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Ms. Mujic earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University in 2017, while fulfilling her long-term goal of graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2018, she decided to further her career in education and pursue a graduate degree. Ms. Mujic earned a Master of Arts degree in Counselor Education and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from San Jose State University in 2020. Ms. Mujic joined BASIS Independent Silicon Valley as the School Counselor in 2021 before transitioning into the role of Dean of Students for grades 6 and 7, leading into her current role as the Dean of Students for grades 9 to 11. She is thrilled to continue developing partnerships with families and faculty at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, and build a strong community of students who are engaged, lifelong learners and kind individuals. She explained, “I want my students to develop habits of personal, social, and academic growth early on because they are our future leaders, innovators, and inspirational figures.” In her spare time, she enjoys going on long walks, caring for her pets (a Bichon-Poodle mix dog and a Siamese Lynx Point cat), cooking international dishes, and developing new skill sets.

Ms. Munoz holds an Associate of Liberal Arts for Social and Behavioral Science from De Anza College. At California State University East Bay she is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development with a minor in Psychology. She is well aware of the BASIS Independent community from her time at BASIS Independent Fremont Upper Campus as the Front Office Coordinator.

She opens BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower School as Front Office Coordinator and is excited to be a part of the founding staff. She was initially drawn to BASIS Independent as it offered her an opportunity to work in a school environment, but not in a traditional classroom setting. Ms. Munoz enjoys being a part of the administrative team, and offering students support for whatever they may need. Out of school, Ms. Munoz really enjoys to read; she can get pulled into books and read non-stop. During the winter she also likes to spend her weekends snowboarding and during the summer and fall she often goes dirt biking.

Ms. Ocampo brings her passion for education and expertise in applied behavior analysis to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, followed by a Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University in 2018. Ms. Ocampo is dedicated to the comprehensive curriculum at BASIS Independent, which fosters the development of life skills and helps students excel in all aspects of their lives.

As the Associate Director of Admissions, Ms. Ocampo’s primary goal is to enroll prospective students who will not only thrive in the fast-paced and rigorous curriculum but who also have foundational social and emotional skills. She will utilize her first-hand experience and knowledge of teaching in the classroom to select students who will help contribute to the safe and inclusive environment at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Ocampo has a vibrant range of interests and hobbies. For twelve years, she has been an avid dancer and has been part of competitive dance teams. In her free time, Ms. Ocampo embraces her love for all things Disney and eagerly looks forward to visiting Disneyland each year during the holiday season. She has a deep affection for animals, particularly her pet guinea pig Rosie and her pet cat Bobby. Ms. Ocampo harbors a life-long dream of traveling across Asia to immerse herself in different cultures and broaden her horizons.

Born and raised in the Central Valley of California, Ms. Ourthiague earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from California State University, Fresno. In 2019, she graduated with honors from San José State University with a Master of Arts degree in Art History and Visual Culture. During her time at San José State, she served as the Treasurer of the Art History Association and completed a Master’s thesis discussing comic book tropes, masculine identities, and visual representations of male heroes. She has presented her research at multiple conferences both locally and nationally.

Ms. Ourthiague previously worked at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in 2017 before moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has since returned to California and is currently the Associate Director of Admissions at the Upper School campus. Her appreciation for the BISV community led her to join the Admissions department to help new members of the school feel as welcome as she has felt.

Ms. Ourthiague finds boundless joy in reading comic books, playing video games, eating pizza, and collecting dinosaur trinkets. She most loves spending quality time with her husband and two cats, Nymphadora Tonks and Ben Kenobi.

Mr. Perez attended San Jose State University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in adaptive physical activity. During college he interned at the Timpany Center working as a therapist for people with physical and mental disabilities. He also was a wrestling coach for both Santa Teresa High School and Westmont High School and has taught and coached basketball and volleyball at BISV since he joined the team here. As Director of Student Affairs, his goal and priority is to support all of his students in achieving their personal and academic goals while advocating for a healthy school/life balance. Mr. Perez loves the BISV community because he believes in its vision and standards for its students. He looks forward to the challenge of pivoting outside of the classroom into a different role where he can support and encourage his students in a new way. Outside of school hours, Mr. Perez enjoys training in fitness and martial arts as well as playing pickup basketball games at local parks. Additionally, Mr. Perez plays music and currently runs an audio recording studio for local artists in the community.

