Our Team

AMA is staffed by qualified teachers from the United States and other English-speaking countries, as well as from Guatemala.

Meet our staff!

Nicolás Ramos - Administrative Director

I am a parent and my children study at AMA. I have also been the school’s accountant for several years. I feel fortunate to belong to the AMA community. In recent years I was also a professor of the accounting course and I have seen how my former students They are managing to develop into successful people!

Jessica Flood - Academic Director

Jessica, originally from Xela, is a teacher graduated from Rafael Landivar University with more than 20 years of experience. She has taught at all levels, from kindergarten to high school. In 2013 she joined the AMA team. She is happy to be able to help the educational growth of her community. In her free time she loves sharing with others, gardening and working on aquariums.Jessica, originaria de Xela, es una maestra graduada de la universidad Rafael Landivar con más de 20 años de experiencia. Ella ha enseñado en todos los niveles, desde kinder hasta bachillerato. Desde 2013 se union al equipo de AMA. Ella se alegra de poder ayudar al crecimiento educacional de su comunidad. En sus tiempos libres le encanta compartir con otros, hacer jardineria y la acuariofilia.

Lucía Xon - Technical Director

She was born in the City of Landscape Sololá on June 24, 1981, she has lived during her 42 years of life, in the beautiful garden of America par excellence Panajachel, she began her studies at the age of 6 (1988 -1993) at the Official Urban Mixed School of Panajachel at the primary level,  then he moved to the Las Manos Institute where he studied the basic cycle (1994 – 1996), the career he studied at the middle level was Expert Accountant with Specialty in Computer Science the glorious Colegio San Francisco (1997 – 1999), when he graduated as an Expert Accountant he was given the opportunity to work at the Las Manos Institute with only 18 years of age teaching accounting it was there where he discovered that he liked teaching,  For this reason, she entered the university to continue studying the career of Specialized Professor in Primary Education, at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, then she moved to the Universidad Panamericana where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy and Educational Administration, she has a Master’s Degree from DA VINCI University being a Master’s Degree in Business Administration,  Teaching has been her passion for many years she has had the opportunity to work as a teacher in public and private establishments, as well as as a university teacher, she has 24 years of teaching experience and 17 years of experience as a technical administrative director, she loves her job and what gives her the most pleasure about this job is sharing and meeting people of all kinds,  Sharing with each one of them a diversity of experiences, each child and young person who graduates from the educational center where they work takes a little piece of their heart and when they succeed it is the best gift that life gives them, because watching the personal growth of the students is the best satisfaction and I know that I am part of the student life of each one of them. 

As (Ralph Waldo Emerson) said, THE EDUCATOR MAKES DIFFICULT THINGS LOOK EASY, that is why he loves education and shares his knowledge with everyone around him. 

 

Ana Patricia Quenún Yaxón de Ramos - Secretary

Patty is originally from Panajachel and is the Secretary of the School. She joined the AMA family in 2015. She really likes her work and sharing with the AMA community.

Our Teachers:

Esthela Gómez - KinderGarden

Esthela Gomez is originally from Panajachel. He has worked at AMA for 15 years. Esthela graduated as a secondary school teacher specializing in English from the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. She has worked in NGOs as a translator and coordinator of relations with sponsors. She teaches private English classes. He has worked since the degree of Kindergarten to 9th grade teaching English, Kaqchiquel and ESL. She is currently our Kindergarten teacher. She speaks, writes and communicates fluently in English. She also speaks, writes, and communicates in Kaqchikel and Spanish, her third language is English, and she is fluent in other native languages of the region. She is a passionate teacher and her background in the languages she knows, masters and practices! He likes to support and help others who need his help!

Lindsey Newberry - 1st Grade

Mrs. Lindsey is originally from Florida, but she has lived in the beautiful town of Panajachel since 2015. She graduated from Florida State University with her B.S. in Psychology, but teaching is truly her passion. She also loves to sing, bake, and spend time with her husband and their two daughters. She wants to help her students fall in love with learning, and most importantly she hopes they always feel safe, heard, valued, and loved.

Elmy Pablo - 2nd Grade

Elmy Pablo is originally from Santiago Atitlán. Graduated from Bachelor at Atitlán Multicultural Academy School, she has completed pensum in International Relations at Universidad Rafael Landívar of Quetzaltenango. Elmy has experience working in NGOs as a translator, in Call Center, receptionist and has worked for AMA school as a guide teacher in first grade and currently in second grade. Elmy is trilingual; she speaks, writes, and communicates fluently in three languages: English, Tzutujil, and Spanish. Her favorite sport is swimming. She is a very enthusiastic teacher, dedicated to her work, and likes to be supportive of everything related to learning!

