Humanities
Middle School
History Specialist & Student Life Coordinator

Alexandra came to teaching by way of archives. She spent nearly a decade as an archivist at institutions including The Citadel, SMU, and the University of California, working closely with primary sources and the students, researchers, and historians who used them. It was in those one-on-one moments, helping someone find the thread of an argument in a document they had almost given up on, that she realized where she most wanted to be: in the classroom.

That archival background shapes everything she teaches. When Alexandra asks students to read a document the way a historian does, questioning who wrote it, why, and what was left out, she draws on years of doing exactly that work herself. She teaches 7th and 8th grade History and a Latin Exploratory course and believes that students learn best when they feel known, are genuinely challenged, and have the chance to wrestle with real ideas. Her classroom is built on the conviction that warmth and rigor are not opposites.

Outside of school, Alexandra can be found at a local museum, trying a new recipe, or planning her next trip. She also once made it to the audition round for Jeopardy!, which feels appropriate for someone who always loves a good trivia game.

Education & Credentials
– BA in History of Art & Architecture, UC Santa Barbara (Minor in Classics)
– Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science

Spanish
Middle School

Alan Pompa Aguayo is a World Language Specialist, teaching Spanish 6, Spanish 7, and Spanish 8. He also teaches the Speech and Debate Exploratory. His love for teaching was discovered through teaching in a Public Speaking & Debate enrichment program for K-8 students. A native Spanish speaker, he was born to Mexican immigrants who emphasized the importance of education and community. Language is a bridge that connects people, and he hopes to share the magic that lies in the attempt to share something with one another with his students.

Alan earned a BA in Psychology and completed a minor in Spanish at San Jose State University, from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Currently, he is on track to achieve ACTFL testing certification and will be participating in the Stanford World Language Project this fall. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys partaking in the arts by playing the flute and acting in local theater.

Education & Credentials
– BA in Psychology, San Jose State University
– Minor in Spanish, San Jose State University
– ACTFL Testing Certification, in progress

Science
Lower School

Ronan grew up in Colorado but moved to the Bay Area for college and has been here ever since. He has taught science in many different contexts, including summer camps, museum tours, and online courses, before joining the world of classroom teaching at KLS.

Ronan believes that science is a process, not just a body of knowledge, so students spend a lot of time building models and exploring the natural world. He is always looking for opportunities to connect students with the wonders of nature and delights in being called upon when students find a cool bug or interesting leaf at recess time.

Outside of school, Ronan enjoys musical theater and ballroom dancing and can occasionally be found performing in various productions around the Bay Area.

Education & Credentials
– MS Geology, San Jose State University
– BS Earth System Science, Stanford University

Classroom Learning Specialist
Lower School

Leah grew up in sunny Orange County but has called the Bay Area home for over a decade. A proud alumna of San Jose State University, she joined the KLS community last year, working alongside both of the 1st grade teachers. During our fall semester, Leah is thrilled to step into the role of leading the 1st grade class and is eager to guide her students through a year of growth, discovery, and joy in learning!

Her love for teaching began early, shaped by the experience of growing up in a large family and strengthened through her child development courses in college. These studies deepened her understanding of how children learn and inspired her to create a classroom where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every student feels valued!

Outside of school, Leah enjoys getting lost in a good book, training for her nextnhalf marathon, attending musical theater performances, planning her next travel adventure, and spending time with her fiancé and their sweet 16-year-old Westie Terrier, Anna.

TK Associate Teacher
Lower School

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nicola moved to Canada when she was just over a year old. She grew up in Kingston, Ontario, where she completed her post-secondary education and began her career in early childhood education. She has been teaching children ages 2–5 in the Bay Area since 2011.

Nicola is especially passionate about fostering social and emotional skills in young children that set the foundation for lifelong learning and development. She enjoys creating engaging, hands-on experiences that inspire joy, curiosity, and creativity in the classroom.

On the weekends, Nicola enjoys spending time reading on her patio and visiting local farmers' markets. She recently learned how to play the piano and finds joy when she learns a new piece of music.

