Primary School Teachers

Primary students benefit from the expertise of multiple full-time teachers, a Learning Expert Teacher who follows the students as they move between classrooms throughout the day and one responsible for delivering content, called a Subject Expert Teacher. Students thus have two full-time, qualified teachers in each class, resulting in a uniquely pedagogically-robust classroom environment.* Subject Expert Teachers (SETs) have degrees or years of experience in the subjects they teach. Learning Expert Teachers (LETs), experts in pedagogy, shepherd the learning environment, supporting the SETs in making complex material accessible to young learners, and supporting the social-emotional growth of our students. Get to know them below.

*Note, students in fourth grade do not have an LET present in each class. The LET acts as a bridge between guided learning and the self-direction needed in middle school by supporting students outside of the classroom.

Meet The
Teachers

Ms. Baljee

Math

Ms. Baljee

Subject Expert Teacher Math

LSR College, Delhi University, India, B.S. in Mathematical Statistics
BSP Lucknow University, India, B.Ed. in Mathematics

Ms. Baljee brings over 14 years of teaching experience to BASIS Independent McLean. She says that her goal is “to inspire, motivate and challenge her students to realize their full potential.” Previously, Ms. Baljee taught mathematics to primary and middle school students in Chandigarh, India and in Ashburn, VA.

Ms. Baljee is a professionally trained Bharatanatyam dancer—an ancient Indian dance form. She has been learning and performing under her guru, Ms. Suchitra Mitra. She was a student faculty at the CICD in New Delhi, India, teaching, while learning its finer intricacies under the tutelage of the highly decorated and world renowned expert Dr. Sonal Mansingh.

Ms. Cheng-Yip

Humanities

Ms. Cheng-Yip

Subject Expert Teacher Humanities

SUNY Stony Brook University, B.A. in Sociology, minor in Child and Family Studies
New York University, M.A. in Childhood Education and Special Education

Ms. Cheng started out her teaching career working as a learning interventionist in Harlem and the Bronx. She worked for a national learning center as an assistant director in Park Slope, Brooklyn, helping spearhead its special education program. Then, she taught Kindergarten and grade 1 at PAVE Red Hook in Brooklyn and served as the grade team lead in her final two years.

Ms. Cheng’s goal is to create a safe and collaborative learning environment where her students are not afraid to take risks, will ask questions, and will feel challenged. She is excited to learn and grow alongside her students!

When not at school, Ms. Cheng loves traveling abroad with her family, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her nephew, Aydin. She was born and raised in New York.

Mr. Coquelin

Physical Education

Mr. Coquelin

Subject Expert Teacher Physical Education

Old Dominion University, B.S. in Physical Education

Before joining the BASIS Independent family, Mr. Coquelin served as a professional bike fitter and swim coach for the 8 and Under group at York Swimming.

He was attracted to BASIS Independent McLean because he wanted to be a part of an emerging school and help influence the way students look at moving. One of Mr. Coquelin’s primary objectives is that students will want to continue to enjoy being active on a daily basis.

While at Old Dominion University Mr. Coquelin played ice hockey, a sport he still plays today. For the past 10 years, he has also competed in triathlons and is a certified triathlon coach and personal trainer.

Ms. Dedman

Engineering

Ms. Dedman

Subject Expert Teacher Engineering

Centria University of Applied Sciences in Finland, Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Management
Concordia University Portland, M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Mathematics

During the 2015-16 school year, Ms. Dedman taught grade 4 math and science and Mandarin at BASIS Flagstaff in Arizona.

Ms. Dedman’s goal as a teacher is to develop students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills. She is excited to share her passion for engineering with her students. Ms. Dedman enjoys dancing, travelling, and reading outside of class.

Ms. Gillis

Learning Expert Teacher

Pensacola Christian College, B.S. Elementary Education with a minor in English

As far back as she can remember, Ms. Gillis always loved being around kids and connecting with them. Her primary goal as an LET is to make learning a joyful experience for children. “I want them to look forward to coming to school each day knowing that I will greet them happily and am here to help them achieve the greatness I know they have inside them,” she says.

Previously, Ms. Gillis taught grade 3, and spent 10 years tutoring and substitute teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools at all grade levels, including AP classes. She has three sons and one daughter.

Ms. Harshbarger

Learning Expert Teacher

Ms. Harshbarger

Learning Expert Teacher Learning Expert Teacher

Having lived her entire life in Pennsylvania, Ms. Harshbarger recently moved to Northern Virginia when her husband accepted a new job. For the past seven years, she worked at Somerset Christian School and is thrilled to continue working with students. She holds a degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Outside of education, she loves Pittsburgh sports, historical fiction, bargain hunting, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their dog, Charlotte. Ms. Harshbarger is excited to be part of the educational journey at BASIS Independent McLean and getting to know the staff and students that make it spectacular.

