Meet our Instructors
Mathematics Instructors
David Fleager :: dfleager@sileducation.com
Instructor of Mathematics & Economics
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, David moved to California in 1997 to study at Stanford University. While at Stanford, David mentored students at elementary schools throughout East Palo Alto. After graduating with a B.A. in Economics, David began his teaching career at SIL in 2001. David subsequently studied law, and earned a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. After working for several years in the financial sector, David returned to SIL to teach math and economics.
In his spare time, David enjoys anything involving sports, as well as finance and stocks, politics, reading, and spending time with his family.
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Hy Tang :: htang@sileducation.com
Instructor of Mathematics
Hy Tang graduated from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. double-major in Mathematics and Physics, with a minor in History. At Millersville, Hy was an active member and leader in the MU Physics Club and in the Student Senate, serving as a Student Senator and the Recording Secretary. Hy served on a number of student and faculty committees, helping to establish the Shuttle Bus service.
Education has always been of great importance to Hy and his parents and family. Hy was a peer tutor in high school and college, and enjoys teaching students of all ages. Trust, respect, and support are key factors in his outlook on education. He always tries to build a rapport with his students.
In his spare time, Hy enjoys reading and watching science fiction. He is also the sous-chef for our weekly Friday BBQ.
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Jay Weiler :: jweiler@sileducation.com
Instructor of Mathematics & Science
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Jerry Chen :: jchen@sileducation.com
Instructor of Mathematics, Science, Health & Fitness
Jerry Chen was born in Taiwan, attended an english school in Hong Kong, and graduated from an American public high school. With a B.S. in Microbiology from UC Santa Barbara, and with graduate work in Exercise Physiology at San Francisco State University, his educational pursuits have always gravitated toward the health sciences and their applications to everyday life.
Jerry emulates the memorable teachers who have made his own scholastic experience so worthwhile. As he emphasizes the "fun" of learning science and math, Jerry strives to do more than educate: he hopes to inspire.
When he's not teaching at SIL, Jerry considers himself a dominant basketball player (when playing with opponents half his height), a skilled linguist in Mandarin and Japanese (when speaking to those who don't speak it), and a virtuoso piano player (his grandparents tell him he is).
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Michael Murphy :: mmurphy@sileducation.com
Instructor of Mathematics & Science
Michael Murphy hails from Milan, Illinois. He moved to California when he was ten years old, and has embraced life by the Bay. He holds an M.S. in Pure Mathematics from CSU East Bay, and a B.S. in Math Teaching.
He teaches with passionate enthusiasm that is motivating and contagious. When Mike’s not teaching math at SIL, he's working with gifted children on the weekends. To support his teaching, he regularly attends professional workshops on applied behavioral analysis.
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Nick Rocha :: nrocha@sileducation.com
Instructor of Mathematics & Economics
Student Government Advisor
Nick was born in Mountain View, California, and was raised in San Jose. He left the Bay to attend UCLA, where he studied Economics with an emphasis in Accounting. While at UCLA, Nick mentored students at Los Angeles elementary schools through programs such as America Reads and Amigos.
He’s the first person in his family to graduate from a four-year university, and is a role model to students in similar circumstances. As our Student Government Advisor, Nick offers a sense of community and leadership to our part-time and full-time students.
Nick has always centered himself through sport. He attended Piedmont Hills High School, where he wrestled and played golf and hockey. He played hockey at UCLA, and is often on the basketball court or golf course. When he’s not teaching or putting, Nick invests in his family and in the stock market.
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Suzan Pham :: spham@sileducation.com
Mathematics Department Chair
Instructor of Mathematics
Suzan is the Math Department Chair at School for Independent Learners. She graduated from U.C. Irvine with a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in Biological Sciences. At California State University East Bay, Suzan is pursuing an M.S. in Applied Mathematics, with an emphasis in Dynamical Systems and Mathematical Biology.
Suzan wholeheartedly believes in our school's mantra, "One size does not fit all." Empowered by the freedom to individualize instruction for each student, Suzan creates a supportive environment in which students learn to harness their own abilities. In this environment, Suzan helps each student to become more confident, and to better understand the importance of education. Suzan notes, "I'm proud to be much more than a teacher; I am a mentor."
In addition to math, Suzan loves the outdoors and is an avid basketball fan. She has a knack for putting things together and fixing whatever is broken, literally and metaphorically.
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