Teacher Profiles

Ms. Kreuger

Ms. Krueger is a high school teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA). She began her teaching career in 2012. Ms. Krueger earned a BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and an MA from the University at Buffalo. She also has her teaching credential from the University of California, Irvine. When Ms. Krueger is not teaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, watching movies, running, and swimming. She also loves to volunteer in her community as a Girl Scout leader.

“I am passionate about history and geography and love learning and discussing these topics with students. I enjoy helping struggling students understand something that is difficult or learn new skills. iNaCA students can learn at their own pace and participate in class, or they can listen to lesson recordings, which can boost their confidence. Also, this school community is so special because the teachers and staff are dedicated to student achievement.”
- Ms. Krueger

iNaCA Teacher Profiles

Mr. Agins

Mr. Agins is a high school social studies teacher at iNaCA. He began his teaching career in 2008 and joined iNaCA in 2013. Mr. Agins holds a master’s degree in education with a specialty in reading and mathematics from Walden University. Mr. Agins’ passion in life is traveling the world. He loves loading up his backpack and exploring far-flung regions of the globe. Mr. Agins has been to forty countries in the past five years!

“I became a teacher because I’ve always wanted a job that would allow me to talk about history all day! The benefit of teaching at an online school versus a bricks-and-mortar school is that there’s a lot more one-on-one attention for students—I can give the student my full attention without worrying about the bell ringing! At iNaCA, we have higher standards, which motivate students to go above and beyond. We also have a community of teachers and students who come from all corners of the world. This level of diversity creates a healthy environment of collegiality and collaboration.”
- Mr. Agins

Ms. Schnorr

Ms. Schnorr is an elementary, middle, and high school Spanish teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA). She started her teaching career in 2010 and joined iNaCA in 2016. Ms. Schnorr holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University. When Ms. Schnorr isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and walking her dog in the park.

"I initially knew I wanted to become a teacher when I was helping my sister set up her first classroom at the same time that I was beginning college. She would come home with all these cute stories of her students and I just knew that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. With this being my first year teaching at iNaCA, I love the support that I have received from my wonderful co-workers and manager. Everyone is so kind and friendly. I love the positive atmosphere that I have felt working here thus far! The benefit of teaching online is the fact that I can focus on working with my students on enrichment activities to help them succeed instead of lecturing in a classroom for 40 minutes. With online school, students are actively engaged. iNaCA prepares students for a bright future by personalizing the work for each student. Teachers here really get to know each student that they are teaching and work to help that one individual succeed in the best way possible. The positive environment and success that students have here at iNaCA make it so special! Families love the flexibility and individualization of online education.”
- Ms. Schnorr

Ms. Van Dyken

Ms. Van Dyken is a high school math teacher at iNaCA. She started her teaching career more than thirty years ago and joined iNaCA in 2011. Ms. Van Dyken holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Montana State University and a master’s degree in secondary education from Regis University. When Ms. Van Dyken is not teaching at iNaCA, she is working on a family farm or in her garden, or spinning wool to knit socks.

“I became a teacher because I enjoy mathematics and found that I could explain the material in a way that makes sense. Teaching mathematics is my way of serving society and giving to others. When students understand math, they are unhindered and better prepared to pursue their dreams. Teaching at an online school allows me to focus on the individual student. The iNaCA graduates will have the foundational skills to succeed in college. In addition, the online environment teaches students to become self-starters, while giving them the technology skills to excel in the 21st century. There are various things that make the iNaCA school community so special. For example, the staff feels like a family. We know each other’s interests, share celebrations, and feel each other’s pain and struggles. Additionally, students in an online environment often open up and share more about themselves than they would in a traditional bricks-and-mortar school. Therefore, I often find that I forge closer relationships with my online students than I did in a traditional school. Students in an online environment also have more time to build closer one-to-one relationships with their teachers. I love the variety and excitement that results from our students’ living in so many different countries and participating in a variety of activities. It is a new adventure every single day.”
- Ms. Van Dyken

Mr. Stanwood

Mr. Stanwood is a high school science teacher at iNaCA. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Florida Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in biology from Rutgers University. Mr. Stanwood became a teacher in 2003 and joined iNaCA in 2011. When Mr. Stanwood is not teaching, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping with his wife. He and his wife are also both regular year-round surfers and enjoy practicing yoga.

