FOUNDING HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dr. Claire McDonald holds a BA in political science and economics from the College of William and Mary and an MA and a PhD in economics from the University of Massachusetts. Claire has worked in and taught history and economics in private schools, community colleges, and universities for more than 25 years, and she has held major administrative posts in private schools for many years. She and her husband Bob are the proud parents of three ISW alums–Ming ’18, Elizabeth ’20, and Liana ’23.

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL AND DEAN OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Laura Viner holds a BA in French with a minor in Elementary Education from Rutgers University. She also earned an MA in Elementary Education from Georgian Court College in New Jersey. Laura holds New Jersey and Virginia teacher certifications and has taught elementary school and computer classes for children. She volunteers as a Hebrew teacher for the children of Beth El Congregation.

DEAN OF THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Crista Warniment, MD is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician who earned her medical degree at Texas A&M and completed her residency, including serving as Chief Resident, at the University of Virginia. She was then appointed Associate Program Director for the Family Medicine Residency Program and Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at UVA. She has worked in private practice for many years. Crista has embraced a second career in teaching–making the most of her science background–and working with students as their dean. She is the proud parent of an ISW student.

TEACHING STAFF

Elementary Program:

Jinhee Choi (UE Paraprofessional, Kindergarten Art) works in the elementary program assisting teachers and administrators. She also teaches Kindergarten Art and assists with the Performing Arts program. Jinhee has worked as a paraprofessional all over the world. She holds a Bachelor’s in Theology from Hyup-Sung University, a Master’s degree in Music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a Master’s degree in Education from Concordia University.

Erin Foster (Elementary Art)  studied theater and education at University of Mary Washington. She has taught in a variety of settings from Orchard House Middle School in Richmond to The Faison Center. She has also worked as teaching staff with ISW’s Huzzah Theater and Young Actors Academy programs. 

Joette Orndorff (Director of Performing Arts) holds a BA in Acting and Theatre Production from Liberty University. She has a decade of drama teaching experience in independent and public schools as well as summer programs, including the Young Performers’ Workshop at Wayside Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Traveling Players Ensemble, and Winchester Little Theatre’s WLT for Kids. She also taught English in Korea for several years.

Jennifer Ratcliffe (Upper Elementary) has more than twenty years’ experience teaching students of all ages. Jen holds a BFA in Theater Arts/Acting from the University of Florida. She has completed more than 50 hours of education classes and training post-baccalaureate, and she holds a Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. 

Kerry Silva (Kindergarten) holds a BFA from Shenandoah University and a certification from Ulyanovsk State University in Russia. She taught pre-kindergarten at the Winchester Medical Center Day Care Center, where she worked for 15 years. She has also taught ballet, modern, and jazz dance for 11 years at the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy and has been Director of Ballet at Rhythm Studio since 2013.  

Laura Viner (Lower Elementary) holds a BA in French with a minor in Elementary Education from Rutgers University. She also earned an MA in Elementary Education from Georgian Court College in New Jersey. Laura earned New Jersey and Virginia teacher certifications and has taught elementary school and computer classes for children. She volunteers as a Hebrew teacher for the children of Beth El Congregation. 

Dr. Nan Volinsky (Elementary Spanish, LE Science) holds a PhD and an MA in Cultural Anthropology with a specialization in the Ethnomusicology of the Andean region from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a BA in Anthropology and Music Theory/History with a minor in Spanish from Indiana University, Bloomington. She has more than 20 years teaching experience in  many settings, including public school and independent schools as well as the university level. Dr. Nan’s teaching style is highly interactive and makes use of many modalities–making learning Spanish and Science fun and exciting! 

Middle School and High School : 

Nicki de Medici (Middle and High School Spanish) holds a BS in Spanish from Georgetown University and an MA in European History from American University. She has taught both Spanish and Italian at the high school and university levels. She also served as translator and editor for Civiltà della Tavola, an Italian magazine. Nicki is passionate about community involvement and has served on many boards, including the Shenandoah Arts Council, the Virginia Commission for the Arts as a grant panelist, and the Winchester Education Foundation. She is the grandparent of two ISW students. 

Dayle Disque (Middle and High School Math) is a highly successful teacher of mathematics who has taught locally for 30 years. Dayle holds a BA in Secondary Math Education from Shepherd University, and she has a special interest in technology.

Erin Foster (Middle and High School Art)  studied theater and education at University of Mary Washington. She has taught in a variety of settings from Orchard House Middle School in Richmond to The Faison Center. She has also been a teaching staff member for ISW’s Huzzah Theater and Young Actors Academy program. 

Julie Foster (High School English)  has taught locally for 24 years. Julie holds a BA in English, History, and Secondary Education from Longwood University. She brings a true love of the arts to ISW–from a passion for literature to many years experience working in school and community theater.

Bob McDonald (High School Social Sciences) holds a BBA in business from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Masters in Liberal Studies from Loyola University in Baltimore. He taught for two years in Baltimore City Schools, and then moved to the History Department at Cranbrook Schools in Michigan, where he was appointed Chair of the History Department. Bob currently works in the educational technology field. He is the proud parent of three ISW graduates–Ming ’18, Elizabeth ’20, and Liana ’23.

Claire McDonald, PhD (High School Social Sciences) holds a BA in political science and economics from the College of William and Mary and an MA and a PhD in economics from the University of Massachusetts. Claire has worked in and taught history, government, and economics in private schools, community colleges, and universities for more than 25 years, and she has held major administrative posts in private schools for many years. She is the proud parent of three ISW graduates–Ming ’18, Elizabeth ’20, and Liana ’23.

Joette Orndorff (Director of Performing Arts, Huzzah) holds a BA in Acting and Theatre Production from Liberty University. She has a decade of drama teaching experience in independent and public schools as well as summer programs, including the Young Performers’ Workshop at Wayside Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Traveling Players Ensemble, and Winchester Little Theatre’s WLT for Kids. She also taught English in Korea for several years.

Jay Viner (Middle School Science) holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma–one in mathematics and statistics and one in math education. He has devoted his professional career to Federal Aviation Administration, and  has a lifetime of hands-on experience working in a STEM field. Jay has also taught science in ISW’s Upper Elementary program and math in ISW’s High School program. 

Dr. Nan Volinsky (Middle School Humanities) holds a PhD and an MA in Cultural Anthropology with a specialization in the Ethnomusicology of the Andean region from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a BA in Anthropology and Music Theory/History with a minor in Spanish from Indiana University, Bloomington. She has more than 20 years teaching experience in  many settings, including public school and independent schools as well as the university level.  

Crista Warniment, MD (High School Science and STEAM, Middle and High School Health) is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician who earned her medical degree at Texas A&M and completed her residency including serving as Chief Resident at the University of Virginia. She was then appointed Associate Program Director for the Family Medicine Residency Program and Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at UVA. She has worked in private practice for many years. As a doctor, a teacher with many years experience, and a proud ISW parent, she is delighted to share her extensive knowledge of science and medicine with ISW high school students.