Faculty & Staff

Kise, Emily

Principal, Instructor

• Fine Arts teacher

• B.A. in Mathematics from SUNY Empire

• Associates degree from SUNY Orange with a concentration in English Literature

• Fluent in Japanese

Swarts, Frederick

Academic Dean

• Ph.D. in Biology & Education from the Graduate School of the Union Institute; M.S. in Zoology from Pennsylvania State University; B.S. in Biology from Bucknell University (Phi Beta Kappa graduate)

• Associate Adjunct Professor of Sustainable Development, University of Bridgeport

• Member, Central Institutional Review Board of the United States Department of Energy

• Life Sciences Editor, New World Encyclopedia (author of 1,300 articles)

• Author or co-author of over two-dozen scholarly books and journal articles

Barrantes, Héctor

Instructor

• Spanish and Character Ed teacher

• English-Spanish Translator for High Noon Latin America

Corley, Nikolai

Instructor

• English, Computer, and Film Study Teacher

• B.A. in International and Political Economy and Diplomacy from the University of Bridgeport, with a double minor in Communications and Critical languages

• Fluent in Russian

Evans, Matt

Executive Producer of the Drama Program

• Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia

• Spent 2.5 years in Korea

• Earned 1st place in local volleyball tournament as setter

• Enjoys volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and table tennis

Kingsley, Daniel

Director of Admissions

• Summa Cum Laude graduate of Rider University with a B.A. in Communication Studies

• Former Rider University Live Sports Reporter, member of Rider University Frisbee Team, Improv Actor for JW Actors Studio, and Radio Host on 107.7 The Bronc

• Member of Iceland and Proskate Adult Hockey A Leagues

• Led Community Renewal Project in Rwanda

Kingsley, Simon

International Admissions Coordinator

• Master of Education in Elementary Education, with Middle School Mathematics Certification from Rutgers University

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University

Kise, Matt

Assistant Dean for Discipline, Instructor

• History Teacher and Physical Education/Sports Activity Teacher

• Advisor for the Fishing Club

• Graduated with B.A. in Human Services from SUNY Empire

• Black Belt in Goguru Karate

• Recruited for D1 Lacrosse in College

Elizabeth LaGrotteria

LaGrotteria, Elizabeth

Instructor

• Science teacher, Head of BIA Science Department and Student Life Coordinator

• B.S. degree in Biology from Montclair State University

• Holds P–12 teaching certification and a minor in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University

• Graduate of BIA, where she was valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, President of Student Council, and completed more than 600 hours of community service

• Attended a Korean middle school, where she lived away from her family and completed all classes in Korean without accommodations

• Six years of teaching experience in public and private schools

• Master of Peace Studies graduate student at HJI

Maddox, Elijah

Instructor

• ELL English, ELL History, and Music teacher

• B.A. degree in History from University of Washington

Miyazaki, Seiya

Instructor

• Mathematics teacher

• M.S. in Education from the University of Bridgeport

• B.S. in History from the University of Florida

• Completed Full-Stack Web Development Program at Columbia University

• [miyazaki_teaching_experience]

Okon, Sasha

Instructor

• Psychology, Health, and Korean teacher

• B.A. degree in Psychology from Montclair State University

Jinnifer Perkins

Perkins, Jennifer

School Counselor, Instructor

• Physical Education and College and Careers teacher

• M.S., Counselor Education, Western Connecticut State University

• B.T., Animal Science: Equine, State University of New York at Cobleskill

Sallah, Pamela

School Nurse

• Over 25 years of nursing experience (including 6 years as a school nurse)

• Completed master’s program in Nutrition

• International experience — lived in West Africa, Russia, and Korea

Shima, Ayaka

Systems Coordinator

• M.S. in Education from the University of Bridgeport

• B.S. in Psychology from the University of Bridgeport

• Interned with Danbury Public Schools and Newtown Public Schools

• Worked as a residential counselor at Developmental/Brain Injury Service residences

• 8 years of experience teaching Japanese

• Graduate of BIA

Heungjoo Shin profile picture

Shin, Heungjoo

Director of IT Department, Instructor

• Digital Arts and Publications teacher

• M.S. in Computer Science from Sacred Heart University

• B.S. in Biology from Sun Moon University, where he was valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA

• Designed mobile applications

Swarts, Hudson

Instructor

• English and Drama teacher

• B.S. in Communication from Cornell University; also studied Performing Arts

• Member of Cornell’s branch of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, a Cornell Tradition Fellow, and performed over 800 hours of community service & work experience while at Cornell

• Graduate of BIA where he was President of the National Honor Society