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. Acevedo

Performing Arts

Mr. Acevedo

Subject Expert Teacher Performing Arts

In 2014, Mr. Acevedo received his Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Since then, he has worked at schools all over the United States, from Maryland to Bakersfield, before eventually settling in the Bay Area. Mr. Acevedo is currently spending his summers working towards his master’s degree in Theatrical Direction.

“I am excited to be a part of the team here and to help my students foster a lifelong love of learning and become positive and curious members of their communities. I believe that education and learning allow us all to lead richer lives, and I am excited to help all of my students achieve their fullest potential (and have some fun doing it!)”

When Mr. Acevedo is not at school, he spends time reading manga, watching anime, playing his Switch, and exploring all the Bay Area has to offer. He also likes to listen to musicals, attend theatre performances, and discover stories through podcasts. Mr. Acevedo hopes he can share his love of theatre with his students as well as his love of English and history.

Dr. Akulov

History

Dr. Akulov

Subject Expert Teacher History

Dr. Akulov grew up in the Bay Area and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California-Berkeley in 2003. He entered the graduate program at the University of California-Santa Barbara in 2004 to pursue a doctoral degree in history and graduated with a Doctor in Philosophy in 2012.

Subsequently, Dr. Akulov taught history at his alma mater as well as at the University of California-Irvine and Westmont College and worked as a Curriculum Specialist for the Santa Barbara Unified School District. He is excited to join the faculty at BASIS Independent Fremont to teach World and U.S. History to middle school students.

“I love working with students because it is an incredible opportunity to connect with young minds and assist them in the expansion of their knowledge as well as analytical prowess,” says Dr. Akulov. “In my teaching, I strive to excite students with stories about experiences by the previous generations and to further their critical thinking skills. My goal is to demonstrate how knowing the past is crucial to choices that our society makes in the present and to help provide students with skills to interpret historical developments.”

In his free time, Dr. Akulov likes reading history books and biographies, expanding his personal library collection, bike riding, and hiking outdoors, visiting museums, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Araci

Chemistry

Dr. Araci

Subject Expert Teacher Chemistry

Dr. Araci’s journey to science and chemistry started at Ege University in Turkey, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (Cum Laude) in 2001. Her curiosity and enthusiasm led her to pursue a Master of Science in Chemistry Teaching from the Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey in 2002 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemistry at the University of Arizona in the United States in 2010. She then moved to Silicon Valley to start her postdoctoral studies at the Stanford School of Medicine. Because of her ambition in teaching and love of chemistry, she started teaching chemistry as an instructor at Santa Clara University, and chose education as her career goal.

As a chemistry teacher at BASIS Independent Fremont, Dr. Araci looks forward to inspiring students to be curious about chemical concepts and everyday science mysteries, and to be critical thinkers. Since the early years of her high school education, Dr. Araci has always been fascinated by chemical phenomena such as molecular mechanisms, matter and its properties, chemical methods, and their applications to daily life. Chemistry can be applied to almost any situation, from medicine through engineering, to forensic and environmental sciences, and she wants her students to get excited, stimulated, and challenged by this.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Araci is actively participating in drama programs, e.g. musicals, since she loves music and dance very much. She has also worked as a trainer to teach traditional dances to different age groups including, Kindergarteners and college students. She is a book-lover of fiction and historical novels, a hiker, and an amateur painter.

Mr. Betcher

English

Mr. Betcher

Subject Expert Teacher English

Mr. Betcher brings a deep level of expertise in English and Humanities to BASIS Independent Fremont. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Reed College in 2005. In 2013, Mr. Betcher earned his Master of Arts in the Teaching of English from the prestigious Teachers College at Columbia University. At Teachers College, Mr. Betcher had the distinct pleasure of being one of famed educational philosopher Maxine Greene’s final students.

“My goal as a BASIS Independent Fremont educator is to help students study how to learn. As students move towards middle school they begin to take the leap from understanding to analysis. I create a classroom where we critically think about history and texts, examining the author’s craft and learning how to use the structure of language to effectively communicate our ideas,” shares Mr. Betcher.

Speaking about his decision to join BASIS Independent Fremont, Mr. Betcher says: “I chose BASIS Independent Fremont because the school promotes true learning communities. Students feel responsible for their own education, grappling with meaningful questions throughout their educational day. Students push each other to excel. I love being part of a community that grows together, my passion is helping students find theirs. Children are often underestimated, but BASIS Independent Fremont is a school that believes students are all capable of greatness.”

