Dr. Akash Tayal brings over 15 years of university teaching experience and a distinguished research background to his role as an AP Calculus and Precalculus Honors Teacher at Stratford Prep Milpitas. Dr. Tayal holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Optimization from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, a Master of Technology in Signal Processing, and a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering. He is also an accomplished scholar with over 30 published research papers spanning operations research, data science, and optimization.

Prior to joining Stratford Prep, Dr. Tayal served as an Associate Professor in Delhi, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in engineering, linear algebra, machine learning, and optimization. At SPM, he leverages his deep quantitative expertise to lead high school mathematics courses while coaching students for prestigious math competitions such as the AMC 10.

In the classroom, Dr. Tayal is dedicated to translating challenging STEM concepts into clear, step-by-step explanations and real-world applications. His teaching philosophy focuses on developing conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, speed, and accuracy. By providing rigorous instruction paired with targeted support, Dr. Tayal empowers his middle and high school students to tackle complex problems with confidence, embrace mathematical creativity, and become independent, analytical thinkers prepared for top-tier university success.

Mr. Roz Almeida serves as an Extended Day Teacher at Stratford Prep Milpitas. Holding an AS in Fire Protection Technology and currently pursuing an AS-T in Business Administration 2.0 at Mission College Santa Clara, Roz brings nine years of valuable experience in childcare and education, including roles as a daycare teacher and school support staff.

Roz joined the Stratford Prep Milpitas community in August 2025 as a 7th Grade Lunch Extended Day and Study Hall Teacher, later expanding his work to support the summer program at Stratford Great Mall Parkway. Throughout his time with Stratford, Roz has been driven by a joyful passion for nurturing the development of talented, dedicated students. He takes great pride in fostering their personal growth and encourages all students to lead with kindness, commit to hard work, and continually challenge themselves to reach their full potential.

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Dr. Annett Windgassen brings a strong background in biomedical research and a passion for students to understand how science connects to the real world. She earned her M.S. in Biochemical Engineering from TU Berlin (University of Technology, Berlin) before completing her graduate research at the University of Illinois Chicago. She went on to conduct NIH-funded postdoctoral research with training at Stanford School of Medicine and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Her research and publications have focused on the intersection of cancer, aging, and metabolism, giving her experience with complex biological systems and modern biomedical research. She is also an inventor on multiple patents involving microfluidic devices for isoelectric protein separation, reflecting her interest in both scientific discovery and technological innovation.

As a licensed CA Teacher, Dr. Windgassen, creates a student-centered learning environment built around phenomenon-based inquiry, where students investigate real-world biological questions and develop scientific understanding through exploration and evidence. Drawing on her research experience, she incorporates authentic biomedical examples, including aging studies using the African turquoise killifish as a model organism, to help students connect classroom concepts with current scientific research. In addition, Dr. Windgassen leads the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club, guiding students to prepare for careers in the healthcare and biomedical fields.

Her classroom emphasizes asking meaningful questions, designing thoughtful investigations, analyzing data, and communicating scientific ideas clearly. Students regularly participate in Scientist Circles, collaborating to analyze evidence, compare ideas, and refine their thinking. As they gain confidence, these discussions naturally evolve into Socratic science seminars, where students defend their reasoning, challenge ideas respectfully, and deepen their understanding through scientific discourse.

Through this inquiry-driven approach, students strengthen their critical thinking, become confident problem-solvers, and develop mastery of Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) by constructing and defending evidence-based scientific explanations. Her goal is to help students see biology not simply as a subject to memorize, but as a dynamic process of investigation, collaboration, and discovery that prepares them for College and lifelong learning.

She looks forward to working with Stratford students and families and to creating a classroom environment where curiosity, rigor, collaboration, scientific thinking, and a genuine excitement for discovery are highly valued.

Ms. Shipra Bali brings over 16 years of distinguished experience as an educator, curriculum designer, and professional development trainer to her role as a 9th and 10th Grade English Teacher at Stratford Prep Milpitas. Ms. Bali holds a Master’s in English Literature from HPU India, an MBA in Human Resources from Symbiosis India, and is currently pursuing a certification in AI in Education from the University of San Diego. Over her career, she has led numerous professional learning workshops for educators focusing on pedagogy, instructional strategies, and curriculum design.

Ms. Bali joined the Stratford community in 2022 at the Milpitas Great Mall Parkway campus as a 5th-grade English teacher before transitioning to middle and high school instruction. Throughout her journey, she has served in several leadership capacities—including Summer Coordinator, Humanities Coach, and Leader-in-Training—while staying deeply connected to her primary passion: classroom teaching. Her impactful campus contributions include pioneering the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, directing the Orator Festival, coordinating campus Spelling Bees from 2024 through 2026, and advising the Student Council.

At the core of Ms. Bali’s educational philosophy is the belief that teachers have a unique opportunity to shape future generations. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of care that prioritizes the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual well-being of every student. Through analytical literature studies, engaging discussions, and thoughtful writing, Ms. Bali empowers her 9th and 10th graders to think critically, express themselves with confidence, and grow into compassionate, lifelong learners.

Ms. Neena Bhave brings over 35 years of distinguished educational experience to her role as a 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at Stratford Prep Milpitas. Ms. Bhave holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from Maharaja Sayajirao University and a Master of Arts in Education from The Ohio State University. Throughout her career, she has served as a Special Education Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Elementary Director, Middle School Principal, and Head of School.

