ISAS Staff

Rhonda Durham

Executive Director

My love for independent education is nearly as old as my love for my family. When I was a school girl growing up in Tidewater Virginia, my young parents sacrificed to send me, their first of four, to the Williams School in Norfolk. My mother drove a carpool route to defray part of my tuition even as she hand-smocked my dresses and monitored monthly payments on our piano so that I could take lessons. From those days of weekly current events reports (on Mondays) and poetry recitation (Wednesdays) on to my years as the first Head Cheerleader (!!!) at newly co-ed Norfolk Academy, I felt particularly fortunate to learn in such rich and inspiring environments. Especial role models were my grandmother, a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in the Shenandoah Valley, and Bea Lovitt, Headmistress of Country Day School for Girls (which merged with Norfolk Academy). Mrs. Lovitt inspired me to major in French which led me to attend Sweet Briar College and participate in its renowned Junior Year in France, enjoying classes at the Sorbonne and living with a French family in Paris. Before graduating from Sweet Briar, I worked as a student teacher in nearby Amherst and completed Virginia's teacher certification requirements.

Mindful of my unconventional background, I marvel that, in so many vital ways, I am inordinately blessed to be able not only to enjoy the fruits, but to serve the cause of the best in independent education, and, now as Executive Director of ISAS, to work with so many other wonderful people similarly devoted."

Upon graduation in 1972, I married and moved to Midland, Texas, hometown of my new husband, Lynn, where I promptly began teaching French at Trinity School. Following some years living in Dallas and beginning a family, Midland became home again. Our children all attended Trinity (and later graduated from Groton School and St. Paul’s School, NH), and I served the School as a Trustee, Admissions Director, and finally as its Head, before becoming Executive Director of the ISAS (in 2006).

Before resuming a full-time professional career in 1998, I had always been engaged in various volunteer roles. All my work, whether volunteer or professional, I found meaningful and tremendously helpful for every role that followed.

The manifold challenge of leading a community of schools over a vast region can be daunting, but I have found it both energizing and rewarding. Mindful of my unconventional background, I marvel that, in so many vital ways, I am inordinately blessed to be able not only to enjoy the fruits, but to serve the cause of the best in independent education, and, now as Executive Director of ISAS, to work with so many other wonderful people similarly devoted.

Jananne McLaughlin

Director for Accreditation Services

In my journey to my work in independent education, I have been led by my children. After graduation from the University of Kansas in 1974, I began my professional life in banking in Dallas and continued after our move to Midland, Texas. Before the birth of my third child in 1987, I “retired” from my position as a commercial loan officer to spend more time with my family. I wish I could say that a thorough and exhaustive search of educational alternatives led us to enroll our children at Trinity School of Midland. In reality, my husband and I opened our back gate, bade them walk across the football field, and were fortunate that a fine ISAS school awaited them on the other side. I found great joy in volunteering at their school, first in the Parents Association and then as a member of the Board of Trustees for eight years. My work on behalf of the school and experience as a parent in every grade from K/3 through 12 gave me an appreciation for the value of independent education and a knowledge of and belief in Trinity that prepared me for my next career as the Director of Admissions, a position I held from 1999 through 2006.

Learning more about the work of ISAS and about the distinctive character of each of the member schools has been a challenge, and working with so many of the fine people associated with the schools has been a privilege."

When presented with the opportunity to become the Director for Accreditation Services for ISAS, I was delighted to accept. I was pleased to continue to work with valued colleagues, and I was excited about the opportunity to stretch professionally. Learning more about the work of ISAS and about the distinctive character of each of the member schools has been a challenge, and working with so many of the fine people associated with the schools has been a privilege.

Our grown sons live in Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, D.C., and our daughter is a student at the University of Notre Dame. My husband, who is a lawyer, and I enjoy traveling to visit them. We are devoted Kansas Jayhawk basketball fans and are surprised and pleased to be also relishing a successful football season this year.

Heather Junker

Director of Programs and Professional Development

In August of 2004, just one year after moving to Fort Worth, I began working for ISAS. My previous experience as the Director of Membership and Special Events at Japan Society in New York City, as well as my work at Asia Society and Independent Curators International, gave me the skills I have used in preparing conferences for this association. My experiences range from planning small gatherings in private homes for 20 people to planning corporate dinners for 800 to coordinating conferences for professional development. Whether working with donors, dignitaries, artists, educators, or administrators, I always enjoy the challenges of putting together well-organized events.

Whether working with donors, dignitaries, artists, educators, or administrators, I always enjoy the challenges of putting together well-organized events."

While I was growing up in Oklahoma, my mother was the President of the local school board for several years, and she taught me a great appreciation for the work done in schools. As an adult, I have been involved with the youth in my church and with community initiatives for elementary-aged children.

I graduated from Grinnell College with a BA in Art History. I then earned a Master of Arts Management degree at Carnegie Mellon University. I have completed internships at such places as The Chicago Art Institute, Sotheby’s London, and The Smithsonian and have always enjoyed my work with non-profits.

Leslie Webster

Director of Office, Special Projects, and Webmaster

ISAS had been a “household” word for me during my seven years at Trinity School of Midland prior to joining ISAS in the fall of 2006. I love the rewarding opportunity to continue to serve students by serving our great member schools in various areas of responsibility which include the reconstruction and upkeep of our new website, assistance with constituent surveys, and database management.

Most of my past work experience lies in education—beginning many years ago as a therapist at a school for adults with mental handicaps. When my own children reached school age, I became involved as a parent volunteer and soon was employed, working for the head of school, first at Mesilla Valley Christian School in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and then at San Jacinto Christian Academy in Amarillo, Texas. After managing a law office in Scottsdale, Arizona for two years, I knew my heart was in the school setting. When we moved to West Texas in 2000, I was delighted that Trinity School of Midland had a perfect opening for me in the office of Rhonda Durham, Head of School. I worked at Trinity from 2000 to 2006 when I began my tenure with ISAS.

I love the rewarding opportunity to continue to serve students by serving our great member schools in various areas of responsibility which include the reconstruction and upkeep of our new website, assistance with constituent surveys, and database management."

My job at ISAS is a perfect fit for me. I love what I do—and I especially love the wonderful people I work with—from ISAS staff in Midland and Fort Worth to the folks in the ISAS member schools.

My life outside of ISAS includes traveling on business trips with my husband who is a hospital CEO, spending time with my parents, my grown children, and my two-year-old granddaughter, and being involved in my church.

Allison Rose

Administrative Assistant

I had the pleasure of joining the ISAS team (which is fantastic, I might add) in August, 2007, after working for the Midland Chamber of Commerce as the Visitor Services Manager for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. I am most definitely a “people person,” and it is a delight to correspond with our member schools. My Administrative Assistant workload varies greatly, and I enjoy the array of assignments tremendously. I draw on my experience in bookkeeping, technology, and public relations to serve you.

I am most definitely a “people person,” and it is a delight to correspond with our member schools. I am extremely excited to have found a place with such a wonderful organization, and I look forward to assisting you with your needs!"

When I am not in the office, I spend time with my wonderful husband, two beautiful daughters and four feisty felines. I take pleasure in reading, cooking, sewing, and, my biggest vice, vintage clothing. I am extremely excited to have found a place with such a wonderful organization, and I look forward to assisting you with your needs!