Maintenance and Facilities Technician

With a wealth of experience as a contractor, Jaime has previously owned and operated his own business, showcasing his expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he is passionate about sports and enjoys coaching softball.

Marketing and Communications Manager

Eileen Arellano is a seasoned marketing professional with over 20 years of experience. She has held marketing communication roles in various industries, including technology, healthcare, retail, and religious organizations.

Since 2023, Eileen has been leveraging her extensive experience and passion for effective communication at Stratford Schools. Here, she serves as the Marketing and Communications Manager for Stratford Preparatory, a role that allows her to showcase the school’s vibrancy and excellence through strategic communication and marketing efforts.

Eileen holds an MBA from California State University, Hayward, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College

Director of Athletics and Wellness

Robert Cannone has a rich history in athletic administration, spanning both Southern and Northern California. Robert began his career as an Athletic Director and Coach in Southern California, where he coached Varsity Baseball and Football, leading his teams to numerous league championships and playoff appearances.

In 2011, Robert transitioned to Northern California, assuming the role of Assistant Athletic Director at Crystal Springs Uplands School. In addition to focusing on Athletic Administration in middle and high schools, Robert continued to coach baseball until 2017. Most recently, Robert served as the Athletic Director at Stanbridge Academy where he pioneered an athletic program tailored for neurodiverse students.

Robert is a Certified Athletic Administrator and a Registered Middle School Athletic Administrator through the National Interscholastic Athletics and Activities Association. He has served on the Athletic Director Advisory Committee and was a member of the CIF Appeals Committee. Robert holds a degree in Kinesiology from Cal State University, Northridge.

College Counselor

Harrison Cheng loves getting to know each student and helping them to discover their own strengths and abilities throughout the college admissions process. Harrison is a seasoned college admissions counselor with over 18 years of experience from both the applicant and university sides of the process. His former students have gone on to all the Ivies, Stanford, and have been Regents and Chancellor’s scholars at all of the University of California campuses.

Prior to Stratford, Harrison ran his own education technology startup company and worked in admissions at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. While the majority of Harrison’s students choose to pursue majors in healthcare, business, and computer science/engineering, he is also a lifelong musician and educator and supports students with a variety of interests.

Harrison holds a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, an MBA from UC San Diego, a certificate in college counseling from UCLA, and M.S. in Software Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Since 2007, David has served as a teacher, coach, and mentor at Stratford Schools. With over 20 years of experience in education, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Jose State University and a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Florida. David is dedicated to instilling the values of hard work, courage, discipline, and integrity in his students. As the High School Dean of Students, David brings in-depth knowledge of personal growth and development to his role. He looks forward to working with the next generation of student leaders, helping them build a brighter future for society and thrive in both their personal and professional lives

Dina Cunha, Psy.D., is the founding College Counselor at Stratford Prep, Milpitas, and will also support Stratford Prep, Blackford’s college counseling program and first senior college counseling course in the upcoming school year. Dina brings nearly 20 years of expertise in education with a focus on school counseling and college admissions. Her experience includes evaluating thousands of applications as an admissions evaluator for two University of California campuses and a private university in the Bay Area. In K-12 education, Dina has served as a high school social studies teacher, school counselor, and Director of College Counseling, and instructor at UC Berkeley Extension’s College Counseling Program. Currently, she is also a lecturer at San Jose State University’s MA in Counseling program, where she trains future school counselors. Dina holds a B.A. from UC Davis, an M.S. in Counseling with specializations in school, college, and career counseling, a California PPS School Counseling Credential, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She is also a National Board-Certified Counselor. Dina’s goal is to demystify the college admissions process for students and parents alike, empowering every student to share their unique story and helping parents support their child’s educational journey with confidence.

Head of School

Phil Dolan holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education and joined Stratford Schools in 2016, supporting the growth of our schools as Regional Director for School Operations and Vice President of K-12 Education. With over 25 years in the field of education, Phil recognizes the importance of providing students with an excellent academic foundation. He continues to mentor teachers and leaders throughout Stratford School and is committed to providing students with an excellent academic foundation through educating the whole child.

Phil brings a passion for education and expertise in school administration to his role as Head of the School. He is looking forward to guiding and supporting our Stratford Preparatory students through their exciting Middle and High School years and leading them to success in their unique futures.

With over a decade of experience working with the public across a variety of roles, Nicholas brings a strong blend of leadership, organization, and a dedication to student engagement. Prior to stepping into this supervisory role, Nicholas served as an Extended Day Lead at Stratford Prep, where he fostered a supportive and enriching environment for students after school. Nicholas is known for being detail-oriented, goal-driven, and highly adaptable, whether working independently or as part of a team. His strong organizational skills and commitment to continual learning make him a valuable addition to the Stratford Prep community.

Oliver has a strong background in the trades, with hands-on experience as both a plumber and an electrician. He also brings valuable industry knowledge from his time in construction sales, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both the technical and business sides of construction. His diverse skill set and practical experience make him a reliable and knowledgeable professional in the field.

Middle School Principal

Sadaf has 20 years experience in education that includes classroom instruction in all core subjects, curriculum design and development, curriculum integration and articulation, teacher mentoring, K-12 academic and school leadership, and school accreditation process. Sadaf holds a B.S. in Biomedical Science and a postgraduate qualification in secondary school education specializing in science. She has served students and families in both public and private schools in the UK, USA, and Middle East. Sadaf is passionate about lifelong learning and self-improvement, and building meaningful human connections. She is committed to advancing academic excellence and global literacy for middle and high school students in an environment that nurtures the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of future scholars and leaders. Sadaf is honored to serve at Stratford and looks forward to partnering with the parent and school community to ensure that all students feel cared for and supported, and each student aspires to reach their highest potential.

Champa Kumar is an Office Administrator at Stratford Prep Blackford, building on her impactful work with our campus as part of the Extended Day team since September 2023. In her previous position, she actively contributed to creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for students in the Extended Day program, supported school events, and helped train new team members. With a rich professional background in education, administration, and human resources, Champa brings exceptional organizational skills, a collaborative spirit, and a deep commitment to the Stratford Prep community.

Office Administrator

Suzanne joined Stratford Preparatory Blackford after working for several years at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, where she continues to contribute her expertise and enthusiasm for working in a school environment. Additionally, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration by taking online classes at San Jose City College. Her commitment to education and personal growth is evident in her choice to advance her studies while significantly contributing to the educational community. She enjoys working closely with families and enjoys witnessing their growth and development over time. Outside of her professional life, she loves to travel, try new foods, and spend quality time with her friends and family.