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!

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 loves to sing, bake, and spend time with her husband and her two daughters. She hopes to help her students fall in love with learning.

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 RafaelLandívar 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 insecond grade. Elmy is trilingual; she speaks, writes, and communicates fluently in three languages: English, Tzutujil, and Spanish. She is a very enthusiastic teacher, dedicated to her work, and likes tobe supportive of everything related to learning!

Rachel Dodds - 4th grade

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. In 2020, Rachel provided curriculum support to parents who were homeschooling their children as well as mindfulness lessons to the students. 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. As a previous business owner and entrepreneur for more than ten years, Rachel had the opportunity to broaden her horizons by becoming a radio host, a writer for a weekly publication, and a qualified public speaker. Rachel is excited for the opportunity to shape the lives of the AMA students and make a positive contribution to the people of Guatemala.

Rob Martens - 5th/6th grades

- 5th/6th grades

Gleysis Matheu - 1st/6th Grades Spanish

Ted Siegel - Social Studies 7th/12th grades

Ted Siegel, originally from the NYC area, is so excited to teach social studies at AMA this year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and sociology and a master’s degree in the teaching of social studies and has over a decade of experience teaching in New Jersey public schools. He is of the firm belief that history is one of the most important subjects to learn in order to be a good citizen of the world and is dedicated to demonstrating its usefulness to his students in engaging, fun, and memorable ways. When he isn’t teaching, he is in all likelihood eating new foods, hiking, reading, or watching movies.

Laura Herzog - ELA Writing 7th/12th grades

Laura Herzog is thrilled to be teaching English at AMA this year. Originally from New Jersey, she holds bachelor’s degrees in international studies and journalism and a dual master’s degree in general and special education. She assistant-taught at a private school for students with special needs in Manhattan and went on from there to accrue five years experience working in NJ public schools. Many of her students in America are Guatemalan immigrants, and this has made her all the more passionate about learning more about Guatemalan culture! Ms. Herzog loves to learn about new things and analyze the world around her, while deepening her understanding of herself and her own values and beliefs at the same time. She wants her students to deepen their own inner worlds and experience this same fulfillment! One of her favorite teaching quotes is “reading (and writing) is thinking.”

Sophie Bibaut - 7th/9th grades Science

Sophie is our grade 1,7,8, and 9 science teacher here at AMA. She is originally from British Columbia, Canada and holds a degree in Biopsychology. Her background in the sciences makes her very passionate when it comes to teaching the subject. She enjoys working with children and is always aspiring to have a positive impact on the lives of the students at AMA. She is very excited to be a part of our team.

Miguel Ajtzip - 7th/12th 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. 

Otto Tzic - 7th/12th grades Spanish

Twenty-seven years old, married, Guatemalan, currently living in the city of Sololá, has completed his curriculum in the career of Legal and Social Sciences, at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, University Center of the West, has experience in the Guatemalan legal field, and is currently developing his graduation work related to Indigenous Law. A great connoisseur of Guatemalan literature, fond of photography, in his free time he actively participates in ecclesial activities in favor of the development of his community. He is excited to guide students to the discovery of the truth through an objective and interesting reading of literature that transforms their thinking and allows them a better futur

Sara Morales - Art & Entrepreneurship 7th/12th

Sara is originally from Guatemala City but this is her 6th year living in Sololá. Moving to the lake has been one of the best decisions she has made. She really enjoys living in this peaceful and beautiful place. She has a bachelor degree in high school education from Universidad del Valle and has been teaching since 2009. She loves teaching and has had the opportunity to work with different ages, with toddlers up 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 Galvez with ESL students.

This is her second year teaching in Atitlan Multicultural Academy and is very excited to accept new challenges, get to know new students, and have fun teaching. Her goal for the 2023-2024 school year is to motivate students to develop new skills, be artists, express their feelings in different ways and to love learning. Sara says she is very exciting to start this new school year in AMA.

Eduardo Itzep - Physical Education KG/12th grades

Nicolás Ramos - Accountant

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!