Cultivate a Love of Learning

The Future of Early Education

The world needs explorers and inventors. At Element, students don’t just participate – they co-create their learning experiences

True learning begins with self-knowledge and self-motivation. Our students use their spirit of inquiry, grit, and empathy to work with the abstract and make sense of the unknown. Harnessing these innate qualities is a natural outcome of collaboration and ownership in the learning process.

Through hands-on, personalized, and experiential lessons, Element educators facilitate spaces where creativity and diverse perspectives are celebrated. Socratic-style explorations coupled with self-directed activities create dynamic experiences which support young learners as they prepare for a rapidly-changing future.

Kimberly Gonzalez, Director

Kim is a bilingual marine biologist and educator with over a decade of experience designing STEAM programming for students of all ages. She was the science teacher and curriculum creator at top PK-8 East Bay schools, The Academy and Escuela Bilingüe Internacional. More recently, she was the lead content creator for Design Squad Latinx: an NSF-funded engineering program on PBS Learning Media.

Kim brings her experience designing programming at The Seattle Aquarium and the award-winning Marine Science Center at The Harbour School, Hong Kong to Element.

Kim believes that mindfulness and artful expression go hand-in-hand with a brilliant STEM education. She has completed the East Bay Meditation Center’s year-long Practice in Transformative Action training and practiced world dance for over ten years. With this holistic perspective in mind, Kim draws from the best of Socratic, Waldorf, and Montessori approaches to create an inquiry-supportive early childhood environment.

Ching Chang, Curriculum Designer

Ching is a software engineer and entrepreneur with a Master Degree in Computer Science from Boston University. She worked at large tech companies such as Microsoft and Booking.com, and she was also an early employee at a number of San Francisco healthcare and Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups funded by top-tier venture capitalists such as Sequoia and Google Ventures.

Ching is an assistant teacher and a technical advisor to Element’s curriculum. She has designed and taught an AI and robotics curriculum to middle schoolers. She is also an avid cook who designs our menu to include cuisines from around the world.

Ching has completed several 10-day silent meditation retreats and participated in a yoga teacher training. She brings her yoga and mindfulness practice to all aspects of education.

STEAM is for Everyone

Early exposure supports STEM careers

Young people are capable of understanding complex STEM topics! Creative activities such as crafts and dance support this process through developmentally-appropriate fun. Interdisciplinary STEAM programs engage students and foster inclusive, gender-equal environments. Research shows they improve creative thought and emotional intelligence.

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