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
Gabb, Constance
Support Staff
Gabb, Stephen
Support Staff
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
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]
Morales, Juan
Instructor
• Mathematics teacher
Okon, Sasha
Instructor
• Psychology, Health, and Korean teacher
• B.A. degree in Psychology from Montclair State University
Park, June
Support Staff
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
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
Sullivan, Reamonn
Building Manager
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
Yamada, Yumiko
Support Staff