Upper School

Mr. Ben-Ayed has been with CIS since 2014. He has a master’s degree in Community Development and a PhD in International Development from the University of Missouri. He has coached Math Counts and Math Club. His favorite memories include the many years of leading those clubs, seeing students reach state level competition and being involved in a Be the Change Volunteers trip to Peru! He believes CIS is special because it empowers students to make their own decisions by providing them with opportunities to participate in hands-on projects/assignments, and embraces the idea that ALL students can learn.

Ms. Castro joined the Spanish department in 2024. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in economics from American Intercontinental University. As an extracurricular, Ms. Castro coaches the CIS cheer teams, both middle and upper school. Her favorite part of CIS is the family environment – faculty and staff are all in to make it the best school for the students. She loves teaching because “there is no better gift than to teach and also to learn from your students.”

Dr. Dittmer came to CIS in 2020. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s degree and a PhD in philosophy, all from the University of Missouri. 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 currently teaches middle school science, high school math, and some electives in the humanities. He is also the head coach for the Science Olympiad team.

Mrs. Dittmer joined the Humanities department of CIS in 2019. She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater from Stephens College, and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri. 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.

Mr. Dodig joined the Latin team at CIS in 2021. He 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 team, and is the dungeon master for the upper school dungeons and 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.

Mrs. Floyd joined CIS in 2021. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and two minors in mathematics and art. She also has a master’s in education with a focus in English education. She attended Covenant College, Oxford University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She coaches the CIS volleyball team, and leads the literary journal and yearbook clubs. Mrs. Floyd enjoys teaching at CIS because of the caring community. She says the teachers go out of their way to help students academically and also with social-emotional aspects of their lives. “It’s easy to succeed in a place where everyone around you is rooting for you.”

Christine Jarquio earned a bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education, and master’s degrees in voice performance and choral conducting. She joined CIS in 2020 and says that she loves working with all ages and grades because it allows her to see their musical growth. As well as being the choir teacher for grades 5-12, she also directs the 4th-5th Honor Choir and Camerata Advanced Treble Chorus. Her favorite memory at CIS was the first concert where all of the choir classes performed, which was the spring 2023 concert. She says that the reason CIS is special is because everyone wears multiple hats in order to create the diverse environment and community.

Mrs. Knight has been with CIS since 2016. She has a bachelor of fine arts degree and a master of fine arts degree in studio art. She has a deep and abiding passion for public service, and a love for all children. She believes deeply in the power of service, of giving back to her community, and to being instrumental in the world through teaching art. More specifically, an understanding of the arts as a whole should include the production (making art), art criticism (judgments), art history (culture), and aesthetics (value), which formulate a strong basis in the arts. When we incorporate these elements, deeper knowledge is created. Mrs. Knight is very passionate about art education, but above all brings a commitment to helping people find personal fulfillment via the fostering of a positive self-image that comes through learning.

Mr. Luther first joined CIS in 2005. He 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 CIS volleyball team. He enjoys teaching at CIS because of the ability to collaborate with other teachers. He says, “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.”

Señora Mendoza joined CIS in 2017. She has a bachelor of arts degree in English education, and a master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Missouri. Señora Mendoza is a sponsor of the Spectrum Club at CIS, which is a safe space for LGBTQ+ and allied students. Señora Mendoza appreciates the tight-knit community of CIS, and the relationships between students and faculty.

Coach Radkowiec has been teaching and coaching at CIS since 2022. He coaches the CIS 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.

Madame Thaalbi joined the CIS French department in 2022. She has a multidisciplinary background, starting her career in marketing. She has a master’s 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!

Ms. Woodruff joined CIS in 2024 as a teacher, after being a student here from 2002-2006. She holds a bachelor’s degree in classical languages from the University of Missouri, and a master’s degree in classics from UC Santa Barbara. She loves CIS because she says it changed her life, from the care and involvement of the teachers, to being surrounded by incredibly smart, driven peers, CIS ignited her love of learning and caused her to raise the standards she sets for herself.

Mrs. Blake joined CIS in 2021. She has a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master of education degree in counseling. She loves 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.

Mrs. Mudrick has been with CIS since 2008. She has a bachelor of arts degree in English, and a master’s degree in Library Science. As an extracurricular, Mrs. Mudrick hosts the middle school book club, and welcomes readers of all levels and interests.

Ms. Pruis joined CIS in 2017, and taught first grade for five years before transitioning to her current position. Ms. Pruis has a master’s degree in educational psychology – gifted and talented education. She is passionate about appropriate math education for all. A favorite math educator said, “Not everyone needs to be a professional mathematician, but math shouldn’t get in the way of anyone’s future path.” Ms. Pruis truly believes that every child, male or female, can achieve in math, and the possibilities for their future are limitless.