Our Teachers and Staff

We are proud of our exceptional international faculty, representing diverse backgrounds and countries such as Costa Rica, Canada, Chile, Colombia, England, France, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. The majority of our teachers hold advanced degrees in education or related fields, and all are fully certified professionals. Above all, our faculty is dedicated to fostering a supportive, nurturing environment where learning and growth are at the heart of everything we do.


Meet Our School Leaders

A woman with dark curly hair, smiling, standing outdoors with green trees and palm leaves in the background, wearing a pink top.
A smiling man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a blue button-up shirt, outdoors with trees and blurred background.
Portrait of a smiling woman with long wavy blonde hair, wearing a white blouse and a necklace, outdoors with greenery and a body of water in the background.

  • Head of School

    Dan is a passionate international educator and leader with over 22 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and head of school in Colombia and Canada. During his career he has led the implementation of project-based learning, STEM education, and has overseen school growth and expansion. Dan holds a B.A. in Sociology, a B. Ed. in Primary-Junior Education, an M.A. in Education, and an educational doctorate in international school leadership from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Prior to his career in teaching, Dan worked in outdoor education settings, leading excursions for school groups and at-risk youth.

  • Secondary Principal, IB Coordinator

    Monica, originally from Chile, currently serves as the Secondary Principal, IB Coordinator, and teaches Spanish A to grade 12 at Del Mar Academy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Sociology from Universidad Católica de Chile, a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Administration from Universidad de Barcelona, and a professional certificate in the same field from Harvard School of Education & Harvard Business School. With 17 years of experience, she has worked as a teacher and administrator in New York City, Tanzania, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Costa Rica, in public, charter, and international schools.

  • Primary Principal

    Patty is an experienced international educator and administration leader with over 29 years in the field, specializing in coaching, curriculum design, and collaboration to support both academic success and socio-emotional development. Her extensive expertise in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, combined with her skills in leading collaborative planning sessions and curriculum development, has allowed her to create enriching environments for both student learning and teacher collaboration. Patty is dedicated to mentoring staff and guiding them toward professional growth. With a Master of Education in International Education Administration and International Education from Endicott College, Boston, and a BA in Pre-School Education, she brings a strong academic background and bilingual teaching experience. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Patty is certified to teach in both Mexico and Minnesota, USA. Known for her leadership, relationship-building abilities, and excellent presentation skills, she remains committed to fostering a collaborative and innovative educational environment

Teachers and Staff

  • A young woman with brown hair tied back, smiling outdoors, wearing a white lace top, standing in front of a green tree with sunlight filtering through leaves.

    Ana Maria Mayorga

    Casa Montessori Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with curly black hair smiling outdoors, wearing a sleeveless brown top, gold jewelry, and standing in front of green foliage.

    Nicole Johnston

    Casa Montessori Teacher
    United States

  • A young woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair, wearing a white top with puffed sleeves, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Estibaliz Arias

    Casa Montessori Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A woman smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background, wearing a light pink top and a silver necklace with a purple pendant.

    Francela Arrieta

    Casa Montessori Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A young woman with short black hair smiling outdoors in front of green foliage, wearing a light blue sleeveless top.

    Nelsy Arrieta

    Casa Assistant
    Costa Rica

  • Older man with glasses and a white beard wearing a green button-up shirt, standing outdoors with trees in the background.

    David Drakos

    Lower Primary Montessori Teacher
    United States

  • A young woman with dark hair in a braid, wearing a black sleeveless top and pink earrings, standing outdoors with trees in the background.

    Michelle Castro

    Lower Primary Montessori Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors among green and red tropical plants.

    Matilde Jiron

    Lower Primary Montessori Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with long brown hair and light skin outdoors, with a blurred green foliage background.

    Miriam Magré Loren

    Lower Primary Montessori Teacher
    Spain

  • A young woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes, standing outdoors in front of a large tree and green foliage, wearing a sleeveless, striped top.

