Administration

Jocelyn Balaban

Co-Director

Jocelyn Balaban began her teaching career at Mirman School for the Gifted in 1987. She earned a B.S. degree from National College of Education in Elementary Education (K-6) and minored in theater. Ms. Balaban holds an Illinois State Certification in gifted education.

​It was in Illinois that she began her career and worked as the coordinator of gifted education for two local school districts, where she created their gifted programs. After teaching many years at Mirman School, she was asked to move into Administration. Ms. Balaban served as the Director of External Gifted Relations/Administrative Liaison.

Additionally, she held the positions of Interim Head of Lower School and Interim Director of Admissions. She created a “Morning Math Club” where students and parents of different ages came together to do math problem solving. Biannually, she planned and coordinated a school-wide “Women In STEAM” Conference for students. Besides her other responsibilities, she was the Director of Assistant Teachers, plans special events, organized teachers professional development, supervised the bus program, sat on the Admissions Team, and was a Senior Administrator.

She has co-authored a teacher’s black line master activity book,”The Box Book” and has presented at local, state, and national conferences, including California Association of Independent Schools, California Association of Gifted, and the National Association of Gifted Children. She continually promotes the need for gifted education.

Ms. Balaban enjoys many activities outside of school: traveling, sailing, cooking, attending the theater and concerts, spending time with family, friends, and her grandchildren.

Ms. Balaban is honored to have been in on the conception of Nasri Academy for Gifted Children. After more than 50 years in education Ms. Balaban still has the love for working with children. Always full of energy and passion for what she is involved in, she is the woman who wears many hats! She has said that the school is her stage, the students her audience, and their success her applause.

Jocelyn continues to be excited to be involved with the development of programming and growth of Nasri Academy  where she can share her knowledge and lifelong passion for gifted education with the village.