Anthony Amato
Anthony Amato is the Head of School for the International High School. Prior to his present position, Mr. Amato served as a high school math and science teacher, a district director of bilingual/multicultural education, principal of a bilingual school, and superintendent of schools in 5 large urban cities from New York City to California including New Orleans. He has a national reputation for implementing successful school reforms that have dramatically increased academic progress for Pre-K to 12th grade students in every city in which he has served. He is also known nationally for educating the whole child through community full service schools as well as an early implementer and innovator of using technology in education. He has done graduate work at Hofstra University, the City College of New York, and Teachers College at Columbia University. He has also served on many national advisory and boards of directors; additionally, he has spoken nationally and internationally on technology, reading, and leadership.
On a professional level, his multicultural background, successful educational reforms, and interest in providing equity and access to all students allows him to bring a wealth of experience to the International High School. His goal is simple: create the best high school in the city that will allow its graduates to be globally competitive citizens. He has a family of 7 children; 4 were adopted during his last tenure in New Orleans and in every sense the family considers this city home.
patricia.adams@ihsnola.org
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Adams is a lifelong resident of New Orleans, Louisiana and a graduate of G. W. Carver Senior High School. She studied Information Processing at Sidney N. Collier Vocational-Technical School. Ms. Adams has always been passionate toward the needs of the children of our city. She has been instrumental in diverting at-risk youth away from the dangers of the streets. As an Administrative Assistant in the school system, she has established a wonderful rapport with the parents, students, and the community. As the ninth of eleven siblings, she is no stranger to putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She believes in being stern but nurturing as well.
toni.alexander@ihsnola.org
Business Teacher
Toni Alexander, a New Orleans native, graduated from Xavier University of New Orleans with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. She also attended Tulane University of New Orleans and received certification in Computer Literacy.
Ms. Alexander has over 30 years of teaching experience in her field of studies. Her teaching experience not only extends to the metropolitan New Orleans area but also to the Dallas Region. While teaching in Dallas, Ms. Alexander was awarded a scholarship to New York City to receive intense training as a NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) Teacher – and was recognized for her hard work and diligence. In 2009, she was chosen as “Dallas Teacher of the Year” at her school and a Semi-Finalist for the District.
In addition to her dedication to the teaching profession, Ms. Alexander currently owns and operates an all girl’s youth mentoring program that embraces, educates, and empowers young girls to excel in every walk of life.
Ms. Alexander has a wealth of knowledge to share with her students that will prepare them to be successful in the business world. She is a member of the National Business Education Association for Business Educators, and the Kappa Delta Pi Education International Honor Society in Education of Xavier University. She is also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority of New Orleans.
This year at IHS, she has been assigned to teach ninth and tenth graders in the areas of Business and serve as Student Council Advisor.
asli.bashir@ihsnola.org
English Teacher
Ms. Bashir graduated from Harvard with a bachelor’s degree in History and Literature, with a focus on the postcolonial field. She has worked for the VEGA Alliance, Transition Magazine, and the Harvard Law School Office of Communications. Her teaching experience includes high school English at Douglas High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Bashir will teach ninth and tenth grade English and Creative Writing, and she has traveled to several countries in Africa, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Italy. Ms. Bashir advises the IHS journalism club.
lidia.betancourt@ihsnola.org
Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Betancourt is a native of La Ceiba, Honduras. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, specializing in English, from the National Pedagogical University Francisco Morazan, as an Honor Roll Student. Mrs. Betancourt’s teaching experience included nine years as an Elementary teacher for the International School in La Ceiba, Honduras and two years as a Civics teacher for seventh, eighth and ninth graders at La Ceiba Bilingual School in Honduras. Currently Mrs. Betancourt is teaching Spanish I, Spanish II, and AP Spanish.
simone.butler@ihsnola.org
Parent Liaison
Ms. Simone Butler is our Parent Liaison and Cheer Coach for the 2011-2012 academic school year. Ms. Butler is a native of New Orleans but graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. She attended Delgado Community College where she studied Business Administration. Ms. Butler is also a Certified Medical Assistant from Crescent City College.
christopher.daisey@ihsnola.org
Social Studies Teacher
My name is Chris Daisey. I have long had a strong passion for the social sciences for as long as I can remember. In addition to graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Social Studies Education in the Spring of 2011, I have also taught for Murdock Elementary, McCutcheon High School, and North Montgomery High School in Indiana as well as Kennedy Middle School in Atlanta, GA. I love teaching and sharing my passion for the social sciences with my students. I sincerely look forward to working with this community.
Denise Deno
Business Manager
Ms. Deno graduated from Louisiana State University and has been a Certified Public Accountant for the past 15 years. She has worked in public accounting in many different types of industries and she serves on the Board of the Net Charter Schools as the treasurer. Ms. Deno is currently the Business Manager for the International High School of New Orleans.