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Ms. Qin received a Bachelor of Arts in English and International Finance from Beijing Language and Culture University in China. During her four years of studying, she developed many relationships with friends from America or other English-speaking countries. This experience definitely opened her eyes and triggered an interest in learning about new cultures and education systems. As the Operations Coordinator, Ms. Qin mostly focuses on logistical tasks which help make sure to keep the school running smoothly as she provides support to multiple teams on campus. She is thrilled to work at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, as our values about education connect with her own. In her initial research about who we are, Ms. Qin was impressed by both our test scores as well as our many different clubs which allow students to maintain specific interests outside the classroom. “I want to work for a school that focuses on the whole child, and I think BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is one of the best schools in the Bay Area.” When she is not at school, she loves to be outside. Ms. Qin loves going hiking! Being in nature is her favorite weekend activity because the fresh air, beautiful scenery and blue sky helps her reset her mood, and helps her start a new week with positive energy. She lives in Scotts Valley, which is where she first started going hiking in mountains, “I was totally amazed by the beautiful views, the water falls and fresh scent of trees. Nature is a precious gift that we all get to enjoy!”

Mr. Quezada joins us with almost ten years of Registrar experience under his belt. This year, the Registrar will be stationed in the Front Office, so you will likely be able to meet him pretty quickly once the year begins. In his role, he will manage attendance and student records. When Mr. Quezada is not in the office, he enjoys watching movies and playing with his Boston terrier. He has collected quite a vast movie collection over the years and occasionally enjoys playing movie trivia.

Ms. Rojas earned Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science from San Jose State University. After completing her education, she worked as both a Wraparound Facilitator and Behavioral Support Counselor for a community program. She is adept at supporting youth and teens, and advocating for their needs. As the School Counselor at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley for both the lower and upper schools, her objective is to provide ongoing support and guidance within the student community. While the breadth of her experience is with high risk students, she is excited to work in an educational setting and ensure that our students have a platform to voice their thoughts and feelings on everyday stressors. She feels that students learn best when you connect with them and provide a learning environment that is creative and effective. This was part of the reason she was drawn to BASIS Independent and our mission in providing our students with a joyful learning culture that highlights that hard work can pay off! Ms. Rojas enjoys traveling to new destinations and exploring/learning about new cultures, including the food! She has a passion for trying new things (swimming with sharks, parasailing, ziplining, rappelling off a waterfall, etc.) and have many more bucket list items that she hopes to accomplish!

Ms. Saetern graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After working on campus at a local college, she decided to further her education and earned a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Concordia University of Irvine, along with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential.

Currently, Ms. Saetern serves as the Dean of Students for Grades 10 and 11 at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. Her goal is to build relationships with all stakeholders and students, ensuring they work together to help students reach their goals. Ms. Saetern chose BASIS Independent because she appreciates the culture of high achievement and learning, believing it opens more doors for individuals. Her philosophical approach centers on making students feel comfortable, confident, and kind. She emphasizes the importance of connecting and building rapport with students to best support them.

Ms. Saetern believes that students learn best when they are confident in themselves. To maximize student engagement, she uses activities like icebreakers and brain breaks, which offer a refreshing change from their academic routine. One of her favorite activities is the “Heart of Emotions” activity, where she and the students use different colors to represent different emotions and color in a heart shape. They then discuss their feelings and explore why they feel that way at the moment. This activity is particularly engaging as it varies every day.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Saetern loves to travel, try new foods, and spend quality time with her circle of friends and family. A fun fact about her is that she is always looking for new adventures to embark on.

Mr. Salazar completed his education journey by earning an Associate of Arts degree in Sociology from Mission College and obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Community Change from San Jose State University.

Currently, Mr. Salazar serves as the Dean of Grade 8 and 9 students at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. His goal is to provide the utmost assistance and encouragement to students, implementing an open-door policy to ensure every student feels welcome and supported.

Mr. Salazar chose BASIS Independent because of its strong reputation for fostering a supportive learning environment and its commitment to excellence in education. He believes that his skills and experience can contribute significantly to the growth and success of each student. At the core of Mr. Salazar’s teaching philosophy is the idea that education is a transformative journey that extends beyond the classroom. He aims to ignite curiosity and cultivate a growth mindset among his students by creating a collaborative and interactive learning environment.

