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.
Ms. Sayyeda Zehra Razvi, a cornerstone of our High School English Department and a founding member of the Stratford Prep Blackford faculty!
With a decade of dedication to Stratford and 15 years of total experience in education, including her time as an Associate Instructor at UC Davis, Sayyeda specializes in preparing freshmen with a strong foundation for high school coursework in English, ensuring they are equipped for the advanced academic challenges ahead.
Architect of the Honors English Program
As an SPB Founding Faculty member, Sayyeda played a lead role in designing the curriculum for our High School Honors English program when it launched in 2022. Her work ensures that our students don’t just read texts, but truly engage with them as critical thinkers and sophisticated writers. By integrating a wide variety of EdTech tools, she continues to boost student engagement and prepare our freshmen with a strong foundation for advanced high school coursework.
Leadership & Student Support
Sayyeda’s impact extends far beyond her own classroom. She is a dedicated New Teacher Mentor, helping to shape the next generation of Stratford Prep faculty by sharing her deep institutional knowledge.
Perhaps most notably, she co-founded PAWS, Stratford’s first-ever peer support program. Now in its second year, PAWS has become a vital space for student connection and mentorship, reflecting Sayyeda’s commitment to supporting the “whole student” and building strong parent partnerships to support student growth.
Growing with Stratford
From the early days of teaching middle school to founding SPB High School, Sayyeda has grown alongside our community.
“It has been an honor to move and grow with the school,” Sayyeda shares. “I’m proud of how our department has evolved to provide a course of study that gives students opportunities to truly develop their skills as readers, writers, and thinkers.”
Please join us in celebrating Sayyeda for 10 years of academic excellence and her unwavering commitment to the SPB family!
Degree(s): M.A., Comparative Literature, University of California, Davis
B.A.. Economics and Comparative Literature, University of California, Davis
Degree(s): B.S. Earth System Science & Public Health Minor., Specialization: Hydrology and Terrestrial Ecosystems, University of California, Irvine
Certificate of Achievement-Advanced (COAA) – Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention, De Anza College
Degree(s): B.A., History, San Jose State University
Degree(s): B.Sc., Applied Chemistry, University of Waterloo
B.Ed., Queen’s University
Certificate in Accounting and Finance, Ryerson University
Professional Certificate in Graphic Design, Berkeley Extension (California) (In Progress)
With a career spanning nearly four decades, Neil brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge and a global perspective to our classrooms. Since joining us three years ago to build our chemistry curriculum from the ground up, he has become a vital mentor to students and staff alike.
A Legacy of Leadership
Neil’s journey in education began in 1989. Over the last 37 years, he has worn many hats, including:
Beyond the Lab Coat
At Stratford, Neil’s impact goes far beyond AP and Honors Chemistry. He is a dedicated Advisor for our Science Olympiad team and the visionary behind the PAWS Peer Academic Wellness Program. Through PAWS, Neil, along with Ms. Razvi have created a supportive ecosystem where students mentor one another, fostering academic growth and community wellness.
Degree(s): B.Sc., Biochemistry (Honors), University of Hull
Degree(s): B.A., University of Oregon, English
With a decade of experience spanning the entire educational spectrum, from kindergarteners to doctoral candidates, Dr. Suba brings a profound depth of knowledge and passion to our Middle School classrooms.
Academic Excellence & Leadership
Christian’s background is nothing short of inspiring. He holds a Master’s in Philosophy and a Doctorate in Religion and Literature, and he is a proud Randolph Hearst Scholarship Recipient, a prestigious honor awarded to academics from minority communities to foster diversity and representation within graduate programs. At Stratford, he serves as the Instructional Mentor Teacher for SPB and plays a vital role in our professional growth as a:
A Unique Perspective on Middle School
Many ask, “Isn’t middle school hard to teach?” Christian sees it differently. To him, these years aren’t just about “unruly development”; they are about the privilege of guiding students as they learn to challenge the world around them.
“The students are not looking to be challenging, but are instead looking to challenge. I see them discovering the process of applying a critical lens to the world… it creates a reciprocal environment where they are not only learning from me, but I am learning from them.”
Why He Loves Stratford
For Christian, no two days are ever the same. Whether he’s teaching a classic text for the first time or the tenth, his students’ original interpretations and inquisitive minds keep the material fresh and the environment dynamic.
Degree(s): Ph.D., Religion and Literature, Graduate Theological Union
M.A., Philosophy, Graduate Theological Union
B.A., Literature, Religion, University of California, Santa Cruz
Degree(s):B.S., San Jose State University
ACSI Secondary Mathematics Credential
Mr. Devarsh Thaker, our Computer Science Teacher and STEM Instructional Mentor Teacher (IMT), who is helping our middle school students “code their dreams into reality.”
Devarsh is a vital leader in our community. He brings a high-powered technical background to our classrooms, blending industry experience with a passion for student-centered learning:
Innovation at the Forefront
Devarsh isn’t just teaching the curriculum; he’s building the future of learning. His accomplishments include:
Defining a New Standard in CS Education
For Devarsh, Stratford’s commitment to innovation and academic excellence provides the perfect environment to inspire curiosity. His background in Machine Learning, AI-assisted learning tools, and Full-Stack Development ensures our students are not just consumers of technology, they are creators of it.
“Joining Stratford has been a defining step in my professional journey,” says Devarsh. “I’m grateful to be part of a community that values curiosity and growth.”
Degree(s): M.S., Computer Engineering, San Jose State University
B.S., Computer Science, George Mason University
Degree(s): (In Progress) San Jose State University
Degree(s): B.S., Sports Management, Menlo College
Degree(s): B.A., Mass Communications, San Jose State University
Singles-Subject Credential, Santa Clara University