Dr. Michael Fisher - Director Peter Gruber International Academy (mfisher@vimsia.org)
Dr. Michael Fisher serves the VIMSIA team as the PGIA Director.  Michael has more than 20 years of experience in education and has worked in a variety of roles, both in the U.S. and internationally.  His experience includes Deputy Head of School and Director of Teaching and Learning at an international school in South Korea, Middle School Principal at an international school in Colombia as well as public schools in Oregon, Middle and High School Instructional Coach and Program Developer in Oregon, and as middle school math and science teacher in Oregon.  Michael holds a Master’s degree in education, Professional Administrator’s License from Oregon, and a Doctor of Education through George Fox University.  Michael is accompanied by his wife, Jenny, and their son and daughter, who are both students in the PGIA.  In his free time, Michael enjoys cooking, volleyball, and spending time in and under the ocean.

Robert Black - PGIA Individuals and Societies (rblack@vimsia.org)
Mr. Black will be joining the VIMSIA faculty this fall teaching MYP Social Studies and DP Global Politics. Recently retired from Canandaigua Academy in the Finger Lakes region of New York, he has over thirty years of experience in the classroom. During his career, he taught IB History and AP US Government and Politics. A career highlight was being selected to be a Gilder Lehrman fellow and studying the Cold War at Cambridge University during the summer of 2004. He was the Girls Swimming head coach for over twenty years and has been honored with induction into the Canandaigua Academy Athletics and Section V Swimming Halls of Fame. Mr. Black is a graduate of the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio with a B.A. in History. He attended the Institute of European Studies in Vienna, Austria during his junior year. He completed his M.A. in History from SUNY Brockport (NY).

Mr. Black enjoys photography, golfing, and playing the guitar in his free time. A trivia fan, he was a one-time champion on Jeopardy! In 2007. He recently completed a scuba diving certification program and is eager to explore the beautiful waters surrounding St. Thomas.

Faith Boyd - PGIA Spanish (fboyd@vimsia.org)
Ms. Boyd is a Chicago-born Rockford native who will be joining the VIMSIA team as a PGIA Spanish teacher. She is coming from Eisenhower Middle, where she taught English as a Second Language. She graduated from St. Ambrose University in 2020, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science. She also completed a TEFL certificate in 2022.  Ms. Boyd loves to travel and share new experiences, practicing her love for languages in places like Guatemala, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Although she is leaving behind a huge family in the Rockford area, she won’t be alone on her travels. Ms. Boyd will be coming to the island with her 2 cats, Gato and Cumin, and plans to send warm regards home often.  Ms. Boyd is overjoyed to continue her professional journey in such a sunny environment, where she can enjoy all of her favorite hobbies: hiking, writing, and soaking up the sun! 

Melissa Bump - MYP English and Theater Arts (mbump@vimsia.org)
Ms. Bump is a native Virgin Islander and alumna of VI Montessori School.  She received a Bachelor's in English from Drew University and a Master's of Science in Teaching from Fordham University.  She taught for over ten years at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School before joining our staff in 2013.  Her family has been very involved in building our school community for over forty years.  Her daughter, Kiyalyn (class of 2016), and her son, Andreas (class of 2021), have attended VIMSIA since the age of two.

Bradford Capozzi - PGIA English and Humanities (bcapozzi@vimsia.org)
Mr. Capozzi is a native of Northern California, but has also lived extensively in New England and Chicago. He has been teaching now for ten years - the last four as an IB Language and Literature teacher in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. In 2009, he was accepted into the Academy for Urban School Leadership program in Chicago and received his Masters in Education from National-Louis University in 2010. He then taught AP Literature and English for six years in Chicago Public Schools. Prior to that, he graduated from Miami University (OH) with degrees in Journalism and Creative Writing. He worked as a food writer and editor before getting a culinary degree from the Le Cordon Bleu program in 2002 and working several jobs in Chicago and New York City. In his free time, he enjoys watching baseball, cooking, reading, going to restaurants, traveling and kayaking.

Rebecca Hoffart – Computer Science Elective, Enrichment, Computer Club (rhoffart@vimsia.org)
Ms. Hoffart has a BA in Literature from Eckerd College, a Masters of Library & Information Science from University of Pittsburgh and a Masters of Education from UVI. She is certified to teach a plethora of computer related technologies and is heavily involved with several STEM related organizations. She is currently working on her PhD at UVI. Ms. Hoffart starting helping out at VIMSIA part-time in 2018 with computer clubs, robotics and computer end session. We are so happy that Ms. Hoffart is willing to add a Wednesday elective offering and provide a computer enrichment program for our PGIA students as we move into the new school year. Ms. Hoffart orchestrates our students with many national competitions, including Cyber Patriots.