    Lilou Herbst

    Lower Primary Assistant
    Costa Rica

  • A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a navy sleeveless top, blue necklace, and matching earrings, smiling outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Annabeth Jensen

    Upper Primary Teacher
    United States

  • A young man with short hair, a goatee, and a slight smile wearing a blue t-shirt, standing outdoors with a blurred background of trees and building windows.

    Efraín Avilés

    Upper Primary Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with shoulder-length curly brown hair smiling outdoors amidst green plants and palm trees.

    Priscilla Garza

    Upper Primary Teacher
    United States

  • A woman with long curly hair, wearing glasses and a floral blouse, standing outdoors with greenery background.

    Aileen Knipe

    Upper Primary Teacher
    South Africa

  • A woman with long dark hair, wearing glasses and a light yellow shirt, standing outdoors with greenery and trees in the background.

    Pamela Vega

    Upper Primary Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with curly, reddish-brown hair smiling, wearing earrings, a nose ring, a necklace, and a floral blouse with orange and white flowers, standing in front of lush green foliage and pink and purple plants.

    Kristen Dixie

    Upper Primary Teacher
    Canada

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a white top and silver jewelry outdoors.

    Ximena De León

    Learning Support Coordinator
    Costa Rica

  • A man with curly dark hair, a mustache, and a goatee, wearing a patterned button-up shirt, standing outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    Marcel Brenes

    School Counselor
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with dark hair in a bun and light skin is smiling outdoors, wearing a black tank top, with a blurred green natural background.

    Keren Espinoza

    P.E. and Athletics Coordinator
    Costa Rica

  • A smiling woman wearing colorful earrings and a patterned headscarf outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Erica Ramos

    Physical Education Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A woman smiling, wearing earrings and a sleeveless top, with a blurred outdoor background.

    Laura Rojas

    Visual Arts
    Costa Rica

  • A smiling woman with dark hair in a ponytail wearing a white sleeveless top outdoors, with blurred green trees in the background.

    Sugely Barrantes

    Resource Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A young woman with short curly black hair, wearing a black top with patterned straps, smiling outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

    Kiara López

    Performance Arts
    Mexico

  • A smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair, wearing glasses and a white collared shirt, outdoors with a blurred green background.

    Emily Dittman

    Secondary English Teacher
    United States

  • A woman with short, curly black hair smiling outdoors with a blurred green background.

    Carla Uribe

    Secondary Science Teacher
    Spain

  • A middle-aged man with gray hair, round glasses, and a light blue collared shirt standing outdoors with a blurred natural background.

    Chad Williams

    Secondary Math Teacher
    United States

  • A man with short dark hair, a beard, and light skin, wearing a dark gray polo shirt with a white logo, standing outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    Rafael Arguedas

    Secondary Social Studies Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • Smiling man with dark curly hair and facial hair, wearing a light-colored shirt, outdoors with blurred greenery background.

    Cristian Ardila

    Secondary Visual Arts Teacher
    Colombia

  • A man with short dark hair and a beard standing outdoors in front of a blurred background of trees and buildings.

    Julio López

    Secondary Spanish Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A man with dark brown hair, a goatee, and wearing a patterned shirt outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

    Carlos García

    Secondary Spanish Teacher
    Spain

  • A smiling man with a receding hairline and short hair, wearing a dark blue patterned shirt, standing outdoors in front of lush green and pink tropical plants.

    David Dorosko

    Secondary Math Teacher
    United States

  • A man with long blond hair and a beard standing in front of lush green plants and pink flowers.

    Jean Jiménez

    Secondary Spanish Teacher
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with short, wavy brown hair smiling in front of green leafy plants with white flowers, wearing a red dress with blue and white floral patterns.

    Camila Dávila

    Secondary Science Teacher
    France

  • A young man with red hair smiling, wearing a blue collared shirt, standing in front of lush green foliage with pink and white flowers.