Rachel Dodds - 3rd grade

Rachel was our fourth grade teacher in the previous school year and is excited about the opportunity to teach third grade in the upcoming school year.  As a qualified instructor of emotional support and resilience for kids, teens, and adults, Rachel visits us from Canada. She is dedicated about giving each student the tools they need to thrive and excel at all stages of life by fostering both academic and spiritual confidence. As a registered adviser with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Rachel has a wealth of experience in developing psychologically healthy and effective environments that support the highest levels of learning and growth.  Rachel is excited for the extended opportunity to shape the lives of the AMA students and make a positive contribution to the people of Guatemala.

Natasha Maruf - 5th grade

Natasha is thrilled to start her first year of teaching at Lake Atitlán. She grew up in Karachi, Pakistan and moved to Houston, Texas as a teenager. After earning her degree in Communication from Texas A&M University, she’s ready to bring her diverse background into her fifth grade classroom. Inspired by her mom, who’s also a teacher, Ms. Natasha has always had a passion for working with kids, as well as a love for adventure which she hopes to incorporate into her classroom. When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors, working out or enjoying the water. Ms. Natasha is excited to start this new adventure and make learning an adventurous journey for each one of her students!

Anai Pérez - 1st/5th Grades Spanish

Anaí is a passionate teacher, who firmly believes that learning should be an exciting and fun adventure for children. With a spark of creativity and an innovative approach, she transforms classrooms into spaces where curiosity flourishes and knowledge becomes a memorable, experiential experience. Outside of the classroom, Anaí finds inspiration in nature, enjoying long walks outdoors in the company of her pets. The connection with the natural environment provides her with a serenity that complements her vibrant energy at work. In addition, she dedicates time to maintaining her physical well-being through exercise, believing that an active body is the best ally for an alert mind. Her love for teaching extends beyond the walls of the school, as Anaí is an avid reader and always looks for new ways to nurture her intellect and her passion for learning. With a clear vision that teaching is also learning, she remains constantly evolving, committed to being the best version of herself for both her students and herself. She firmly believes that teaching is not just a profession, but a true calling.

Jorge Guzmán - Music for Elementary

Jorge is a musician (mostly singer and guitarist) who believes in the power of music and art to transform individuals and societies. He’s had a wide range of musical experiences such as singing/playing at home and at church, attending the National Conservatory, private music academies and the some college studies in audio and music. He has also written his own songs (available on streaming platforms), played locally and internationally on public transportations as a traveling musician and more recently, delivering music workshops and guitar lessons for beginners, using a coloring book/learning guide that he created for this purpose.

Abigail Cate - Elementary Asistent

Abigail is excited to start her first year as an assistant teacher. She loves working and being around kids, and to help them learn and grow. Abigail has a vibrant and creative personality and enjoys coming up with games and fun activities to do with the children. She believes that teaching is a joy and a wonderful opportunity.  

Tyler Steward - ELA-Writing 6th/11th grades

Tyler is a writer and English/Language Arts teacher from New Jersey, with a background in finance. He has traveled the world extensively, and is excited to invest in human capital here in Panajachel. He believes in the potential of each student to become the best version of themselves and realize any dream they set themselves to achieving. He hopes to inspire students to think deeply and critically about how they can improve the world around them. In his free time, he likes to play music, hike and sail whenever he gets the opportunity.

Dina Orellana - 6th/11th grades Science

Dina Orellana was born and raised in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. She studied Agricultural Biosystems Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Querétaro. Dina has a lifelong passion for biodiversity conservation, wellness, and health. She is a dynamic, curious, and empathetic individual who aspires to become an environmental educator, inspiring others through her actions and habits. Dina will be teaching science to our high school students and is very excited about the upcoming school year!

Cristina de la Riva - 6th/11th grades Social Studies

Cristina de la Riva is a Spanish psychologist and teacher. She has worked for five years in vocational training in Spain in the field of community services. She is passionate about education, nature, reading, and making travel notebooks. She loves learning about new cultures, immersing herself in nature, and being curious. She has a variety of experiences in social volunteering with the elderly and people with disabilities.

