Humanities
Middle School

Alex is in her second year at KLS, where she brings a passion for historical inquiry and interactive learning to her middle school history classes. With a background in art history and archival research, Alexandra integrates primary sources and hands-on activities to foster critical thinking and engagement in her students. Before transitioning to teaching, she worked as an archivist at various institutions, including The Citadel, where she discovered her love for education. She holds a bachelor's degree in Art History with a minor in Classics from UC Santa Barbara and earned her teaching credential from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Alex is dedicated to creating an inclusive and dynamic classroom environment where students can explore history through multiple perspectives and develop essential analytical skills.

When she’s not teaching, Alex enjoys exploring local museums, trying new restaurants, playing golf, and seeing live music.

Chief Financial Officer
Administration

Formerly the COO at ASU, Learning Enterprise, Kate brings a deep background in finance, strategic planning, and operations/legal compliance to her new role as CFO at KLS. She has designed, implemented, and overseen organization-wide strategic planning including multi-year forecasts to inform decision making. Prior to ASU, Kate was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey and Company, where she led comprehensive strategic and financial transformations in the education and public sectors. Kate holds a B.Sc. from Georgetown and a MSc. from Oxford.

College Counseling
Administration

Brennan Barnard, M.Ed, is the Director of College Counseling and Alumni and the College Admissions Program Advisor with Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was also the founding Director of College Counseling for US Performance Academy, an online independent high school for elite athletes. During over two decades in education Brennan has worked as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, admission officer, counselor and administrator at a number of independent high schools and colleges. He has counseled Olympians, thespians, artists, cadets, social workers, engineers, philosophers, doctors, writers, lawyers and everything in between. Brennan is a member of the Advisory Board for the New Hampshire College and University Council’s New Hampshire Scholars Program and on the Executive Committee for the Character Collaborative. He presents regularly on character, athletic recruiting, mindfulness, discipline and other topics in college admission.

STEM
Lower School

Ronan grew up in Colorado, but moved to the Bay Area for college, completing a Bachelor's degree in Earth System Science from Stanford. He then spent a few years leading public and K-12 educational programs at Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, before returning to San Jose State University for a Master's degree in Geology. He is always looking for opportunities to connect students with the wonders of the natural world, and has taught science in many different contexts, from K-8 summer camps to college lab classes to digital self-paced courses. He has previously developed and designed NGSS-aligned labs and curricula, and additionally taught math at the elementary and middle school levels.  He is very excited to return to the classroom at KLS!

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

Interim Early Childhood Teacher
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.

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 Operations and Technology
Administration

Chi-Ray graduated from Stanford University with B.A. and M.S. degrees in Biomechanical Engineering. He spent a few years applying his studies as General Manager for a local company, prototyping and manufacturing coronary stents. Soon, he decided to pursue his interest in system thinking, and he became an operations generalist for small-to-mid-sized organizations. Chi-Ray has held a number of roles similar to what he does at KLS, including serving as Director of Operations, Technology, and Facilities at a large church in Boston; working as Program Director for the Digital Media Academy at Stanford; and most recently, working as Director of IT and Employee Services at One Kings Lane (the online home goods retailer). In his spare time, Chi-Ray has been known to lead scouts, root for the New England Patriots, play banjo, listen to country music, wish he had a pick-up truck, and dream of seeing the U.S. on an extended RV trip with his wife, Erica, and kids, Timothy and Megan. You'd never guess he was born in Boston and raised in L.A. Chi-Ray has been a member of the KLS team since its founding in 2014.

Director of Business Operations & People
Administration

Humanities
Upper School

Nick returns to KLS for another year of epic adventure, where he will focus his attention on the English courses "Methods and Meanings: The Art of Storytelling" and "Comparative Literature: Multimedia Remixing." Prior to KLS, he taught English at Saint Monica Preparatory after completing his master's degree in Classics at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His graduate work combined his passions for Homeric epic, narratology, and reception studies—interests kindled during his time working in film and television. Before grad school, Nick worked as a stage manager and became a member of the Directors Guild of America. He lived in Budapest while working as a writer's and director's assistant on two films (Spy and Spectral). Tracing his path back further, he worked at Disney in the live-action motion picture department, in development and production at Chernin Entertainment, and began his career as an agent trainee in the motion picture literary department at United Talent Agency. It was during this time that Nick developed a love for working with writers and all things related to storytelling. Delving deeper into his past would draw us beyond those misty mountains of myth, so he will end by noting that he is a Williams College alumnus (and history major!) and a grateful son to parents who cared deeply about education.

