Middle School Teachers

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.

Meet
the Teachers

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. Bagri

Math

Dr. Bagri

Subject Expert Teacher Math

Dr. Bagri brings a unique blend of expertise in mathematics and a passion for teaching to the BASIS Independent team as a Subject Expert Teacher in Mathematics. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Theatre Studies at the University of the West of England in Bristol, England. Following that, he pursued a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Analysis and Partial Differential Equations at Loughborough University, also in England.

With a focus on cultivating an engaging and creative learning environment, Dr. Bagri is committed to delivering on the core outcomes of the mathematics curriculum. What attracted him to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is the autonomy given to teachers in their instructional approach, which allows for the growth and refinement of his teaching methods. He appreciates the sense of community and support among the teachers and staff, which further enhances the learning experience.

In his teaching philosophy, Dr. Bagri believes in providing a space where students have the opportunity to discover, grow, and leave each class with a sense of awe, appreciation, and a renewed perspective. He sees the learning process as not only creative and engaging but also a platform for developing discipline and focus. Continuously seeking ways to foster this type of environment, he actively experiments with different ideas and consistently develops his craft as an educator.

What sets Dr. Bagri apart as a mathematics teacher is his comprehensive knowledge of the subject acquired throughout his academic journey, combined with a creative and empathetic approach to teaching. Recognizing that every student possesses a natural inclination for learning and growth, he understands the various obstacles that may hinder students from fully realizing their potential. Driven by the belief that positive engagement is key, he incorporates a variety of activities into his lessons, such as group work, games, presentations, competitions, quizzes/tests, problem-solving discussions, and one-on-one mentoring. One particularly enjoyable approach he utilizes is having students present their learnings, which keeps them engaged and showcases their progress.

Beyond teaching mathematics, Dr. Bagri is actively involved in the practice and instruction of yoga at a local yoga studio in San Jose.

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.

Ms. Chadha

Biology

Ms. Chadha

Subject Expert Teacher Biology

Ms. Chadha earned a Bachelor of Science from M.D.U, India and a Master of Arts in Business Administration from LBS Institute of Management and Technology, India. She originally began her career in industry, working in marketing and advertising. After she began volunteering in her own children’s classes, she felt a deep connection to education, and worked to adjust her professional trajectory to meet the one in her heart. Her jump into the classroom as served her well, as in 2022, Leland High School awarded her the Unsung Hero Award.

As a Biology Subject Expert Teacher, Ms. Chadha has several goals in the classroom. First, she creates an interesting learning journey for every student to ensure that they have access to a rigorous and exciting middle school and high school experience. Second, she hopes to help each of her students to build a high self-image in order instill the conﬁdence that they can accomplish anything in life they set their heart on. Last, she will help her students develop a curiosity and love for science that allows them to begin to explain the world around them. Her hope is that all of these strategies combined will show her students how they can impact this world.

BASIS Independent Schools are top academic institutions that educate students to the highest international levels. They create an environment and platform for success; giving each student an individual experience and learning platform for their development. Ms. Chadha has found that both her personal teaching ethos ‘every child can excel,’ and general strength as an educator to inspire, encourage and support every child to achieve their best potential, are completely in line with the mission of BISV. She explained, “This made me very excited to partner with BISV and work in collaboration with other educators to build a strong, healthy, happy, and conﬁdent next generation and generations to come.”

Ms. Chadha truly loves the energy and excitement that the vibrant, young people in our classrooms radiate and she is attracted to their docile and impressionable naivety. Having three children of her own, she feels deeply involved in our students’ emotional, psychological and educational development. This has allowed her greater empathy with in the classroom. Also, working closely with teachers and administrators, Ms. Chadha has realized that teachers have almost supernatural power to inﬂuence the students in a positive, or sadly, in a negative manner. “As teachers we touch more lives in a day than what a normal individual can possibly do in a year.”

She believes that students learn best when they are engaged and excited to learn. With this in mind, she uses a range of instructional strategies to help her students get involved, participate, and stay engaged. One of her secrets is to create a welcoming and positive environment, and ensure there is lots of team spirit in the classroom. This helps her students to challenge themselves to expand their boundaries. If they can learn to stretch their potential, they can achieve higher goals every semester. Ms. Chadha also uses a number of interactive activities to maximize student engagement, with peer review being a key strategy. Students seek approval from their peers and I have observed they put more attention in their work when they know their peers will be reviewing it. She also always encourage students to present and debate their ideas, and to continuously ask questions. Finally, Ms. Chadha engages students with fun-facts, case studies, and real-life examples from outside the classroom that connect classroom learning to the real world.