Art and Arabic Teacher
Haitham Eid is a native of Egypt. He received a Masters Degree in Museum Studies from Southern University at New Orleans and a Bachelor’s in Archaeology from Cairo University, Egypt. Mr. Eid is a visual artist, art curator, and educator. He received the 2007 BW Fellowship Award from the Association of African American Museums (AAAM), and proclamations from two Mayors of New Orleans, City Council of New Orleans, Tulane University, New Orleans African American Museum, National Conference of Artists, and Southern University at New Orleans for “Promoting International Understanding Through the Arts”. Mr. Eid has taught Art and Arabic Language in his adopted city of New Orleans for the past five years. Mr. Eid is a human rights activist and member of Amnesty International.
Mr. Eid’s paintings range from pure expressionistic to social commentary that deals with current issues. His art is centered around human beings and their existence, searching for the meaning of epic affairs such as life, love, and devotion.
Margaret.Foley@ihsnola.org
Guidance Counselor
Margaret Foley, a New Orleans native, graduated from Louisiana State University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After working in Baton Rouge for several years Ms. Foley decided to return to New Orleans to attend graduate school to become a school counselor. In 2011 she graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Master’s of Education degree in Counselor Education with a focus on School Counseling. Ms. Foley is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a member of the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, the Louisiana Counseling Association, and the Louisiana School Counseling Association. Ms. Foley is the school counselor at IHS and is dedicated to helping each student reach his or her maximum potential.
joann.glenn@ihsnola.org
Social Studies Teacher
JoAnn Baldwin-Glenn earned a bachelors degree in History and Secondary Education (with minors in English and Political Science) from Northern Michigan University and a Masters of Arts in Public History from Loyola University Chicago. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Ms. Baldwin-Glenn has taught Social Studies and English in Los Angeles, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Chicago, and the Caribbean. She served in the Peace Corps as both a Volunteer and Regional Recruiter and also worked for the University of Southern California in their School of International Relations as an Academic Advisor. A life-long learner as well as teacher, Ms. Baldwin-Glenn has attended numerous institutes, programs and classes including “The 1960s in Historical Perspective”, “Rethinking Global Security in a Wired World” and “Race & Equality in America.” She has taught various social studies classes, including Advanced Placement U.S. History and looks forward to teaching the International Baccalaureate History of the Americas class at IHS.
matthew.hicks@ihsnola.org
Physical Education Teacher
Matthew Hicks is originally from Fort Wayne, IN, however he graduated form Concordia University Wisconsin. While attending college he participated in NAIA College football for 2 years receiving the MVP Scout Defensive Player of the year. Matthew Hicks graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and Health (K-12). After graduating he received a call for a position at Lutheran High School in Metairie, LA. He has taught at Lutheran High for 2 years while also coaching 3 sports and being labeled as the Athletic Director. Mr. Hicks believes that every child can be successful if they put the work into what they want to achieve.
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College Counselor
Lauren Hitt earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Neuropsychology as well as a Masters of Science from Tulane University. She has worked for the Illinois State Senate, Illinois Auditor General, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the World Health Organization. Here in New Orleans, she has worked at Children’s Hospital, Sojourner Truth Academy and continues to conduct research at Tulane University in the mental health of minority children. She is very excited to continue her work as a public-school college counselor at IHS. She will be working closely with the 11th grade students and parents to ensure a successful transition to post-secondary studies. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, playing soccer, volleyball and traveling.
kate.howard@ihsnola.org
Science Teacher
Ms. Howard graduated with honors from Grinnell College with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and extensive course and laboratory work in Pre-Medical studies. She has been engaged in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program as a community organizer and mentor/tutor, and has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a Long-term care facility. She lived for a year in Melbourne, Australia while studying health issues in development. Her teaching experience includes teaching in a credit recovery program in Atlanta, Georgia. This year she teaches Chemistry and Health, and is a co-sponsor of the Music Club. Please check out her website at,
Teacher of English Language Learners
Lynette Lopez
Lynette Lopez, a Mexican native, graduate from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Child and Family Development. After spending a couple of years abroad teaching English as a Second Language in South Korea and Mexico, she decided to further her education in the Language field and is currently working on her M.Ed in K-12 ESL education. Ms. Lopez enjoys cultural diversity, music, and ice cream.
Nikos Maris
Math Teacher
Born in Bologna, Italy and raised in Athens, Greece, Nikos Maris holds a Doctoral Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Delaware. During his 10-year career with Exxon Research & Engineering, Dr. Maris supervised R&D projects in the areas of Hydroprocessing, Separations, Gas Conversion, and Catalytic Cracking in support of worldwide refinery operations. Over the past eight years Dr. Maris has taught Analytical Thinking through Mathematics to a diverse group of students ranging from inner city high school students enrolled in 8th grade remedial math to gifted middle school students earning high school credit for Geometry in 7th grade. He finds teaching most gratifying when, through their ambition, hard work, and perseverance, underprivileged and/or under-challenged young learners discover that their social, artistic, intellectual, and/or professional potential is limited only by their desire and will to succeed.
