Meet our team
Excellence that transcends.“Education is about more than what students learn; it is about who they become in the process”
Lindsey newberry
Academic Director
Mrs. Lindsey is originally from Florida, but she has lived in the beautiful town of Panajachel since 2015. She graduated from Florida State University after studying Psychology with a focus in Family and Child Sciences, but education is truly her passion. She also loves to sing, bake, and spend time with her husband and their two daughters. Her goal is to support our teachers, help our students fall in love with learning, and most importantly she hopes to help people feel safe, heard, valued, and cared for.
Technical Director
Lucía Eugenia Xon Corado is 45 years old and is originally from Panajachel, Guatemala. She has had
the privilege of working at Atitlán Multicultural Academy for the past 16 years, where she
currently serves as the Academic Director. Her passion for education has inspired her many years
of dedication to the school community, and she looks forward to continuing to share her
knowledge and experience with those around her.
Administrative Director
Nico is a parent and his daughter studies at AMA. He has also been the school’s accountant for
several years. He feels fortunate to belong to the AMA community. In recent years, He was also a
professor of accounting, and he has seen how his former students are managing to develop into
successful people!
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.
3rd Grade Teacher
Kai Robinson is our third grade teacher! She is 25 years old and comes from a big family in Tallahassee, Florida. Kai got her education in Florida at Tallahassee State College receiving a degree in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education. This is her 7th time in Guatemala and she is grateful to be able to teach your students here at AMA! What you can expect from her this year is enthusiasm, creativity, and a love for learning! Kai believes that her third grade classroom is a team made up of unique individuals and will make sure each student feels that way. A little bit about Kai is that she likes the color yellow, spending time in community, and sweets! Peace and blessings! Cheers to a great school year!
High School Spanish, Mayan Culture, and TIC Teacher
Juan Carlos lives in Panajachel and teaches Communication and Language (in Spanish) as well as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at AMA. As a teacher, he aims to create dynamic and practical classes that help students develop their academic skills and prepare for future challenges. His goals in life are focused on continuing to grow professionally, learning more about education and technology, and making a positive contribution to the education of new generations while creating a friendly, innovative, and meaningful learning environment.
5th Grade Teacher
Mikindra is the 5th grade teacher for the 2026-27 school year. She is from the United States and earned her Bachelor’s and law degrees in the US. She worked with environmental nonprofits for 10 years before becoming a teacher. She has taught English in Thailand and Taiwan and is excited to start teaching at AMA! In her spare time, Mikindra likes reading and spending time outside hiking, cross country skiing, camping, and spending time on lakes.
Physical Education Teacher
Oscar is a Physical Education teacher who enjoys working with and teaching children and young people through physical education. He practices basketball, volleyball, and wimming, and especially enjoys helping students develop their body coordination and spatial awareness.
Through physical education, Oscar helps children learn, grow, and develop important skills while encouraging them to stay active and enjoy movement.
High School ELA, ESL, and Art
Teacher
Madelyn is an enthusiastic educator with a passion for helping students grow both academically and personally. She has experience working with youth in a variety of settings, including education, coaching, childcare, and community programs. She is especially passionate about building meaningful relationships with students and creating a classroom environment where they feel encouraged, supported, and confident in their abilities. Madelyn is excited to join the school community in Guatemala and hopes to inspire her students to discover their strengths, embrace new challenges, and develop a genuine love for learning.
High School Social Studies, Business, ESL, and College Prep Teacher
Tyler is a Social Studies and Business 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 write, play music, hike and sail whenever he gets the opportunity.
4th Grade Teacher
Liliana is the fourth grade primary school teacher at AMA this year. She comes from a background in visual arts and has a strong belief that the classroom should be both an inviting and enjoyable environment for each and every one of her students. Born and raised in Australia, she now lives in Panajachel, Guatemala. .
Middle and High School Math, and High School Science
Teacher
Jen Chiancone is the 7th–11th grade Math teacher and the 11th grade Biology and Chemistry teacher. Jen is originally from the United States, just outside of Washington, D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, with a background in writing and Chemistry. She attended Washington University in St. Louis and graduated in 2025. She has two years of experience tutoring Math, as well as one year of experience teaching STEM and developing curricula for summer camps. Jen loves exploring new places, swimming, weightlifting, baking, and trying new foods! She is very excited to get to know the students at Atitlán Multicultural Academy and explore the beautiful town of Panajachel!
Middle School Science and
ESL Teacher
Maria Alejandra is a passionate Guatemalan educator who grew up and studied in Guatemala City. Her love for science began during her school years, when she actively participated in science fairs and science Olympiads. These experiences sparked her curiosity and encouraged her to learn more about the world around her. Today, as a Middle School Science Teacher, Mariale is passionate about helping students discover the amazing world around them through science. She hopes to inspire her students to be curious, ask questions, explore, and develop the same excitement for science that has always inspired her.