Marketing
Administration

Marcus is a product of the Bay Area, though he really loves all of California as he worked for over a decade in the sports, entertainment, and hospitality industries across Los Angeles and San Francisco before coming to KLS. He's led digital operations for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, MLB's San Francisco Giants, and partnered with pro tennis at the WTA/ATP. While Marcus could spend days talking about the things he has seen while working in entertainment, he equally enjoys working with students who want to learn more about the latest digital technologies and the nuances of the Oxford comma. When Marcus isn’t in front of a computer at KLS, you can find him in front of a computer somewhere else!

Humanities Specialist (Grade 2/3)
Lower School

Bria Gordon is a dedicated and passionate educator with eight years of experience in elementary education, specializing in literacy, writing skills, critical analysis, and the social sciences. A Southern California native with roots in the Bay Area, Bria brings a broad cultural perspective to her teaching, grounded in a deep love for the humanities.

Her teaching philosophy centers around the belief that all students can thrive when given the right support. Bria is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where each student feels empowered to grow academically and personally. She focuses on building strong foundational skills in reading and writing while encouraging students to think critically about the world around them.

Outside of the classroom, Bria enjoys spending time with her dog, Theo, and practicing meditation to stay centered and balanced.

Kindergarten
Lower School

Kayla recently made the move to the Bay Area from Duluth, GA, bringing with her a strong background in Early Childhood Education, including endorsements in Reading and ESOL. She began her teaching journey in high school through dual enrollment and continued her passion for education by teaching Kindergarten in Georgia after college. Over the past two years, Kayla has been teaching at a local charter school, and she is thrilled to have joined KLS as a Kindergarten teacher, where she is eager to share her love for learning with her students.

Outside the classroom, Kayla enjoys exploring hidden gems around the Bay, trying new restaurants, staying active through fitness. She is from the South, so you can guarantee she loves watching some good ole’ football.

Math
Middle School

Marine began her journey in education with a notable achievement, placing third in the high school Math Olympiad in Armenia as the only female competitor. This early success set her on her future path to be a math teacher. She now has more than 20 years of experience teaching middle and high school students, and she continues to be actively involved with math competitions, coaching students to win numerous medals and awards both nationally and internationally. Marine holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a Master's in Educational Management. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in Math teaching methodology.

Extended Day
Lower School

Interim Associate Teacher (Kindergarten) & Extended Day
Lower School

Humanities
Upper School

Alexandro comes to KLS from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where he was a Visiting Professor of History in the Department of Chicano and Latina/o Studies.  He research is focussed on Ethnic Mexican, Urbanism, Culture and Politics in Silicon Valley between 1940-1980. Alexandro holds a BA in Latin American History from Santa Clara University, an MA and PhD from the University of New Mexico. Alexandro is a San Jose native and is looking forward to returning to the Bay area.

Upper School Director
Administration

Serving most recently as the STEM Academy Dean at Saint Monica Preparatory, Laura Khanna has held a number of school leadership positions in independent schools in addition to teaching high school Physics. At Saint Monica Preparatory, she trained teachers across the school in Project Based Learning approaches and developed STEM-oriented experiential learning opportunities. As a founding science department chair at Sequoyah School she taught a series of science classes including Physics, Astrobiology, Geology, Design Thinking, and Scientific Writing. At Sequoyah School she also facilitated a social innovation program, initiated the STEM Institute, and helped to develop credit areas for the Mastery Transcript Consortium. Laura holds a BA in Astrophysics from Barnard, an MA in Astronomy from UCLA, and PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from UCLA.

Science Specialist
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. Vy earned her BS in Biology from UC Irvine and her teaching credential from the UCI CalTeach program.

Humanities
Lower School

Emily Lindsey brings over a decade of teaching experience to Khan Lab School. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and has taught in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and now California.

Most recently, she taught elementary computer science and is excited to integrate coding and robotics into her humanities instruction. Emily has worked in a range of diverse school settings, including one of the most multicultural elementary schools in the country, where she supported newcomer students from over 40 countries.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys exploring new places with her husband and young son, making digital designs, and finding creative ways to blend play and learning.