Education & Credentials
– BA in Psychology, Queen’s University, Canada
– Diploma in Early Childhood Education, St. Lawrence College, Canada

Director of College Counseling
Administration

With over 25 years of experience in both nonprofit and independent school-based college access organizations, Shane brings a deeply student-centered and equity-driven approach to college counseling. He is especially passionate about equipping students with tools in financial literacy, mindfulness, and interdependence—skills that support both strong college outcomes and holistic well-being.

Shane holds a B.A. in History from UC Santa Cruz—a nod to his lifelong love of reading—and an MBA/MA in Education Leadership from Mills College (now Northeastern University, Oakland Campus). His graduate work reflects a commitment to mission-driven leadership at the intersection of education and organizational strategy. Shane has also served on the boards of several education and equity-focused nonprofits, deepening his understanding of community-based impact and values-aligned governance. 

Outside of work, you’ll find him exploring the outdoors in his campervan with his wife and two cats, Seymour and Ozzy, scanning the horizon for whales and other cetaceans, or biking long distances to support causes he cares about. Most recently, he completed the final AIDS/Lifecycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles—a 545-mile journey blending purpose, endurance, and heart, much like the work he does with students every day.

Assistant Director of Data
Administration

Senior Director of Schools Operations & Technology
Administration

Born in Boston and raised in Los Angeles, Chi-Ray studied Biomechanical Engineering at Stanford, then led operations for a Bay Area company prototyping coronary stents. That work led him into operations leadership roles in tech, retail, and nonprofit settings before joining Khan Lab School’s founding team in 2014. As Senior Director of School Operations & Technology, Chi-Ray believes a well-run school gives students, teachers, and families room to do their best work. As Lead Mentor to KLS’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6962, Antares, his goal is simple: every Antares alum graduates as someone you’d want to hire, with the teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills that matter, regardless of technical background.

Outside of KLS, Chi-Ray leads Scouts, teaches shooting sports, roots for the Patriots, and drives a delivery truck for local food pantries. He and his wife, Erica, are also proud KLS alumni parents, as their children, Timothy (KLS Class of ’23, UCLA ’27, Cognitive Science & Creative Writing) and Megan (KLS Class of ’24, Tufts ’28, Human Factors Engineering & Engineering Education) each spent more than a decade at KLS.

Education & Credentials
– BS and MS in Biomechanical Engineering, Stanford University

Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Humanities
Upper School

Nick came to teaching by way of Hollywood, where he spent over a decade working with writers and directors: as an agent trainee in a talent agency’s motion picture literary department, in development at Chernin Entertainment and Disney, on set in Budapest filming Spy and Spectral, and as a stage manager and member of the Directors Guild of America. Hooked on the question of how stories get told and retold, he left entertainment for a master’s in Classics, where he focused on Homeric epic poetry and reception theory.

His classes are built around communication, collaboration, and creativity, with a whole lot of making things, whether a storytelling company or an adaptation. Students write by hand nearly every day, lead their own discussions, and tackle projects where the creative work is itself the argument. Nick hands the reins to his students whenever he can, giving them a say in what they study and how they engage with it.

Beyond the classroom, Nick enjoys sports, primarily football and soccer, and exploring the eats, treats, and coffee shops of San Francisco.

Education & Credentials
– MA in Classics, University of Edinburgh
– BA in History, Williams College

Office Administrator
Lower School

Humanities
Lower School
Grade 2

Bria was surrounded by educators since childhood and was particularly inspired by teaching her brother to read as a summer project in elementary school. She has always wanted to teach and share her love of reading with the next generation. In university, she worked closely with professors passionate about pedagogy and began working at a public school in Southern California supporting ESL learners, while also pursuing her love of classical piano.

Bria came to elementary humanities education after being inspired by the innovative culture of the Bay Area. In her classroom, she strives to create a space where students feel supported, heard, and seen as individuals on a learning journey. She wants her students to feel challenged and inspired to pursue their passions and to see the value of humanities wherever their goals take them.

Outside of school, Bria loves meditating with her dog Theo, playing Chopin, and spending time with wonderful family and friends.

