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, 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 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.
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.
CONSULTING SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Stephanie McKinley holds a BA and an MSW from Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is both a practicing licensed clinical social worker and a certified yoga instructor. She taught physical education and health at ISW for several year.
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.
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.
Sarah Armstrong Rhodes (Elementary Art/PE/Health/Performing Arts) holds an Associate’s degree from Laurel Ridge Community College and is a TCRG-certified teacher. She is the owner of Armstrong Irish Dance Academy, which she founded in 2016, and she has more than 15 years teaching experience in a variety of settings.
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.
Middle School and High School:
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 works as a teaching staff member for ISW’s Huzzah Theater and Young Actors Academy program.
Julie Foster (High School English) holds a BA in English, History, and Secondary Education from Longwood University. She has taught locally for more than 20 years. 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.
Alexandra Hoxton Glover (Middle School Humanities and Advisor) holds a BA in Psychology from James Madison University and an MEd from West Virginia University. With a personal background in independent schools, Ali has a decade of teaching and administrative experience in public schools, including several years teaching English and history at the middle school level.
SheRae Hunter (Middle School Science) holds a BA in Biology from James Madison University and an MS in Microbiology from the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks. SheRae has worked for several years as an investigative scientist and a microbiologist, and she has taught students of all ages in a number of settings, including at the college level and at Winchester’s own Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum.
Emily Linniman (Middle/High School Math) holds a BA in Computer Science with a Math Minor from the University of Washington Tacoma and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University. She has eight years of experience teaching in independent schools both in-person and online. Emily is known for her ability to explain complex ideas clearly and simply and for her ability to build relationships with students.
Dr. Jessica Long (High School Choir/Band, Music Theory/Appreciation, Huzzah Music Director) holds a BA and an MA in Music from Northwestern State University and a Doctorate in Musical Arts from Shenandoah University. She has many years teaching experience with groups and individuals, and she is currently an adjunct professor of vocal music at Mary Baldwin University. She is a practicing artist who frequently appears on stage, in singing groups, and as a soloist around the area.
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.
Elizabeth McDonald ’20 (High School History, Middle School Spanish) An ISW alumna, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins University with a BA in English and Theater with coursework in both history and Spanish. She taught English, worked with theater, and coached tennis at an independent boarding school for the last two years, and she has many years experience working with ISW’s Young Actors Academy. Elizabeth is pursuing her Master’s Degree through Middlebury College beginning with a summer at Oxford.
Joette Orndorff (Director of Performing Arts, Huzzah) holds a BA in Acting and Theatre Production from Liberty University. She has a more than 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.
Crista Warniment, MD (High School Science, High School Benchmarks, High School Health) is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician who earned her medical degree at Texas A&M and completed her residency 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.