Administration

​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. Presently, Ms. Balaban serves as the Director of External Gifted Relations/Administrative Liaison.
Additionally, she has held the positions of Interim Head of Lower School and Interim Director of Admissions. She started a Morning Math Club where students and parents of different ages come together to do math problem solving. Biannually, she plans and coordinates a school-wide Women In STEAM Conference for the students. Besides her other responsibilities, she is the Director of Assistant Teachers, plans special events, organizes teachers professional development, supervises the bus program, sits on the Admissions Team, and is a Senior Administrator.
She has co-authored a teacher’s black line master activity 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, taking Pilates classes, and spending time with family, friends, and her new grandson Dylan.
Always full of energy and passion for what she is involved in, she is the woman who wears many hats! She has always said that her classroom is her stage, the students her audience, and their success her applause.
Jocelyn is excited to be involved with the development of programing, where she can share her knowledge and life long passion for gifted education with Nasri Academy.