“My teaching philosophy is simple. I want to teach students to read, think, and express themselves. When I say ‘read’, I mean a very specific thing. I want students to engage in a conversation with the text. Students often leave elementary school with the habit of reading for an answer rather than reading for an experience. They often do not know how to push and pull the text because they have never been asked to do so. When I say ‘think’, I want students to critically engage with information. Many intelligent students I have worked with were experts at avoiding any real thought. When asked about what they thought of a story or character or math problem, they would shout out responses they thought I would want to hear, jumping from one answer to another until they realized I wasn’t going to give them the ‘right’ response. I create an English class where students have to try. I want a classroom where students get used to using their brains–thinking deeply about problems, interpretations, and themselves. When I say ‘express themselves’, I mean just that. Students must practice finding their voice and sharing their ideas in speech, writing, and creative interpretation. I want them to think analytically, persuasively, and creatively. I want them to create for themselves, their peers, their teachers, and the larger community,” says Mr. Betcher.

Dr. Chaudhri

Math, Physics

Dr. Chaudhri

Subject Expert Teacher Math, Physics

Dr. Chaudhri earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2002 from Osmania University in India. Following this accomplishment, he traveled to the United States to pursue a Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville on full scholarship, earning his degree in 2004, and several awards on the way!

Dr. Chaudhri’s passion for Science and Math led him to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (with a specialization in Computational Physics) from The University of Pennsylvania in 2009 on a Doctoral Research Fellowship. He then moved to The University of Chicago to begin postdoctoral studies in Theoretical Biophysics, where he worked on a collaborative grant with a San Francisco based Biopharmaceutical company – Genentech Inc. In 2012, Dr. Chaudhri started a second postdoctoral study in Applied Mathematics at The Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in Berkeley, where he also worked as an affiliate researcher until 2016.

Inspired by his studies and experiences, Dr. Chaudhri founded a company called Bioinform in 2017, offering consultant services to numerous biopharmaceutical companies. He joined Arigos Biomedical in 2018, where he worked as a scientist and Director of Research until 2020. Dr. Chaudhri also worked as a Math, Coding & Engineering Teacher at The Academy School in Berkeley. He has published several book chapters and research articles, and given numerous invited talks. His work has also been showcased in popular science press, including phys.org.

Dr. Chaudhri’s passion for teaching started during his doctoral studies at University of Pennsylvania, where he taught undergraduate and graduate students in Math & Engineering. He has also guided and mentored numerous high school summer students, researchers, and postdocs.

“I was very fortunate to have wonderful teachers during my middle and high school years, and it instilled in me a great passion for science and mathematics that I have carried with me since,” says Dr. Chaudhri. “As a Mathematics & Physics Teacher, I look forward to inspiring students about the true beauty of Mathematics & Physics and not be anxious about it. Mathematics is a universal language and is used in literally every profession, and I plan to showcase that to the students. Physics teaches us about nature, the universe, and how things work. I want to show the students that learning about these principles can help us understand everyday life, from medicine to engineering.”

Out of the classroom, Dr. Chaudhri loves to run, go hiking, and spend time with his family. He is also an avid reader with a penchant for books on politics, science and philosophy.

Mr. Chavez

School & Student Services

Mr. Chavez is a lifelong local of the Bay Area and deeply rooted in the community. In 2018 Mr. Chavez began his higher studies at Sonoma State University, where he explored his passions for finance and languages. Mr. Chavez graduated cum laude in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Business, concentrating on finance, and a minor degree in Spanish.

While finishing his studies at Sonoma State University, Mr. Chavez was introduced to the BASIS Independent Fremont community, working on campus to maintain the safety of our school and building strong relationships with our students and families in the process. During the summer of 2022, Mr. Chavez dipped his toes into instruction as a counselor at BIF’s Summer Camp Program. After spending time guiding our younger students, Mr. Chavez accepted a new role at the Upper School, supporting our Yellow Jackets and teaching staff.

Mr. Chavez is excited to share his love of business and finance with BIF students and help them develop an entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity. When he is not on campus, Mr. Chavez enjoys spending time with his family, watching ALL sports games, and of course, cheering on the 49ers!

Ms. Covert

Chemistry

Ms. Covert

Subject Expert Teacher Chemistry

Ms. Covert holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UC Davis and a master’s degree in bioanalytical and physical chemistry from the University of the Pacific. She spent nearly a decade in the industry as a leader in her field, serving as a senior scientist and laboratory manager in Global Agriculture, before returning to academia.