“I started working on a fishing vessel out of Dutch Harbor as a biologist. Afterwards, I moved onto an assignment with AmeriCorps, where I sampled and reported on stream health. I also performed environmental outreach in schools and for other community groups. I really enjoyed the environmental outreach, so I gave teaching a try. The benefit of teaching at iNaCA is that students are able to own their learning, and are accountable for their decisions to study and work hard. It is inspiring to teach these students and it helps bring out the best in me. Our amazing student body is what makes the school community so special. We have students from all over the world and from many walks of life sharing their experiences in our many clubs and activities. The depth and diversity of these interactions is a remarkable asset when it comes to sharing information and ideas with our Connections Academy global village. I love International Connections Academy because it allows me to teach a variety of subjects to motivate and inspire leaders of tomorrow. Our students are amazing and motivated, and this makes teaching an absolute dream!
- Mr. Stanwood

Ms. Mallia

Ms. Mallia is a middle and high school science teacher at iNaCA. She began her teaching career in 2009 and joined iNaCA in 2012. Ms. Mallia holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in secondary education from Arizona State University. In Ms. Mallia's spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring the outdoors. She also spends time discovering new adventures with her husband, who's a pilot.

"I actually wanted to become a doctor when I graduated college with my bachelor's degree. However, I realized that my true passion was in teaching. I went back to school for my master's while teaching chemistry as an intern at a local brick-and-mortar school in Arizona. I get excited when I teach and I really enjoy watching students learn. The students at iNaCA are great. They are at the center of why teachers do what they do. At iNaCA, our students are curious learners. They enjoy exploring the world around them, not just reading information. I truly enjoy the challenge of being able to teach at an online school. Working for iNaCA has made me a better communicator and teacher because I get the privilege to go above and beyond to show my students that I care about their success. My students want the extraordinary learning experience that our rigorous and challenging curriculum provides. More than that, they meet students from around the world who share in their educational journey, and have teachers who inspire them to develop an amazing curiosity about their world and the treasures it holds!"
- Ms. Mallia

Mr. Calinisan

Mr. Calinisan is a secondary school math and technology teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA). He started his teaching career in 2008 and joined iNaCA in 2009. Mr. Calinisan holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from De La Salle University and a master’s degree from Liberty University. When asked about his teaching career and the benefits of online school, Mr. Calinisan said the following:

“I have life experience in multiple career fields, and I believe that providing students with a world-class education is of utmost importance. I became a teacher because I believe the future of our country rests in our classrooms of today. The benefit of teaching at an online school versus a bricks-and-mortar school is that the data in an online school is unmatched, which means that fewer students fall through the cracks. iNaCA students have a distinct advantage over their bricks-and-mortar peers, namely that they be well equipped to operate in a society that resembles the online environment academically and occupationally by graduation time. At iNaCA, students learn valuable lessons about time management and self-direction—and these lessons are less likely to be taught in the bricks-and-mortar classroom. At its core, the iNaCA school community is special because it allows students and staff to work together in unique ways for the betterment of society.”
- Mr. Calinisan

Ms. Beru

Ms. Beru has been a high school English teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA) since 2017. She started her teaching career in 1999 and has experience teaching at the middle school, high school, and college levels. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Long Island University and a master’s degree from New York University. When Ms. Beru isn't teaching or shuttling her son from one activity to another, she enjoys reading (and rereading) good books.

“Growing up, I had amazing teachers who encouraged my curiosity and fostered a love of learning in me. I became a teacher because I hoped to enrich my students’ lives the same way my teachers did mine. Nothing makes me happier than when my students “wonder” or ask questions. When they do, I know I have their attention and meaningful learning is about to take place. For me, the best part of being a teacher is working directly with students, so I love that as an iNaCA teacher, I spend most of my day providing guidance and instruction. iNaCA is really unique in that its students are empowered to take ownership of their learning, yet they are provided with an abundance of support and encouragement. I would tell prospective parents that the educators at iNaCA are talented and dedicated, and we go the extra mile for every student. With a top-notch curriculum and experienced teachers, our students attain content mastery, but the iNaCA experience also teaches them to think critically, communicate effectively, and be self-directed. Those are skills that will help them achieve success far beyond high school.”
— Ms. Beru

Ms. Browning

Ms. Browning is a teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA). She has more than a decade of teaching experience and joined iNaCA in 2014. Ms. Browning earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in school counseling from Dallas Baptist University. Ms. Browning has a passion for animal welfare and is currently fostering eight tiny kittens. She also enjoys traveling with her husband.

“Initially after graduating from Texas Tech, I worked as a flight attendant. Once I began working in the flight training department, I fell in love with teaching! Shortly after September 11, 2001, I was accepted into an alternative certification program through Tarleton State University called TMATE (Tarleton Model for Accelerated Teacher Education). My first teaching position was middle school reading, and I loved it! Over the course of my career, I have worked with every single grade level. I am certified in five areas. The benefit of being able to work at an online school is the ease of communication! The flexibility allows students to use their time-management skills rather than following a ringing bell. Students can ‘see’ me anytime their schedule allows. iNaCA offers a rigorous curriculum, taught by highly qualified staff who prepare students for their next educational endeavor. This non-traditional school environment teaches independence, self-discipline, and ownership.”
- Ms. Browning

Ms. Wesley

Ms. Wesley is a high school science teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA). She started her teaching career in 2009 and joined iNaCA in 2012. Ms. Wesley holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of New Orleans and a master’s degree in human genetics from Tulane University. In her spare time, Ms. Wesley enjoys visiting the zoo and the aquarium with her family. She also coordinates the children’s program at her church and works with the local Girl Scouts.