William Jordan – Science (wjordan@vimsia.org)
Mr. Jordan believes that learning MUST be fun!  He grew up in Brockport, NY.  Mr. Jordan has a BS in Biology Education and a MS in Special Education.  He is certified to teach science, special education, SCUBA and Emergency First Aid / CPR.  He has 35 years teaching experience including upstate New York, Philippines, Norway, Turkey, Hong Kong and Malaysia.  He has taught science, learning support, math, health, marine biology, computer science, robotics, engineering, design and leadership.  Bill has some great experiences with service learning as a clown / magician and looks forward to teaching others how to do this.  He was a tiger and a dragon at his last two schools (school mascot). He was an emergency medical technician and volunteered on a local ambulance squad while in the USA. His hobbies include SCUBA, skiing, paddle boarding, canoeing, biking, hiking, and camping.  He is being joined by his wife Anne.  His daughter is in graduate school at Springfield College, Massachusetts studying outdoor adventure education. His son is in a PHD pharmacy program at Western New England.  He is super excited to join the VIMSIA school and community.

William McCormick – PGIA Science/Physics (wmccormick@vimsia.org)
Mr. McCormick moved to St. Thomas in 2021 and has been working remotely as the Compliance Manager for an analytical testing laboratory based in Massachusetts. He graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Chemistry where he tutored other undergraduates and received an M.A. in Chemistry from Boston University. There, he mentored and taught undergraduate students in Organic Chemistry as a T.A. and participated in research projects aimed at drug synthesis and targeting.

Mr. McCormick lives on the island with his wife and two dogs and has a deep love for both scuba diving and yoga. He and his wife teach scuba part-time and dive for fun when they can. He is also a recent graduate of a 200-Hour yoga teacher training, and is eager to begin teaching yoga as well. Bill loves to share his passions for his interests through teaching and is incredibly excited to join VIMSIA and the community to share his love of and respect for the scientific method.

Dr. Paul Messina - PGIA Math (pmessina@vimsia.org)
Dr. Messina is a recent resident of the US Virgin Islands having moved to St. Thomas in January of 2020. Prior to moving to the Virgin Islands Dr. Messina served as an Associate Professor of Mathematics from 2006 – 2019 at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. He also has an additional 10 years of university teaching experience and an additional 8 years of secondary teaching experience. Most recently he taught Mathematics and Chemistry at Antilles School. He received his PhD in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education from the University of South Africa. He also holds Masters degrees from the United States Army War College (Strategic Studies), The University of Texas (Management Science), and Texas A&M University (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education). In addition to a full-time teaching career, Dr. Messina also served for 34 years in the United States Army, having retired from the United States Army Reserve in the rank of Colonel in 2020. He served across the United States as well as abroad throughout Central and South America as well as the Middle East.  He absolutely loves living in St. Thomas and wishes he could have arrived here sooner.  When he is not teaching, Dr. Messina enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.

Maia Newton - PGIA Visual Arts (mnewton@vimsia.org)
Ms. Newton earned her BFA in Textiles from Savannah College of Art and Design and her MFA in Inter-Related Media from Towson University. She is the recipient of numerous teaching awards and has actively served on various committees. Her love of teaching art has taken her from teaching African Art History at Maryland Institute College of Art to teaching Art for Non-Majors at Towson University, as well as various independent middle and upper schools, charter schools, and public schools. Currently, she serves as the lead art teacher at Anclote High School in Holiday, Florida, where she specializes in 3D art, acts as the grill-master at football games, and founded the Art Club.

Ms. Newton will be joined on island by her husband, Dan, sons Marcus and David, as well as their two dogs, Wilhelmina and Link. Outside of the classroom, she can often be found yearning to go to the beach, snorkeling, creating art, traveling, learning about different cultures, and spending time with friends and her extensive extended family.

Bennett Ott - IB Coordinator (bott@vimsia.org)
Mr. Ott has been on our team since 2018. Bennett currently serves as the IB Coordinator and teaches Global Politics in the PGIA. Bennett’s teaching experience includes teaching locally and in Spain. He has a BA in Latin American Studies Political Science with a minor in History from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Penn State University. His interests include Flamenco and Ragtime Guitar, basketball, writing and reading, cognitive development and mindfulness, and travel.

Diana Price - PGIA Science (dprice@vimsia.org)
Mrs. Diana Price is looking forward to her new role as a science teacher in the PGIA, teaching biology and environmental science. She has been a science teacher in South Carolina for the past 10 years, although this past year she has been a stay-at-home mom, and is excited to get back into the classroom where she belongs. She received her Bachelor’s in Secondary Science Education and Master’s of Biological Sciences, both from Clemson University.  You can always find her on a Saturday watching football and cheering on her alma mater (go Tigers!). She will be accompanied by her husband, daughter, and yellow lab. Her daughter will be attending La Casa.  On the weekends you will be able to find her and her family enjoying the outdoors and exploring the area by boat and by land. 

Lucinda Prosterman - English Department Head, MYP & DP English (lprosterman@vimsia.org)
After twenty-four years teaching Language Arts at Heights High School in Wichita, Kansas, Lucinda Prosterman moved to St. Thomas to join her husband. She graduated from Wichita State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts, in Secondary Education and is certified as a Highly Qualified Teacher of English, Speech, and Theatre. Throughout her career, she has put her certifications to good use teaching a wide variety of courses and developing creative approaches to developing strong reading and writing skills. She is very excited to be joining the VIMSIA staff and working with our PGIA students.

