SECONDARY SCHOOL

Matt Cook
Mr. Cook is originally from Wisconsin where he received his degree in Secondary Education in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He moved to Guatemala in 2011 and taught at AIS for the school's first 5 years. In the years since then, he has been leading various international educational and service learning trips as well as working at THINK Global School. Outside of school, he loves to travel, read, and be active in the outdoors.

Fernando Aragon
Mr. Fernando has been at AIS since 2014. Originally from Guatemala City, Fernando holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Pedagogy. He previously taught at the Equity American School and at SEK International School, and has been a cross-curricular Science Activities Coordinator in Costa Rica, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Paraguay.

Lilian Quezel Ajuchan
Ms. Liliana is from Sumpango, Sacatepéquez and holds a degree in Language and Literature, and a B.A in Education. Prior to joining AIS, she worked for 9 years at the American Technological School in Guatemala City.

Jesse Walsh
Mr. Jesse has been teaching high school mathematics since 2001. He has worked in a variety of settings including private boarding school and public mainstream classrooms. Mr. Jesse graduated from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and he then went on to receive a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts. Mr. Jesse has always believed in the tremendous benefit that comes from the mindful rigor one achieves in the process of studying math. When he is not teaching math, Mr. Jesse has enjoyed homesteading with his wife and six children. They have raised goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, bees, and a large garden, and they have produced gallons of maple syrup each spring. Mr. Jesse is excited about this opportunity to start a new adventure in Antigua.

Michelle Acker Perez
Ms. Michelle is originally from California, but has made Guatemala home for the past 12 years. She has a B.A. in English from Westmont College and a Masters in Education from the University of Santa Barbara. She holds an Educational Specialist Teaching Credential and has over a decade of experience teaching in both California and Guatemala. Her background is in supporting students with learning differences and sensory challenges, and she loves finding creative ways to help students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the larger world. When she's not teaching, she loves traveling, trying new foods, and never turns down a chance to go to the beach with her family.

Tamara Kreutz
Ms. Kreutz grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico, though her family is originally from Oregon, USA. She has a B.A in English Literature and Writing from George Fox University and a Masters in International Education from SUNY Buffalo. She also holds a National Board Certification. She has taught internationally for twelve years in Honduras, Ecuador, and Panama. Ms. Kreutz is excited to begin teaching at AIS! She loves literature and can’t wait to explore literature with the students here. In her free time, Ms. Kreutz enjoys baking (especially cookies and sourdough bread), running and hiking, camping with her family, and writing poetry.

Gina Tillery, Music
Ms. Tillery holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Alabama. She previously worked as a teacher (preK-12) for eight years in Guatemala. She also was IT coordinator at Colegio Colonial Bilingue for four years. Before beginning her career in education, she worked in a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) Lab exploring the use of technology in music, and performed as an orchestral percussionist and a professional vocalist in the U.S.

Erin Burke
Ms. Erin has a strong passion for science, experiential education, and the outdoors. Her teaching career began in Colorado, the state in which she was born and raised. Ms. Erin graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with a B.S. in Biology Education. In her undergraduate career, Ms. Erin conducted marine research off the coast of Belize. Here, she studied novel bioluminescent organisms and later presented her findings at several conferences. Ms. Erin has also worked as a naturalist and environmental educator in Homer, Alaska where she affirmed her passion for working with youth through a scientific lens.

Javier Bustamante
Mr. Javier has been teaching at AIS since 2012 and is originally from Bilbao in the Basque Country, Spain. He graduated from the Basque University in Communication Science and Social Studies and is a certified teacher for Secondary School. He also completed doctorate courses in the Basque University and is a SSL certified teacher by the London House in the UK. Prior to coming to AIS, Mr. Javier worked in journalism and translation in New York City and worked for several schools and language agencies in London, UK.(Linguaphone, St, George, World Language Consultants). He also worked as a Spanish Teacher (Secondary Education) in Guatemala and Spain.

Georgina Gomez
Ms. Georgina has more than 15 years of teaching experience. She was the head of Pedagogy at El Hogar Virgen de la Esperanza. Ms Georgina graduated from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in History and Social Science and received a Técnico in Innovative Education at the University of Galileo. She also has a special training in Inclusive Education from the University of Haifa, Israel. In her free time she likes to write, and at the moment she is writing about the conditions of girls at risk in Guatemala.

Josh Radick
Mr. Josh graduated from Benedictine College in Kansas in 2014 with a degree in Political Science. He then taught in Iraqi Kurdistan until 2016 before coming to AIS until 2018. Josh moved back to the US to pursue a career in business but missed the satisfaction felt from teaching and helping students achieve their maximum potential. He is excited to return to Guatemala and rejoin the AIS community this school year.

Cynthia Melendez
Although Ms. Cynthia was born and raised in Guatemala City for almost 13 years, she has spent the latter part of her life residing in San Jose, California. She attended Colgate University in upstate New York, and graduated as part of the class of 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Educational Studies and Latin American Studies. Post graduation, she spent a year in Colombia working as a Fulbright English teaching assistant, and another year working at a small English-immersion school called Atitlan Multicultural Academy in Panajachel. She is excited to once again be living in one of the places she calls home, and is eager to join AIS’ community of dedicated teachers and students!

Maria Morley, Art
Maria holds a BFA from Michigan State University and a BFA in Education from the Rocky Mtn. College of Art + Design, with a K-12 teacher certification. She also holds a Master's of Fine Art: Sculpture and Ceramics. In her past she worked as Art Teacher at the Colegio Interamericano in Guatemala City and as an Sculpture Technician at the Rocky Mtn. College of Art + Design in Denver, Colorado.

Rosa Allen, PE
Ms. Rosa is from Puerto Barrios, Izabal. She holds a B.A. in Sports Management from Galileo University. Before AIS, she taught at a National Institute of Basic Education for 3 years and worked in the General Direction of Physical Education in the National School Sports Tournament Unit (Organization and coordination of sports activities). She also worked as a Coordinator of Special Events Program of the Vice Ministry of Sports and Recreation of Guatemala.

Carlos Maximino Gomez, Technology
Mr. Carlos is currently studying to be a System Engineer at the Universidad Mariano Galvez. He also holds a Master Certification in Microsoft Office. He has more than 9 years of experience as technology teacher at various schools including the Colegio Rey de las Naciones.