As an educator with experience teaching at the university level, Ms. Covert has seen many bright students struggle with college-level materials, unprepared for the rigors of undergraduate education, and striving to live up to their full potential. This experience set her on the path to improve the education of our younger generations, to help better prepare them for college. According to Ms. Covert, the best way to minimize this gap is to intercede our learners during their pivotal years. Combining her experiences in both universities and as an industry leader allows Ms. Cover to drive these students to succeed in their future goals as the “movers and shakers of their generation.”

“Paul Brandt once said, ‘don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.’ Our students are incredibly bright and curious. They deserve the opportunity to excel, but they cannot do it alone.” Says Ms. Covert on her teaching philosophy. “It is on us, as educators, to help propel those young minds on a course of knowledge, curiosity, and success. If we can provide the tools and help them connect their real-life experiences to what they are learning, there is no stopping them.”

Ms. Covert loves to read, play video games, and spend quality time with her husband and daughter.

Dr. Dixit

Physics

Dr. Dixit

Subject Expert Teacher Physics

Dr. Dixit earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Physics in 2002 from the University of Edinburgh, after earning her Master of Science in Physics in 1998 from the Indian Institute of Technology and her Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1996 from St. Xavier’s College, University of Mumbai. During her studies, she received various awards and accolades.

As a Subject Expert Teacher in Physics, Dr. Dixit strives to instill a natural curiosity in children and help them marvel at the fundamental laws that describe how natural events occur in the world around us.

“To teach science in a style that makes it accessible to all students, I like to emphasize connections between various disciples in the natural sciences, such as physics, chemistry, geosciences, and the life sciences, with a healthy respect for mathematics, which together provide all the necessary tools needed to study our natural environment,” says Dr. Dixit.

When she is not in the classroom, Dr. Dixit is an avid cook, and enjoys sports, especially badminton. She is also trained in classical dance!

Teacher Gill

English

Teacher Gill

Subject Expert Teacher English

Ms. Laquidara

French

Ms. Laquidara

Subject Expert Teacher French

Ms. Laquidara was raised in Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in French Language & Culture with two minors in both Spanish and Translation and a Certificate in Translation and Interpretation from Florida International University. She took part in an immersion program in Angers, France, in 2015 and briefly lived in Paris. She loved being a part of clubs and honor societies and graduated with ties to Pi Delta Phi, Sigma Delta Pi, National Residence Hall Honorary, and her personal favorite, Le Cercle Français. In 2017, she began her graduate studies at Florida Atlantic University. She was awarded a teaching fellowship and taught first and second year French to undergraduate students at the University. She graduated with a master’s degree in Language, Linguistics & Comparative Literature with a focus on Teaching French in 2019.

She has taught and tutored students of various ages in French and English. She is passionate about teaching students and making an impact in students’ lives. Her ultimate objective is to help children find their passion and joy in learning a new language. She believes that learning how to communicate and understanding different cultures are the keys to making meaningful connections with others.

In her free time, Ms. Laquidara likes to explore the various areas of the Bay area. She loves hiking, going on long walks with her dog, composing music, and volunteering as a Teacher’s Aide for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Ms. Nagpal

Biology

Ms. Nagpal

Subject Expert Teacher Biology

Ms. Nagpal received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Zoology from the University of Delhi. She went on to pursue a degree in education – also from Delhi University.

Ms. Nagpal found her passion for teaching at an early age after becoming involved in the program Each One Teach One, providing educational services to children from underserved areas. After obtaining her degrees, she taught biology for well over a decade in India and the UK, teaching students from middle school to college. Since relocating to Fremont in 2012, Ms. Nagpal has guided students in various public and private schools in the Bay Area.

Ms. Nagpal believes that every student has their own unique strengths. Her goal is to work towards the overall development of her students, focusing on making the subject enjoyable for them. As a biology teacher, she encourages her students to develop a deep love for living beings and an appreciation for their interdependence with their environment.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Nagpal enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies with her daughters, and traveling. She wishes she could sample all of the world’s cuisines!

Mr. Ong

Economics

Mr. Ong

Subject Expert Teacher Economics

Mr. Ong is a self-described life-long learner. He graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management with an M.B.A. in strategy and marketing. He also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.