When she is not in the classroom, she loves to spend time with her husband and three children. They enjoy hiking, swimming and playing board games together. Ms. Chadha also loves travelling, and they have travelled to many international destinations in Europe, West Africa and Asia. Within the USA, she has visited more than 12 states. She also loves cooking different cuisines and watching movies. Fun fact about her – Ms. Chadha loves eating hot chocolate fudge late at night when everyone at home is asleep 🙂

Mr. Cunningham

History, Logic

Mr. Cunningham

Subject Expert Teacher History, Logic

Mr. Cunningham earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Boston University. He was a founding staff member at BASIS Independent Brooklyn in 2014 and brings more than a decade of experience as an educator inside and outside the classroom. In addition to teaching English and History courses at the Brooklyn campus and the pandemic-inspired BASIS Independent Online (Go Crystal Jellyfish!), Mr. Cunningham has held administrative roles in Admissions, Academic Programs, and Student Affairs.

“After a couple of years working in administration alongside teaching, I’m thrilled to get back in the classroom full-time to teach World History I and Logic. BISV is known throughout the network for its passionate students and committed families, and I can’t wait to get to know and become a part of this community,” Mr. Cunningham remarked.

Mr. Cunningham was born and raised in England and then New England, and he loves to travel, cook, and learn. He spends almost every free moment with his wife and 1-year-old son.

Ms. Deh

English

Ms. Deh

Subject Expert Teacher English

Ms. Deh received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Composition from San Jose State University, and is currently working on a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from The University of San Francisco. She is also a published author of short stories.

As an English Subject Expert Teacher, she instills a sense of passion and appreciation for literature in her students. She believes that through her own dedication and hard work, she finds ways to both support and surprise her students about just how exciting literature can be. Ms. Deh thinks of her classroom as both a place of encouragement and inspiration as she and her students dive into language and composition.

Ms. Deh appreciates the dedication BASIS Independent has for its students and for learning itself. The faculty creates a supportive, challenging environment she is very happy to be a part of. Regarding the best environment for students, she believes that they learn best in an open, supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and exploring ideas. She continued, “They also need an engaging environment where they feel challenged.” Ms. Deh likes to utilize a mix of classroom discussions as well as prompts. She often breaks up class time with group work and other hands-on activities to give students different options in which to connect to the material. One of the most exciting tasks she had her students participate in involved pretending to be characters from a novel that they had been reading in class and creating a mock trial based on events in the story. The students became involved in the text in a way they might never have been before!
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Deh is typically writing and working on her Master of Arts and finding pockets of time to read. When she finds the time, she also loves to relax by playing Destiny or Final Fantasy on her PS5. A couple of fun facts about Ms. Deh are that she has two incredibly large Maine Coon cats and that she used to bowl competitively.

Dr. Van Dusen

Classics, Latin

Dr. Van Dusen

Subject Expert Teacher Classics, Latin

Dr. Van Dusen has been with BASIS Curriculum Schools since 2014. She joined BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in 2015 as a Latin and Classics teacher, and enjoys playing a role in educating this highly motivated and intelligent body of students.

Dr. Van Dusen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology degree from Buffalo State College and Master of Arts degree in Classics and Doctor of Philosophy in Classics degrees from the University of Buffalo. She loves teaching Latin and ancient culture and is very passionate about Italian archaeology. She lived and carried out research in Italy for three years, holding the Rome Prize at the American Academy in Rome in 2008. Since 2009, she has been supervising excavations at the Italian archaeological field school at Pietrabbondante (Molise, Italy) in the Central Appennines where she also trained college students in archaeological field methods.

Dr. Van Dusen is a dedicated advocated for animal rights, having participated in numerous actions aimed at protecting the welfare of animals. She enjoys spending her free time predominantly outdoors, especially hiking, and loves to explore the beautiful landscapes of California.

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.

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. Gacioch

History

Mr. Gacioch

Subject Expert Teacher History

Mr. Gacioch holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and History from Northern Arizona University, and a Master of Arts from New York University. He has taught History, English, and Social Studies for the previous twelve years. Before becoming a teacher, he was a writer at marketing firms in Sausalito and San Francisco.

