Extension. Prior to coming to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, she taught for eight years. Her goal in the classroom is to bring out the best in her students while developing their curiosity for computer science.

It is very important to her to help instill a desire to learn in her students. One of the things she enjoys the most about being a teacher is meet budding computer scientists who are excited to learn from her. She hopes that they become fascinated with the subject, just as she has become. Ms. Tamhane thinks that students learn best when they are fully engaged, focused, and dedicated. She creates an environment that fosters this by teaching them about real-world applications of computer science and showing them the importance of learning it.

In her free time, she loves to hike in the woods and relax at the beach.

Mr. Walser

Biology

Mr. Walser

Subject Expert Teacher Biology

Mr. Walser earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental, Organismic, and Population Biology as well as a Secondary-Sciences Teaching Certificate from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He then earned a single subject teaching credential in Biology. Mr. Walser began his teaching career at Santa Monica High School in 2000, where he taught biology, anatomy, and physiology and also served as the science department chair until 2007. After this, Mr. Walser was ready to travel and accepted a position at The American School in Switzerland. He taught IB, AP, and EAL biology to students in grades 9 through 12 and was the head varsity coach of the lacrosse team for 13 years. During this same time, he was also the head coach of the first Swiss national lacrosse team and competed in the European Championships in Lahti, Finland in 2009.

In 2021, he and his family decided to return to the U.S. and moved to Florida where Mr. Walser taught AICE Marine Science and Pre-AICE Biology at Don Soffer Aventura High School and again served as the science department co-chair. Having decided that Florida was not where we wanted to settle, he and his wife were determined to return to their favorite state, and the state in which they met: California. There were many good schools to choose from, but BASIS Independent, with its excellent reputation and cutting-edge educational philosophy is the perfect final step in his career.

He hopes to create a classroom experience at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley that is welcoming, dynamic, challenging, and fun for his students. Having continually attended professional development seminars and workshops throughout his career, his pedagogy has evolved to focus on clear expectations, hands-on activities, problem solving, and engaging lessons aligned with an adolescent mindset that are, he hopes, never boring. As an artist, he also strives to engage creativity in his lessons and use drama and music wherever possible as well as myriad opportunities for visual representations created by the students. Mr. Walser thinks that, “students learn best when they are interested in the material and can apply topics learned in the classroom to real-life scenarios. Creativity is essential in a good scientist, and I hope my background as a professional musician helps foster this in my students.”

Dr. Wang

Economics

Dr. Wang

Subject Expert Teacher Economics

Dr. Wang earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Texas A&M University, with her research focused in the field of behavioral economics, experimental economics, and public policy. She also hold a Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Bachelor of Management degree in Accounting from Nanjing Audit University in China.

As a subject expert teacher, she teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Economics, Game Theory (and Behavioral Economics), and Corporate Finance. Dr. Wang’s goal is to teach engaging and fun lessons and to motivate students to succeed.

“Knowledge is power.” So said the 16th century philosopher Francis Bacon. There is no doubt that learning knowledge in class is important. However, Dr. Wang thinks that transmitting knowledge for students to learn what she knows should not be the only goal of teaching. What is more important than teaching knowledge is to foster students’ learning abilities.

At both Texas A&M University and Ohlone College, Dr. Wang gained valuable experience in teaching economic courses. She constructed her own syllabi and developed her own teaching philosophy and style. On being in the classroom, Dr. Wang thinks “Good teaching is like good cooking. You need to know what special spices should be added to complement a dish. My secret recipe calls for three flavor-boosting things: love, passion and a sense of responsibility.”

She likes her students enormously and cherishes all of her interactions with them. Dr. Wang appreciates and encourage diversity, especially in the classroom. While teaching at the college level, she developed good relationships with both undergraduate and graduate students of different genders, nationalities and ages. By creating such an inclusive environment in my class, students she taught have been more engaged in the material and more comfortable expressing their views. Teaching is both creative work and a challenging task. On this she explained, “I believe that I learn as much from my students as they learn from me, and this dialog keeps my class fresh and effective. I love teaching and am proud of being a teacher.” As a teacher, Dr. Wang continues to foster a safe and accepting environment for all of her students.

Dr. Wang teaches with passion and enjoys the feeling of standing in the front of the classroom. She is enthusiastic about the contents of lectures that she teaches. Education cannot thrive without enjoyment. In order to present knowledge in an entertaining way, Dr. Wang intentionally prepare jokes or amusing stories relevant to the teaching topics of her lectures so that students’ engagement in class can be sparked.

Attending class is not enough to acquire knowledge. Assignments will help students solidify what they have learned. My homework questions are designed in a hands-on way. Other than simply using the homework questions from the textbook, she conducts in-class experiments, let students participate and look at the data collected by themselves for homework. By doing this homework, students will be able to integrate theory and practice. To assess how well students have mastered the teaching materials, Dr. Wang gives students quizzes and exams. This is an effective way to make sure she keeps in touch with the students’ performance and preferences.

She loves to spend time with her son and daughter when she is not working. Dr. Wang also enjoys reading, singing and playing piano in her spare time. Celine Dion is definitely her favorite singer in the world!

Ms. Wendel

Math, Psychology

Ms. Wendel

Subject Expert Teacher Math, Psychology

With her experience teaching middle and high school, in the U.S and abroad, Ms. Wendel teaches both Mathematics and AP Psychology here at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. Earning her Master of Science degree in Secondary Education in Mathematics and Psychology/Philosophy from the University of Graz, Austria, she loves sharing her passion of leaning and understanding these subjects with her students.

Her goal as a teacher is to create an environment where students know that their voices will be heard when they have something to say. “I believe in the abilities of every student!” exclaims Ms. Wendel, also saying that “BASIS Independent Silicon Valley provides me with the opportunity to work with different ages and teach high level math to young learners. I believe that a perfect learning environment is determined by the student-teacher relationships and at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, the main emphasis is exactly on this relationship. Students know that they are welcome in my office hours, during their lunch or after school and we all work together on our goal to improve and learn. I love the spirit of our BASIS Independent students, they are curious, enthusiastic learners and are always looking for an academic challenge to further improve their knowledge.”

Ms. Wendel loves to travel to different countries and has been to China, Australia, various countries in Europe and the US. She moved to Silicon Valley in 2013, and loves to explore new surroundings by bike. Ms. Wendel also enjoys running, swimming, hiking and (coming from Austria) she is a terrific ski instructor.

Ms. Xu

Mandarin

Ms. Xu

Subject Expert Teacher Mandarin

Ms. Xu grew up in China and earned a Bachelor of Education degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from Zhejiang University. She moved to the United States for graduate school and earned her Single Subject Teaching Credential from Loyola Marymount University. She graduated from the University of California with a Master of Arts degree in Bilingual Education. She was a founding faculty member at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley and served our community for two years by helping to grow the World Language Department as our school was first established. Ms. Xu then relocated to the Los Angeles area where she taught variety of high-level Chinese courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) coursework at several schools. Before coming back home to our campus, she first returned to the BASIS Independent family as a Subject Expert Teacher at the BASIS Independent Fremont, followed by a year at BASIS Independent Manhattan.

Ms. Xu comes from a long line of educators and knew since she was young that she also wanted to be a teacher. Her teaching style incorporates culture and language lessons to bring a greater context to what her students are learning. “My mother, my grandfather, my aunts, and uncles, they were all teachers,” Ms. Xu says. “In China, we respect teachers, like doctors and lawyers, so I wanted to be a teacher as well.”

When she is not teaching, Ms. Xu enjoys hiking and singing karaoke. She also likes traveling all around the world.

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