Humanities
Upper School

Director of Athletics & Outer Wellness
Administration

Morgan is an experienced middle school teacher and coach who comes to KLS after seven years at Head-Royce School as a middle school teacher and coach. Morgan has coached a wide range of sports and activities including: lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and tennis. Morgan has also led many outdoor education excursions for students focussed on skiing, snowboarding, and rock climbing. Morgan holds a degree in elementary education from Indiana University, and an M.Ed. from Boston University in Curriculum and Instruction.

Middle School Director
Administration

With over 25 years of experience in education, Natasha has taught at every school level from Pre-K through university. She is particularly passionate about project and game-based learning, as well as utilizing technology to transform educational experiences. Natasha also has extensive experience in administration, most recently serving as the Dean of Curriculum and Global Education at San Domenico, a K-12 international school in Marin County. In this role, she supported the expansion of the Upper School academic program, including the addition of both the Game Design and Integrated STEAM programs. She holds a BA in History of Public Policy from UC Santa Barbara and an MA in TESOL from San Francisco State University.

Transitional Kindergarten
Lower School

Kim has dedicated over thirty-five years to studying and implementing developmentally appropriate and culturally inclusive methods for working with children, their families, and educators. She believes children are capable and competent learners who perceive the world through a unique lens. Teaching young children has been a cornerstone of her professional journey and she is a visionary that firmly believes early education is a vital component of the educational system. She holds two child development-related degrees, including a Bachelor's degree in Human Development, with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College and recently, completed a Master's degree in Educational Administration at San Francisco State University.

Kim possesses a well-rounded understanding of various aspects of child development, including established theories and behavior guidance. For many years, she has studied and implemented reflective practices, traveling to Canada, New Zealand, and Italy to deepen her understanding.  She believes relationships are key to coming together as a community and embracing the whole family in our care.  She values providing aesthetically beautiful environments and embracing opportunities for the students to engage, explore and learn in. 

She places the child at the center of everything she does and advocates for the rights of all children. Kim possesses a playful spirit, delights in spending time with friends and family, walking her two big dogs and engaging with nature.  

Humanities Grade 5
Lower School

Lower School Director
Administration

Bringing over twenty years of diverse experience in education, Silicon Valley organizations (including a startup), and executive coaching, Joni has recently joined KLS as our Lower School Director.

Most recently, she served as the Head of Learning & Development at Google through Cushman & Wakefield, where she spearheaded Leadership, Communication, Unconscious Bias, and Empathy workshops for over 800 employees.

Throughout her career, Joni has taught in grades K-8 , served as an Assistant Principal at a comprehensive high school, and held the position of Principal at Yavneh Day School in Los Gatos. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Additionally, Joni has obtained certificates from programs such as the Harvard Graduate School of Education Principal Leadership Program and the Urban Change Leadership Program from Harvard GSE. She also had the privilege of collaborating with renowned educators Lisa Lahey, Bob Kegan and Tom Vander Ark, facilitating experiential workshops for Principals worldwide and changing comprehensive high schools into Small Learning Communities with support from the (former) Bill & Melinda Gates Education Foundation.

Visual Design Specialist
Upper & Middle School

Priyanka Reddy is an illustrator, art educator, and artist with a passion for watercolor painting. She studied fine art in Bangalore, India, and worked in advertising agencies and design studios as a visual designer specializing in fashion advertising, and identity design. After moving to the US, she taught art at CSMA and Lincoln Elementary School for several years and led art classes for adults at corporations like Google and Intel. She also led the art program for homeschool children from Mountain View public school and supported fundraising efforts for school through art.

She later co-founded Two Paperboats Design Inc., a children’s book company, where she created and published customized books that bring children’s own stories to life.

Outside of teaching, Priyanka is a mom to a curious 4-year-old and a sweet dog. In her free time, she enjoys singing and collaborating on music, training for triathlons, and skiing with family in the winter.

Art Specialist
Lower School

Over the past 5 years, Roxana has exhibited an acrylic painting at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, an acrylic portrait for Consulado General de Mexico in collaboration with Mexican author Monica del Valle for her book Alma de la Bruma. Another exhibition featured a series of 10 black and white ink drawings as part of a live panel and showcase for San Jose Museum of Art in conjunction with Silicon Valley Pride.

