Our Staff
Join Our Team
We are looking for friendly, energetic, and passionate people who loves to work with children. If you are looking for a unique summer experience, and want to spend a portion of your summer time to be an inspiration for our future generation, apply now and join our team!
Position available: Qualified instructor, assistant, and general helper
Monica Ku
Founder, Camp Director
Our founder and camp director Monica Ku has been passionate about education for as long as she could remember. After the birth of her daughter, her interest in education was re-ignited, so much so that she decided to take a career change into education. She is now a certified Montessori Early Childhood teacher with the American Montessori Society.
Ms. Ku believes that every child has their own unique potential, and their potentials are limitless. One of the best ways to learn is in a fun environment where learning is engaging, without pressure, and sparks children’s curiosity. Hence, Camp Curio was born. She wishes to bring fun into leaning for all children where they will emerge with more knowledge and confidence. Ms. Ku is currently the director of the Early Montessori Program at Canyon Heights Academy.
When not teaching, Ms. Ku enjoys spending time with her family, thinking about ways to make cool experiments, and creating new things. She is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and is now learning Spanish on her free time.
> American Montessori Society certified
> California Child Abuse Mandated Reporter certified
> Children Safe Environment certified
> Location: Canyon Heights Academy (Campbell)
Jiwon Kim
Co-Owner, Camp Director
Ms. Kim is a bona-fide scientist. She graduated from Purdue University with distinction in Biology and received Purdue Charles C. Chappelle Fellowship for post-secondary studies.
Ms. Kim taught first-year biology lab at Purdue and was part of developing K-12 integrated engineering science curriculum NSF project. She received her teaching credential in Science, Math, and Russian for K-12.
Her hobby is learning languages. Ms. Kim speaks Russian, Korean, English, and a little bit of Chinese.
American Red Cross CPR certified <
California Child Abuse Mandated Reporter certified <
Children Safe Environment certified <
Location: Imagination Lab School (Palo Alto) <
Adelina Hernandez
Instructor
Adelina is a rising senior student at Santa Clara University where she is working towards a BS in Physics. As President of the Women in Physics Club, her area of interests included astronomy and astrophysics.
She currently works as a teaching assistant for an Intro to Astronomy lab and hopes to work with astronomical instrumentation in the future.
Adelina is also President of SCU Women’s Rugby and enjoys swimming and biking in her free time.
Adelina has experience working with children as a water polo coach, swim instructor, and recreation aide for a childcare program.
> Location: Imagination Lab School (Palo Alto)
Ariana Lerena Riofrio
Instructor
Ariana is a rising sophomore at the Santa Clara University. She is a current Physics Major.
Ariana loves spending time outdoors, especially by hiking or going to the beach.
She also loves to cook and dance.
Location: Canyon Heights Academy (Campbell) <
Cristian Arriaga
Instructor
Cristian Arriaga is the PE Learning Guide and Extended Day Director at ILS. He believes that learning never stops, and is always looking to build and grow his understanding of the world and how it works! He believes that learning should be an adventure filled with fun!
Cristian has 6+ years of hands-on experience working with kids of all ages. As a highly enthusiastic and encouraging coach and instructor, he is passionate about catering to the whole child. He believes not only in education through fitness but also through social emotional learning as well. His background in physical education began as a youth wrestling coach for many years, where he became a USA Bronze certified coach. His journey as a coach led him to pursue a career in education, where he held a position as a head instructor of the ILS Physical Education program.
He believes that through physical education and play children can build confidence, independence, leadership and a strong sense of self. Christian is an enthusiastic educator who believes that students should have an individual voice and choice, by promoting student agency. He enjoys teaching physical education, and believes that it is essential to a child’s overall education. His goal as an instructor is to promote learning by exposing students to a variety of activities in the hopes that they will find something they enjoy. His ultimate goal is creating a positive learning environment where students can feel successful and have fun all while learning something new.
Christian enjoys being active and being outdoors. When not working, he spends time with his goodest dog, CA$H, taking long walks and playing fetch. He also enjoys going to the gym, trying to find new and different ways to stay active and fit. Before his journey in education, Christian coached a youth wrestling program, and he currently volunteers and trains from time to time. He really enjoys traveling and exploring new places, trying good food, and spending time with his family and friends.
> Location: Imagination Lab School (Palo Alto)
Elizabeth Soares
Instructor
Born and raised in San Jose, Mrs. Soares has a masters degree in Comparative Literature with a Minor in Creative Writing. She has been teaching Language Arts for fourteen years across many grade levels. She believes that creativity and hands-on exploration are the pillars for learning – not just in a liberal arts setting but in STEAM classes as well. In fact, being creative, expressive, analytical, and innovative are important skills to develop across all subject areas.
A mother of 2 boys, Mrs. Soares enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Her favorite activities include baking, running, hiking, camping, exploring new trails, reading, and – most recently – painting with watercolor and hand sewing creatures out of felt.
American Red Cross CPR certified <
California Child Abuse Mandated Reporter certified <
Children Safe Environment certified <
Location: Canyon Heights Academy (Campbell) <
Matthew Wong
Instructor
Matthew is a recent graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in physics.
He loves science and sharing this passion with everyone.
In his free time, he enjoys surfing, playing sports, and laying on the couch.
> Location: Canyon Heights Academy (Campbell)
Michelle Wong
Instructor
Mrs. Wong holds BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and UCLA respectively.
She worked in the semiconductor and telecommunications industries for 10 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom.
Currently a catechist in the Catechesis of Good Shepherd, Mrs. Wong delights in working with children and making materials
for the Atrium environment. She also enjoys coaching teenage girls in the Challenge Catholic girls club.
A mother of three, (ages 20, 18 and 14) Mrs. Wong treasures time with her family,
whether it’s cooking together or playing board games. On her own, she has fun learning Wushu (Chinese martial arts).
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Levels I, II and III certified <
Children Safe Environment certified <
Speaks fluent Cantonese and some Mandarin <
Location: Canyon Heights Academy (Campbell) <
Josh Wong
Instructor Assistant
Josh is an undergraduate student at Saint Louis University studying Physical Therapy.
He graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in 2022 and Canyon Heights Academy in 2018.
Josh enjoys learning new things and furthering his knowledge.
In his free time, he enjoys playing sports like volleyball and swimming, listening to music, and building Gundam action figures.
> Children Safe Environment certified
> Location: Canyon Heights Academy (Campbell)