Mr. Ong joins BASIS Independent Fremont, having previously taught economics in a local school district. Over the past two decades, Mr. Ong accrued broad industry experience in sales and marketing roles in the Silicon Valley tech industry. Mr. Ong’s experience as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group led him to work in Boston, Munich, and Singapore. Following his global travels, Mr. Ong settled down with his young family in the Bay Area.

Mr. Ong is committed to helping students develop a life-long curiosity and love of learning. “My mission as an educator is to create an environment in which students feel safe, engaged, connected, and encouraged. When mutual trust exists within a rigorous and supportive classroom, deeper learning can take place!”

Mr. Ong’s abiding passions for classical music, art, and linguistics, conspire to make him rather sedentary – though very happy. When he is not reading or meditating on Bach, he enjoys hiking and spending time with family and friends over coffee or a meal.

Ms. Parker

English, Logic

Ms. Parker

Subject Expert Teacher English, Logic

Ms. Parker grew up in a small town called Tulare in the Central Valley. Before joining the BASIS Independent Fremont community, Ms. Parker served as an Executive Director of a music school in the area. She has seven years of teaching experience from San Jose State University, the Youth N.O.W. Learning Center, California State University, Monterey Bay, and Compass Education, focused within their English departments. Ms. Parker holds a Master’s degree in English and Comparative Literature and a Bachelor’s in Communications, emphasizing literature and film.

As a teacher, Ms. Parker seeks to create a safe and open learning environment for her students. Explained in her own words, “My hope is my students are able to adapt to new learning environments with the knowledge that they are worthy of education and capable of growth. Every student should know they can have a seat at the table of knowledge. I have two very important mottos for my class: ‘Your peers are your resources, NOT your adversaries’ and ‘Your grades DO NOT equal your self-worth.’”

When Ms. Parker is not busy with her own kindergarten-aged son Emerson, the avid coffee drinker can be found playing the cello or out for a hike. Ms. Parker also loves discussing books, music, art, and Studio Ghibli films — her favorite being “Princess Mononoke.”

Ms. Quihuiz

Art

Ms. Quihuiz

Subject Expert Teacher Art

Ms. Quihuiz is an artist and printmaker who earned their Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Education degrees from Colorado State University. They have spent time in Bogotá, Colombia working with high school students on their English language skills, returning to the United States with a passion for education.

Ms. Quihuiz believes that by connecting with students on shared passions and interests, educators can enhance the impact they make on learners.“Environment and connection are the driving forces behind my teaching philosophy; I believe strong student-teacher relationships provide the foundation for authentic learning experiences and that all students need to feel comfortable in their surroundings in order to grow. I strive to inspire students to enjoy art while also being resilient, critical thinkers.”

Ms. Quihuiz is particularly fond of her experiences facilitating a middle school mural project, working with elementary after-school STEM programs and literacy tutoring through AmeriCorps, and participating in an artist residence program in their hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Quihuiz enjoys trail running, cooking – baking – and, best of all, eating, spending time with their spouse and cat, and of course, making art.

Ms. Rangoli

Computer Science, Math

Ms. Rangoli

Subject Expert Teacher Computer Science, Math

Ms. Rangoli holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (2003), a Master of Arts in Economics with Mathematical Statistics as an elective (2006), and a Post Graduate diploma in Computer Application (2007) from prestigious universities in India. With her lifelong passion for teaching, Ms. Rangoli started educating at a very early age in India. She has worked with students of all ages, ranging from elementary students to the college level. She has been working as an instructor and teacher with various public and private schools in Fremont since 2015.

“As an educationist, I always wanted to be a part of organization where they value inclusion, independence, hard work, diversity, and fun in learning,” says Ms. Rangoli. “BASIS Independent Fremont is at the center of these values, which help every child thrive.”

Ms. Rangoli believes in fun, project-based learning. Learning new concepts and simultaneously implementing them in a project helps students to bring forth their creativity, along with inculcating critical thinking and reasoning skills.

When not teaching, Ms. Rangoli loves spending time creating arts and crafts along with her child. She also enjoys hiking.

Mr. Relland

Music

Mr. Relland

Subject Expert Teacher Music

Mr. Relland brings a breadth of musical intuition to the podium at BASIS Independent Fremont. He has facilitated drum circles in Maryland, chamber music in the Arizona desert, and marching band in Texas. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of North Texas, performing with the famed 3 O’Clock Lab Band and the UNT Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Anshel Brusilow.

Following this, he earned degrees in Education at Loyola New Orleans and a Master of Divinity in Arts and Culture at Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. Mr. Relland has also studied conducting with acclaimed teaching mentor James Jordan of Westminster Choir College, drama with Serge Seiden at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C., and songwriting with Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame.

