Degree(s): B.A., Music Composition, San Jose State University

Coming Soon!

Degree(s): B.A., Human Development with an emphasis in Child Development, Cal State University East Bay

Degree(s): M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction Specialized in Second Language
B.A., Education, Nanjing Normal University
Teaching and K-12 certificate, University of Maryland

Since joining us when our doors first opened in 2022, Jessie has been a powerhouse of curriculum innovation and academic excellence. With a background spanning public health research, investment management, and community college instruction, she brings a uniquely rich perspective to our English department.

Building the Foundation
Jessie has had a hand in developing and launching almost every course in our English sequence, from Honors English 1 through AP Literature. Her dedication to the craft is evident in her students’ incredible success; last year, her AP English Literature class achieved a 100% pass rate, with 60% of students earning a perfect 5!

Beyond the Classroom
As the Department Chair, UNICEF Club Advisor, and co-lead of the Humanities & Social Sciences Reading Group, Jessie is passionate about championing the “Human” in STEM-intensive education.

“In a STEM-driven region, it is so important to engage students to think critically about what it means to be human—wrestling with questions of power, belonging, memory connection, and responsibility.”

This mission is clearly resonating: roughly a third of our senior class has opted into her Stratford Advanced Studies class (SAS): Visions of the Future elective, choosing to dive deeper into literature even after meeting their graduation requirements.

The Heart of Stratford
For Jessie, the true reward is the community:

• The Colleagues: “I feel lucky to stand alongside such brilliant, thoughtful people who care so much about their craft. Building a school culture from the ground up is a rare and meaningful experience.”
• The Students: Having taught every single graduating senior, Jessie has had a front-row seat to their growth. “I’ve seen them mature emotionally and learn to navigate the world with empathy. Seeing them commit to serious learning while still delighting in goofiness and friendship is profoundly hopeful.”

Degree(s): M.A., English Literature, San Jose State University
M.P.H., History, Policy, and Ethics of Public Health, Columbia University
B.S., Neuroscience, English, University of California, Los Angeles

Degree(s): B.A., English Literature, Rutgers University
B.A., Communications, Rutgers University
M.Ed., Secondary Education, Monmouth University

Mr. Josh Gengler, a dedicated educator and historian who brings a wealth of real-world experience to our 8th Grade History classrooms at Stratford Prep!

A Journey of Advocacy and Education
Josh’s career is a fascinating blend of education and community leadership. He began his teaching journey in 2005 in North Dakota before moving to California. During a shift in the education landscape, Josh pivoted to the non-profit and labor sectors, working with Environment California, Greenpeace, and serving as a Lead Organizer for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521.

His time negotiating contracts for public employees and leading local campaigns gave him a unique perspective on civic engagement, a perspective he now shares with his students to help history come alive.

Academic Excellence & Mentorship
After returning to his true passion, teaching, Josh earned his Master’s degree from San Jose State University (SJSU). His historical writing was so distinguished that he was awarded the McLaughlin Fellowship Scholarship. This honor is reserved for students demonstrating exceptional writing within the History program. As part of this scholarship, Josh worked  a part-time position to tutor and mentor fellow SJSU students on writing, sourcing and research. He also served as a Peer Mentor at the Tower Foundation, where he guided graduate students through the rigors of their theses.

Life at Stratford Prep
Now in his fourth year with us, Josh was an integral part of the team that opened Stratford Prep. What keeps him inspired?

“Students here are full of intellectual curiosity that keeps me going as a teacher. I love how they dive into projects and find deeper meaning in history. It’s been incredible to watch this school grow and be part of something so new and exciting.”

Five Fast Facts about Josh:

• Role: 8th Grade History Teacher
• Experience: 11years teaching 
• Specialty: Historical writing and research mentorship.
• Favorite part of the job: Watching students develop their own “historical voice” through creative projects.
• Stratford Tenure: Proudly part of the “Founding Era” of Stratford Prep.

Degree(s): M.A., History, San Jose State University
B.S., Education, Dickinson State University

Dr. Samer Gerges, our Advanced Mathematics teacher, brings an extraordinary wealth of global expertise and technical depth to our campus community.

With over 25 years of teaching experience across three continents, instructing everyone from high school students to postgraduate PhD candidates, Dr. Gerges empowers students to maximize their academic potential and confidently approach complex topics. 

A Global Journey from R&D to the Classroom
Before joining Stratford Prep, Dr. Gerges’ career seamlessly bridged the gap between cutting-edge industrial engineering and advanced academia. In his previous role as a Senior Researcher for the Egyptian Armed Forces, he oversaw complex engineering projects and led five separate teams of researchers in the R&D department, distinguished service that earned him a Medal of Honor from the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Later, he transitioned into industry quality management, serving as the Programs Manager for Quality, Training, and Development at JLL supporting Applied Materials. Currently, alongside his teaching at Stratford, Dr. Gerges serves as a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San Jose State University (SJSU), where he is collaborating on joint research involving acoustic design using metamaterials.