Education & Credentials
– BA in Comparative World Literature, CSULB

Associate Teacher
Lower School

With a background in statistics and a passion for education, Lei is excited to bring her experience to Khan Lab School. Having worked in industry applying data and statistical analysis to support strategic decision-making, she discovered her passion for working with children and supporting their learning and growth.

Lei believes that the best learning happens when students are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and learn from the process of discovery. She is ready to support Khan Lab School’s mastery-based approach by creating engaging learning experiences that inspire students to think critically, collaborate, and solve meaningful challenges.

Beyond the classroom, Lei enjoys spending time with her four cats and solving puzzles of all kinds. She loves bringing that same curiosity into the classroom, encouraging students to approach learning with creativity, persistence, and a sense of adventure.

Education & Credentials
– M.S. in Applied Statistics, Syracuse University

Math
Middle School

Marine Hovsepyan’s love of mathematics took root early, when she placed third in Armenia’s national high school Math Olympiad, the only girl in the competition. That experience set her on a lifelong path toward teaching, and for more than 20 years, she has brought the same spirit of curiosity and challenge to middle and high school classrooms.

Marine believes math is best learned through problem-solving, persistence, and genuine excitement about discovery. She works to build classrooms where students feel confident tackling difficult problems and remains deeply involved in math competitions, coaching students to numerous national and international medals along the way. Her goal is always to help students see themselves as capable mathematicians, not just students completing coursework.

Outside the classroom, Marine is passionate about dance and travel and loves discovering new places and cultures.

Education & Credentials
– B.S. in Mathematics, Yerevan State University, Armenia
– M.A. in Educational Management, Yerevan State University, Armenia
– PhD Candidate, Mathematics Teaching Methodology, Armenian State Pedagogical University, in progress

Associate Teacher
Lower School

Supanuch “Lek” Hunt has worked in education for more than a decade, with experience teaching and supporting students in both Thailand and the United States. Her background includes early childhood and elementary education, teacher training, and educational program leadership. These experiences have shaped her belief that every child learns differently and thrives when they feel supported, included, and confident.

Lek enjoys creating a positive and engaging learning environment where students feel comfortable exploring, asking questions, and learning through hands-on experiences. She especially values building strong relationships with students and supporting their academic, social, and emotional growth.

Outside of school, Lek enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, staying active, and spending time with her family and her dog.

Education & Credentials
– M.B.A. in Business Administration, Western Governors University
– B.A. in Mass Communications, Ramkhamhaeng University
– Teaching English for Young Learners Certificate, University of Oregon
– California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, in progress

Director of Teaching and Learning
Lower School

Michael grew up in Southern California within a family of educators, so naturally, he never planned on finding himself in the field of education. However, as an undergrad, Michael worked as an after-school tutor and coach and soon found himself switching majors. He began his formal teaching career in public middle schools before transitioning to the lower school at KLS and, later, The Nueva School.

Michael believes that learners thrive when there are multiple pathways toward a goal and that systems designed for the average person end up serving no one. He wants to foster and grow systems where student agency, joy, and curiosity are core to learning.

Outside of KLS, Michael runs long distances, adds to his trading card collections, and plays with his tripawd corgi.

Education & Credentials
– Ed.M. in Mind, Brain, and Education, Harvard University
– B.A. in Liberal Studies, Cal Poly Pomona
– California Administrative Services Credential
– California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Humanities
Middle School

Humanities
Upper School
History

Alexandro is the son of Mexican immigrants, the oldest of three siblings, and the first in his family to attend college. Working with at-risk Latino youth inspired him to continue his education to better understand his own experiences and the histories of Latin America and Latinos in the United States. These experiences strengthened his belief that education can improve the world by building empathy through an understanding of different perspectives.

As a history teacher, Alexandro encourages students to think critically about the narratives they have learned by exploring lesser-known histories alongside more familiar accounts of the past. His classes are discussion- and inquiry-based, guiding students to identify key ideas while giving them space to explore the questions they find most meaningful.

