THE HEART OF YSA
Meet Our Teachers
A small, carefully selected group of experienced, highly qualified educators. Every YSA teacher holds a degree in education or their subject area, has held state teaching certification, and — most importantly — is kind, genuinely caring, and student-focused.
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Degreed & Certified
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Highly Experienced
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Student-Focused
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Relationship-Builders
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
The Vision Behind YSA
Ms. Kim Baust
Founder & Director | B.S. & M.Ed. in Elementary Education | 26+ Years Experience
Kim Baust founded The Young Scholar Academy with one powerful belief: that every child deserves to be truly known by their teacher. With over 26 years of teaching experience, Kim built YSA from the ground up — selecting every teacher, designing the curriculum, and crafting the kind of warm, connected community that makes kids actually want to show up.
YSA is more than a school — it’s the learning community Kim always wished existed. A place where relationships come first, where parents are true partners, and where every child is celebrated for exactly who they are. Her motto says it all: “Where magic happens.”
OUR MASTER TEACHERS
The YSA Team
Each YSA teacher is hand-selected for their expertise, warmth, and passion for teaching. They don’t just teach — they connect, inspire, and celebrate every child in their pod.
Ms. Joy
B.S. Elementary Education (Reading Specialization) · M.Ed. Educational Technology · 31+ Years
ELA & Reading Specialist · Grades 2–7
Ms. Joy has been teaching and inspiring elementary and middle school students for over 31 years in public, private, and online classrooms. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in reading, and a Master’s degree in Educational Technology.
Ms. Joy loves building relationships with her students and getting to know them. She wants to build on their strengths and unique talents, and hopes to instill a love of reading in every student she teaches.
✨ When not teaching, you’ll find Ms. Joy traveling, glamping, reading, cooking, snow skiing, and scuba diving.
Ms. Jamie
B.S. Education (ECE–6th) · M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction · ESL & Gifted Certified
Math Interventionist · Grades 2–8
Ms. Jamie has been teaching and inspiring elementary students for over a decade in public and online classrooms. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and is certified in ESL instruction as well as Gifted & Talented education.
Ms. Jamie specializes in helping students grow their confidence in math through engaging lessons, hands-on activities, and meaningful connections — exploring the “why” behind the steps.
✨ When not teaching, you’ll find Jamie spending time with her family, exploring new coffee shops, reading a good book, enjoying the outdoors, or winning during family game nights.
Ms. Kelly
B.A. in Art · M.Ed. in Education · 15+ Years Experience (K–12)
Art · Grades K–12
Ms. Kelly believes that every student has a unique creative voice. She enjoys creating a welcoming, encouraging classroom where students feel comfortable exploring new ideas, taking artistic risks, and developing their skills.
✨ Kelly loves exploring new places, creating her own artwork, and spending time near the beach.
Ms. Dena
B.S. Elementary Education · Certified Teacher · 10+ Years Experience
ELA, Science & Social Studies · Grades 2–5
Ms. Dena is a passionate and experienced educator who brings warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm to every class. She teaches our 2nd Grade Learning Pod and leads our beloved Jr. Scientists and Jr. Historians enrichment series.
Ms. Dena shares YSA’s core philosophy: that every student can learn, and that great teaching begins with a great relationship.
✨ Ms. Dena loves exploring the world through science, history, and the joy of discovery — and she brings that curiosity into every lesson.
Ms. Lindsay
B.S. Early Childhood Education (Messiah College) · AmeriCorps · 18+ Years Experience
Early Childhood & Elementary Education · Grades K–3
Ms. Lindsay has been teaching and inspiring young learners for over 18 years across some remarkable places — from downtown Boston and rural Georgia to mountainous North Carolina and right here in coastal Virginia.
She brings warmth, energy, and a genuine love for children to every class — passionate about getting to know each child as an individual.
✨ Ms. Lindsay lives in Newport News with her husband Matt, their two daughters, their dog Rosie, and two cats. In her free time you’ll find her running, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, reading — and cheering on her Baltimore Ravens!
Mrs. Swagger
B.S. Elementary Education · Certified Pre-K–6th · Former Instructional Coach · 12+ Years Experience
Elementary & Middle School · Grades Pre-K–7
Mrs. Swagger has been inspiring students for over 12 years in elementary and middle school classrooms, and spent four years as an instructional coach partnering with teachers to strengthen their practices.
She believes the heart of teaching is building meaningful relationships, and works to help students develop a lifelong love of learning.
✨ When she’s not teaching, you’ll find Mrs. Swagger spending time with her husband and three young children, swimming, relaxing at the beach, and playing board games.
Ms. Jaci
B.S. Education (K–6th) · M.Ed. Elementary Education · 15+ Years Experience
Elementary Education · Grades K–6
Ms. Jaci has been teaching and inspiring elementary students for over 15 years in both private and public school settings, using hands-on activities and real-world topics to make meaningful connections.
✨ When Ms. Jaci isn’t in the classroom, she is spending time with her family and dog, enjoys being at the beach, and loves to read and paint with watercolors.