Helen Sidiropoulos - DP Dance, MYP Movement/Arts, Enrichment Coordinator (hsidiropoulos@vimsia.org)
"Ms. Helen" began her dance training before the age of two. Her studies include classical ballet and pointe, tap, jazz, flamenco, Greek Ethnic and Latin dance. She studied at the SUNY at Albany and performed with Danceworks, Inc. Dance Troupe. She also worked and studied at EBA Dance Company, under the instruction of Maude Baum & Company in New York. She began teaching at Skarla's School of Classical Ballet in Queens, New York in 1990 and has performed with her dance troupe for celebrities, and at many festivals, ceremonies and events throughout the tri-state area. She has been with VIMSIA since 2003. Her daughter, Imani, attended VIMSIA starting as a toddler in 2001 and graduated in 2016. In 2011, Ms. Sidiropoulos became the Founding President of Dancing Classrooms, Virgin Islands Chapter. She is trained and certified in Zumba and in Ballroom Dance under the direction of Pierre Dulaine. She is always so delighted to share her gifts with the youth, hoping to give them life long skills and creative outlets of expression.

Brandt Smith, MYP Grade 6 Teacher (bsmith@vimsia.org)
In 1994, Brandt helped launch the first US public Montessori secondary school, Clark Montessori, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has taught Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science at the middle school level. He has helped design and implement many of the field studies at Clark and served in a variety of leadership roles. He has worked for years as a teacher-trainer with CMSTEP. He has presented nationally at Montessori conferences and holds an AMS credential for ages 12-18 and a master’s in education from Xavier University. He also holds a Mindfulness Instructor certificate from Mindful Schools and has led mindfulness classes for students, families, and school staffs. He also holds a RYT 200 certificate for teaching yoga. When not engaged with teaching, he can often be found playing his banjo and howling at the moon.

Megan Straube - PGIA Spanish (mstraube@vimsia.org)
Originally from Nebraska, Ms. Straube has a BS from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Arizona. Additionally, she is currently pursuing a degree in Spanish Language and Culture from the Universidad de Salamanca. She has taught Spanish (and Business) in Tucson, Bangkok, and most recently Hong Kong, but first began her teaching career as a Small Business Development volunteer in Peace Corps Nicaragua. Her passion is traveling and she has traveled extensively in South America and Southeast Asia. She also enjoys reading, hiking, and swimming.

Kadeem Thomas, PGIA-MYP Music Teacher (kthomas@vimsia.org)
Kadeem Thomas will be teaching music for the MYP.  He is an International recording and performing artist as well as a songwriter for worldwide renowned artists. He has been teaching music, vocals, percussion, marching band and music theory, for over 15 years. He credits much of his love for music to his CAHS music teacher, Ms. Georgia Francis.

He has performed with and written songs for artists from around the Caribbean and the states. He looks forward to bringing all of his knowledge, energy and experience to the PGIA to create a music program which is exciting and engaging for his students.

Mary Walden, PGIA Theater Teacher (mwalden@vimsia.org)
Mary Catherine Walden comes to VIMSIA from Summit NJ where she taught and directed the High School Theater at Kent Place. Ms. Walden has an MFA in Theater/Acting from the Yale School of Drama, a Masters in English Education and a BA in Drama Literature. She enjoys giving students experiences that draw out their authentic self, and instilling a sense of delight in their own discoveries. Her “happy place” is with students figuring out what occurs to them. She loves the craft of acting and has directed over fifty productions and hopes to direct fifty more! She is indebted to her many, many students(the real teachers)who have helped her to grow, laugh uncontrollably, and have shared such exquisite memories. She is looking forward to meeting her new teachers ooops, I mean students at VIMSIA to continue! Other appointments include Department Chair/Director at Windermere Preparatory School, Middle School Drama Teacher/Director at Legacy Middle in Orlando, and Director at Fieldston Middle in the Bronx. She is forever grateful to have attended The Yale School of Drama for Acting and the many lifelong friendships made and to her son Samuel “who just makes me better!” Looking forward to this new adventure in St. Thomas!

Jacqui Walley - PGIA Maths (jwalley@vimsia.org)
Ms. Walley began her teaching career in 2008 and has since taught 6th-8th grade math, Algebra 1, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, and even College Algebra as an adjunct at the community college level.  Born and raised in Texas, she first fell in love with the ocean when she attended Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi for her undergraduate degree in math education. Ms. Walley is no stranger to island living; from 2012-2014 she taught on a US Missile Defense base in Kwajalein, RMI. After Kwajalein, she returned to Texas and earned a graduate degree in Mathematics Education from Texas Woman’s University. Joining her in St. Thomas is her 8-year-old daughter, who will attend VIMSIA.  Outside of school, Ms. Walley enjoys the beach, crafts, cooking, and hosting friends and family. She is very excited to join the VIMSIA team and to be teaching 6th-8th grade mathematics to the MYP.