Regarding the culture of an expressive classroom, Mr. Relland says, “I choose to teach, secure in the knowledge that all people have internal rhythm, a love for the arts, and an ability to express themselves. These qualities present themselves in a space where a positive tone allows them to grow. What I think BASIS Independent Fremont offers is a level of focus and opportunity that students may not only learn how to spend time chasing a musical sound they love but that they might learn how to connect this to other concepts, ultimately creating bonds between the intellect and the imagination, between science and art, math and rhythm. And if we teachers and families can catch a glimpse at this learning level – this burgeoning of discovery – we may become surprised all over again at the power of school.”

Ms. Sagal

Latin

Ms. Sagal

Subject Expert Teacher Latin

Ms. Sagal joined the founding faculty at BASIS Independent Fremont as the Latin and Classics Subject Expert Teacher. She graduated from Oberlin College with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Greek Language and Literature and in Latin Language and Literature with Honors. From there, she went on to Tufts University, where she earned her Master of Arts degree in Classics.

Ms. Sagal is excited to be at BASIS Independent Fremont “because the rigorous curriculum encourages students to think beyond memorizing words on a page.” Furthermore, she believes that students reach true learning when they are allowed to think and solve problems outside a list of facts learned for a test.

Ms. Sagal teaches for the “Aha!” moment, “that instant when a student puts together the puzzle pieces and comes to a new realization,” she says. As an educator, she knows “that instant of realization can push students past a basic understanding to a full application of their knowledge. That, in turn, can further their comprehension both of the content and the puzzles they will see in other materials and subjects.”

Her goal “is not merely to teach the basics of Latin grammar and vocabulary, but to work towards the skills inherent in the study of Latin that are applicable beyond the scope of the classroom. Latin can improve a student’s understanding of English, cognitive and analytical skills, and knowledge of history and ancient culture.” She wants “to give my students the tools of analysis, interpretation, and writing ability, so that they can succeed in both the academic world and their future careers. These skills and opportunities will let them reach those “Aha!” moments in every problem they confront.”

Mr. Sanders

Spanish

Mr. Sanders

Subject Expert Teacher Spanish

Mr. Sanders attended Indiana University, Bloomington where he graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. During his time at Indiana, Mr. Sanders had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain.

Mr. Sanders taught English as a Second Language in Hong Kong between 2004 and 2011, an experience that taught him the importance of obtaining comprehension in more than one language for today’s students. From 2012 to 2018, Mr. Sanders expanded his knowledge of high school student needs in the Bay Area, teaching test preparation and working in college admissions counseling. Prior to joining BASIS Independent Fremont, Mr. Sanders taught in a bilingual Spanish classroom in the San Francisco Unified School District.

“As a Spanish language Subject Expert Teacher, I want my students to learn how to actually communicate in Spanish in authentic contexts,” says Mr. Sanders. “ I also hope that they will develop a sincere interest in furthering their studies of Spanish and perhaps other Romance languages. I chose to teach at BASIS Independent Fremont because I really love teaching highly motivated students who take responsibility for their own learning.”

When he is not teaching students a new language, Mr. Sanders enjoys reading contemporary history books or novels, and hiking (when conditions permit)!

Ms. Shahin

Computer Science, Math

Ms. Shahin

Computer Science, Math

Ms. Shahin received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Osmania University, India. She moved to the Bay Area to pursue her master’s degree in computer science from San Jose State University. After working for three years for software startups, she realized her true calling was the classroom. She decided to follow her passion for teaching to empower and inspire young minds to become critical thinkers and creative problem solvers. Since then, Ms. Shahin has accumulated a decade of experience teaching computer science, logic, and economics at Bay Area private schools.

In the classroom, Ms. Shahin enjoys posing challenging questions, encouraging new perspectives, and cultivating excitement along the way for all students. Computer science and math are all about logic and problem-solving. She loves helping students embrace every new concept or problem with enthusiasm and become comfortable thinking outside the box.“I have always maintained a high bar for myself and my students. The goal of my lessons is to kindle the inquisitive mind and leave it on full throttle.” Ms. Shahin’s teaching philosophy centers around her love for learning. She believes that curiosity to discover the unknown is essential to a rich and meaningful education.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Shahin enjoys hiking, road trips, spending time with family and friends, and always loves a good soap opera.