He sees himself as a facilitator who guides students on their path of self-discovery. Mr. Salazar believes that students learn best through active engagement, hands-on experiences, and interactive discussions. Providing a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration also contributes to effective learning. One of the most impactful lessons Mr. Salazar has conducted with his students centered on mindfulness and being present in the moment. He led a guided mindfulness meditation session, encouraging students to focus on their breath, feelings, and thoughts in a non-judgmental way. This was followed by a reflective discussion where students shared their experiences and realizations. This activity helped students develop self-awareness, reduce stress, and improve their ability to be present, fostering a more positive and focused learning environment.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Salazar enjoys going on walks with his family and spending time with his daughter. He is also an avid sports fan, particularly of football (Dallas Cowboys), soccer (Real Madrid & Manchester City), and basketball (Golden State Warriors), and he loves watching his teams win.

Mr. Segui holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from National University in the Philippines. As a Technology Assistant at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, he is dedicated to supporting teachers and students with their technology needs, committed to fulfilling their requests to the best of his ability. Mr. Segui chose BASIS Independent because he aligns with its mission of providing quality education, aiming to deliver the best quality of service to students and staff, particularly in IT.

He believes students learn best when provided with the best resources, both technological and academic. One of his most impactful lessons in his IT career involved teaching elderly individuals how to use new technology by relating it to concepts they could understand. He found this encounter to be very rewarding.

Outside of work, Mr. Segui enjoys playing PC games, reading comics, watching European football and other sports, and recently, he has developed an interest in traveling, which he plans to pursue as a hobby in the near future.

Ms. Shapiro attended San Jose State University and earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Behavioral Science. She began working at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley as the Associate Director of Admissions in early 2016, and then held the position of Director of Communications for five years. In the 2022-2023 school year, she moved into the Director of Academic Programs role. She loves interacting with students and parents, and is thrilled to be a part of our amazing academic community. Ms. Shapiro has learned amazing things from many BISV students, who inspire her regularly. “Sharing in the successes of our students is quite a thrill, and I love being a part of their process.” Ms. Shapiro comes from a family of educators who taught her that education is one of the most important things in life. The BASIS Independent philosophy resonates with her, and she feels especially proud to work alongside a faculty who are so devoted to their craft. When Ms. Shapiro is not at work, she can often be found bending to the whim of her seven and three-year-old daughters, or entertaining her chickens. When she can, she sneaks away and reads anything she can get her hands on from fiction to cook books. Fun Fact: Ms. Shapiro became a red head for a Halloween costume when she was a sophomore in high school and has never been inclined to go back!

Mr. Silva received a certificate in Supervision and Management from Las Positas College. He has a passion for learning and has attended numerous seminars over the years on multiple topics including Hazardous Waste Management, Conflict Resolution, Confrontational Skills, Project Management, Lean Manufacturing, Velocity Scheduling, Lean Six Sigma, and ISO 9001. Mr. Silva was born in Woodinville, Washington, and moved to the Bay Area at the age of 5. He started working during the summer at a young age for his family’s business, and when he turned 17, he was hired full-time. Over the course of 26 years, he grew within the company and held many titles while gaining experience in all areas of the job cycle including manufacturing, customer service, account management, operations, purchasing, and department management. Mr. Silva holds the title of Operations Manager at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Upper campus. Every day is an opportunity to showcase his problem-solving skills and to create an optimal learning environment for all students. In his downtime, he likes to focus on fitness and enjoys taking as many long walks as he can. His goal is to hit at least 20,000 steps a day. When he is not focusing on his fitness, you can catch him drinking kombucha, watching a movie, or playing the latest RPG on his PC.

Ms. Sinha received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Commerce from Sunderwati Mahila College in India. She then went on to obtain multiple units in Early Childhood Education from San Jose City College, where she had a 4.0 GPA across all her classes. As the Auxiliary Program Manager at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower, Ms. Sinha wants to create a safe environment for all students, where she can guide and help them explore, follow, and achieve their dreams to the fullest. Her general teaching philosophy is to connect classroom lessons to the real world. This way, children will find it easier to imagine and understand the lesson, also growing their motivation to learn.

Ms. Sinha feels that students learn best when we as educators educate, empower, and enrich them. They should be challenged with a range of instructional strategies to help reach their full potential. She believes that everyone should get an opportunity to contribute to the lesson or activity. Ms. Sinha also wants to help students understand and respect each other’s customs and ways of life, as students are from diverse cultures all around the world. This helps them develop and mature as a person, and become open minded to others.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Sinha enjoys watching movies and listening to instrumental music. She also loves playing soccer with her two sons, who are 9 and 12 years old. A fun fact about her is that she is petrified of rollercoasters!