ISW is delighted to announce that we have hired the following outstanding faculty members for the 2021-22 school year.
ALL SCHOOL:
Deborah Balcom will be serving as ISW’s Director of Performing Arts, Creative Director for Huzzah Theater Company, and Director of College Guidance. Debbie holds a BS in Opera from Nazareth College and a Masters of Music in Opera Performance from Northwestern University. After performing in both the Michigan and Virginia Operas, Debbie embarked on a career in music education. Debbie has more than 15 years teaching experience in independent schools and at the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. Over her tenure as a faculty member, she has taught choral music, piano, acting, and directing. She has directed numerous musicals and is looking forward to working with Huzzah. Debbie has also mentored a generation of high school students (including her own daughter) through the college process, and she is delighted to make that role formal as ISW’s Director of College Guidance.
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Joy Kinsey will be teaching Middle School Science. Joy holds a BS and an MBA from National Louis University as well as a Masters in Secondary Education from Shenandoah University. She has more than a decade’s experience in independent and public schools, where she has served as an administrator and a teacher. She also homeschooled her son through middle school. In addition to a career in the business world, she has taught science, math, computer literacy, computer information systems, and business.
Joy Kinsey will be teaching Middle School Science. Joy holds a BS and an MBA from National Louis University as well as a Masters in Secondary Education from Shenandoah University. She has more than a decade’s experience in independent and public schools, where she has served as an administrator and a teacher. She also homeschooled her son through middle school. In addition to a career in the business world, she has taught science, math, computer literacy, computer information systems, and business.
HIGH SCHOOL
Dr. Jeff Bass will be teaching AP and college-prep US History. After a two year hiatus, Jeff Bass returns to ISW. A retired Lieutenant in the Navy, Dr. Bass has taught at the university level at the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University (where he earned the Outstanding Faculty Award), and Arizona State University. Jeff currently works for the College Board where he assists AP US teachers with course design and serves as an AP Exam grader. Jeff holds a BA from UVA and an MA and PhD in History from the University of Connecticut.
Elizabeth Manning will be teaching Chemistry and STEM. Elizabeth holds a BS in Science from the University of Dallas and an MA from Johns Hopkins University. Most recently, she taught a variety of subjects in a progressive independent school setting for six years. Elizabeth began her science career in genetic research at the University of North Texas and UT Austin. She then worked as a journalist and editor with a focus on science. Her articles appeared in The Economist and New Scientist among other publications. She also served as an editor with UPI, where she was Deputy International Editor during the 9/11 attacks. She continues her career in freelance science writing.
Mark Myavec will be teaching Calculus remotely. Mark will also be conducting a two-day SAT Prep workshop (in-person) at the start of the school year. Mark holds a BA in Mathematics and Urban Studies from Washington University with significant graduate work toward a Masters of Art in Teaching at Wayne State University. Mark began his career as an urban planner. He also has more than twenty years experience teaching and tutoring math in independent school settings. He has a special interest in diversity and inclusivity work.