Ms. Hilhorn

Teaching Fellow

Ms. Milhorn joins BASIS Independent McLean with nearly seven years of teaching experience particularly in the PreK, Kindergarten and grade 1. Most recently, she was a PreK teacher at Nysmith School where she focused on creative activities teaching students at various learning levels. At Nysmith, Ms. Milhorn pioneered an outdoor learning experience teaching STEAM to young learners. Prior to that role, she taught at the Gardner School teaching children in PreK. She has also taught in substitute roles in Falls Church City Public Schools and other local private schools. She and her husband have two teenage boys and two dogs.

Ms. Isamah

Learning Expert Teacher

Previously, Ms. Isamah has taught science and social studies for grades 2-7 students at various schools. She holds a bachelor of business administration in international business from Howard University, along with a Teaching Certification in Early Childhood, and was drawn to teaching following her work as a middle school student mentor and volunteer while in college. She believes that the world is a classroom and that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow from others’ experiences. After several years in Atlanta, she is happy to be back in the DC area. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, volunteering with food equity organizations and traveling.

Mr. Joseph

Math & Science

Mr. Joseph

Subject Expert Teacher Math & Science

Oglethorpe University, B.S. in Economics & B.S. in Business Administration

In addition to his degrees, Mr. Joesph, he went on to receive his American Montessori Society certifications and credentials from The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Silver Spring, MD, with a particular emphasis on Elementary I and Elementary II education for children ages 6-12.

After teaching at two other independent schools in Maryland and Virginia, Mr. Joseph was attracted to BASIS Independent McLean because of the autonomy allowed teachers to be themselves in the classroom combined with the vigorous academic curriculum: “I love every minute that I am teaching, learning, exploring, debating, and discussing with each and every student both in the classroom and the environment around us.” He strongly believes that students inherently want to learn more, and should never be limited in the scope and extent of their education: “It is my job to instill a love of learning within each child and encourage them to always yearn for more knowledge.”

During all four years at Oglethrope, Mr. Joseph was on the varsity baseball team and is still an avid player. Mr. Joseph is an avid baseball player and fisherman. He is also an artist, reader, writer, historian, photographer, fisherman, and antique collector, and is always available for discussion about all of this disciplines and hobbies.

Mr. Junsay

Performing Arts

Mr. Junsay

Subject Expert Teacher Performing Arts

Monterey Peninsula College, Music Degree
Strayer University, Business Administration, in progress

Mr. Junsay has taught for more than six years in public and private schools, assisted in directing and teaching two high school bands, and was recently head of the music department at Edlin School in Reston, VA.

He has worked with students from preschool through eighth grade. He recently created an advanced music curriculum through which students learned to use the tools and elements of music theory and music appreciation (many of which are often not typically introduced until college) and apply them to their everyday lives.

Mr. Junsay’s interests and experience extend well beyond the classroom. In addition to directing bands at a variety of levels, he has also directed an a capella group and numerous children’s theatre performances. Whether as a director, choreographer, set-, light-, or costume-designer, he enjoys creating opportunities for children to use their talents and imaginations.

What particularly excites Mr. Junsay about teaching at BASIS Independent McLean is the school’s commitment to allowing students to choose the path where they are comfortable and confident. Giving children the right tools and encouraging them to use them in concert with their own imagination, opens up a world of possibilities. Mr. Junsay also appreciates that BASIS Independent McLean focuses on the whole child; the STEAM curriculum allows students to make connections and experiment with ideas that might not have otherwise been sparked. He believes this is the foundation a child needs to gain self-confidence and a desire to learn more.

Mr. Junsay loves to cook; his specialty dish is his creamy chicken alfredo with garlic cheese bread and balsamic vinegar zucchini salad. He also loves to decorate for any event or holiday, especially Halloween!

Ms. Lee

Learning Expert Teacher

Ms. Lee

Learning Expert Teacher Learning Expert Teacher

Dankook University (South Korea), B.A. in Business Administration
Teachers College Columbia University, M.A. in International Educational Development

Ms. Lee is thrilled to join BASIS Independent McLean community as a Learning Expert Teacher. Prior to joining BASIS Independent McLean, she taught preschool and kindergarten in independent schools in New York City for five years. She started her career in marketing/sales, but soon found her passion for teaching young children and making an impact on their lives.

She and her family moved to Northern Virginia about a year and a half ago after living in Manhattan for almost 10 years.

