Primary School Teachers
Priscilla Alvarado
My name is Priscilla Alvarado, since I was a little girl, I knew my life was going to be surrounded by children who will fill my days with joy, knowledge and love. My higher education was at the University of Costa Rica, where I could develop two big passions for me which are Arts and Education. I obtained academic degrees in both of them. I first started working in education back in the year 1988 at Metodista School. In 1988, I began working for IEM and then in 2012, I began working at Saint Gregory. I worked first as a teacher and in 2013 as the Elementary Coordinator. During all these years in the administrative area, I have also been actively working as a teacher, giving support to students and teachers and also learning from them.
Saint Gregory has been part of my family since 1999 when my daughter began her academic life. All through my years of teaching, I have worked with children from all ages from preschool to high school, and I have had the opportunity of growing as an educator in both areas, artistic and academic.
Marcela Israelsky
I am Marcela Israelsky, a dynamic, resourceful teaching professional with a genuine interest in students’ cognitive and social growth. I am very passionate for the English language teaching. This leads me to motivate and inspire my students, creating an environment full of challenges and learning inside the classroom. I accomplished my higher education at Universidad de Costa Rica, Universidad Internacional de las Americas and Universidad Latina where I obtained a Master’s Degree in Education with a mention in teaching English as a second language. I have worked for more than 20 years as an English teacher in different schools among them Saint Anthony School. Angloamerican School, and Panamerican School. I have had the opportunity of teaching all levels from first to seventh grade, this has allowed me to understand the enormous responsibility and commitment I have as a teacher.
Raquel Álvarez
I am Raquel Álvarez, mostly known as Ms. Álvarez among my dear students. I have been a teacher for 18 years. A time I have enjoyed enormously since education is my greatest passion and I try to transmit that feeling to my boys and girls. In my professional career, I have worked in almost all the elementary levels and some of preschool. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in I and II Cycle with Emphasis in English from the Universidad de San Jose and a Master’s Degree in Project Management from ULACIT. Currently I am again in the university classrooms and this time to obtain a Postgraduate in Human Resources, also at ULACIT. Life has given me the opportunity to work both here in Costa Rica, and in the United States a few years ago. In Minnesota, I worked almost two years as a Preparatory Teacher in a public school and in Baltimore at a private school, specifically with children from preschool to second grade. During the time there, I obtained the license to teach in Kindergarten and elementary school, as well as several certificates from the Department of Education of the State of Maryland, Augsburg College in Minneapolis, and the St. Paul Public School District.
María José López
My name is María José López.
I studied Special Education at the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica in Heredia.
My work experience began in 2013 as a bilingual preschool assistant at the Marian Baker School, an experience that ended in 2015.
Later in 2016 I was a bilingual preschool teacher at the Centro de Estimulación Temprana Amazonas where I stayed all that year.
Finally, since 2017 until the present time, I have been a primary teacher at Saint Gregory School, working in the area of Spanish and Social Studies in upper elementary.
María José Chaves
I’m María José Chaves. Graduated in Education with Emphasis in English from the Universidad Hispanoamericana of Costa Rica.
During my years as a university student, I worked for North American companies, focused on customer service and digital marketing in the area of copywriting.
After spending some time abroad, I began my work at Saint Gregory School. The best 3 years of my working life, I adore my kids and my work as a teacher. My immediate plan for the future: to continue my postgraduate studies and to keep innovating in my lessons to help my children become excellent prolific creators of their own knowledge.
Maritza Quirós
Je m´appelle Maritza Quirós. I studied French Teaching for primary and for secondary at the Universidad de Costa Rica, where I obtained both bachelors and am currently studying Educational Administration at the UNED. I have 16 years of experience in preschool, primary and high school. I started my professional experience with children of 7 and 8 years in the French Alliance and in private school clubs, then in preschool and primary and finally in secondary school full time. Another of my areas is to be a Catechist of children and adolescents and I have been working on it for almost 30 years.
Katherine Araya
The most important aspects in my life are: God, my family and try to serve to other people. I am 31 years old. I studied at “Liceo Experimental Bilingüe José Figueres Ferrer” where I took university courses such as “Cálculo” and “Matemática 125”.
After that I studied Traslation and Interpretation at UCR. Later I studied journalism, radio, television and camarography. Now, I study at UNED a teaching’s degree. I teach at home since I was 12 years old and in working places I have 12 years of experience. I have worked in different zones: Liberia, Puntarenas, Orotina, San Marcos de Tarrazú and GAM. I have taught English as well as the four basic subjects. I was the principal in a high school for adults for three years. I love to teach. Nowadays, this is my sixth year in Saint Gregory School.
Ericka Acuña
I studied Elementary Education at The University of Costa Rica. My profesional practice was completed at Nuestra Señora de Sión School, institution where I taught for three years. Afterwards I also worked at Amadita Rojas de Malavassi School and Centro Educativo Campestre. In my opinión, education is based in respect and commitment among students, their parents and us as their guides; that you teach a lot through example and that we are here not only to teach a subject but also to educate based on values.
Ana Virginia Herrera
Graduated from the Universidad Internacional de las Americas in 2006 as a Licenciada in Bilingual Preschool Education has allowed me to exercise a wonderful profession where you learn from everyday situations. I have been able to work in the areas of Preschool and Elementary as a teacher which has made me very proud to see the achievements of those students who have filled my classroom. I hope in God to continue to accomplish even more achievements and to be able to positively influence the lives of my students.
Ericka Rodriguez
I am Ericka Rodriguez Vargas. Graduated from the Universidad Experimental Pedagógica Libertador. Caracas Venezuela.
Started and completed my studies from pre-school to high school in Souderton, Pennsylvania. With more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, I have held positions as a professor in the areas of History, Geography, Social Studies, Science and English as a second language in the areas of phonetics, phonology and literature from school to university level. I worked as a university professor at the Master’s level for 11 years. I have had the opportunity to accumulate extensive international experience both professionally and personally. Collaborating as an international moderator of Rotary Club and contributing my knowledge in the area of Translation to private companies. I have worked at SGS since February 2015.
Edith Sánchez
My name is Edith Sánchez Gutiérrez. I have five years working in Saint Gregory and six years in total of experience working with Preschool children. I finished my studies in the Universidad Latina and I plan to keep on growing as a professional.