Middle School

Mr. Dittmer has a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in philosophy, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, all from Mizzou. He wanted to be a teacher when he was a kid, and taught college for over 15 years, first at Mizzou and Westminster College during grad school and then as an assistant professor at Missouri University of Science & Technology. He started at CIS in 2020 and teaches middle school science, high school math, and some electives in the humanities. He is also the head coach for the Science Olympiad team.

Maggie Dittmer holds a B.F.A. in theater from Stephens College, and an M.A. from Mizzou. She enjoys teaching at CIS because she is able to develop long-lasting relationships with colleagues and students. The smaller class sizes make it easier to move through content or pause content in order to follow a student’s interest in a topic. She also loves the freedom she has to create different learning opportunities for students. One extracurricular activity she enjoys is directing the fall musical and the spring play. Additionally, she helps run the Literary Magazine with Mrs. Floyd and Ms. Stott, and occasionally helps (behind the scenes) with the Science Olympiad.

Christopher Dodig has a bachelor’s degree in Classical Languages from the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri. He coaches the Middle School Quiz Bowl and is the dungeon master for the Upper School Dungeons & Dragons Club. He enjoys clearing the way for students to pursue their goals in their own idiom and handing them the tools to build what they will.

Donnie Howell has an associate’s degree in theatre, a bachelor of arts in psychology and master’s degree in biomedical science. He earned his degrees from Central Methodist University, Columbia College, and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mr. Howell is the CIS Aquarium Club sponsor. He enjoys teaching at CIS because he gets freedom to make his own curriculum and autonomy to teach in his own style.

Walter Luther has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in geosciences. He attended Missouri State University and Mississippi State University. He coaches the Middle School volleyball team. He enjoys teaching at CIS because of the ability to collaborate with other teachers. Mr. Luther said “CIS is special because of the community. All levels of students are learning and growing together at one campus. Everyone has the opportunity to be involved and have a voice.”

Daniel Radkowiec has been teaching and coaching at CIS since 2022. He coaches the cross country and track teams. He has a bachelor of education in physical education and a master’s degree in athletic administration. He likes CIS because of the positive attitude of the students and the dedication of the teachers and administrators.

Sarah Stott joined CIS in 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. As an extracurricular she teaches Yearbook club. Her favorite memory at CIS was seeing her first all school assembly. She feels CIS is special because we have a culture here that feels like a family.

Valérie Thaalbi is a native French speaker who started teaching in 2011 and joined CIS in 2022. She has a multidisciplinary background, starting her career in marketing. She has a masters degree in education from the University of Toulouse, a bachelor’s degree in quality management from the University of Toulouse, and an associate’s degree in marketing from EPHEC (Brussels, Belgium). She has a passion for languages: fluent in English, she can also speak Dutch, Spanish, Italian and German. She came to CIS because she always wanted to teach abroad and experience living in the USA. Her favorite memory at CIS is at the upper school retreat where she got to experience her very first bonfire and s’mores!

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Buko. I’ve been with CIS since 2015. I hold a BA in Writing Intensive English & Theology, a MA in English, and a M.Ed in Counseling. The students are always the absolute best part of my day and my job as a whole. Teenagers are tremendous teachers for adults, and I learn something new from them every day. I’ve traveled extensively and lived in different parts of country as well as worked in other independent schools, and with all those years of experience and exposure, I find CIS to be a truly special place where individuality is celebrated and the sense of belonging is palpable.

My name is Jamie Blake, and I’ve been at CIS for two years now. I have a BA in Psychology and a M.Ed in Counseling. I love helping others understand that mental health matters and that academic, social, and future success stem from having an understanding of how our internal thoughts and feelings affect our attitudes and behaviors.

Hello! I’m Cassidy Crew, and I’ve been working at CIS for four years. I hold a BA in Psychology – Health and Development and a JD in Law. Something I’ve always been passionate about is synchronized swimming – I was on the varsity synchronized swim team at Stanford, winning the National Championship, then helped coached teams from my graduation until my move to Missouri. I am now a national judge, and travel to meets around the country a few times per year to judge meets and give clinics.

Sarah Primmer has been with CIS for 8 years and holds a BS Elementary Education and a M.Ed Cross Categorical Special Education K-12. She is currently working on an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Sarah is passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Ensuring that everyone is able to learn and grow as students and people is very important to her, regardless of age, ability, gender, religion, or race. She is passionate about learning more in this area as well as helping others learn and grow with her.

Hi! I’m Jordan Pruis, and I’ve been at CIS for six years now. Something I’m passionate about is appropriate math education for all! One of my favorite math educators said, “Not everyone needs to be a professional mathematician but math shouldn’t get in the way of anyone’s future path.” I truly believe every child, male or female, can achieve in math. That way the possibilities for their future are limitless!