AISC New Faculty Class, 2014

AISC NEW FACULTY CLASS, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS
Joelle Basnight – High School Principal
Joelle Basnight is joining us from the Cairo American College in Cairo,
Egypt where she currently is the High School Principal. She has served
previously as an administrator, counselor and teacher in Ecuador, India,
China and Argentina. Joelle holds a B.Sc. in Honors Biology and History
of Art from the Oxford Brookes and an M.A. in Couseling from Webster
University and another M.A. in Educational Leadership from Lehigh
University. She joins us with her husband, Walter, who will teach high
school social studies and English.
Lori Newman – Elementary School Associate Principal
Lori Newman is joining us from the American School in Japan (ASIJ) where
she has been the Assistant Director of Learning for the past five years.
Prior to this, she taught elementary school at ASIJ, as well as in Venezuela
and Canada. Lori holds a B.Ed. and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
both from the University of Calgary. Lori joins us with her husband, Carl
Knudsen, and two sons, Ben, 13 and Jakob, 12.
Administrative Position Change
Jason Hicks – Secondary (6-12) Associate Principal from Grade 8 Humanities
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS
Dana Mamish – Grade 2
Dana is joining us from the Vientiane International School, Laos, where
she currently teaches kindergarten. Prior to her time in Laos, Dana
taught PK-kindergarten at the Hangzhou International School, China
and Grade 2 at Albuquerque Public Schools. Dana has a B.A. in
Spanish, a B.A. in Fine Art both from the University of Alaska
Anchorage, and an M.A. in Elementary Education from the University
of New Mexico.
Ilona Horchler – French
Ilona is coming to us from the Robert Goddard French Immersion School,
Seabrook, Maryland, where she has taught grades 3 and 2 in French.
Prior to her work in Maryland, Ilona taught English in six different schools
in rural Japan. Ilona holds a B.A. on International Relations from the
University of Toronto and an M.A. in eLearning/Technology education
from the Concordia University. Ilona will be joining us with her 8 year-old son, Christian.
Elementary School Internal Position Change
Lily Clarke – KG Teacher from Elementary Teaching Intern
MIDDLE SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS
Maria Fernanda Latorre – French & Spanish
Fer is joining us from Yangon International School, Yangon, Myanmar
where she currently teaches high school Spanish. Prior to her time in
YIS, Fer served as a long-time language arts teacher for Grades 1
through 3 in Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito. She has a B.A. in
Linguistics from the Pontificia Universidad Carolica Del Ecuador and
an M.A. in Elementary education from the University of Alabama.
Michelle May – Grade 7 Humanities
Michelle is coming to us from the Qingdao #1 International School,
Quingdao, China where she currently teaches grade 5 Humanities.
Michelle also taught at Gaiser Middle School and Sarah J. Anderson
Elementary School both in Vancouver, Washington. Michelle holds a B.A.
in Elementary Education from the Eastern Michigan University and an M.A.
in Education from Lesley University.
Monica Sandifer – French & Spanish
Monica is joining us from the Lincoln Middle School, Portland, Maine where
she teaches French and Spanish. She also taught at Windham High School
in Windham, Maine. Monica holds a B.A. in Science and Social
Communication from the Bolivian Catholic University and a M.A. in Literacy
from the University of Southern Maine.
Middle School Internal Position Change
Andrew Ranson – MS humanities from HS English
HIGH SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS
Cheri Amarna – HS Biology
Cheri joins us from the American Academy AI Mizhar, Dubai, where
she teaches AP Chemistry, AP Biology and General Biology and is
also the Science Department Head. Prior to her time in Dubai, Cheri
taught at American School Foundation, Mexico City and at Applewild
School, Fitchburg, Massachusetts. She served as a research assistant at
the Museum of comparative biology in Harvard University and as a
contract engineer in technology transfer program in NASA-Langley,
Hampton, Virginia. Cheri holds a B.S. in Biology from the State
University, Blacksburg and is pursuing a M.S. in Chemical and Life Sciences from the University
of Maryland, College Park.
Correne Larsen – HS Counselor
Correne is currently working as the Middle School Counselor for Prior
Lake-Savage School District, Prior Lake, Minnesota. Prior to this assignment,
she served as the High School Counselor in Rockford School District and
Platte Canyon School District (Colorado). Correne has a B.A. in Elementary
Education from the Luther College, Decorah, IA and a M.A. in Counselor
Education from the University of Colorado, Denver. Correne will be joining
us with her husband, Todd, who will be teaching HS Economics, and two
children, Henry, 6 and William, 1 ½.
Todd Larsen – HS Economics
Todd is joining us from the Wayzata High School, Plymouth,
Minnesota where he teaches social studies. Prior to Wayzata, Todd
taught at state-side schools in Minnesota and Colorado. Todd has a
B.A. in Social Sciences from St. John’s University, Collegeville,
Minnesota. Todd will be joining us with his wife, Correne, who will be
HS Counselor, and two children, Henry, 6 and William, 1 ½.
Tom Zuzulock – High School English
Tom is joining us from Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana where
he has taught high school English for the past 11 years. He was a
nominee for the Montana Teacher of the Year award in 2006. Tom has
a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame. Tom is married to
Sarah and has two children, Hayden, 9 and Soran, 7.
Walter Basnight – HS Social Studies / English
Walter is coming to us from Cairo American College, Cairo, Egypt where
he currently teaches IB ToK, IB History and Psychology. Prior to his time at
CAC, Walter taught at Lincoln School, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Shanghai
American School, Shanghai, China and American Embassy School, New
Delhi. Walter has a B.A. in History from the University of North Carolina
at Wilmington and M.A. in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University.
Walter is joining us with his wife, Joelle Basnight, our incoming High
School Principal.
High School Internal Position Change
Flor Martin – HS Spanish from MS Spanish
Associate Teacher / Intern Assignments
Our Associate Teacher program will seek to put young or aspiring educators into classrooms
as substitutes, as content area coaches providing guidance and support to students, and as
tutors. Likewise, Associate Teachers will be coaching and/or leading activities throughout the
school year seeking to provide valued leadership while learning the ropes of K-12 school life.
Carlos Faura – HS Associate Teacher
Carlos is presently teaching Spanish at In@Word Center for Languages
here in Chennai. Carlos has been a freelance Spanish teacher in
Barcelona, Spain, in Oslo, Norway and in Cape Town, South Africa. He
has a B.S. in Veterinary Sciences, an M.S. in Animal Medicine, and a
PhD in Microbiology all from the Universitat Autonoma de Barelona.
Carlos will be working with students in grades 9-12.
Lauren Schneider – ES Associate Teacher / Intern
Lauren graduated in 2013 from Colorado College with a B.A. degree in
Sociology and Education. She is presently working as a Math
Achievement Assistant in Pikes Peak Prep Charter School in Colorado
Springs, Colorado. Prior to this assignment, she taught preschool at La
Casita Preschool in Santa Fe, New Mexco. Lauren has been a two-sport
athlete (tennis and volleyball), studied in International Schools in
Singapore and Switzerland. Lauren will be providing support for students
across the elementary grades.
Lindsay Dinsmore – MS Associate Teacher / Intern
Lindsay graduated in the year 2011 from Connecticut College with a B.A.
degree in Biological Sciences. She is presently working as a Learning
Assistant in The British School of Boston in Boston, Massachusetts. She was a
nursery teacher for a year in The British School of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Lindsay can coach Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, and Gymnastics.
Lindsay will be working with students in grades 6-8.

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