Program Teachers

Greetings! I am the librarian at CIS.  I’m a native San Franciscan and have been teaching for over 25 years. I am a true believer in language immersion education, having witnessed how beneficial such a program can be with my own children. I wish that I had the opportunity to attend a language immersion program while growing up, so that my Chinese would be better!

In addition to my work, I am a busy mom of four. Much of my free time is spent with family - shopping, cooking, and eating! We enjoy walks with our corgi - all around the wonderful neighborhoods that the City has to offer.

I look forward to working with all of you and your children throughout the year.

Hello! I am fortunate to have been teaching Physical Education at CIS as well as Bret Harte Elementary since 2016. It has been rewarding working with the students and families of this incredible community. I believe all should be exposed to physical activity from a young age and I encourage families to stay active outside of school.

Before teaching Physical Education, I worked for a nonprofit school enrichment program called Playworks. To this day, I apply the qualities of this program to how I teach; respect, inclusion, and a healthy lifestyle. Prior to moving to San Francisco in 2013, I grew up in New Jersey playing ice hockey and riding bikes. Since moving here, I picked up the sport of disc golf so you can find me at the course in Golden Gate Park most weekends. When I am not playing there, I am traveling to play new courses or competing in a tournament. This sport has created many friendships and adventures over the years. I am currently at over 450 courses played.

In July of 2022, my wife and I welcomed our daughter into the world! We are learning something new every week and are now professionals at changing diapers. In December of 2023, a little brother will join us! We are hopeful that, one day, these two will get to attend CIS!

Hello!  My name is Denice Kung, and I am the Resource Specialist.  I am excited for the new school year and all the learning and fun ahead!  Born and raised in San Francisco, I attended schools within SFUSD.  I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a minor in Education and a teaching credential from San Francisco State University, where I also completed a Master of Arts in Special Education.

I believe every student learns in their own unique way.  My goal is to find creative and meaningful ways to support each student so they can grow, succeed, and feel confident in their learning.  Additionally, being part of our Cantonese immersion community motivates me to brush up on my Cantonese so that I can better connect with our students and families.

When I am not at school, you will likely find me with a boba in hand, soaking up the sun, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures!

Hello CISDA community, my name is Liz Harvey and I am the Instrumental Music Teacher! I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, but San Francisco has been home since January 2024. I received my Bachelor's degree from Central Washington University where I double majored in Music Education and Oboe Performance with a minor in Special Education. While I was still living in the Seattle area, I taught general elementary music in the Puyallup School District and was a substitute oboist for several small orchestras across Washington state. After moving to San Francisco, I substitute taught all grades and all subjects for SFUSD. I am so happy to be back doing what I love: helping students grow academically and personally through music. In addition to CISDA, this year I will also be teaching music at Starr King Elementary, the San Francisco Public Montessori, and New Traditions Elementary School. 

When I am not making music with my awesome students, I am a graduate student at San Francisco State University where I am working toward my Master’s degree in Special Education. I also love crocheting, crafting, walks through Golden Gate Park, and watching as many movies as I can.

Hi, my name is Angela Applin, and I am the Ceramics and Visual Arts Teacher at CISDA.

I received a B.S. in Economics and a B.F.A. in Fine Arts degrees from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In addition, I have a B.F.A. in Design from Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles.  I started my career working in the creative fashion industry in New York. I came to San Francisco to work in start-up apparel companies, where, as a Product Developer, I was involved in creating concepts and seeing them through production

Many years later, I went into teaching where I received my Multiple Subject and Single Subject credential in Art from San Francisco State University. I enjoy teaching students and encouraging them to creatively problem solve. Art is a wonderful way for students to express themselves through art. It allows students to relax and to be more mindful and present in their lives. I especially enjoy working with my hands and love teaching students to do the same.

In my free time, I paint using oil on canvas painting. As a member of ArtSpan, I participate in the yearly art show. When I am not painting or teaching, I enjoy working in my garden, cooking for my family, and restoring an 1874 Queens Ann Victorian. I love traveling around the world to learn new ways to teach art and ceramics. I’ve visited Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico, in 2019, India in 2024,  and Lima, Peru in 2025, to learn traditional ways of making ceramics and pottery.

I am a native San Franciscan and a proud graduate of SFUSD. I have two bachelor's degrees from the University of Arizona, in Elementary Education and Italian. I also earned my masters degree in Educational Organization and Leadership from USF. This will be my 25th year in education! During my career, I have taught 2nd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade Science, 7th grade Math & Science, 8th grade Math, and even been a principal for a few years! However, my first true love has always been dance, and I am very honored and excited to share the joy of dance with everyone!  Besides work, my favorite hobbies are DANCING, hiking, traveling, reading, camping, and spending time with my loved ones.

Having been born and raised in San Francisco and attending K-12 in SFUSD, it is such a pleasure to now teach media arts at CIS!   I have worn many hats in SFUSD, teaching technology, STEAM, Computer Science, Media Arts and Visual Arts. Having studied at American University in Washington D.C., completed my B.A. in Information Arts and Conceptual Design at San Francisco State University and a teaching credential was earned at New College of California.  

I am trained in Design Thinking from Stanford d.school, technology integration at MERIT’s Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College and studied this summer at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education Summer Institute, Project Zero.  Additionally, I was graced with a 1 year sabbatical to explore makers and makerspaces globally, having traveled, to now, 39 countries. 

For fun I like to go to Makerfaires, travel extensively, enjoy all kinds of arts events, cook fancy meals, make art, and am a proud member of the SF Film Society. 

Naomi Eve Asrir (she/her), Food and Garden Educator from Community Grows, is a seasoned garden educator and San Francisco native who brings a wealth of experience from her work with the Mill Valley Children's Garden, Walker Creek Ranch, and adventures from Chilean Patagonia to Yosemite National Park. She believes that early and intimate experiences in nature are critical for future generations to feel empowered and hopeful about creating change. Naomi is thrilled to continue CommunityGrows' mission of cultivating healthy youth through garden education as the new Food and Garden Educator at the Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila Elementary.

Fun Fact: Naomi is passionate about emergency medicine and has been a Wilderness First Responder since 2018—she once relocated a first-time shoulder dislocation in the Yosemite Wilderness!