Before coming to Menlo to teach seventh grade history, Cody Carefoot taught social studies at Jordan Middle School in Palo Alto, where he was also a member of the AVID site team, a voluntary team of administrators, counselors, teachers, and others who work together to close the achievement gap and provide college readiness for all students. Additionally, Cody coached basketball and track and field, specifically shot put and discus. Previously, Cody volunteered to teach in a title one school in Oakland and has volunteered as a teacher with incarcerated youth in the Philippines. The oldest of four siblings in a tight-knit family, Cody was born in Mersin, Turkey, and raised in Palo Alto. He earned a BA in social science and a master’s degree in education at St. Mary’s College of California. Outside of school, he enjoys playing basketball, cooking, hiking, reading, traveling, and playing the cello.

Eighth Grade math teacher Michael Giardi was born and raised in New England. He earned his BA at the University of Vermont and a master’s of math education at Cambridge College. Despite his East Coast roots, he began his teaching career in Los Angeles, where he also pursued a career in script writing. After meeting his future wife, Michael moved back east to Boston, where he taught middle school math for 10 years. Michael is excited to be back in California with his wife and sons, Henry (8) and Walter (6), and looks forward to hiking, biking and exploring California with his family.

Before joining Menlo as the eighth grade science teacher, Tri Huynh spent three years teaching seventh and eighth grade STEM at the Town School for Boys in San Francisco where he also served as the outdoor education coordinator, which helped foster a deep love for nature. Tri was also a mentor teacher at the New Teacher Institute and has taught biology and algebra II at the Cornerstone Academy in San Francisco. Tri has an AB in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a Minor in Global Health and Health Policy from Harvard and a master’s in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In his spare time, Tri likes to read, cook, and go on hikes. If you have suggestions for beautiful hiking trails, Tri would love to hear them.

Mary Kelly will teach Middle School Latin this year, having also taught it at Menlo during the fall 2016 semester. Having earned a BA from Bowdoin University and a master’s degree from University of Georgia, Mary has taught Latin and Ancient Greek and language and literature for the last eight years to middle, high school, and undergraduate students. Mary began her teaching career at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware as a Latin and Greek teacher, coach, and dorm parent. Most recently, she taught at San Francisco University High School, where she also served as student leadership coordinator. Mary has also coached swimming and cross country and will assist with cross country at Menlo this year. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys hiking and running, perfecting her pour-over-coffee technique, and exploring art museums—ancient or modern.

After earning a BS in Computer Science from UC San Diego, Middle School computer science teacher Tiffany Liu worked as a computer scientist at a Navy research lab on a user design and interoperability team. She then went to live and teach in South Korea for a year, an experience that inspired her to pursue a master’s degree and a career in education. Since earning an MA in curriculum and instruction from University of the Pacific, she has taught at the Children’s School of La Jolla, the Nueva School, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga and barre, reading, cooking, gaming, traveling, Netflix-ing, and more!

Having lived in two different countries and five different states, sixth grade English teacher Julia Wang is happy to be back in the Bay Area with her family. Julia is a proud alum of the University of Virginia, where she earned a BA in English and a master’s in teaching. She’s been teaching middle school English and humanities since her graduation in 2012 and has taught at the Parish Episcopal School in Dallas, TX, and the Success Academy Charter School in Harlem, NY. Julia is always looking for new and delicious restaurants and cheering for UVA’s basketball team. Go Hoos!

Priscila Schochet plans to join Menlo in October to teach Middle School Spanish. Raised in Monterrey, México, Priscila has always been interested in languages and how people communicate. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in bilingual education at the Instituto Academico De Educacion Superior and began her teaching career at the Instituto Delfos De Monterrey in México. She then moved abroad to teach Middle School Spanish at the American School of Dubai for four years and spent a year teaching Middle School Spanish at the Saigon South International School in Vietnam. Priscila is excited to get settled in the Bay Area with her husband Sean and their dog. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys the art of hula-hoop dance, belly dance, and fitness dance.