Alexandro continues his education through independent research that will soon result in two published book chapters. He grew up playing soccer and still plays, and enjoys cheering on the Warriors and Raiders.

Education & Credentials
– Ph.D. in U.S. Latino History, University of New Mexico
– M.A. in U.S. Western History and Modern Latin American History (Minor), University of New Mexico
– B.A. in Latin American History and Urban Education (Minor), Santa Clara University

Upper School Director
Administration

Laura has held a number of school leadership positions in independent schools in addition to teaching high school Physics. As the STEM Academy Dean at Saint Monica Preparatory, she trained teachers across the school in Project-Based Learning (PBL) approaches and developed STEM-oriented experiential learning opportunities. As a founding science teacher and department chair at Sequoyah School in Pasadena, she taught Physics, Astrobiology, Geology, Design Thinking, and Scientific Writing. At Sequoyah, she also facilitated a social innovation program, initiated the STEM Institute, and helped develop credit areas for the Mastery Transcript Consortium.

Along the way, Laura has had the opportunity to teach subjects beyond her STEM background, including Marketing, Education, Theater, and English. As a lifelong learner, the motto “everyone’s a student, everyone’s a teacher” is what drew her to Khan Lab School. She loves giving students a chance to shine and seeing them step up. Outside of the classroom, Laura loves to cook, climb, and box. She is currently learning Hindi!

Education & Credentials
– BA in Astrophysics, Barnard
– MA in Astronomy, UCLA
– MA in Educational Leadership, Columbia
– PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics, UCLA

Science
Middle School

Vy was born in Vietnam and moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was nine. Being in a new country and learning a new language was challenging, but thanks to a few dedicated teachers, she found her footing. Now, as a science teacher, she brings the same dedication into her classroom, where she engages students with hands-on labs and helps them see the “how” and “why” of everyday phenomena.

Two of her proudest teaching moments: Hearing previously struggling students say that they can solve stoichiometry problems in their sleep, and helping students win the ExploraVision National Science Competition as a first-time coach.

Education & Credentials
– BS in Biology, UC Irvine
– Teaching Credential, UCI CalTeach Program

Humanities
Lower School
Grade 4

Emily Lindsey brings over a decade of experience as an educator and a passion for creating meaningful, engaging learning experiences for students. Throughout her career, she has taught in a variety of school communities and has supported learners with diverse backgrounds, strengths, and perspectives. These experiences have shaped her belief that every student can grow when they feel valued, challenged, and empowered.

Emily’s classroom is built around curiosity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. She strives to create an environment where students take ownership of their learning, make connections to the world around them, and develop the confidence to share their ideas. She loves designing projects that allow students to explore, create, and demonstrate their understanding in unique ways.

Outside the classroom, Emily enjoys exploring new places with her husband and son, creating digital designs, and finding creative ways to bring learning into everyday life.

Education & Credentials
– BA in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction with endorsements in science, social studies, and language arts
– California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Math
Lower School

Sergio Maciel is in his eighth year of teaching and is the Lower School Math Specialist. Born and raised in the Bay Area, he attended Cal Poly Humboldt. He has three years of experience teaching fourth grade and four years teaching middle school math, from Pre-Algebra to Algebra II, in Bay Area private and charter schools.

He enjoys teaching and being part of a student’s academic and personal growth. He believes strong relationships are an important part of learning. When students feel comfortable, supported, and safe, they are more willing to ask questions, make mistakes, and continue to grow. He also values communication with families so everyone can work together to support student success.

Outside of school, he enjoys being outdoors, traveling, visiting national parks, reading, following local sports teams, and attending sporting events. One of his favorite places to visit is Acapulco, Mexico.

Education & Credentials
– BA in Psychology, Cal Poly Humboldt

Humanities
Upper School

Middle School Director
Administration

With over 25 years in education, Natasha has taught and led at every level from Pre-K through university. She believes that we teach students, not subjects: children learn best when they feel a sense of belonging and when their coursework connects to real-world purpose. She grounds her leadership in building school communities rooted in equity, trust, and reflection.