In the summer of 2024, Roxana was an artist in Residence for San Jose Children's art museum, running an art workshop for a few months and exhibited a first Solo Exhibition: Whimsy and Woe depicting a mix of acrylic and spray paint murals and smaller works.

Most recently, Roxana was commissioned by the Santa Clara Behavioral Health Department at the QCenter for an acrylic mural depicting the attribute of Liberation to be displayed as a permanent fixture. Lastly, Roxana partook in an afterlife exhibition at the Mexican Heritage Plaza for the Day of the Dead Celebration festival. 

Part of the journey has been teaching for a diverse group of people – the first teaching opportunity began in a rehabilitation center for dual-diagnosis inpatient care. Here the main goal was to create an environment that was trauma-informed to empower individuals to look within and find value in self expression. This experience shaped Roxana's teaching philosophy and furthered the desire to inspire and pave the way for younger generations who are eager to express themselves and have no limit to their imaginations. Roxana's emphasis is on traditional art and creativity, the goal is cultivating an atmosphere where the students are willing to take creative risks and express themselves comfortably.

English
Middle School

Kanishka transitioned into education after a corporate career, bringing a unique perspective on workplace skills. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and a Master of Science in Education Technology. Her passion for education was inspired by her love for being a big sister and a growing interest in educational technology during the pandemic. Kanishka values the privilege of watching young people solve problems and grow, and she champions project-based learning. She integrates innovative tools like VR, escape rooms, and simulations to make lessons engaging and meaningful.

Passionate about teaching critical thinking, Kanishka uses AI to help students evaluate the authenticity of sources. She enjoys working with middle and high school students, appreciating their dynamism and potential. With experience teaching Business Management, Humanities, and English across A levels, iGCSE, and IB curriculums, her multicultural background from growing up in Hong Kong enriches her teaching.

Outside the classroom, Kanishka loves swimming, kayaking, hiking, and gardening. She volunteers with the California Garden Foundation and nurtures her herb and vegetable garden. Her goals include excelling as a teacher, deepening her expertise in educational technology, and eventually moving into teacher training to share her passions with fellow educators.

Math
Upper School

Lana is a passionate and creative high school and middle school teacher with 8+ years of experience in developing curricula and teaching Math and Science courses, including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus at advanced and honor levels. In addition to her teaching experience, she has 18 years of diversified experience as a Software Engineer, specializing in DevOps and programming for UNIX and PC systems.

Spanish
Middle School

Kylie completed Michigan State University's Teacher Preparation Program in 2016 and holds a teaching credential in Secondary Spanish and ESL. Eager to teach and improve her Spanish, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua from 2016 to 2018, where she trained English teachers and organized gender equity events. Upon her return to the U.S., Kylie managed an AmeriCorps program in Michigan, taught elementary and middle school Spanish at a Montessori school in Chicago, and later became the director of an adult education program in Denver. She is excited to explore the Bay Area's diverse restaurants and outdoor activities.

Spanish & World Language Coordinator
Upper School

Cristina received her BA in Spanish and International Relations and MA in Spanish from the University of California at Davis and is currently completing her PhD in Hispanic Literature and Languages from UCLA (expected 2024). A native speaker, Cristina has advanced knowledge of Spanish grammar and current theories of second language acquisition. She has taught at the college level for a number of years and is excited to make the transition to K-12 education. She is intrigued by the educational model at Khan Lab School and looks forward to experimenting with AI and other online tools to enhance the learning experience for students. In addition to teaching Advanced Topics in Spanish and Spanish 4 at KLS, Cristina will also teach an English elective on Hispanic or Latin American literature. 

Math & Science Specialist
Middle School

Mike is a passionate math and science educator who joins Khan Lab School after more than 10 years of experience in Bay Area technology team leadership roles. He is enthusiastic about the real-world applications of mathematics and science, bringing concepts to life in ways that inspire curiosity, investigation, and problem-solving. Mike aims to foster a dynamic learning environment where students develop a deep appreciation for the role of math and science in the world around them. He holds degrees in Applied Mathematics and Math & Science Education from the University of Waterloo and Queen’s University and brings four years of teaching experience to KLS.

Outside the classroom, Mike enjoys coaching Little League Baseball, downhill skiing, golf, and tennis. He also has a keen interest in exploring the transformative potential of AI in industry and education—particularly to amplify student agency during and beyond their classroom learning experiences.