Dr. Igor Stefanic joined the Culver Academies’ Science Department in 2001. He earned a bachelor’s degree in and a master’s degree in Physical Chemistry from University of Zagreb (Croatia). Dr. Stefanic then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, also from the University of Zagreb (Croatia). Dr. Stefanic currently teaches AP Chemistry and Astronomy and is an advisor for Science Research Honors. Prior to arriving at Culver Academies, he worked as a Research Scientist at the University of Notre Dame, the Hahn-Meitner Institute, Berlin, General Electric, and the Institute R. Boskovic-Zagreb (Croatia). In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Stefanic is the Head Coach for the Fencing Team.
Xenia Czifrik
Assistant Coach and Armourer
Ms. Xénia Czifrík joined the Culver Academies’ Science Department in 2004. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physics from the Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary as well as a second bachelor's degree in English and Russian / Education from Teacher Training College, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary. Prior to arriving at the Culver Academies, she taught mathematics at Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY. Her areas of study and teaching interests include physics and various levels of mathematics including pre-calculus honors. Ms. Czifrík currently teaches Physics First. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Czifrík is is a member of the Technology Integrators learning community, and an Assistant Coach and Armourer for the Fencing Team.
Rebecca Schneider
Assistant Coach
Ms. Rebecca Schneider joined the Culver Academies fencing program as a head fencing coach in 2008. She is currently working as an assistant fencing coach in foil. She began the art and sport of fencing 17 years ago with the Fencing Illini club in Champaign, IL. To this day she has been coaching, competing, directing and networking with fencing clubs in the US and around the world. She has competed in foil locally and nationally in a variety of settings from mixed opens to sectionals, and earned three silver medals in 2007-2008. At the end of the season she ranked #1 in her division in the US. She was coached by Bakhyt Abdikulov, worked with Master Zbigniew Czajkowski at the Montreal Coaches Conference in 2005, and was recently certified with the United States Fencing Coaching Association. Her coaching philosophy focuses on experience, encouraging confidence and instilling precision in students that will take then to the next level both on and off the strip.
George Blackburne, III
Assistant Coach
Mr. George Blackburne, III is a graduate of CMA ('71), where he amassed an 83-18 record his senior year, fencing both epee and foil against all college competitors. He graduated with a BS from the University of Santa Clara in 1975 and received his MBA in 1982. He graduated with honors from the University of Northern California Law School in 1994. He is an attorney licensed in California and Indiana and has been a fund manager and syndicator with his own commercial mortgage firm, Blackburne & Brown, for the past 30 years. He resides with his family in Plymouth, Indiana. He has helped to coach the epee team for Culver Academies for the last nine seasons.
