Abel McClennen-Director / Secondary Math-Science

Mr. Abel, as he is known by La Paz students, returns for his 5th year at La Paz. An active member of the local community, he constantly strives for there to be open communication between community members, parents, teachers, faculty, and students in order to achieve thoughtful and sustainable growth in Guanacaste. A graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine where he majored in Physics and minored in Sociology, Abel’s teaching career began 10 years ago at Souhegan High School, a public high school in southern New Hampshire, where he earned his secondary physics certification. Abel’s innovative educational philosophy is driven by a strong desire to interact with students outside the classroom through coaching athletics, leading sail education programs, and facilitating experiential learning projects.

Sara McGowan – Kinder English

Sara brings her talent, passion, and enthusiasm to La Paz Community School for the fifth year in a row. Prior to receiving her Master of Arts in Teaching and ESOL Endorsement from Lewis & Clark College, Sara facilitated early childhood programs in Finland and Italy. After returning to her native town of Portland, Oregon as a 2nd grade teacher, Sara then decided to broaden perspectives and hone her teaching skills as an international educator in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Whether she is developing the school bilingual program designed to meet the specific learning needs of students or working with parents on the hot lunch committee, Sara’s adventurous spirit and energy are reflected in her professional practice and interaction with children.

Kerry McClennen – Secondary English Language Arts

Kerry returns to La Paz Community School for her fifth year following a chosen path in education from Chicago, to rural New Hampshire, Brazil, Guatemala, and now Costa Rica. Graduating from University of New Hampshire in 2001 with a Master of Arts in Teaching English and a minor in Dance, Kerry’s professional career continues to combine both her passions for teaching and the arts. Kerry’s classroom interweaves writing workshops, place-based educational ventures, interactive literature circles, and interpretive performances into the core curriculum. Kerry’s dance experiences are highlighted by her creation of the Souhegan High School New Hampshire Dance team, her samba dancing at Rio’s famous carnival, and her performance as a professional for three years in the Guatemala Dance Project. Wherever she travels, Kerry’s passion for dance and teaching has touched the hearts and minds of the students, teachers, parents, and communities that surround her.

Brian Crites – 5th Grade English

A native Oregonian who is returning for his fifth year at La Paz, Brian Crites has woven his passion for the outdoors into the classroom environment. Soon after earning his Master of Arts in Teaching, Brian pursued international education in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Working with grades 3-6, he has integrated experiential projects into the core curriculum such as; the creation of the La Paz Pura Verde Project, native green space and vegetable gardens, and a school-wide recycling program. Students and colleagues alike admire his variety of interests, which include coaching basketball, surfing, biking, music, and hiking. These passions coupled with Brian’s natural gift for educating, inspire a learning environment where children develop confidence and competence as scholars, mentors, communicators, leaders, researchers, and role models of kindness.

Xinia Gómez Gutiérrez – 1rst-3rd Grade Spanish

With recommendations from the Mayor’s office and Ministry of Education in Santa Cruz, Xinia is a legend in the Costa Rican educational community. In her illustrious career, she has touched the lives of children from over 10 schools all over Costa Rica from Limón on the Carribean side, to Santa Rosa on the Pacific side. Her specialty is in primary education as her qualifications allow her to teach all core subjects grades k-6. She brings with her a tremendous amount of Guanacaste cultural heritage in areas such as cooking, dancing, and literature. La Paz is honored to have her as part of the team for the fifth year in a row.

Neida Escalera Galindo – Pre-Kinder Spanish

A native of Bolivia, Neida moved to Costa Rica over 10 years ago to settle in the local village of Villarreal. She has taught at many of the local language schools as well as Country Day School, however, her passion for working with younger students in a more drama and performance oriented classroom has led her to La Paz for her 4th year where she is working with the pre-kinder and kinder classes in spanish. Miss Neida is an exceptionally dynamic teacher who always brings out the best in her students by establishing an enjoyable and active classroom environment.