Nancy Yoxón - 11th grade Seminar

She is Nancy Gabriela Yoxón Cúmes de Vásquez, she was born in Panajachel, department of Sololá on February 25, 1985. He began his studies at the age of 6 at the Eben-Ezer School where he completed pre-primary and primary school. At the age of 13 he moved to the Epribam Las Manos School, where he attended first, second and third grade. She studied at the Private Normal School of Sololá where she obtained the title of Urban Primary Education Teacher. A year after graduating as a teacher, she was hired by the Martí School where she worked for 3 years teaching fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Having a stable job, he entered the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, Faculty of Humanities, Sololá section where he obtained the Technician in Pedagogy and Educational Administration, he also continued to work in the afternoons at the Juan Pablo II School and on Sundays at the Liceo Panajachel School. With a lot of effort, discipline and perseverance, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy and Educational Administration. In 2009 she was hired by the Ministry of Education under line 021 at the National Institute of Diversified Education where she taught language and literature courses and seminars. In 2016 she began to teach the seminar course at AMA and in 2018 she assumed the position of director at INED.

She currently has 21 years of teaching experience and 6 years of experience as a director, what she likes most about her job is teaching the Seminar course and executing projects for the benefit of the educational community. 

Miguel Ajtzip - 6th/11th grades Math

Originally from Santiago Atitlán, Sololá has more than 15 years of experience in teaching, Miguel’s approach goes beyond formulas and numbers; he believes that mathematics is a powerful tool to develop logical and critical reasoning in his students, and that understanding mathematical principles helps us make informed decisions,  solve problems and appreciate the beauty of the world around us. When he’s not in the classroom, he immerses himself in the world of music, photography, and reading. 

Juan Carlos Mendoza - 6th/11th grades Spanish

Imagine Juan Carlos, a person who breathes passion for teaching. He doesn’t just enjoy the act of teaching; he finds true pleasure in sharing his knowledge with his students, fueling their curiosity and desire to learn. In his free time, Juan Carlos doesn’t stop; his mind is always in motion, exploring, researching, and absorbing new ideas and technologies. He is a true technology enthusiast, always on the cutting edge of what’s to come, constantly seeking ways to innovate and improve in everything he does. Juan Carlos is a joyful person, whose enthusiasm for life is contagious. His fun-loving spirit is combined with an unbreakable determination to set goals and, most importantly, achieve them. Every challenge he faces is an opportunity to grow and learn, proving that he is not just a teacher in the classroom, but in life as well.

Sara Morales - Art & Entrepreneurship 7th/12th

Sara is originally from Guatemala City but this is her seventh year living in Sololá. Moving to the Lake has been one of the best decisions she has made. She really enjoys living in this quiet and beautiful place. She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Universidad del Valle and has been teaching since 2009. She loves teaching and has had the opportunity to work with different ages, from young children to adults. She has worked in different schools in the city and a school in Sololá. She has also worked at Universidad del Valle and Universidad Mariano Gálvez with ESL students.
This is her third year teaching at Atitlan Multicultural Academy and she is very excited to take on new challenges, meet new students, and have fun teaching. Their goal for the 2024-2025 school year is to motivate students to develop new skills, be artists, express their feelings in different ways, and love learning. Sara says she is very excited to start this new school year at AMA

Eduardo Itzep - Physical Education KG/11th grades

Roberto Eduardo Ramón Itzep García is a physical education teacher from San Andrés Semetabaj. He has vast experience working with children and adolescents, as he has training in the area of physical education, sports and physical recreation. He is passionate about sports and physical training, but especially soccer. He is also dedicated to organizing sporting events aimed at children, youth and adults in his community. One of his goals is for students to discover the benefits of physical activity through the practice of games and sports in physical education class.

Consuelo Queché

Consuelo (Cony) Queche has been working at AMA since it started in 2005. She has had the pleasure of seeing students go from Kindergarten all the way to graduating, and she has really enjoyed her time working here. 

Artemio Buch

Artemio Buch has worked as the gardener and handyman at AMA for 11 years now. His youngest daughter studies here, and he feels like there is a mutual benefit having his daughter receive her education here while he is also working and helping the school in so many ways. He has seen so many students grow up here, which makes him very happy. Two of his sons have also worked here at AMA teaching chess, and one continues to do so this year. In his free time, he likes to play soccer and he likes gardening.