Ms. Mauri

Art

Ms. Mauri

Subject Expert Teacher Art

Academy of Fine Arts of Brera, Milan, Italy in Fine Arts

Originally from Milan, Italy, Ms. Mauri has lived in Milan and Perugia, as well as London and New York. In addition to her degree, she studied illustration at Chelsea College of Art, London, and painting and drawing at the Art Students League of New York, NY. She has exhibited her artwork in group shows in England, Italy and New York, NY.

Committed to the arts and teaching, she most recently worked as a graphic illustrator, art teacher, and special education needs teacher at The International School of Europe of Monza, Italy. She has also worked in printmaking and as a textile designer for two New York–based companies.

Ms. Mauri is enthusiastic about BASIS Independent McLean because it offers students and teachers a wonderfully stimulating environment where all students can be challenged to express their full potential. Her goal as a BASIS Independent McLean teacher is to embrace this challenge and offer her students an opportunity to develop their creativity, to express themselves, and become confident and balanced individuals able to tackle and solve a range of tasks from different perspectives.

She loves travelling and experiencing new cultures and lifestyles, as well as art, design, architecture, outdoors activities, yoga and, last but not least, spending time with her family. Among the most unusual thing Ms. Mauri has ever done was to be the bass player of a band, which she enjoyed enormously except for experiencing stage fright before each single concert.

Ms. Michalak

Performing Arts

Ms. Michalak

Subject Expert Teacher Performing Arts

Rider University, B.A. in Theatre Performance and English Literature with a minor in Dance
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, M.A.

Returning to her native Worcester, MA, after graduate school, she became the full-time substitute teacher at Burncoat Middle School, while also teaching ballet technique at Greendale Dance Academy and acting at the Stoneham Theatre Company.

Specializing in theatre movement, Ms. Michalak’s teaching draws from a curiosity about using physicality to communicate a story. She hopes that all of her students can use theatre and acting to become confident individuals who can joyfully express their ideas and form a creative community. She chose to join BASIS Independent McLean to share her passion for the performing arts with dedicated students and faculty in an environment of encouragement and academic integrity.

Outside of class, Ms. Michalak enjoys taking dance classes, hiking, and finding new coffee shops.

Ms. Tozzi

Mandarin

Ms. Tozzi

Subject Expert Teacher Mandarin

National Taiwan University, B.A. in English and Literature
New York University, M.A. in Education, specializing in Elementary Education

No stranger to the BASIS Curriculum Schools network, Ms. Tozzi joins BASIS Independent McLean from BASIS Scottsdale, one of the top-ranked high schools in the country, where she taught Mandarin to students in grades 9-12.

A native of Taiwan, Ms. Tozzi believes that language is the key that unlocks a culture, and is passionate about sharing the richness of Chinese language and culture with her students. One of the highlights of the year, which she and the students look forward to, is celebrating Chinese New Year – from sharing the traditional Lion Dance to eating Chinese dumplings, a special treat that also tastes great any time of the year!

Ms. Wang

Mandarin

Ms. Wang

Teaching Fellow Mandarin

B.A. in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language
Michigan State University, M.A. in Teaching and Curriculum

Born in Shenyang, China, she came to the U.S. after earning her bachelor’s degree. Since earning her master’s she has taught different types of Chinese classes for different grades. Ms. Wang joined BASIS DC as a Mandarin Subject Teacher in April 2017 and taught grades 7, 10, and 12. She is excited to join the BASIS Independent McLean family and to work together with the students on the journey of learning Chinese.

Ms. Zarour

Learning Expert Teacher

Ms. Zarour

Learning Expert Teacher Learning Expert Teacher

Ms. Zarour earned her Master’s in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Health Education, both from George Mason University. She is a Northern Virginia native, who has recently spent the past year living abroad in the mountains of British Columbia. Ms. Zarour has previously taught several elementary grades in Fairfax County Public Schools, as well as preschool and kindergarten, and coached high school lacrosse. She loves the excitement and energy that kids bring to any environment.

Meet TheTeachers

Ms. Baljee

Ms. Baljee

Ms. Cheng-Yip

Ms. Cheng-Yip

Mr. Coquelin

Mr. Coquelin

Ms. Dedman

Ms. Dedman

Ms. Gillis

Ms. Gillis

Ms. Harshbarger

Ms. Harshbarger

Ms. Hilhorn

Ms. Hilhorn

Ms. Isamah

Ms. Isamah

Mr. Joseph

Mr. Joseph

Mr. Junsay

Mr. Junsay

Ms. Lee

Ms. Lee

Ms. Mauri

Ms. Mauri

Ms. Michalak

Ms. Michalak

Ms. Tozzi

Ms. Tozzi

Ms. Wang

Ms. Wang

Ms. Zarour

Ms. Zarour

Meet The
Teachers