Robert Atkinson
Facilities Technician
Began at CAIS 2024
Stephen Bajc
Director of Finance and Operations
s_bajc@cais.org
Began at CAIS in 2017
Ally Beard
Third Grade English Lead Teacher
Began at CAIS 2024
Ally Beard is a lover of live music, movement, travel, food, nature, and drumming. Currently, she is diving into martial arts and continuously practicing her boxing skills. She recently graduated with a Master’s degree and California teaching credential from the BATTI program. She is passionate about evolving in pedagogy and educational leadership. Fostering a love for learning, nurturing creativity, and instilling a growth mindset in her students is her passion!
Amelia Bell
Second/Third Grade Lead English Teacher
- ME through the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute
- BA in Spanish Literature, Carleton College
Began at CAIS in 2018
Ms. Bell brings experience with differentiation to support students’ learning styles, and her ability to implement our Responsive Classroom and Social Thinking frameworks in the classroom supports students’ social-emotional learning. Ms. Bell holds a Bachelor’s in Spanish Literature from Carleton College and received her Master’s in Education through the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI). A linguist herself, Ms. Bell has near-native fluency in Spanish.
Jeffrey Bissell
Head of School
headofschool@cais.org
- Ph.D. in Chinese Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin
- MA in Chinese Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin
- BA in History, Lawrence University
Began at CAIS in 2010
Head of School Jeff Bissell came to CAIS after 11 years as Director of School Year Abroad in Beijing, China. Prior to that he served as Adjunct Professor of Chinese Language at Marquette University and teacher at Shenyang University of Technology in Liaonin Province, China; Nicolet High School in Milwaukee, WI; and Waupun High School in Waupun, WI. Dr. Bissell currently serves on the boards of the California Teacher Development Collaborative; Keystone Academy in Beijing, China; Chinese Early Language Immersion Network at Asia Society (CELIN); and the 1990 Institute. Past board service includes The Mandarin Institute, Western Academy of Beijing and the JUMP! Foundation.
He was named to the task force for the 1 Million Strong initiative spearheaded by Presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping to expand to 1 million the number of US K-12 students studying Mandarin by 2020.
HONORS AND AWARDS
THE ASIANWEEK FOUNDATION, ASIAN HERITAGE STREET CELEBRATION SCHOOL AWARD, 2012 For dedication, excellence and achievement in promoting cross cultural diversity
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, FULBRIGHT FELLOWSHIP, 1994-1995 For doctoral research in Taipei, Taiwan
US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES (FLAS) FELLOWSHIP, 1993-1994 For doctoral research
US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, FLAS FELLOWSHIP, 1993 For graduate studies
US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FLAS FELLOWSHIP, 1993 For intensive summer session Japanese study
COMMITTEE ON INTERCOLLEGIATE COOPERATION FELLOWSHIP 1992 For intensive summer session Japanese study
US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, FLAS FELLOWSHIP, 1991-1992 For graduate studies
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY 清华大学, Beijing China
Senior Scholar Program at Inter-University Program (IUP) for Chinese Language Studies, Summer 2014
LIAONING NORMAL UNIVERSITY 辽宁师范大学, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China Advanced Chinese language studies, 1989
Joshua Brinn
Sixth Grade Math and Science Teacher
Began at CAIS 2024
After 15 years abroad, including 8 years in China, Sixth Grade Math and Science Teacher Joshua Brinn and his family are thrilled to repatriate to the USA. Professionally, he specializes in inquiry-based learning and individualized learning paths, aiming to inspire curiosity and a love for learning in my students.
His family will also be part of the CAIS community—his two children join as students, and his partner, Ginger Harper, will be the new K-4 counselor.
In his free time, he enjoys hiking, golf, and squash.
Cristina Calcagno
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development (English)
- M.A. and Teaching Certificate, Wayne State University
- B.A.in Psychology and English/Creative Writing, Kalamazoo College
- Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development Certificate, Stanford University
Lalo Cervantes
Director of Facilities and Operations
Began at CAIS 2024
Lalo is a passionate and accomplished Facilities and Social Enterprise Business leader with a Master’s Degree in Construction Management with a Facilities Concentration. His previous experience includes both profit-centered business enterprise operations and cost-centered facility operations with the supervision of up to 110 employees. As a facilities leader, Lalo has over 15 years expertise in all facets of integrated facilities management including capital projects, preventative maintenance programing, environmental services programing, and facilities operations programing.
Chiung-Wen (Wen) Chang
Mandarin World Language Pathway Teacher
BEGAN AT CAIS 2008
Celebrating 15 years at CAIS, Chang Laoshi has served the school in a variety of roles, most recently as Fourth Grade Chinese Lead Teacher and Chinese Language Support Teacher, a position she pioneered. She brings that spirit to her new role as our inaugural Mandarin World Language Pathway teacher.
A certified Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) assessor, she is delighted to bring her deep knowledge of second language acquisition to the classroom. Known for her warm nature and enthusiastic commitment to all things differentiation, Chang Laoshi also brings the unique perspective of having worked with CAIS students and teachers across K-8, showcasing a strong understanding of where students are coming from and where they are headed next.
Elaine Chang
Director of Admission and Enrollment Management
admission@cais.org | 415-865-6084
- M.A. in Gifted Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
- M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching, Teachers College, Columbia University
Began at CAIS in 2021
Having served as CAIS Preschool Chinese lead teacher, Elaine Chang has now moved into the newly expanded role of Director of Admission and Enrollment Management.
Born and raised in Taiwan, she earned an M.A. in Gifted Education and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. Elaine has been teaching various subjects to students at different ages with diverse backgrounds for 14 years. She enjoys learning and growing with her students by having group discussions, one-on-one sessions and hands-on activities. Prior to joining CAIS this fall, Elaine taught kindergarten at Avenues: The World School in New York City for five years. She also worked at Hollingworth Preschool and HudsonWay Immersion School in NYC and Shu Ren International School in Berkeley, California. In her spare time, Elaine enjoys drawing animals, painting, cooking and spending time with her family.