Star Kids Staff is a group of parents and educators who are dedicated to bringing interactive higher education to children ages 5 - 11. We have come together to create unique programs, lessons and education for children to explore and develop their creativity and their intelligence.

 

Avery J. Lu

 

Avery is a seasoned entrepreneur, business and engineering professional who is passionate about innovation and leadership, and serves as a mentor to Silicon Valley high tech startup companies and youth in the areas of S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math).  His technical and business management experience spans all areas of semiconductors and electronics, including sensors, motors, robotics, coding and machine intelligence.  Avery serves on the Board of Directors for CASPA (Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association), as Chair of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers) Consumer Electronics Society, Santa Clara Valley and on the Board of Directors for the Santa Clara University Alumni Association Board.  He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University and a Marketing Management Certificate from the University of California at Santa Cruz.  Avery is currently working for Star Kids Academy as a technical advisor and robotics instructor.

 

 

 

Supraja Balaji

 

Supraja has been a child enrichment trainer for 4 years and is presently a teacher in an afterschool program. She loves working with children and creating new ideas for kids to create and engage in subject matter. Supraja has designed curriculum and conducted Leadership Programs as well as Communication and Public Speaking programs, theme workshops, storytelling programs, creative and thinking and teamwork workshops as well as summer camp programs. She is an active Project Cornerstone reader to children in public school as well as a RAFT recourse product educator. Supraja uses technology, stories, plays, games, books and hands-on activities in her programs to make the learning fun, engaging, interactive and creative for children. Supraja is currently a curriculum writer and teacher for Star Kids Academy.

 

 

David West

 

David has been working with children for over 18 years. In high school he was a music and theatre major and directed various musicals and plays for elementary students. David was offered scholarships to various colleges for his talent in music. He then went on to study theater and music at Foothills' Theater Arts Conservatory and worked with Children’s Musical Theater of San Jose. David moved to New York for three years to play as a session drummer in Manhattan. In 2002 he returned to California to obtain his Bachelors degree from Humboldt State University in Theater Arts then went on to obtain his certificate in completion from SFSU's Music Recording Industry program. David has always had a passion for electronics like his father and had begun studying and practicing concepts in robotics roughly four years ago. He is currently a teacher in robotics and chess throughout the South Bay Area. Through his love for teaching children, he hopes to bring new inspirations, new venues and new subject matter to kids in the field of education. David serves as a teacher, curriculum writer and educator for children at Star Kids Academy.

 

 

*All employees are thoroughly interviewed, background checked, fingerprinted and tested in the 'field' before hire.