DR. DIANE PALMER,
GENERAL DIRECTOR Dr. Palmer has been an advisor to AIS since it was founded. In the past seven years, Dr. Palmer has worked with AIS staff in writing the school´s curriculum, ensuring quality teaching standards, and preparing for NEASC accreditation. Dr. Palmer holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and a Master´s Degree from Harvard University´s School of Education. She was worked as a principal, teacher, professor and trainer throughout Latin America and the United States. |
MONICA DE DIOS, ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Ms. De Dios has worked with AIS for over five years as Principal, Support Program Director, Teacher and Director for the Ministry of Education. She holds a Masters' Degree in Counseling and Mental Health and a B.A in Social Sciences and High Education both from the Universidad del Valle, Guatemala. Prior to AIS, Ms. De Dios worked in the United States in Early Education and in Guatemala at Colegio Interamericano and Colegio Decroly. |
NATALIA ZMACZYNSKA - ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL
Ms. Natalia is originally from Poland. She studied English Philology, and has her Master's in Methodology of Teaching English as a Second Language. She has spent 15 years of her professional career teaching and managing departments in primary schools in London, UK. Ms. Natalia loves cycling and being outdoors, but most importantly, she loves spending time with her daughter, Malenka. This is her fourth year at AIS. |
SILVIA ARMAS - DIRECTOR, SUPPORT PROGRAM
Ms. Silvia has been with AIS for 6 years. She has 10 years of experience working as a teacher in numerous schools in Guatemala City, and has taught all levels from Pre-K to 12th Grade. She has also given reading, writing and emotional therapy workshops. Ms. Silvia graduated from Instituto Guatemalteco Americano as an Elementary Bilingual Teacher. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the San Carlos University, and her Master's Degree in Education Psychology from Galileo University. In her free time she loves to dance, swim, play video games, read, and travel, among many other hobbies. |
Carmen Wirtz, College Counseling
Ms. Carmen graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A in Psychology. She also holds a certification in Steiner-Waldorf Teaching from Emerson College, England. She has taught in Guatemala, Spain and the United Kingdom. She had her own preschool, La Casa del Sol, in Guatemala City. Ms. Carmen worked as an education consultant for many years and still does when families need her help. She also has extensive knowledge on homeschooling programs. 
Amanda Ballentine, Second Language Coordinator K-12.
Ms Amanda holds a B.A in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder (GO BUFFS!!), a B.A. in Elementary Education, M.A. Education, Dual Language and Special Education from Western Colorado University. She most recently taught Elementary Special Education, 4th Grade and 1st Grade. She enjoys spending time with her family: 7 year old Callum, 18 month old twin girls, Hazel and Julia, and husband Zac. 
LUISA PORTOCARRERO. Marketing/Admissions Luisa will be supporting AIS in marketing, admissions and events.She has a background in sales, marketing and public relations.Luisa holds a degree in International Relations from UCLA with a minor in Latin American History. She attended UCLA on a full student-athlete scholarship. Luisa is an Olympic Gymnast who competed in the 1982 Olympic games in Barcelona and ranked 12th in the world! 
SASHA VALDEZ, RECEPTION
Ms. Sasha is currently studying to be a veterinarian at the Universidad de Galileo of Guatemala. Before coming to AIS she worked in costumer service at Xerox. |
Julia Rudick- Secondary School Counselor.
Ms. Julia was raised in a Philadelphia suburb of Pennsylvania and spent the last ten years in Brooklyn, New York.She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.A in Communication Studies, and holds an M.A. in Social Work from Hunter College in New York City. Prior to AIS, she worked as a High School Counselor in Brooklyn, NY and for several years as the Student Services Manager at a nonprofit called Year Up. 
Nora Barbero, ESL Support
has been a Spanish as a Second Language Teacher at AIS for the last 4 years. She graduated from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala with special focus on teaching Spanish as a Second Language (L2). Before joining the AIS community she worked for the Peace Corps, in a linguistic project at Francisco Marroquín, and taught Spanish at the University of Arizona. 
RUTH ALEGRIA, ADMISSIONS
Ms. Ruth holds a degree in Pedagogy with a specialization in Administration and Evaluation of Education from the University Rafael Landivar, Guatemala. She also has a degree in Language and Literature from the University of San Carlos, Guatemala. Previously, at AIS, she has worked as an Assistant Teacher and Elementary Teacher. 
APOLONIA MENDOZA, NURSE
Ms. Apolonia holds a nursing degree from the Universidad Mariano Galvez. Before AIS she has worked as a director and teacher in the Escuela Privada Para Auxiliares de Enfermeria "Virgen de la Medalla Milagrosa" and in the "Hospital Materno Infantil Juan Pablo II" |
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