Guided by the belief that experiential, project-based, and technology-infused learning can deepen student engagement and growth, Natasha has spent her career building programs that transform how students learn. Before joining Khan Lab School as Middle School Director, Natasha was Dean of Curriculum and Global Education at San Domenico, a K-12 international school in Marin County. At both schools, she built experiential learning programs that take students across the globe, and at KLS she also founded the KLS AI in Education Summit.

Natasha serves on the board of the Presentation School in Sonoma, CA, and spends weekends hiking, kayaking on the Bay, and dancing in the San Francisco Carnaval Parade as a world fusion dancer.

Education & Credentials
– Certificate in School Management and Leadership, Harvard University
– M.A. in TESOL, San Francisco State University
– B.A. in History of Public Policy, UC Santa Barbara

Transitional Kindergarten
Lower School

Kim has dedicated more than 35 years to studying and implementing developmentally appropriate and culturally inclusive approaches to working with children, families, and educators. Teaching young children has been a cornerstone of her professional journey, and she is a visionary educator who firmly believes that early education is a vital component of the educational system. She holds two degrees related to child development: a bachelor’s degree in Human Development, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration.

Kim believes children are capable and competent learners who perceive the world through a unique lens. She also values creating aesthetically beautiful environments that invite children to engage, explore, and learn. Kim places children at the center of everything she does.

Kim has a playful spirit and delights in spending time with friends and family. You can often find her cooking, walking her dog, or enjoying nature.

Education & Credentials
– BA in Human Development, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, Pacific Oaks College
– MA in Educational Administration, San Francisco State University

Humanities
Lower School
Grade 5

Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
Administration

Erin moved to Silicon Valley in its early days, and watching it grow up to change the world has made the ever-increasing traffic a little more tolerable. What gets built here, and what might come next, still fills her with marvel. That love of innovation has run alongside her other passion, education. For nearly three decades, she has worked with students in the area’s independent schools, teaching, tutoring, guiding them through the college process, and working in administrative and advancement roles.

Khan Lab School is where those two loves meet. Situated in the middle of our “modern-day Rome,” KLS is the perfect blend of curiosity and student-centered learning, with a front-row seat to the innovation happening all around it.

Outside of work, Erin is usually planning her next hike, wrestling with her sourdough recipe, watching some sort of sporting event, or hearing the latest chapter from her daughter, Molly, a recent Loyola Marymount graduate.

Education & Credentials
– B.A. in Humanities, Minor in American Studies, San Jose State University

Art
Upper & Middle School
Visual Art Specialist

Priyanka Reddy is an artist, illustrator, and art educator whose journey into teaching grew from a career in visual design, illustration, and children’s book publishing. Originally from Bangalore, India, she studied fine art and worked in an advertising and design firm before moving to the Bay Area, where she began teaching art across a range of ages and settings. Her experience as both a practicing artist and educator shapes the way she approaches the classroom at Khan Lab School.

Priyanka believes art gives students a powerful way to ask questions, explore ideas, and understand themselves and the world around them. She creates a studio environment where students are encouraged to be curious, experiment without fear of getting it “wrong,” and develop their ideas through making, reflection, and revision. She wants students to leave not only with new artistic skills, but with greater confidence in their ability to create, think independently, and find their own voice.

Outside the classroom, Priyanka enjoys singing, skiing with her family, and spending time with her young son and their dog.

Education & Credentials
– Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bangalore University

Visual Arts
Lower School

Roxana’s younger brother greatly influenced her desire to teach elementary school when she realized how impactful it was to demonstrate patience while helping him with his homework. As a first-generation artist in a family of teachers, Roxana learned the importance of staying calm and collected in an inspired studio classroom. This skill set enables students to feel open to sharing their unique ideas and guides students through navigating mistakes made in art class with ease and resilience. As a freelance artist herself, Roxana understands the needs and challenges that may arise for a young artist when expressing themselves.

Outside of the classroom, you can find Roxana participating in community events by hosting workshops, participating in live painting battles, as well as making memories with friends, family, and two cats.