“I became a teacher because I have three children and am a big proponent of being a part of the solution, not part of the problem. I want my children to get a good education, so I want to help give a good education to other children, too. At an online school, I can dedicate more time to helping the students learn instead of doing paperwork or dealing with distractions. The school community at iNaCA is so special because we don’t just focus on the academics. We have many activities and events to help students be a part of an international community. Some of the school’s events and clubs are similar to the ones that bricks-and-mortar schools offer [National Honor Society (NHS), other honor societies, Science Fair, and Student Council], but we also have events and clubs that are unique to iNaCA (iSHARE, Around the World in 60 Minutes, and Reader’s Theater). An education at iNaCA not only helps students to learn at their own pace, but it also helps them to be advocates for their own learning. They are taught the facts and the core material that all students learn, as well as how to be responsible for completing their work on time, to ask for help when they need it, and to work with others from different cultures all over the world. I love teaching at iNaCA because I get to help students from all around the world develop a love for science.”
- Ms. Wesley

Ms. Sheinberg

Ms. Sheinberg is an English high school teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA). She started her teaching career more than 29 years ago and joined iNaCA in 2011. Ms. Sheinberg received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. In addition, she earned her secondary teaching credential from the University of Houston and a master of arts degree in English from Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English in Middleburg, Vermont. In Ms. Sheinberg’s spare time, she enjoys going to the movies, watching basketball and classic films such as Citizen Kane, and reading non-fiction. She also loves to go out to dinner with family and friends as often as possible.

“One of the most fantastic summers I ever spent in high school was the summer before my 10th grade year. I was given the opportunity to volunteer with the Head Start program in Houston. When I arrived, I was asked to teach the high school students science and theatre. I was only fifteen and I had to teach students who were either older or the same age as me. That summer was amazing! I loved teaching from that moment, as I found working with students so rewarding and really just so much fun! The benefit of teaching at iNaCA is that the students reside in the United States and throughout the world. Each student brings a unique perspective, and with that perspective, history of their culture. Our students gain valuable collaborative experiences during LiveLesson® sessions, discussions threads on message boards, in their lessons, and through the extra-curricular activities offered. It is truly a global experience! One thing I would tell a prospective parent as he or she is making the decision to enroll a child in iNaCA is that our school is goal oriented and provides a nurturing environment. It will challenge and engage your student academically and provide social opportunities to prepare your student to meet the challenges of the next step in his or her academic journey. The teachers strive to provide amazing synchronous and asynchronous opportunities for learning. Each teacher and administrator is dedicated to the success of your child and providing an exceptional learning experience. The curriculum provides the necessary tools to ensure that the the student is prepared for college, professional opportunities, or the work world when he or she graduates. I love the flexibility the students and teachers have to provide individual attention to each student—I am not tied to only one hour a day to connect with the student! And, I love the fact that I teach students from all over the world! How amazing is that!
— Ms. Sheinberg

Ms. Rogers

Ms. Rogers is a world literature high school teacher at International Connections Academy (iNaCA). She began her teaching career after graduating college in 2010. In 2014, she started teaching at Nevada Connections Academy and then joined iNaCA in 2016. Ms. Rogers earned her bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from the University of Nevada Reno. In her spare time, Ms. Rogers enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.

“When I was in college trying to decide what I wanted to study, I remembered the amazing English teachers I had in high school. They were inspirational because they were so passionate about literature and writing, and it made me passionate about literature and writing too! They had a wonderful way of making learning fun. I wanted to have that same impact on my students, so I decided to follow in their big footprints. As an online teacher, I am able to get to know my students and work with them individually. I love being able to pick up the phone or pop into my LiveLesson room and help a student with grammar or an essay. Attending iNaCA helps prepare students for a bright and successful future through a relevant and rigorous curriculum, effective time-management strategies, and building communication skills. What I love about teaching at iNaCA is the incredible community we have here. Students get so involved through LiveLessons®, clubs, and school-wide events. Every week we have something fun and engaging happening such as iShare, book-drives, or author circles—and many students, from all grades, participate and create a fun and interactive learning community. The educational experience iNaCA provided for our students is incredible. From webmail, phone calls, and LiveLessons®, we take pride in helping our students be successful. You can’t find a better school community—online or traditional. Our teachers have the biggest hearts for our students and we are making a difference in our student’s lives each and every day.”
- Ms. Rogers