Our faculty is hired through a rigorous interview and evaluation process and participates in a special training program to assist them in teaching in an international context. All of our teaching faculty are certified educators who possess, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree in their area of instruction
and some hold a master's degree.

Much like our student body, our faculty is diverse and brings to our school community a wealth of experience from various parts of the world. ICS - Caracas supports ongoing professional and staff development programs in order for our faculty to grow professionally and to hone their skills and knowledge continually increasing their effectiveness in the classroom.

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	Megan Balloid "My name is Megan Balloid and I am the 3rd and 4th grade teacher. I graduated from Hope College and then went on to teach 6 years at a Christian school in the USA, before coming to Venezuela. I have been in Caracas for 7 years, but only 6 at ICS - Caracas. My first year in Venezuela I tought ESL to adults, high school, and college students. Outside of school, I help in two churches in the area of music and Children's ministries."
	Jessica Gibson "Praise God for His continued faithfulness in guiding me to Caracas and to ICS - Caracas. After graduating from Bethel College (Newton, Kansas) in December of 2003, I began to look for opportunities to serve God overseas. As I searched for ways to use my Elemetary Education degree away from home, God opened the door instead to a great job teaching Special Education in a public school near where I was living at the time. As I interacted with Spanish speaking students and families, I sensed God bringing together a number of elements: my desire to go, a growing love for Spanish-speaking communities, and his perfect timing. In June of 2004, I was approved as a missionary with Fellowship of Evangelical Churches and started making plans to move to Caracas. I am thrilled to be teaching 5/6 grade at ICS - Caracas this year, and I anticipate God doing amazing things!"
	Rachel Jackson "My home is South Carolina in the States. My greatest asset, I mean, fault, is my awesome southern accent. I grew up on a farm with eight brothers and sisters and twelve horses. The college I went to was Erskine College in a rural part of the SC. Upon graduation, I received my Bachelor of Science degree in biology. I also have an emphasis in biochemistry and am one course short of a chemistry minor. This is my first year at ICS - Caracas, and obviously, I am the science teacher."
	Anna Kurtz "My name is Anna Kurtz and I will be the new music teacher at ICS - Caracas. My degrees include a Bachelor of Musical Arts, minor in Applied Ministry (Oklahoma Bapt. Univ.), and most recently a masters in Piano Pedagogy/Performance (Baylor Univ.). I've lived in several states, but my family is located in Arkansas for the time being. When I'm not at ICS - Caracas, I'll be working with local university students in conjunction with the IMB Journeyman program. I'm thrilled about the year to come and can't wait to see the students learn to praise God through music!"
	Elizabeth Mendoza "I am from the small town of Carmel, N.Y. I received my BS in elementary education from Lee University last December. After graduating from Lee University, I taught kindergarten at a local Christian school and at the same time began to look for ways to serve overseas. In April of 2006, I was approved as a missionary with Network of Christian Schools and started to prepare for my journey to Caracas. I am enjoying teaching kindergarten and I am challenged and find great joy making a difference in these students' lives for eternity."
	Emilie Murray Emilie Murray grew up in Southern California and studied at Azusa Pacific University. She is currently the Social Studies teacher here at the school. She has a passion for drama and is currently developing the first ever ICS - Caracas musical that will be performed in May 2007. She also is an avid reader and loves world travel.
	Anna Pellett "My name is Anna Pellet and I am the 7th through 12th grade English teacher at ICS - Caracas. I was raised in Memphis, Tennessee and enjoy the city very much. I graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Memphis. I am in love with literature and exploring Biblical meanings in secular works. God has provided the wonderful oppurtunity for me to work at ICS - Caracas fulfilling my love for teaching, literature, and Biblical integration. I am so thankful for this oppotunity and look forward to many years of service."
	April Phillips "I'm from the big metropolis (one stop-light town) of Blythewood, SC. I went to college at Anderson College in Anderson, SC where I majored in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. This will be my second year teaching. I have loved teaching here at ICS - Caracas. Between the fact that I have 7 excitable first and second grade students and that I am a second year teacher who can't ever seem to follow the carefully made out lesson plans I did the week before, every day holds new surprises. My kids are incredible! They are excited about learning and sharing God's amazing love with multi-national, and just the general multi-craziness set up of the classroom always adds new challenges for me. I am challenged to grow spiritually as I interact with my students, the other students, and the faculty. I can say with 100% confidence that ICS - Caracas has been my favorite teaching job so far!"
	Luis Rodríguez "I am the new math teacher for 2006–2007 and hopefully for as long as the Lord wants me here. I graduated as a Math Professor at Libertador Experimental Pedagogic University here in Venezuela. Before coming to ICS - Caracas I worked as a math teacher at two Venezuelan high schools, one of them bilingual, since 1998. On Saturdays I still teach Calculus at the university where I got my degree. On the other hand, I have been a real Christian for the past 22 years. Thirteen of these years were spent serving the Lord as a missionary at Bolívar State, Venezuela. I go to Hoy con Cristo Church. There I am in charge, along with the pastor, of the Leadership Biblical School. Also, I belong to the preaching team. About my family, I am married and have three lovely kids. My spouse is working as a professor at the same university in which I work, and she is a Sunday school teacher at church. My oldest daughter is studying at Simón Bolívar University and she is teaching a course for new converts at church. My second daughter is a senior this year and she is looking forward to studying Social Communication. My son is a junior, who has in mind the goal of studying Public Accountancy. My big idea for this period of my life is that God uses me in a way which allows my students to see Him through math. I believe that ICS - Caracas is the perfect place to carry it on. God bless this school."
	Abby Takyi Abby has spent seven years in developing programs for preschool aged kids.  She has a passion for Jesus and for kids! She is currently leaving her home in Atlanta, Georgia to join us in Caracas to start the 2007-2008 school year.
	Beth Zimmerman "My name is Beth Zimmermann, and I am the new 1st and 2nd grade teacher. I was raised in Edwardsville, IL (a St. Louis suburb) and have spent the past two years in St. Louis, MO, which means that I am a HUGE Cardinals baseball fan. Go Cards! I have both my B.S. in Psychology and my Masters in Elementary Education from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO.  During college, I spent time overseas as a summer missionary in Mexico and a student teacher in Germany. After spending the past two years in the States teaching third grade, God has called me back overseas. I am thrilled to be able to be a part of ICS - Caracas, and I look forward to a wonderful year!"

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