Ms. Baljee hails from a quaint town nestled in the Himalayas in India. As one of the founding teachers at BASIS Independent McLean, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the academic culture of the institution. Ms. Baljee views mathematics not just as a subject but as a gateway to exploring the intricacies of nature, logic, and the world around us. Her mission is to “inspire, motivate, and challenge her students to realize their full potential.” With more than twenty-one years of experience utilizing a wide range of teaching techniques in her classroom, Ms. Baljee also serves as the Subject Adviser for the network and the Upper School Math Coordinator at our school. This year, she will be stepping into the role of Director of Academic Programs.

In addition to her passion for inculcating the love of learning, Ms. Baljee is a professionally trained Bharatanatyam dancer, an ancient Indian classical dance form. She continues to share her love for dance with the community at BASIS Independent McLean, enriching the lives of those who share her enthusiasm for this beautiful art.

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Ms. Carroll grew up in Northern Virginia and attended college at Virginia Tech. After graduating, she began her career in the office at the Primrose School of Downtown Bethesda. Given her involvement in numerous sports and clubs during her upbringing, Ms. Carroll is very excited to be the go-to person for clubs and sports at BASIS McLean. Outside of work, she enjoys running and spending time with her friends and family.

American University, B.A. in Psychology | American University, M.A.T. in Elementary Education.

Ms. Chirlin grew up in Northern Virginia and has worked with children for over 25 years in school and extracurricular settings. Life took her family on a six-year detour to Australia, where she enjoyed the beautiful views, unusual wildlife, and a more relaxed lifestyle. When Ms. Chirlin is not at school, you can find her spending time with her kids, planning their next vacation, or biking on a local trail. She has visited 30+ countries and 40 U.S. states.

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Mr. Escobar taught in a school for autism for 6 years before joining BASIS Independent McLean. He has since worked with a wide range of age groups, from elementary to high school level students who have autism， as a behavioral technician at NOVA. He is passionate about creating an environment where students feel free to express their creativity and build confidence. You can find him not only at BIM but also in nature, hiking, walking, playing soccer, and watching football.

Ms. Fataki is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Leadership, she worked as a medical interpreter, working with people and health institutions in the DMV area before joining BASIS Independent McLean. She enjoys spending time with the children at BIM, listening to their stories, and supporting them in any way she can. “Every day is unique here, and I love it!” says Ms. Fataki.
In her free time, Ms. Fataki likes listening to music and sharing quality time with her family.

Ms. Flores brings a wealth of international teaching experience, having taught at a Montessori school in New Zealand for several years before joining BASIS Independent McLean. As a dual national, she had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of age groups, spanning from preschool to college-level students, where she specialized in tutoring English Composition.

Ms. Flores believes that play and curiosity are essential elements in every student’s learning journey. Guided by the words of Margaret Read, “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think,” she centers her teaching philosophy on fostering critical thinking and mindful practices amongst the students she works with.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Flores is passionate about reading, spending time in nature, conserving wildlife, creating art, and practicing yoga.

Ms. Foley has a background in architecture and design firms, where she provided administrative support to top architects in Washington, D.C., and Phoenix. After dedicating time to her family, she is excited to bring her organizational and communication skills to BASIS Independent McLean as a Front Desk Coordinator. She holds a B.A. in Professional Writing with a minor in Intercultural Communications and is fluent in Spanish and Farsi. In her free time, she enjoys oil painting realism on canvas.

Ms. Fors is a licensed Qualified Mental Health professional for children and adults with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field doing everything from in home counseling to school counseling, including several years of individual and group counseling overseas. She holds a BA in psychology from George Mason University, and is currently working on two Master’s degrees from George Mason University in School Counseling and in Clinical Mental Health. For the last two years, she worked with schools in Southern Virginia bringing awareness and training on social/emotional/mental health needs to teachers and administrators in the public school setting. She brings a wealth of experience and training in multicultural, trauma, and education based counseling. She is a mom of four children, and they are my heart and joy.

Mr. Garcia is the facilities manager at BIM and takes pride in being a part of the organization. Originally from El Salvador, he spent 15 years working in various roles, including appliances, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. With 23 years of residence in the Tysons Corner area, Mr. Garcia is a dedicated member of the community. He has a strong passion for soccer and is an avid fan of his favorite player, Lionel Messi. Outside of work, he cherishes spending quality time with his family whenever the opportunity arises.

Dr. Hight has spent over fifteen years teaching at the middle school, high school, college, and adult levels, as well as working in college counseling. He was a founding faculty member at BASIS Independent McLean and loves the school for its intellectually curious students, high standards, and commitment to continually growing and improving. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in history, an M.A. in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in history from Harvard. In his free time, he enjoys writing novels, playing and watching a variety of sports (go Fulham!), and spending time with his family and three dogs.

Smith College, BA in Psychology | Smith College, MAT in Elementary Education

Ms. Kushner started teaching first, second, and third grade at the Campus School of Smith College in Amherst, Massachusetts before relocating to New York City and teaching at BASIS Independent Manhattan. She started in the classroom as a Grade-2 LET before becoming a Humanities SET for Grades 1 and 2. She contributed to the Curriculum Team as a Subject Advisor for Humanities teachers across the network, in addition to coaching new teachers as a Teacher Mentor for two years. Ms. Kushner then crossed over to the administrative side and became the Director of Lower School. In Manhattan, she led the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Committee and created the Anti-Bullying and Inclusion Workshop Series for Middle School students. It’s her goal to foster meaningful relationships and partner with families to ensure students develop the tools to work through academic and social-emotional challenges. In September, she made the move to the Washington, D.C. area and is spending her time settling into her new home. She also enjoys sharing her love of Taylor Swift with the Middle School students.

Meet Ms. Lee, an education professional passionate about fostering inclusive communities. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hue University of Art, specializing in silk painting and screen art, she has been in the U.S. since 2012. During this time, she has held roles in early childhood education and administration, showcasing expertise in data analysis, project management, and community development. Ms. Lee’s dedication extends beyond work to community-driven initiatives. She balances family life with biking, hiking, cooking, and painting with her two young boys.

Ms. Lewis was born and raised in Queens, New York. She received her B.S. in Liberal Arts from Excelsior University and her M.A. in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her career in college admissions and student services spans five states and nearly a dozen colleges, including the University of San Francisco, University of Colorado, Boulder, and Pace University in New York City, where she most recently worked as a Career Counselor. Ms. Lewis is excited to join the College Counseling team and looks forward to helping students and parents navigate the college admissions journey. When she is not reviewing essay drafts or advising students, Ms. Lewis can be found exploring her new environs in northern Virginia.

Ms. Marcus brings a background in both Early Childhood Education and Special Education to BASIS Independent McLean, having worked extensively both in the classroom and in administrative roles. After graduating from Virginia Tech, she began her career as a lead teacher at the Virginia Tech Child Development Center of Learning and Research. Following this, she transitioned to Northern Virginia, where she gained experience on the administrative side of another local school. However, it was at BASIS Independent McLean that she discovered her passion for placing exceptional students in outstanding educational environments.

Since joining BIM in 2021, Ms. Marcus has held various roles, initially serving as the Admissions Coordinator and then as the Auxiliary Manager. This year, she returns to admissions as the Associate Director of Admissions and is eager to connect with and welcome incoming families.