Dr. Sharma

Biology, Science

Dr. Sharma

Subject Expert Teacher Biology, Science

Dr. Sharma received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Zoology from the University of Delhi in India and later went on to pursue a doctorate degree in Molecular Biology at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. She then moved to the United States to do postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Shortly after, Dr. Sharma worked as a postdoctoral fellow and scientist at the University of California, San Francisco for nine years. She has had several research articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Sharma is a Biology Subject Expert Teacher and a subject advisor. Dr. Sharma enjoys teaching Biology to middle school students. Her goal is to make the subject as enjoyable for her students. Biology is one of the most up-and-coming fields of study with modern technology supporting it.

Dr. Sharma believes students should look forward to learning their subjects, and material taught in class should meet and exceed curriculum goals. She chose teaching as a career because she truly enjoys it! She loves seeing her students learn and make strides.

Outside of class, Dr. Sharma enjoys painting, interior design, cooking, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Sharma

Math, Physics

Ms. Sharma

Subject Expert Teacher Math, Physics

Ms. Sharma earned a Master in Physics and Master in Education from Delhi University, India. She has also completed Montessori Training in the United States. Ms. Sharma has approximately 13 years of experience in facilitating diverse groups of students to think creatively, solve problems independently and implement different projects at the global level.

Ms. Sharma believes that instruction in the middle grades should build on learners’ emerging capabilities for developing abstract reasoning, including thinking hypothetically, comprehending cause and effect, and reasoning in both concrete and abstract terms. “Each child has strengths in different areas and advances at their own unique pace. As a mentor, my goal is to provide learners ample opportunities to excel both in and out of my class.”

Apart from teaching, Ms. Sharma enjoys listening to music, reading science blogs, and watching movies.

Mr. Smith

Physics

Mr. Smith

Subject Expert Teacher Physics

Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Oregon Institute of Technology, followed by his master’s degree in Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley.

Mr. Smith has an extensive background in developing products in various industries before following his passion and transitioning to the education sphere. Mr. Smith comes to BASIS Independent Fremont with several years of teaching experience, focusing on science and physics.

Nothing delights Mr. Smith more than to see a young scholar apply their learning to explain various phenomena or devise a solution for a practical problem. Mr. Smith’s teaching ethos is to encourage rigor and enthusiasm as we learn together as a community.

Outside of school, Mr. Smith enjoys traveling, watching sports, and quality time with his wife, Eugenia.

Ms. Sun

Mandarin

Ms. Sun

Subject Expert Teacher Mandarin

Dr. Winslow

History

Dr. Winslow

Subject Expert Teacher History

Dr. Winslow earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Brigham Young University in 2010. In 2012, he relocated to Waco, Texas, to pursue a Master of Arts degree in History at Baylor University, which he earned in 2014. He then moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to begin a doctorate degree in History at Texas Christian University. He completed his learning academic journey with a Doctor of Philosophy in 2019.

“My goal as an educator at BASIS Independent Fremont is to help students develop critical reading, thinking, and writing skills so they can become socially responsible members of society,” says Dr. Winslow. “My teaching philosophy is centered on the idea that studying history is essential for individuals and societies to understand how the people and events of the past have shaped our present-day world.”

Outside of work, Dr. Winslow enjoys reading and writing history, watching basketball, playing video games, exploring the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, walking his dog, and rock climbing.

Expertise that Inspires

Meet the Teachers

Mr. Acevedo

Mr. Acevedo

Dr. Akulov

Dr. Akulov

Dr. Araci

Dr. Araci

Mr. Betcher

Mr. Betcher

Dr. Chaudhri

Dr. Chaudhri

Mr. Chavez

Mr. Chavez

Ms. Covert

Ms. Covert

Dr. Dixit

Dr. Dixit

Teacher Gill

Teacher Gill

Ms. Laquidara

Ms. Laquidara

Ms. Nagpal

Ms. Nagpal

Mr. Ong

Mr. Ong

Ms. Parker

Ms. Parker

Ms. Quihuiz

Ms. Quihuiz

Ms. Rangoli

Ms. Rangoli

Mr. Relland

Mr. Relland

Ms. Sagal

Ms. Sagal

Mr. Sanders

Mr. Sanders

Ms. Shahin

Ms. Shahin

Dr. Sharma

Dr. Sharma

Ms. Sharma

Ms. Sharma

Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith

Ms. Sun

Ms. Sun

Dr. Winslow

Dr. Winslow

Meet
the Teachers