We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Kyle Covert as a founding Subject Expert Teacher (SET) at BASIS Independent Dublin.  Dr. Covert, who will serve as a Subject Expert Teacher in science, will be transferring to BASIS Independent Dublin from BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, where he has taught since 2024.  

For Dr. Covert, the opportunity to join the BASIS Independent Dublin founding faculty is exciting because it is a chance “to come back to the community that I love – I previously lived in Dublin for five years – while being able to stay with the school that I believe truly challenges our brightest minds.”  

Dr. Covert received both a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry and a PhD in Bioanalytical and Physical Chemistry from the University of the Pacific.  During his senior year of undergraduate work, Dr. Covert was recognized as the “ACS Undergraduate of the Year in Analytical Chemistry”.  

Prior to becoming a full-time teacher, Dr. Covert gained extensive industry experience, which has greatly influenced his teaching style; he seeks to share his field experience with his students to provide them with a taste of what a scientist’s life is like. His work experience includes seven years of research at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab and the Swiss Light Source, as well as five years at Agilent Technologies as an LC/MS Applications Scientist and Lead Trainer on Single Quadrupole instruments and software.  

Included in Dr. Covert’s research experience is assistance in drafting two successful NSF grant proposals.  He has contributed to several publications and presentations. 

Are there any highlights you’d like to share about your teaching philosophy or approach? 

My main goal as a teacher is to have my students teach someone else what they learned. If a student can share an interesting fact about science at the dinner table, then I’ve done my job. I try to incorporate other sciences in any subject I teach so students make connections on how this all works together.

What are some of the best or most rewarding parts of being a Subject Expert Teacher and working with BASIS Independent Schools students?  

To my last point, I ran an experiment with my Honors Chemistry students that involved making bread dough from scratch. Students learned how fermentation works in Chemistry, normally a Biology topic, but we go in depth about the chemical reactions occurring. They then took the dough home and baked it over Thanksgiving break. My favorite part was receiving comments from parents that they would’ve never thought they would see their child cooking, let alone bread they made on their own. 

Are there any thoughts that you’d like to share with families who are joining – or who are thinking of joining – the BASIS Independent Dublin community?

If you are already in the BASIS Curriculum Schools family then I welcome you to an amazing new campus and I cannot wait to teach your student SCIENCE! If you are considering BASIS Independent Dublin, I highly encourage you to explore this opportunity. As a brand-new and rapidly growing community, our school will offer an exceptional academic environment. Our Subject Expert Teachers greatly prepare students for the rigors of college and provide a foundation that will help them succeed in life. 

When he’s not in the classroom, Dr. Covert can be frequently found browsing articles and researching random topics just for the sake of learning something new; from the history of submarine warfare to how light particles interact with metal. His favorite thing to do outside the classroom is play videogames with his wife and daughter, and practice new recipes in the kitchen. 

BASIS Independent Dublin is a Grades 6 – 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the BASIS Independent Dublin community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.