Education & Credentials
– CSET Single Subject Art Certified
– Exhibition for Consulado de Mexico, 2023
– Exhibition for Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2023
– Mural Commission/Exhibition for Q Center/City of Santa Clara, 2024
– Solo Exhibit/Residency, Children’s Discovery – Museum of San Jose, 2024
– Lead Artist for Silicon Valley Pride, 2025

Assistant Director of Digital Marketing & Communications
Administration

Math
Upper School

Lana’s path to teaching began at Novosibirsk State University’s boarding school for gifted STEM students, where she taught Math and Computer Science before spending 15+ years as a software engineer at companies like Sun Microsystems and Oracle. That engineering background eventually drew her back to the classroom, where she has now spent over a decade teaching Precalculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus at the advanced and honors level at schools like Living Wisdom School and Russian School of Math.

Lana believes math is best learned with a sense of curiosity and play. She loves introducing students to tools like Desmos and GeoGebra and coaching them through Math Olympiad competitions, watching their confidence grow as they tackle harder problems.

Outside the classroom, Lana is an avid reader and enjoys hiking. She also founded and runs a Literature Club with other families in her community, exploring classic literary works together.

Education & Credentials
– M.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science, Novosibirsk State University
– B.S. in Mathematics, Novosibirsk State University

Math
Middle School
Extracurricular Coordinator

Mike is passionate about bringing math to life through real-world applications, helping students build curiosity, investigate, and actively and visibly problem-solve in the classroom. He’s especially interested in how AI can be leveraged to amplify student agency, and he creates a classroom where students feel genuine ownership over their own learning.

Before coming to Khan Lab School, Mike spent more than a decade in Bay Area technology team leadership roles, providing a front-row seat to how math and science shape the tools and ideas driving innovation. That perspective, paired with his years of math teaching experience, drew him to KLS’s mastery-based approach to preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

Outside the classroom, Mike can often be found coaching Little League Baseball with his kids or getting his family to the beach for a weekend day trip.

Education & Credentials
– Bachelor of Mathematics, University of Waterloo
– Bachelor of Education, Queen’s University
– California Teaching Credential – Mathematics

Associate Teacher
Middle School
Science Specialty

Lina Yao is passionate about helping students discover the excitement of science through curiosity, creativity, and hands-on exploration. After mentoring students and researchers in academic and industry laboratories, she realized that her favorite part of science was helping others learn and grow, inspiring her to pursue teaching full-time. Lina’s greatest joy in teaching comes from seeing students experience “aha” moments.

She believes in nurturing the whole person and that confidence and skills grow through meaningful challenges, inquiry, collaboration, real-world problem-solving, and embracing mistakes as an essential part of learning. Having studied and worked across different countries and educational systems, Lina is grateful for the teachers and mentors who guided her journey and helped shape who she is today. She hopes to provide that same encouragement and inspiration for her students.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys running, hiking local trails, and exploring the Bay Area.

Education & Credentials
– Ph.D. in Microbiology, National University of Singapore
– B.S. in Applied Biotechnology, Zhejiang University
– Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard Medical School

Physical Education
Lower School

Silvia Zhu is the Physical Education Specialist for TK–5 at Khan Lab School. A former collegiate student-athlete and professional soccer player, she discovered her passion for teaching through years of coaching and mentoring young athletes. With over 12 years of coaching experience and seven years in education, Silvia brings a unique blend of classroom teaching and physical education expertise to help students develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of movement.

Silvia believes every child can succeed when they feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to have fun. She creates an inclusive environment where students build fundamental movement skills, explore a variety of sports and games, and develop teamwork, sportsmanship, and confidence through active learning.

Outside of school, Silvia enjoys attending live sporting events, discovering new restaurants and trying different foods, and spending quality time with her family. She loves painting and making creative crafts with her youngest daughter, and at home, her family shares life with their fish, dog, and a hamster named Cucumber. During the summers, Silvia and her family enjoy traveling throughout Mexico and China, where they spend time with family and go on great adventures together.

Education & Credentials
– B.A. in Educational Studies, Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina
– U.S. Soccer National B & A Licenses