David Dodge – 4th Grade English

A native of Oregon, David earned both his Degree in Education and Teacher Certification from Western Oregon State College in 1987. Upon graduation David spent his first 8 uninterrupted years teaching grades 3 through 5 with the Woodburn School District. In 1996, he along with his wife Kelly transitioned to Costa Rica and joined the teaching team at Escuela Tamarindo Elementary School which shut down in the early 2000′s. In similarity to La Paz, this small school’s strong concept of community education was born of local families in search of a viable educational cooperative to suit the specific educational needs of their children.
In his 5th year at La Paz, his experiences over a wide range of grades, schools, and communities have complimented David’s unique concern, style, and personality as an effective elementary school educator. As the school’s garden and 4th grade teacher this year he is extremely enthusiastic to guide La Paz students in their learning quest.

Kelly Campbell – 2nd and 3rd Grade

At the age of 9 when she taught her 5 year-old brother to read, Kelly discovered her passion and natural gift for education. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oregon State University, Kelly has spent her entire life fostering personal and academic growth in a positive learning environment. This will be Miss Kelly’s fifth year teaching at La Paz and second year teaching a blended grade 2-3 classroom. She loves incorporating songs, rhymes, movement, and repetition into her teaching strategies. She encourages children to explore their creativity through art and drama. Her favorite parts of the school day are reading to the children and being together with the whole school at our community meetings. Outside of school, she likes to walk, practice yoga, paint, and spend time with friends.

Daniela Aburto – 5th-6th Grade Spanish

Daniela is a certified K-6 teacher who joins La Paz after working as an Environmental Educator for CEPIA, Escuela Brasilito, and Reserva Conchal. She has worked extensively in the Brasilito, Matapalo, and Potrero public school systems to help initiate recycling and environmental awareness programs, and is a native of Brasilito. Her close ties with the community have helped La Paz become further involved as a leader in local initiatives. In her 3rd year at La Paz, Daniela is excited to further develop her uniquely experiential classroom experience. She has a 5 year old son named Jagger, and she enjoys working as a team with both parents and students.

Leonie Jimenez – Preschool

Leonie is in her first year at La Paz after taking several years off of work to raise her children.  Having graduated from the Universidad Latina with a degree in preschool bilingual education, Leonie is honored to be a part of the La Paz teaching team.  She has a passion for the thoughtful development of education in Guanacaste and this was reflected through her extended stint as inaugural director of the Guanacaste Foundation which is devoted to the construction of public learning spaces in Guanacaste.  Leonie’s classroom is full of youthful energy that reflects her passions of music, art, nature, and play.

Jennifer Cerdas – Administrative Assistant

Jennifer is an essential spoke in the wheel that moves La Paz. She came to La Paz in 2007 and was an integral part of the founding of the school. She lives in Huacas, Guanacaste and at present she is in her fourth year of studies to become an english teacher at the Universidad Latina in Santa Cruz. Some of her hobbies are listening to music and reading while at the same time Jennifer is a nature loving life long learner. Excited to be a part of the La Paz team, Jennifer is grateful for the unique life experiences offered to her at the school.

Kristen Hughey – 2nd and 3rd Grade

Kristen received her Elementary Education Bachelor of Arts degree from Clemson University, South Carolina. During high school she attended a teacher cadet class which fostered into a lifelong commitment to becoming an educator. Through her world travel experiences, Kristen’s passion for learning new cultures is incorporated within the classroom. She is dedicated to the four peace practices at La Paz (self, family, community, and world.)  Kristen has lived in Costa Rica for 6 years and is an active member of the local community. She has organized community Christmas parties for local area children for several years.  The pura vida (simple) life is a chosen practice within her daily lifestyle. She is excited to teach 2/3 blended class in this her third year at La Paz.

