Stephanie Bunt, the founder of Bunt Early Specialized Teaching (BEST) has worked with children of many different backgrounds
formally
for a decade and informally since she herself was practically a child, babysitting for neighborhood children. She has formulated a top-notch curriculum based on her practical experience as an educator and the extensive theoretical knowledge she gained as a graduate student at U.C.L.A., a top-ranked program in psychology and education in the U.S. News & World Report,
Stephanie's research has found that her programs accelerate children's development of important social skills in language and in math. Her methods enable the children to internalize their education in a natural, fun, and interactive way.
Stephanie Bunt, M.A. Founder/Teacher
Nora Obregon is a Ph.D. candidate at UCLA and studies bilingualism with young children.
She is a native Spanish speaker and focuses on teaching children Spanish in a natural
setting enabling them to internalize the language as if it were their primary language.
She is also a professor at Cal State Los Angeles for early childhood education. Her
master’s thesis focused on the facilitation of a second language through play.
Nora Obregon, M.A. Teacher
Manny Torres received his Bachelor’s Degree at UCSB with an emphasis on early childhood education. He is a native Spanish speaker and has worked with children
of all different backgrounds for many years. Manny not only has experience teaching
children Spanish, but also visual arts, music and dance, math, and writing, and phonics. He loves interacting with children and making the classroom a fun, inventive environment where he enables their creativity to run wild.
Manny Torres, B.A. Teacher
Oscar K. Hsu, M.A. is a graduate from Harvard University and Harvard College with a combined master's and bachelor's degree in Biology, having studied in both the departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Cellular and Developmental Biology, with a specialization in neuroscience. Mr. Hsu graduated Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors, with a Summa Cum Laude thesis, and was a member of the 1992 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team, one of a few members representing Harvard. During his tenure there, Mr. Hsu was a Non-Resident Tutor in Biochemistry at North House, one of the undergraduate dormitories at Harvard. He was also a teacher's assistant to Assistant Professor James Quattrochi, who taught an undergraduate Biology seminar in 3D-Computer Visulization of Neuronal Networks in the Brain. At UCI Medical School, Mr. Hsu also completed classes in improving resident clinical teaching skills.
Oscar K. Hsu, M.A. Teacher
Pip Craighead graduated magna cum laude from CalState Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Film, in addition to taking numerous teaching classes. He has had art in several shows around LA, as well as playing regularly in live bands. Pip has had extensive experience teaching kids from Preschool to High School in all subjects, and loves sharing the joy of art and learning with kids from all age groups. He believes in an open and exciting approach to learning in which both teacher and student take part in the process of creative discovery.
PhilipCraighead, B.A. Teacher
Phoebe Compeau is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a Master's Degree in architecture. She has more than 16 years of formal classical piano training and performance experience with 3 years of piano teaching experience. In China she achieved an 8th level certificate of merit for piano excellence. She enjoys teaching and loves to share the joy of music with her students.
Phoebe Compeau, M.A. Teacher
Julie Pircher has 18 years of teaching and tutoring experience and Bachelor's degree from USC in Interdisciplinary Studies, emphasis in English. Also part of her degree was music studies in piano performance. At Pasadena City College she took additional classes in music as well as art and design. She is a dedicated teacher who will work hard to bring out the best in her students. Her previous classes have covered reading, writing, vocabulary building and history. She has also taught immigrant students life skills, cultural comparison and conversation.
Julie Pircher, B.A. Teacher
Monica Chang was born and raised in Brazil and attended an American school in Sao Paulo since elementary school. After graduating from High School she moved to Paris and lived there for four years. For the last five years she has been taking care of children of almost all ages. Monica has tutored many different children and adults a variety of different languages, taught Sunday school, and helped countless parents in their children's education and well being.
Monica Chang, B.A. Teacher
Ariel is thrilled to work with a new group of budding young actors. She has studied acting with numerous coaches and in various forms; acting for the camera, improvisation, and scene study. Ariel also studied at the prestigious performing arts school, Hamilton Academy of Music. Ariel has performed in theatre productions and festivals. She has taught drama in after school programs to a wide range of ages. Ariel is currently teaching language arts at A.C.I. in the San Gabriel Valley. She earned her B.A. in the field of Psychology with emphasis on creativity, child development, and learning. Ariel's research work has been published in the North American Journal of Psychology.