Ms. Bhave’s journey with Stratford began in 2017 as Head of School at the Palo Alto campus, where she successfully led the community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, she transitioned to Middle School Principal at Milpitas before moving to SPM in the same administrative role. Returning to her passion for direct classroom instruction this school year, she brings an unmatched depth of leadership, administrative insight, and pedagogical expertise directly to her middle schoolers.

For Ms. Bhave, the school environment is truly her happy place. In the classroom, she focuses on nurturing well-rounded learners who express themselves with clarity, empathy, and confidence. While academic excellence is a key priority, her core educational philosophy centers on character building. She strives to guide her students to grow into humble, kind, and compassionate individuals who value integrity alongside intellect. Ms. Bhave is thrilled to step into the classroom to inspire, support, and empower her 6th-grade students each day.

Ms. Rachel Bratt brings 13 years of multifaceted theatre experience to her role as Middle School Drama Director and Theatre Arts Teacher at Stratford Prep Milpitas. Ms. Bratt earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University and is a classical coloratura soprano. Her extensive Bay Area background includes co-founding the “Pear Seeds” education program at The Pear Theatre in Mountain View, as well as serving as a production manager, vocal director, stage manager, and props designer.

Ms. Bratt’s journey with Stratford began in 2021 after assisting with middle school productions, leading to her work as director and music director across the Milpitas Great Mall Parkway and Fremont Osgood campuses. In 2022, she stepped into the role of Head of Middle School Drama, coordinating productions across four key Stratford campuses while continuing her directorship at Milpitas and Fremont. At SPM, she directs drama, teaches Show Choir and Advisory, and is expanding the performing arts program to high school students through new Theatre Arts courses.

Her vibrant presence has earned well-deserved recognition, including the 2025 “Shakespeare Award for Strong Character and Sparkle” from the Scottish University International Summer School at the University of Edinburgh, as well as the 2026 SPM Faculty Awards for “Brightest Wardrobe in the Building” and “Most Dramatic… in the Best Way.” Ms. Bratt believes that passion is the ultimate key to success, encouraging her students to follow their dreams with dedication, surround themselves with a supportive team, and bring authentic joy to every performance.

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Ms. Kuanhsuan Chen brings four years of dynamic music education experience to her role as Middle and High School Orchestra Teacher at Stratford Prep Milpitas. Ms. Chen earned her Bachelor of Music from UC Santa Cruz, equipping her with a strong background in instrumental performance, music theory, and ensemble instruction.

Since joining Stratford in 2022 as a Middle School Orchestra Teacher, Ms. Chen has actively expanded her impact across campuses. In 2023, she stepped into elementary music education, playing a key role in elementary music curriculum development and orchestra program growth. Demonstrating her commitment to the performing arts, she also serves as the Music Director for the Stratford Drama Club, where she collaborates with students to bring theatrical productions to life through sound and song.

Ms. Chen views music education as a powerful avenue for developing essential life skills, including confidence, creativity, personal discipline, and active teamwork. Her teaching philosophy centers on cultivating a supportive, inclusive ensemble environment where middle and high school musicians feel empowered to step outside their comfort zones, embrace mistakes as stepping stones to mastery, and discover a genuine passion for music. Ms. Chen is dedicated to helping her orchestra students hone their technical craft while creating meaningful musical experiences that inspire them long after they leave the stage.

Mr. Chung-Wei Chu brings a powerful combination of industry leadership and pedagogical experience to his role as a 6th and 7th Grade Computer Science Teacher at Stratford Prep Milpitas. Mr. Chu holds a Master of Arts in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University. Prior to joining the classroom full-time, he spent 20 years working as a software engineer at premier Silicon Valley tech companies—including Intel, AT&T Labs, and PayPal—building deep expertise in computer architecture, operating systems, and full-stack software development.

Mr. Chu began his teaching career with Stratford at the Milpitas Great Mall Parkway campus in 2020 before joining the Stratford Preparatory Milpitas faculty in 2025. With nine years of teaching experience alongside his two decades of tech industry background, he bridges the gap between theoretical computing concepts and real-world technology applications for middle school students.

In the classroom, Mr. Chu’s educational philosophy centers on the belief that computer science education should extend far beyond simply learning syntax or code. He focuses on cultivating core skills in critical problem-solving, logical thinking, algorithmic design, creativity, and resilience. Dedicated to guiding 6th and 7th graders through complex technical challenges, Mr. Chu encourages his students to stay curious, embrace obstacles as learning opportunities, and never hesitate to test new ideas as they develop into confident, forward-thinking digital innovators.

Dr. Conner Song brings a uniquely rich background to the science department, teaching 8th Grade Science and 10th Grade Honors Chemistry. Holding dual undergraduate degrees—a B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a B.A. in Art History—from Wake Forest University, Dr. Song blends scientific rigor with a creative, multi-disciplinary perspective. He earned his PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Baylor University under the advisement of Professor Daniel Romo, developing deep expertise in complex chemical synthesis and laboratory research.

In the classroom, Dr. Song leverages this advanced research background to make complex concepts accessible, engaging, and relevant. Whether introducing eighth graders to foundational scientific principles or guiding high schoolers through challenging honors chemistry coursework, he fosters critical thinking, curiosity, and hands-on experimentation. Dr. Song is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of thinkers, helping students discover the beauty, structure, and real-world impact of the sciences.