Kenia Calderon – 7th-8th Grade Spanish

Kenia is a Spanish educator in her fourth year at La Paz who simply loves to teach and to share her knowledge. Kenia graduated from one of the top schools in Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, where she received her teaching certificate. She arrived in Flamingo four and a half years ago where she spent time working at Reserva Conchal and the Jungle Gym as she worked towards earning her diploma. She is a natural born teacher and her passion for the Spanish language and Costa Rican culture is contagious amongst the students in her class. At La Paz Community School she is empowered to explore her teaching philosophy based on the constructive method, where the student learns through self exploration and discovery.

Wendy Blasdell – Secondary Science, Math

With a Masters Degree in Teaching Biology from Northern Arizona University and extensive classroom experience at Mesa Public Schools in Arizona, Wendy Blasdell is in her 2nd year of teaching at La Paz.  La Paz is fortunate to have such a creative, respected, and dedicated teacher on staff.  She was the originator of the Environmental Science program at MPS and was responsible for the construction of a greenhouse and animal shelter as well.  With the pending construction of the new school she will be a valuable asset to the La Paz team.  She comes to La Paz along with her husband and 11th grade son Brock who is ecstatic to have his mom as his teacher.  The entire family is enthusiastic about their involvement in the local community.

Ericka Cabalceta Secondary Spanish

A native Guanacasteca with degrees from the Universidad Latina and the Universidad de San Jose, Ericka has worked in public school education for 7 years as a teacher and social worker.  She has a dynamic personality and creatively plans classes to access all of her students’ unique interests and strengths.  She enjoys working with teenagers in helping them to develop into adults with strong values and good manners.  Ericka loves nature, reading, the beach, and travelling and is proud to be an active steward of the Costa Rican environment.  Ericka is excited for the daily challenges in this her first year at La Paz.

Gabriela Power – Prekinder and Kinder Assistant

Born in Caracas, Venezuela Gabriela developed an interest in the area of teaching at an early age. In 1993 she first taught as an English Teacher in elementary school in Caracas. She then transitioned to work at Roques Island National Park where she studied Marine Biology and worked as a guide and member of the “Fundación Científica Los Roques” that works to protect and sustain the turtles in Venezuela. Gabriela has lived in Costa Rica now since 2000 where she founded and directed a Kindergarten in Playa Negra as well as explored her life passions of Yoga, Capoeira, art, English, French, and Nutrition. She is convinced that La Paz is the best environment for a child to be learning in and is honored to be a part of the teaching team.

Geneva Garcia-Ellen – Kindergarten English

In her 2nd year at La Paz, Geneva has had the great opportunity of teaching children from all over the world. She has primarily worked with emergent readers in Micronesia, Fiji, Galapagos, California and New Mexico. She now brings her experience and enthusiasm to La Paz. She received her BA from the University of New Mexico and completed her teacher’s licensure at California State Monterey Bay. She strongly believes in the enrichment of the whole child, including physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. She strives to create an orderly classroom environment in which children feel comfort from knowing what to expect and what the expectations are of them. She is a wife and mother of two young sons. Her interests include surfing, flamenco and writing.

Ximena Bepmale – Physical Education

Ximena is extremely happy to work with La Paz students as they move their skeletons from their feet to the head! She is a native of Argentina who has lived in Costa Rica for seven years while enjoying its beautiful beaches and natural wonders. Having graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Early Childhood Stimulation from Buenos Aires, Ximena has had extensive experience in primary school PE and particularly in the area of swimming. Prior to working at La Paz Ximena ran a local swimming program for infants and toddlers.

Melissa Solera – Kindergarten and 4th grade Spanish

Melissa has dedicated herself to primary school teaching under the Costa Rican Ministry of Education since 2002 in several schools across the country.  Her love of crafts and the arts are consistently on display in her classroom through her project based learning experiences.  She is proud to be a part of La Paz Community School and is excited to learn and implement the progressive teaching practices prevalent at La Paz.