Paul enjoys reading, writing, playing guitar and drums, jogging, and lifting weights. He and his wife have three young sons and some goldfish.

Ms. Ganz

English, Film Studies

Ms. Ganz

Subject Expert Teacher English, Film Studies

Ms. Ganz is an experienced educator who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Creative Writing from Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia. She furthered her education by pursuing a Master of Fine Arts Degree with Dual Concentrations in Creative Nonfiction and Poetry at San Jose State University, where she was also a Fellow at the San Francisco Writer’s Grotto. During her time at San Jose State University, she served as the Managing Editor of Reed Magazine.

Her primary goal as a BASIS Independent Schools educator is to cultivate critical thinking skills in each student. She was drawn to BISV because of her passion for sharing literature and writing with students. She appreciates the students’ enthusiasm for challenges and is excited to create an academically stimulating environment.

In Ms. Ganz’s classroom, students can expect a challenging, yet supportive atmosphere that encourages learning, growth, and the freedom to make mistakes. She believes that students learn best when they feel both supported and challenged. She exposes students to new materials, resources, and information to broaden their horizons, encouraging them to make informed decisions.
As an advocate of technology integration, Ms. Ganz incorporates various technological tools into her teaching. She explores how written media influences visual and auditory media, encouraging students to apply their understanding of texts beyond the classroom to their personal interests.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Ganz leads a dynamic life. She is actively involved in the arts, particularly music and theater. She serves as a First Soprano in The Rainbow Women’s Chorus based in Campbell, and she collaborates with the Sunnyvale Community Players. Additionally, she enjoys playing video games, indulging in nostalgic or humorous content, and spending time with her three cats, one of whom has three legs.

Fun Fact: If given the choice, Ms. Ganz would happily consume sushi as her favorite food for the rest of her life.

Ms. Garcia

Spanish

Ms. Garcia

Subject Expert Teacher Spanish

Ms. Garcia was born and raised in the province of Chaco, Argentina. She graduated with a Juris Doctor from Universidad Nacional del Nordeste Corrientes Argentina. Intellectual curiosity and adventure drove her to the United States where she obtained a Master of Arts in Spanish, with a concentration in Hispanic Literature, and a Master of Arts in Law and Political Science, both from Loyola University in Chicago. She has taught at Loyola in Chicago, Santa Clara University, San Jose City College and Contra Costa College. She is also certified in Positive Psychology coaching from the Wholebeing Institute by Professore Tal Sahar. Ms. Garcia has published several papers and short fiction works. Some specific areas of interest in her research are Positive Psychology, neuroscience and language acquisition, indigenous culture, and non-systemic education

Her teaching philosophy at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is to be a facilitator in the classroom. She wishes to establish a nurturing, all-inclusive environment which is grounded in the knowledge that each individual learns at her/his own pace in accordance with her/his innate intelligence. Ms. Garcia’s attendance of a 10 day silent retreat centered around Vipassana meditation has heavily influenced her teaching style. Ms. Garcia’s approach is based in understanding the depths of the mind.

During her free time, she loves to dine out, go to movies and continue exploring unknown realms.

Ms. Hetu

Art

Ms. Hetu

Subject Expert Teacher Art

Ms. Hetu received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Art Education at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At the previous school where she worked, she was awarded the “2022 Teacher of the Year” award, culminating her years of experience in teaching along with the amazing passion she has for her students and their learning. As a proud educator, she teaches Art and STEM classes for students in our Early Learning and Primary program. Her teaching philosophy is to foster a love and excitement for visual art and help them understand how it relates to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, combining both creativity and reasoning.

Ms. Hetu believes that students learn best when they can see how passionate their teachers are about the subject material, and when they are able to connect subjects to their personal life and experiences. In addition, students learn better when they are engaged and excited about the topics. She loves when students first complain about a topic, and then become obsessed with it after a lesson! Ms. Hetu enjoys using dancing, books, demonstrations, current events, and other such interactive activities to engage her students.

In her free time, she is an artist and loves to draw and paint. She is also a very passionate swimmer and has an amazing pet dog named Foxy!

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.