1st Grade Teacher
Heather Xoquic is our First Grade teacher at AMA, and she is excited to be beginning her second year at the school. Originally from Oklahoma, Heather moved to Panajachel with her husband, who grew up here, and their three children. She is grateful to call this community home and looks forward to another wonderful year of learning, growing, and building meaningful connections with her students and their families.
Pre-K Teacher
Alison Zuseth Martínez Citalán is 22 years old, and she will be our Pre-K teacher this year. She is a ilingual Intercultural Education Teacher, and she is currently in her final year of a university degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. She has previous experience working with Pre-K hildren, and this is her first year working at AMA. She is very happy and excited to be part of this new experience. As a teacher, she enjoys creating a safe and happy classroom where children feel comfortable, can spend time with their classmates, and they can create special memories together. She considers herself to be a caring, positive, and creative person who is always willing to learn new things. In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, listening to music, watching series, and learning new languages. She is excited to share many laughs, beautiful moments, and unforgettable experiences with her students.
Kindergarten Teacher
Esthela Gómez is originally from Panajachel and has worked at AMA for 19 years. She has extensive experience with preschool and elementary students and has taught Kaqchikel, Spanish, and English from Kindergarten through 9th grade. She is currently our Kindergarten teacher. She is fluent in Kaqchikel, Spanish, and English, as well as other Mayan languages from the region. She graduated as an English Professor from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with her students.
Primary Spanish Teacher
Anaí is a teacher who is passionate about education and about creating meaningful, exciting, and fun learning experiences. This is her third year as part of the AMA family, where she has the opportunity to work as the Spanish teacher in Primary School, a role she truly enjoys and that allows her to support her students in developing their skills, creativity, and love for learning. With an innovative and enthusiastic approach, she strives to transform every classroom into a space where curiosity flourishes and knowledge comes to life. Outside the classroom, she finds inspiration in nature, enjoys spending time outdoors with her pets, makes time for exercise, and finds in reading a way to continue growing and discovering new ideas. For Anaí, teaching also means constantly learning, evolving, and striving to become a better version of herself each day, because she firmly believes that teaching is not just a profession, but a true calling.
2nd Grade Teacher
Elmy Pablo is originally from Santiago Atitlán. She graduated from Colegio Academia Multicultural Atitlán and completed the coursework for a degree in International Relations at Universidad Rafael Landívar in Quetzaltenango. She has professional experience in different areas, including working for non-governmental organizations as a translator, in call centers, and as a receptionist. She is part of the AMA family, she has worked with First Grade and currently as a Second Grade teacher, making this her fourth year teaching Second Grade. Elmy is trilingual and speaks fluently in English, Tz’utujil, and Spanish. She is an enthusiastic, dedicated, and committed teacher who enjoys supporting her students throughout their learning process and contributing to their growth and development. Outside the classroom, she especially enjoys swimming, which is one of her favorite sports.
Primary Assistant
Nayeli Kenia Neri Paglianti is 22 years old and serves as a Primary Assistant at AMA. She is passionate about supporting young children as they take their first steps in learning and enjoys watching them develop new skills, gain confidence, and become more independent each day.
Nayeli is always willing to lend a helping hand in any grade level, supporting both students and teachers whenever needed. For her, working with children is a truly rewarding experience, as each day brings new opportunities to teach, learn, and contribute to their academic and personal growth.
11th Grade Seminar Teacher
Nancy Gabriela Yoxón Cúmes de Vásquez holds a degree in Pedagogy and Educational Administration and has 20 years of experience teaching Seminar. She loves this subject because it allows her to get to know her students and guide them as they pursue their dreams and goals for personal growth.
Nancy enjoys playing basketball, and her favorite color is mint green. She considers it a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the AMA community!
Kaqchikel Teacher
Miss Florecita has a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. She is an elementary and high school teacher who loves her job, enjoys reading, and is always ready to support those in need whenever possible. She speaks Spanish, Kaqchikel, and intermediate English. For her, languages are wonderful worlds to explore, allowing one to understand different ways of thinking.
Artemio Buch has worked as the gardener and handyman at AMA for 12 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 taught chess here in the past. In his free time, he likes to play soccer and he likes gardening.
Edwin Rosales is a member of the maintenance staff. He carries out his work with great dedication, responsibility, and care. He is responsible for caring for, preserving, and maintaining all of the school’s facilities, ensuring that they are clean, safe, and suitable for everyone.
His work is essential to the smooth functioning of the school, as he consistently contributes his time, effort, and commitment to providing the best possible environment for students, teachers, and staff to carry out their daily activities. Edwin has a helpful and service-oriented attitude and is always willing to assist wherever needed.
He is an active and valued member of the school community, and each day he contributes through his work to the well-being and success of everyone who is part of the educational community.
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.
