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. Laura resides in Winchester with her husband Jay.

TEACHING STAFF

Elementary Program:

Jinhee Choi (UE Paraprofessional, Kindergarten Art) will work in the elementary program assisting teachers and administrators. She will be teaching Kindergarten Art and assisting 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.

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.

Roxie Orndorff (Elementary Art) holds a BS from Averett University. She has been involved in the arts throughout her adult life–from extensive classes at Opus Oaks Studio to many years working with the Winchester Little Theatre. At WLT, Roxie has directed plays, stage managed, and created prop and set designs. She has also directed several shows for WLT for Kids, and she has taught summer classes through Parks and Rec programs. 

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. The owner of  Kids’ Dramatix, Inc,  Jennifer lives in Boyce with her husband and their son, an ISW student.

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.  Kerry and her husband Pablo are the parents of two children, both of whom are ISW students.

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 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. Laura resides in Winchester with her husband Jay.

Crista Warniment, MD (K12 Health) 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 health topics with ISW students.  

 

Middle School and High School : 

Mary Adams-Legge (High School English) holds a BA and an MA in English from the College of William and Mary, and she is ABD in her doctoral work in Education at George Mason University. She also holds a certificate in gifted and talented education from Shenandoah University. Mary is a master teacher with more than 30 years experience teaching at the high school and community college levels. A Board-Certified English teacher, she has taught Advanced Placement as well as dual enrollment classes. As a professional editor, Mary holds a special place in her heart for teaching writing.

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. 

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.

Kathy Fout (Middle School Humanities) has more than 25 years teaching experience in local public schools, where she specialized in World History and US Government and served as a department chair. Kathy holds a BA in History and Political Science from Bridgewater College and an MEd in Education Leadership and Human Development from George Mason University.

Elizabeth Gregg (Middle and High School Art) holds a BS in Geography with a concentration in Environmental Studies and minors in both English and Sociology from Radford University. A true Renaissance woman, she also earned a Masters Degree in Library Science from UNC Chapel Hill. During her more than 15 years as librarian in North Carolina and Virginia, she has taught a multitude of art-focused programs and workshops, worked with teenagers in many settings, and curated several collections. As an artist, she has particular interests in print-making, paper, and sculpture. 

Liam Harrison (High School STEAM: Photography) holds a BA in Fine Art with a focus on Communication Arts and Illustration from VCU. He has taught workshops throughout the community while pursuing a career as a professional artist. He has a special interest in photography and is looking forward to working with our high school students in the coming year.

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. 

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 and her husband Bob are the proud parents 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. 

 

Crista Warniment, MD (High School Science, K12 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.