    Kale Krieger

    Secondary Global Studies & Design Teacher
    United States

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair standing outdoors in front of green leafy plants with white and pink flowers.

    Rachel Witt

    Secondary English Teacher
    United States

  • Portrait of a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a gray polo shirt, standing outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    José Miguel Quirós

    Business Manager
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with long dark hair in a red sleeveless top, smiling outdoors with lush greenery in the background.

    Silene Vargas

    Reception
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with curly brown hair smiling outdoors with a blurred house and trees in the background.

    Victoria Peace

    School Advancement
    Canada

  • A woman with short, curly brown hair wearing glasses and a sleeveless white top standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Diana Solano

    HR & Administration
    Costa Rica

  • A smiling older woman with gray hair in a ponytail, wearing a pink top and a black undershirt, standing outdoors with blurred trees and buildings in the background.

    Jennifer Beavis

    Parent Coordinator
    South Africa

  • Portrait of a man with black hair and a short beard, wearing a gray and pink t-shirt, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Carlos Roblero

    Technology Coordinator
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with curly black hair, wearing glasses, a black headband, and a blue and white striped sleeveless top, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Fiorella Campos

    Purchasing
    Costa Rica

  • Smiling man with short dark hair and beard, wearing a teal t-shirt, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Manuel Vargas

    Green Team
    Costa Rica

  • A young man with short black hair, wearing a navy blue polo shirt with 'Del Mar Academy' embroidered on it, standing outdoors with green foliage and a blurred background.

    Jose Esteban Baltodano

    Green Team
    Costa Rica

  • A man with black curly hair, light beard, and mustache wearing a blue T-shirt standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Adrián Acosta

    Green Team
    Costa Rica

  • A woman with dark hair pulled back, wearing a light blue medical scrubs, standing outdoors in front of green foliage, smiling slightly at the camera.

    Elizabeth Matarrita

    Blue Team
    Costa Rica

  • A woman outdoors standing in front of a tree with red and green leaves, wearing a blue T-shirt, with wet black hair, smiling at the camera.

    Adya Prado

    Blue Team
    Costa Rica

  • A man smiling outdoors in front of green plants, wearing a light blue T-shirt with a logo that reads 'Del Mar Academy'.

    Herald Cruz

    Blue Team
    Costa Rica

  • A young woman with long wavy brown hair and a septum piercing, smiling outdoors with a background of greenery and a house with stairs.

    Mariana Salas

    CANSwim Manager
    Costa Rica

  • A girl with long green hair wearing a straw hat with pink flowers, surrounded by various animals like owls, an eagle, a hawk, a snake, a squirrel, robins, and a moonlit night sky with the sun.

    Mother Earth

  • The logo of the International Baccalaureate, featuring a blue and white circular design with a lowercase 'i' and 'b' inside.

    IB World School

    Authorized IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme to students in grades 11 and 12 and in candidacy for Middle Years Programme.  IB World Schools share a common philosophy and commitment to high quality international education.

  • Logo of the Ministry of Public Education in Spanish.

    Ministry of Public Education

    Accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP), meeting rigorous academic, health, administrative, and building standards. Accreditation requires full compliance with the national curriculum and a fully certified teaching staff.

  • Logo for Banda Azul Ecológica, Costa Rica, featuring a circle with a mountain, green background, and blue waves, along with blue text and a water splash symbol.

    Ecological Blue Flag 5 Stars

    Awarded 5 stars, which is the highest distinction. Blue Flags are awarded to schools that meet strict criteria with regard to everything from water quality to environmental education programs and are highly respected and recognized.

  • Logo for Premios Latinoamérica Verde with a green circular emblem and text.

    Green Latin American Awards

    Our Guardians of Nature initiative was ranked in the top 8 projects for Human Development, and 30th best overall of Latin American projects. These awards spotlight initiatives excelling in biodiversity, waste management, energy, and social inclusion.