Dr. Jensen

English

Dr. Jensen

Subject Expert Teacher English

Dr. Jensen hails from Scotts Valley, California. Prior to teaching at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, he taught American Literature, World Literature, and Native American Literature, as an Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University. At the University of California, Santa Cruz, he double majored in Literature and Anthropology and minored in Latin; he graduated with honors in both majors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honors society. Dr. Jensen also attained a Master’s degree and Doctoral degrees in American Literature from the University of California, Davis, where he taught several composition courses.

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley attracted Dr. Jensen because of its high standards of excellence. Having taught literature and composition at universities in America, Germany, and France, he has come to appreciate schools that hold their students to a high level of achievement. “BASIS Independent Silicon Valley has an incredible system that helps students succeed at every step in their scholastic career,” he states.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Jensen’s interests include martial arts (he holds the rank of third degree black belt in Taekwondo), traveling the globe, and spending time with family and friends. He has also published poetry and literary criticism in various journals and anthologies.

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. Kent

Chemistry

Mr. Kent

Subject Expert Teacher Chemistry

Mr. Kent spent earned a Bachelor of Science Chemistry at California Polytechnic State University, and a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from University of Arkansas. He then spent 24 years as an industrial chemist, primarily in pharmaceuticals and biotech. In his position he worked closely with the research end of the process to ensure that the process was as efficient as possible.

Teaching is his second career, one that he has been devoted to for seven years. Mr. Kent has worked with students in grades 8-12 on the topics of chemistry, physics, astronomy and engineering. Mr. Kent is a fifth generation Californian, and teaching is most certainly in his genes: both of his parents were teachers, several aunts and uncles were teachers, and his grandmother and great-grandmother were teachers.

Ms. Liu

Math

Ms. Liu

Subject Expert Teacher Math

Ms. Liu received a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Math from Sichuan Normal University of China, and a Master of Education degree in Math from Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential in Math, and a Teacher Qualification Certificate from Beijing, China. Once she completed her education, she taught high-school-to-college level math at Beijing Municipal Chemical Industry School for several years.

As a Subject Expert Teacher in Math, she is thrilled to be working at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. “The mission of BASIS Independent is to raise the highest international level students. This mission resonates with me in the sense that we shall strive to inspire students to achieve their best potentials as global citizens.” She continued, “This also presents new and exciting opportunities for me to grow as an educator. This is an incredibly exciting place to develop my students and also myself.”

Ms. Liu’s teaching philosophy focuses on developing her students’ mathematical thinking by tapping into their internal passion. She does this by encouraging them to positively face challenges and conquer hurdles by building up their self-confidence. Her hope is that this helps them focus in math, and beyond. In the classroom, wants the “why” not the “how” to resonate for the children she teaches. Ms. Liu fells strongly that the classroom must be in a student-centered, engaging, creative and positive classroom environment. “It is essential that teachers offer students as many opportunities as possible to empower them to actively to participate in the learning process.”

When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Liu loves running and shopping. Family running is a fantastic way that she is able to bond with her two daughters. In her spare time she also enjoys shopping, “Shopping is my therapy!”

Mr. Lueders

History

Mr. Lueders

Subject Expert Teacher History

Mr. Lueders graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Minor in Jewish Studies. He worked as a Worship Leader at his church while in school, and he continues to volunteer there.

His goal as a World History Teacher is to help his students refine their critical thinking skills, learn the value of an evidence-based argument, and develop an empathetic, global perspective.

In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, baking sourdough, and reading anything he can get his hands on. He is excited to get to know the students, and learn with them this year!

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.”

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.

Ms. Odell

Latin

Ms. Odell

Subject Expert Teacher Latin

Ms. Odell received an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and also earned the Wilson Medal in Classics from Victoria College. Receiving her Master of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, her research was funded in part by a Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

“As a Latin Subject Expert Teacher, my goal is to instill a love of Classics and Latin language learning in my students,” says Ms. Odell. “There’s a perception that Latin no longer has anything to offer students in our technology-driven world, but the Latin texts my students read have been copied and preserved for two thousand years for a reason! They have lasting wisdom and values for my students to read, learn, and question.”

“I love that BASIS Independent Silicon Valley recognizes that you don’t need to choose between a math and science focused curriculum and a strong liberal arts program. My students are well-rounded with a number of different interest areas that the school encourages them to explore the world around them,” says Ms. Odell. She continues, “My teaching philosophy is to give interesting and rigorous work, even if it’s difficult, and to trust the students to meet my high expectations.”

