Staff
John T. Way – Founder and Executive Director
John Way (also known as J.T. Way) founded AMA in 2005 and serves as the leader of the institution. John received his Ph.D. from Yale University, has earned M.A. degrees from Yale and Tulane Universities. His forthcoming book, The Mayan in the Mall: Development, Globalization and The Making of Modern Guatemala (Duke University Press) covers culture and globalization in Guatemala during the 20th century. John has won Fulbright, Mellon Foundation and Yale Center for International and Area Studies grants. He has taught in various elementary, junior high and high school programs, and at LaGuardia Community College, Tulane University and Yale University in the USA. John is currently a member of the team of directors at CIRMA (the Center for Mesoamerican Research) in Antigua, Guatemala, where he directs the University of Arizona Study Abroad Program, works as history professor, and develops and academically directs new programs in higher education. Education and love of learning are John's passions, and every day he's thankful to be living in Guatemala and building AMA.
John Way (apodo J.T., en inglés) fundó el AMA en el 2005 y es el líder de la institución. John obtuvo su Doctorado en la Universidad de Yale, y también cuenta con dos títulos de Maestría de las universidades de Yale y Tulane. Su libro, en vías de publicación con la Editorial de la Universidad de Duke, se llama The Mayan in the Mall: Development, Globalization and The Making of Modern Guatemala, se trata de la cultura y la globalización en Guatemala durante el siglo XX. John ha sido premiado con becas Fulbright, Mellon y Yale Center for International and Area Studies. Ha enseñado en varios programas de primaria, básico y bachillerato, y también en las siguientes universidades en los EE.UU.: La Guardia Community College, Tulane University y Yale University. Actualmente John es miembro del equipo de directores en CIRMA (Centro de Investigaciones Regionales de Mesoamérica) en Antigua, Guatemala, en donde sirve de director del Programa Study Abroad (con la Universidad de Arizona), trabaja de catedrático de historia, desarrolla y dirige académicamente nuevos programas en la educación superior. La educación y el amor al aprendizaje son las pasiones de John, y cada día da gracias por poder vivir en Guatemala y construir el colegio AMA.
Mark Richmond – Director, Uppers Mathematics
A native of Wales and new resident of San Juan La Laguna here on Lake Atitlán, Mark is an educator who’s also a veteran of top-tier international firms. As such, he brings a decade of administrative and financial management experience to AMA. Mark’s acumen in team and staff management, systems design and analysis, and business administration speak to his training in pure mathematics and help explain why in his classroom, math is always something living and breathing that applies to everyday life. Mark has taught in the United Kingdom, Spain and Guatemala, and is an avid traveler and sports aficionado who loves golf, kite surfing, snooker, hiking, and yoga. Mark is dedicated to actualizing AMA’s educational mission by ensuring that each and every student achieves beyond his or her expectations.
Matthew Leschiner – Uppers Science and Mathematics
AMA’s in-house “science guy,” Matt has degrees in Community and Public Health and Biology. A true world traveler fluent in Russian, he arrived at AMA coming overland from Colombia (though he didn’t do the Darien Gap!). A believer in applied science who uses project-based learning and field research techniques in his classes, Matt has had a career that has taken him to places including Kentabe, Uganda, Las Cruces, New Mexico, San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, and even Washington, DC. In his free time, Matt swims, and in his classroom his energy and enthusiasm make students dive into their studies with new perspective.
Lindsay Brown – Primary School and Enrichment Activities
Lindsay is a native of Ohio in the United States, where she earned a degree in French with concentrations in linguistics and psychology, as well as a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language. A language-oriented world traveler who also studied in Germany, Lindsay has taught both languages and naturalist courses. She seeks to aid in effectively nurturing and enriching the daily lives of children, to promote a positive atmosphere and quality education, and to bring a sense of joy into everyday activities.
Ruben Gonzalez – Technical Director and Primary Spanish
A certified primary school teacher in Guatemala, Rubén is a native of Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. A devotee of the progressive, interactive AMA pedagogical method, Rubén is literally revolutionizing Guatemalan education inside his classroom. He's combining the best of the Guatemalan, U.S., and AMA systems, forging bilingual learners who love to be in school. Ruben co-founded an English language institute in Rabinal before joining us here at AMA.
Rubén cuenta con una cédula docente guatemalteca, nació en Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. Es amante al método progresivo e interactivo de la enseñanza que usamos aquí en AMA. Rubén literalmente está revolucionando la educación Guatemalteca dentro de su aula. Rubén combina lo mejor de los sistemas guatemaltecos, estadounidenses y propios de AMA, así esta desarrollando a instructores bilingües a quienes les encanta estar en la escuela. Ruben fundó un instituto de enseñanza del idioma inglés en Rabinal.
Esthela Gomez – Early Childhood Classroom Assistant
Esthela is our wonderful Kindergarten Assistant. She is fluent in three languages: English, Spanish and Kaqchikel, and has been working in our Kindergarten since its inception. She not only helps Su throughout the day, but also teaches the Spanish and Kaqchikel lessons to the children.
Esthela es nuestra maravillosa asistente en Preprimaria. Habla tres idiomas: Inglés, Español y Kaqchikel, y ha trabajado en nuestra Preprimaria desde su inicio. No solamente ayuda a Su durante el día, sino también es la maestra de Español y Kaqchikel en el aula.
Nicolas Ramos – Accounting
Nicolas is not only AMA’s accountant, but also added to his experience teaching the ninth grade the ins and outs of basic accounting. And he is enjoying teaching! Nicolas and his wife have just recently welcomed their first child, a girl. Congratulations!
Nicolas no solamente es el Perito Contador de AMA, pero también empezó el año pasado a dar clases de contabilidad a los alumnos de 3o básico. Y le encanta! Recientemente, Nicolás y su esposo dieron la bienvenida a su primera hija. Felicitaciones!
Nancy Lopez – Secretary
Nancy is the linchpin in the AMA machine, making sure teachers are well-supplied, lunches are ordered, medicine and advice is dispensed, files are in order, and generally keeping everything under control. And she does it all with a smile! Nancy is originally from the coast, but moved to Pana from Retalhuleu many years ago. Currently finishing her studies for a law degree, when Nancy has free time, she loves to cook, spend time with friends and family, and run with her dogs on the beach.
Nancy es la parte indispensable de la máquina de AMA, asegurando que los maestros tengan sus útiles, almuerzos, medicina y consejos dispensados, que los archivos estén en orden, y ayudando a que todo esté bajo control en general. Y lo hace con una gran sonrisa! Nancy nació en la costa, pero vino a Pana de Retaluheu hace muchos años. Ahora está terminando sus estudios de Derecho, pero cuando tiene tiempo libre, le encanta cocinar, pasear con amigos y familia, y correr con sus perros en la playa.