Faculty
Stratford Preparatory places a high mandate on supporting our students’ visions of their future goals with confidence, care, excellence, and respect. Our teachers and staff are guided by our continuous improvement plan and united in their commitment to Our Purpose, Promise, and Principles.
Degree(s): Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital
Graduate courses in Education, Teaching and Leadership, University of North Dakota
Degree(s): M.S. CS Arizona State University
B.E., Engineering, Savitribai Phule University
Teacher Vivi brings more than classroom expertise, she brings real-world artistic experience that inspires her students daily. Before joining Stratford, she held diverse roles across the creative industries, including Art Specialist, Graphic Designer, Video Producer, Television Director, Editor, and more! She is highly proficient in industry-leading tools like Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, and Procreate, as well as a variety of traditional and contemporary art techniques, from foundational drawing and painting to mixed-media and experimental material exploration.
In her fourth year at Stratford, she continues to elevate our program by mentoring students:
“I love witnessing the creativity of young students, their emotions, imagination, and intuitive compositions. Mentoring them to push boundaries and immerse themselves fully in artistic exploration is one of my greatest joys.”
Degree(s): M.F.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A., Art, The National School of Art in Mexico
Ms. Xiaozhen Li is a founding faculty member of Stratford Preparatory Blackford and a powerhouse in the world of Chinese language education!
With over 13 years of experience across California’s public and private sectors, Xiaozhen has spent the last four years at Stratford Prep Blackford helping build our high school program from the ground up. Her expertise spans AP, honors, and heritage language instruction, and she has established the National Chinese Honor Society making her a vital asset to our academic community.
A Legacy of Leadership
Xiaozhen’s impact extends far beyond her own classroom. Throughout her career, she has consistently stepped into pivotal roles that shape the student experience and support her colleagues. Her previous roles include:
As Stratford’s K–12 Chinese Subject Chair, she continues this legacy by leading our New Teacher Academy, providing coaching and curriculum planning to educators across all campuses.
National Recognition & Professional Excellence
Xiaozhen was instrumental in Stratford School receiving the 2025 CLASS Outstanding K–16 Chinese Program Award, a prestigious national honor. Her professional credentials further highlight her dedication to the field:
You may have also seen her featured on NBC Bay Area during Teacher Appreciation Week for her meaningful contributions to AANHPI Heritage Month in 2024!
In Her Own Words
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing how students develop not only in their Chinese language proficiency, but also in their confidence, maturity, and curiosity about the world.”
Degree(s): Ed.D., Educational Leadership (in progress), San José State University
M.A., Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Beijing Normal University
California Teaching Credential in Single Subject: Chinese
B.A., Chinese, Minor, Education, University of California, Davis
Degree(s): M.A. Education, University of the Pacific
B.A., History, University of California, Davis
Alex Lopez, our Graphic Arts teacher for 8th and 9th grade has over 30 years of elite experience as an Art Director and Creative Director, Alex isn’t just teaching art, he’s teaching the future of the industry.
A Career of Icons
Before joining Stratford Prep, Alex spent decades at the forefront of the video game and entertainment industries. His portfolio includes work with giants like Disney, SEGA, 2K, and Konami.
The Stratford Chapter
Since June 2024, Alex has been translating these high-level industry standards into his curriculum. He treats the classroom as a collaborative studio where real-world process meets raw creativity.
“Teaching at Stratford has been the most rewarding chapter of my career. I get to pass on real-world experience and industry standards to the next generation. What makes it meaningful is that we grow together, I learn just as much from my students as they learn from me.”
We are honored to have a Creative Arts teacher of Alex’s caliber guiding our students as they find their own visual voices!
Degree(s): A.A., Graphic Design, College of San Mateo (In Progress)
Heather Mackewicz, is a powerhouse in our Science Department who brings 18 years of educational expertise and a deep background in clinical research to our 6th and 7th graders!
Heather is a perfect example of how professional industry experience can transform the classroom experience for middle schoolers.
From Clinical Trials to the Classroom
Before dedicating her career to teaching, Heather operated at the forefront of medical innovation. As a Clinical Research Associate (CRAII), she worked on Phase I and II clinical trials for major medical device companies like FoxHollow (now Medtronic) and Acclarent (now Johnson & Johnson).
Her work involved ensuring data integrity, protocol compliance, and even advising on device usage during human trial procedures. This high-level scientific rigor is exactly what she instills in her students today.
A Legacy of Excellence at Stratford
Heather’s impact on our community is extensive, particularly in her commitment to student achievement:
Developing the “Whole Student”
Heather’s versatility is truly unique. In addition to her STEM leadership as a mentor for StemFactor and the Synopsys Club, she has a rich history in the humanities, having taught Logic, Speech, Debate, and even producing theater programs!
Her ability to bridge the gap between analytical thinking and creative expression makes her an invaluable asset to our “educator family.”
Degree(s): B.S., Molecular Biology, Minor: Chemistry, San Jose State University
Degree(s): BSc, University of Bombay
B. Ed, University of Bombay
LL.B, University of Bombay
Maikel Masoud has made a profound impact on our students and our curriculum. His journey to the classroom is nothing short of extraordinary:
Revolutionizing Robotics
Maikel isn’t just teaching; he’s building a legacy. He developed the curricula for our Honors Robotics 1 and 2 courses, which are now UC-accredited for college credit.
First Robotics Competition (FRC) Success
As the mentor for our FRC Robotics Club, Maikel led 25 students to an “All-Star Rookie Team” award in their very first competition last year. This year, the program has exploded, with Maikel now leading nearly 40 students toward their second major competition!
Whether he’s teaching Honors Physics, Algebra 2 or guiding students through complex robotic builds, Maikel’s blend of military discipline, engineering expertise, and passion for mentorship is inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Join us in celebrating Maikel Masoud! Thank you for all you do for our students and the Stratford community
Degree(s): A.S., Mechanical Engineering, Diablo Valley College
BSc, Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
M.E., Robotics and Autonomous Systems, University of Cincinnati (In Progress)
Degree(s): M.A., Archaeology of Death and Memory, University of Chester
B.A., History, Southwest Minnesota State University
Degree(s): B.A., English, University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A., Spanish, University of California, Santa Barbara
Ms. Patricia Millard is an educator whose 15-year journey with Stratford has been as dynamic and inspiring as the subjects she teaches. Currently guiding our 10th–12th graders through the complexities of AP Psychology and AP Economics, Patricia brings a wealth of unique real-world experience to the classroom.
A Journey of Growth & Grit
Patricia’s path to the front of the classroom is anything but traditional. Her background includes:
Beyond the Classroom
Patricia is a firm believer in civic engagement and lifelong learning. Whether she is volunteering for Get Out the Vote initiatives, campaigning across five states, or meeting U.S. Presidents, she models the active citizenship we hope to instill in our students.
Fun Facts & Highlights:
In Her Own Words
“For well over a decade, I hoped Stratford Prep would become a reality. When the site was announced, the very campus where I attended high school and my four daughters attended middle school, I knew I had to be part of this community. What I never expected was just how much I would love teaching middle and high schoolers. It’s the best job ever!”
Degree(s): B.A., Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Minor, Economics, San Jose State University