Ms. Odell enjoys going to the movies at least once a week, and visiting the beach as often as possible. “Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is my favourite place in California so far,” she says.

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. Pochiraju

Biology

Ms. Pochiraju

Subject Expert Teacher Biology

Ms. Pochiraju earned both her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education from Osmania University in India. She then obtained a Master of Science in Microbiology from Nagarjuna University in India, and her Master of Science in Biotechnology from IASE in India. After coming to the United States, she took additional credits at Stanford to become a Certified Child Nutritionist.

As a Biology Subject Expert Teacher in Biology, her goals in the classroom are to instill students with intrinsic motivation to learn, to develop well-rounded students, to nurture student curiosity, and to encourage students in Scientific thinking. Ms. Pochiraju chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley because she always wanted to teach at one of the best schools in the nation. BISV has a globally benchmarked and proven gold standard academic curriculum that offers much support for Ms. Pochiraju to attain her goals as a teacher.

Her philosophy around education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment in which they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is her desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. She enjoys providing a safe environment where students are invited to share their ideas and take risks. In the same vein, she believes that students learn best when they feel that their teachers are dedicated and approachable. If students know their teacher is working hard and want to support them as they learn, they’re more likely to succeed. For this reason, Ms. Pochiraju keeps an open-door policy at all times and strives to build rapport with each student.

To maximize student engagement, she uses a lot of fun strategies. Ms. Pochiraju utilizes hands-on-activities and collaborative activities that involve the active participation of students in order to experience scientific concepts. Another method she uses is the idea of learning through argumentation. When students debate a concept with a peer, they encounter new contrasting ideas which encourage them to think differently or more deeply about a specific topic. She also likes to include both real-life scenarios that involve analyzing current problems, and games and simulations in her lessons.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing badminton with her son and family, experiment with cooking a variety of cuisines, dance, listen to spiritual discourses and learn new things (Currently she is learning a new language). She also teaches Microbiology at one of the private colleges.

FUN FACT: You may not think that a Biologist would be afraid of both injections and house lizards, but she is!

Mr. Rocha-Herrera

Math, Physics

Mr. Rocha-Herrera

Subject Expert Teacher Math, Physics

Mr. Rocha-Herrera graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. He held an international scholarship during all four years for outstanding scholastic achievement. During his initial years after college, he worked in engineering research co-developing new technologies with other scientists and implementing various technologies at high volume manufacturing sites. He and his team authored and/or co-authored numerous technical papers using applied science and mathematical modeling. As a teacher, he has completed numerous courses in staff development for educators, with emphasis in math and science teaching methods and additional focus on how to apply differentiated instruction for various styles of student learning.

His teaching experience spans over 10 years. Early in his career, he was a physics lab instructor at Arizona State University, while most recently he taught physics for five years at BASIS Curriculum Schools in Arizona. Mr. Rocha-Herrera’s teaching philosophy focuses primarily on guiding students’ thinking so that they are able to recognize physics principles everywhere in daily life. He prefers to develop physics concept understanding with hands-on activities and examples to encourage scientific curiosity and discovery while having fun. About this upcoming year, he says “I feel very fortunate to be able to share my passion for teaching physics with our BASIS Independent Silicon Valley students. There is nothing more rewarding than teaching students who love physics!”

Mr. Rocha-Herrera is thrilled that his own children share this passion for learning, with two of them recently graduating from Ivy League schools. His hobbies outside school include chess, hiking, karaoke, Latin music and comedy.

Mr. Ross

History

Mr. Ross

Subject Expert Teacher History

Mr. Ross holds a Master of Arts in History and two Bachelor of Arts, one in History and the other in Theatre Performance. In addition to being in the classroom, he will also be coaching the cross-country team.

As a historian, he focuses on modern Europe, yet he thoroughly enjoys helping each student discover their unique tastes in the historical field. Whether the students enjoy sociology, gender studies, economics, or any other mixture of subjects, history has quite a bit to offer to everyone. Mr. Ross’ goal for this school year is to help everyone see where they fit in the world by showcasing the accomplishments and struggles of those who came before us.

Outside of school, he likes to spend his time running, rock climbing, reading his favorite historians or assorted fantasy series, and (inevitably, as a native from Northern Ohio) watching hockey!

Mr. Schindler

Math, Physics

Mr. Schindler

Subject Expert Teacher Math, Physics

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.