Pushing the Boundaries of High School Math
In his AP Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations classes, Dr. Gerges leverages the school’s encouraging environment to challenge students beyond the traditional curriculum. Rather than just memorizing formulas, students are taught to apply complex mathematics to genuine, real-world challenges.

Recently, his advanced students took on sophisticated final projects, applying university-level mathematical concepts to solve complex problems in technology, medicine, and engineering.

Stratford students explored advanced topics, including:

• Signal & Image Processing: Using Laplace Transforms and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) for image reconstruction, MRI image clean-up, and ECG signal denoising.
• AI & Machine Learning: Developing face recognition using eigenfaces and SVD, and latent preference modeling for movie recommendation systems.
• Aerospace & Robotics: Analyzing aircraft flight control, stability, and autonomous vehicle dynamics through sensor fusion.
• Bio-Math & Finance: Applying Laplace transforms to cancer-growth modeling and analyzing complex financial cash flows.

“Seeing high school students master concepts like Singular Value Decomposition and Laplace transforms to solve genuine engineering and medical problems is proof of what happens when you set the bar high,” says Dr. Gerges. “These students aren’t just preparing for college; they are performing at a collegiate level right now.”

Degree(s): Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Beihang University
M.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, Military Technical College, Egypt
B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering – Military Technical College, Egypt

With two decades of teaching experience under her belt, ranging from preschool to college prep, Eryne is now in her third year at SPB, where she has truly found her “educator family.”

A Career Built on Creativity
Before finding her calling in the classroom, Eryne earned her BFA in Illustration and navigated the fast-paced worlds of tech, design, and beauty. While she has mastered many mediums, her biggest love is portraiture in graphite, a passion for detail that she shares with her students. Her professional portfolio is incredibly diverse: 

• Tech & Design: She worked as a professional designer creating comic books, advertising campaigns and logos and brochures for Hewlett-Packard.
• Entertainment: In a unique blend of digital and physical art, she worked on set design for the band CAKE’s virtual world tour.
• The Beauty Industry: Eryne spent five years as a professional makeup artist, eventually managing and training artists for high-profile San Francisco fashion shows (and meeting a few celebrities along the way!).
• Art Instruction: Her leadership and teaching skills have made her a valued educator at multiple institutions across the bay area. This is her 20th year of teaching art.

Leadership with Heart
Eryne’s passion for art education goes beyond the studio. Before joining us, she spent years running an elementary art department, where she wrote curricula and empowered parents to teach art in a community that lacked a formal program. Her dedication to making art accessible to everyone is what makes her such a vital part of our team.

“I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing people in my career, and I am so grateful to have found a family of educators and lifelong friends here at Stratford!” — Eryne Greene

Degree(s): B.F.A., Ringling College of Art and Design

Coming Soon!

Andria Grodzinsky is a a dedicated educator who brings a wealth of global perspective and a deep passion for Middle School education to her ELA classroom.

A Foundation of Experience
Andria is currently in her second year at Stratford, where her passion for literacy and student development has made a lasting impact on our middle school community. With eight years of teaching experience prior to joining our team, Andria’s background is both diverse and impressive:

• Global Perspective: She spent a year teaching abroad in Nanjing, China, gaining unique insights into international education.
• Secondary Education Expertise: Before moving to California, she spent seven years teaching both middle and high school levels in Oregon.

Inside the Classroom: Community & Conversation
For Andria, 6th grade is a “sweet spot” for learning. She prioritizes building a classroom where every student feels they belong, creating a safe space for the high-energy, insightful discussions that define her ELA lessons.

“Sixth graders have a lot to say, and it is always fun to hear their take on what we are reading,” Andria shares. “They often notice things I didn’t think about, and those conversations end up being some of the most interesting parts of the day.”

Collaborative Innovation
One of the highlights of Andria’s curriculum is the Collaborative Visual Essay. In this project, students work in small groups to:

• Develop a claim based on a specific prompt.
• Curate evidence by finding and analyzing strong textual quotes.
• Synthesize ideas into a visual poster presentation.

This activity does more than just sharpen literary analysis; it builds confidence in public speaking and strengthens the collaborative skills our students use every day.

Degree(s): B.A., English, Portland State University
M.A.,  Teaching, Pacific University

Degree(s): M.F.A., Creative Writing and Composition, San Francisco State University
B.A., Literature, San Francisco State University