Lower School

Dawn Brown has bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Education Specialist degree in K-12 Education Leadership and Administration. She attended the University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, and Northwest Missouri State University. She leads the broadcast journalism club for lower school, coaches Girls on the Run, and provides tutoring for students. She enjoys teaching at CIS because of the close relationships with students, colleagues, and the CIS community as a whole.

Jessica Dudenhoeffer holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Columbia College and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri. She has six years of teaching experience at CIS. She also values the unique opportunity CIS provides for fostering close relationships with students and their families. Maintaining these connections is crucial to a healthy learning experience, especially during tutoring sessions with young readers. The enjoyable learning experiences and consistent progress is a feat of her approach. Jessica takes pride in witnessing the progression of previous first graders into accomplished readers and leaders. A particular joy is seeing her former students assume the role of Big Buddies for her current first graders, engaging in collaborative projects that stimulate growth and development.

Mrs. Qureshi has been teaching at CIS for five years. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Missouri in Columbia. For extracurriculars, she helps coach Girls on the Run, and she hosts Family Book Club. Her favorite part of teaching at CIS is the Fifth Grade Celebration, where students recognize the growth, hard work, and fun they had during their lower school years.

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!