Sara McNeal
English Teacher
Sarah McNeal graduated from Saint Louis University in 2003 with a BA in English Literature. At the end of 2006 she moved to New York City to pursue teaching. She earned a master’s in teaching at Pace University in lower Manhattan while working at a public high school in Brooklyn. She primarily worked with 9th grade students and really enjoys the excitement and energy they bring to the classroom. Sarah loves seeing young people motivated and inspired by the literature they read, the discussions they hold, and the writing they produce.
Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Nethercott teaches history and business, and is the CAS Coordinator for the International Baccalaureate program at IHS. He graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago with a B.A. in history and went on to earn a M.A. in history. He holds a certification in TESL, and is currently working on an M.A.T. from Xavier University of Louisiana, with certifications in both secondary education and special education. Mr. Nethercott’s prior experience includes work as a financial adviser for Loyola University Chicago, along with teaching across the United States and abroad. He enjoys cooking and travel, especially to historical sites.
Math Teacher
adam.richard@ihsnola.org
Mr. Richard completed his undergraduate education at Louisiana State University with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in Economics, Business Administration, and Philosophy. He completed a secondary mathematics certification at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans. His professional experience includes teaching three years of high school math at Archbishop Rummel High School, where he taught Geometry, Algebra II, Advanced Math, and Pre-Calculus. He has also been a member of the International High School GEE/EOC intervention faculty. Mr. Richard’s daily instruction aims to relate mathematical concepts through real-world, student-experienced applications. He will be teaching Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and IB Mathematics.
nan.ryan@ihsnola.org
Assistant Head of School
Ms. Ryan has been serving New Orleans as an educator since 1991. With a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. Ryan has served as a teacher for nine years and an administrator for 10 years, and has authored major educational reforms, designed, coordinated; and supervised the implementation of successful instructional programs, established procedural guidelines for managing teacher certification, resolved payroll concerns; managed school based/grant funds, and instituted policies that comply with state, and federal mandates. Ms. Ryan’s mission is to provide the youth of New Orleans with an environment in which they can realize their own potential and reach their goals.
Neval Vatanzadeh
English Teacher
Neval Vatanzadeh was born in Richmond, VA and moved to New Orleans from South Carolina in 2005. Ms. Vatanzadeh graduated from Loyola University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She will be teaching 10th grade English Language Arts and running a Global Cultures club in partnership with Jonathan Wiggins. Ms. Vatanzadeh speaks both Farsi and German, and has extensively traveled through Europe and spent two years abroad living in Germany including taking immersion classes. She has also traveled to England, France, The Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Among other work experiences, Ms. Vatanzadeh has most recently taught an 8th grade in Atlanta, GA.
Amy Vreeland
Math Teacher
Ms. Vreeland first became involved with education as a tutor for the I Have A Dream Foundation and a bilingual school in Boulder, Colorado. Ms. Vreeland took this experience abroad as a research fellow in South America where she spent ten months studying an economic development policy centered on education reform in Argentina and Brazil. Prior to joining the IHS team as a math teacher, Ms. Vreeland supported high-performing, under-resourced college students in their path towards gaining their college degree. Ms. Vreeland has also worked for the nongovernmental organization International Service for Human Rights as a monitor in the United Nations as well as the political office of the U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a double major in International Affairs and Anthropology and speaks Portuguese and conversational Spanish. Please check out her website: https://sites.google.com/site/vreelandalgebra1/
amy.vreeland@ihsnola.org
Science
Jonathan Wiggins was born in Springfield, Virginia in the Washington, DC area. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Mr. Wiggins was an instructor at International High School last year where he taught biology, Spanish-immersion biology and world geography. He has also taught at Clark High School in New Orleans and at schools in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Wiggins has traveled to Sweden, England, Finland, Mexico, and Peru. Mr. Wiggins speaks both English and Spanish. Mr. Wiggins will teach biology, Spanish-immersion biology and chemistry this year and will co-sponsor the Global-Cultures club with Ms. Vatanzadeh.
Jacqueline Wilson
French Teacher
Jacqueline Wilson is a graduate of Mississippi State University. She majored in French with a minor in Speech Education. She is also an International Baccalaureate certified educator in two areas: French B SL/HL and French AB Initio. Jacqueline has also had experience with AP French scoring. She is new to New Orleans and also has a daughter who is tri-lingual. Her favorite activities are cooking vegetarian and international dishes and also reading suspense novels.
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