Ms. Thomas

Biology, Math

Ms. Thomas

Subject Expert Teacher Biology, Math

Ms. Wang

Mandarin

Ms. Wang

Subject Expert Teacher Mandarin

Mr. Woodruff

English

Mr. Woodruff

Subject Expert Teacher English

Mr. Woodruff holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Jose State University. He considers himself to be an eternal student and while he was in college he often supplemented each class with a Modern Scholars or Great Courses class of similar content in order to bolster his education. Mr. Woodruff choose BASIS Independent because the instructive autonomy offered to teachers is something that excites him professionally. He is thrilled to teach with materials that he has curated because he thinks the materials are of most benefit to his students. Mr. Woodruff also believes that the program we offer prepares students to grow and learn at a high level, and thus inspires him to be the best educator he can in order to deliver at such an echelon.

As a Subject Expert English Teacher who teaches Middle School level English courses, he will build upon the strong foundations built by the previous year’s teachers in reading, writing, and analysis. For the grades that he teaches, he will prepare them to succeed in their subsequent grade levels so that they will transition seamlessly to high school and be able to excel in that higher stakes environment. Mr. Woodruff thinks of teachers as guides. A quote by Bruce Lee sums it up very well for him, “A teacher is never a giver of truth—he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for himself. A good teacher is merely a catalyst.” From his perspective, Mr. Woodruff’s job is to bring the enthusiasm for learning to the room and transfer that energy to the students. He continued, “A teacher is like the device of imagery— a teacher appeals to the five senses in order to conjure a visual idea.”

Mr. Woodruff believes there are different ways of reaching individual students who each may learn best in a different way; visual learners and auditory learners for instance. In any lesson, students will have various opinions and questions and it is the teacher’s job to be prepared to answer but also to know when it is time to ask the student to sit with the information for a bit to draw their own conclusion. Review is important as well because a student may only need that little reminder and the information clicks into place. “Students learn best when their environment is properly prepared to engage them. Each student should be willing to take on new challenges and come prepared to learn.”

He believes strongly that students are best engaged when they have the opportunity to be creative. He uses many activities that allow for creativity in the classroom such as creating riddles; creating news headlines or stories; visual depictions of the classroom material; picture equations and many more. Mr. Woodruff enjoys keeping students ready and engaged in lessons by choosing students at random to answer questions during discussions. One of his most favorite activities in the classroom is one he refers to as Silent Conversations. First, students engage in written conversations with a partner. We then review verbs and pronouns used in Shakespeare’s work, and the partner groups will use that review to then “translate” their various conversations into a dialogue resembling a Shakespearean play. The pairs then get to present/perform their conversations in front of the class.

When he is not in the classroom, Mr. Woodruff spends much of his time in the presence of art. He thoroughly enjoys many art forms, but considers himself to be an aficionado of Illustration and Fantasy art and a dilettante of figurative drawing and painting.

Expertise that Inspires

Meet the Teachers

Mr. Adams

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Dr. Bagri

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Ms. Bhattacharya

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Dr. Bozidarevic

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Ms. Chadha

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Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Cunningham

Ms. Deh

Ms. Deh

Dr. Van Dusen

Dr. Van Dusen

Mr. Ear

Mr. Ear

Dr. Fan

Dr. Fan

Mr. Floyd

Mr. Floyd

Mr. Gacioch

Mr. Gacioch

Ms. Ganz

Ms. Ganz

Ms. Garcia

Ms. Garcia

Ms. Hetu

Ms. Hetu

Ms. Iskandar

Ms. Iskandar

Dr. Jensen

Dr. Jensen

Ms. Jordana

Ms. Jordana

Mr. Juarez

Mr. Juarez

Mr. Kent

Mr. Kent

Ms. Liu

Ms. Liu

Mr. Lueders

Mr. Lueders

Ms. Miller

Ms. Miller

Ms. Myers

Ms. Myers

Ms. Odell

Ms. Odell

Ms. Pilot

Ms. Pilot

Ms. Pochiraju

Ms. Pochiraju

Mr. Rocha-Herrera

Mr. Rocha-Herrera

Mr. Ross

Mr. Ross

Mr. Schindler

Mr. Schindler

Ms. Tamhane

Ms. Tamhane

Ms. Thomas

Ms. Thomas

Ms. Wang

Ms. Wang

Mr. Woodruff

Mr. Woodruff

Meet
the Teachers