Our Faculty

As the Head of Junior & Middle School, it has been a joy to watch my students grow from the time they were in diapers through their adolescent years. I have been with IST since 2010 and have been the Head of Junior & Middle School since 2020. I am also very passionate about teaching Drama Club.  

I began teaching private music lessons at the age of 12 and since then have taught music, choir, drama and math at various age levels from nursery through college. I enjoy working with all ages, but particularly love the curiosity, awe and enthusiasm of preschool and elementary level students. I am passionate about individualized education and want to see each and every child at IST reach their full potential.  

I received my Bachelor’s of Music in Music Performance from the University of Arizona graduation Summa Cum Laude and my Master’s of Music with Distinction from DePaul University in Chicago. I have received many scholarships and awards and was also named a Presser Scholar in 2007.

When not working, I enjoy spending my time with my husband Matthew and our two children, Lily & Lukas, who also attend IST.

Prior to moving to Tucson I had the privilege to live in Germany as a military dependent for 14 years of my life.  During the last tour to Germany I obtained my MBA and traveled with my family extensively across Europe.

Prior to living overseas I worked as the office manager at an accounting firm in Virginia, as a Payroll Tax Specialist in Hawaii, and for a payroll company in California.  My bachelor’s degree is in International Studies with a Spanish minor.

In my spare time I am a mother and student.

I began working in Facilities maintenance at IST in 2017. I had also assisted in coaching basketball here in the past, while taking classes at Pima Community College to get my certification in coaching Arizona high school sports. I volunteer on an ongoing basis as a high school Varsity football coach at a local high school. I also have a background as an EMT, janitor and as a driller. I love working here because I enjoy interacting with children and because everyone on staff is nice and professional. When I’m not at work, I enjoy coaching and spending time with my beautiful wife and our two daughters.

I joined the IST staff in 2017 and quickly realized how high quality the education is at every level. I have been an early childhood educator for over 35 years, most recently spending the last 23 years at the Sandbox Early Childhood Learning Center here in Tucson. Working with young children and their families has been my passion throughout my life.

I obtained my associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a General Education degree and a Certificate of Advanced Early Childhood Education from Pima Community College.

One of my favorite things about IST is hearing the young children transitioning down the hallways and singing songs in the different languages.

In 2017 I married my husband Bob. We enjoy traveling together whenever possible.

My proudest moments in life are watching my two sons grow into the amazing men they are today. In 2016 I also became a grandmother for the first time… it’s amazing!

My name is Ali Prior, and I’ve been part of the IST community since 2013, when my eldest son joined the school’s newly opened Nursery program. In 2019, I officially joined the IST staff, beginning as part-time support for the Nursery team. Over the years, I gradually took on greater responsibilities—eventually becoming the Bobcat teacher, where I had the joy of helping our eldest Nursery students transition smoothly into Preschool. I also served as the Nursery Assistant Director, supporting daily operations and helping shape the overall Nursery experience.

My journey in education began as a paraprofessional, working one-on-one with neurodivergent students, primarily those on the autism spectrum. I focused on helping students thrive in inclusive classroom environments—supporting their academic and social development with the long-term goal of building confidence and fostering greater independence in their communities.

After taking a two-year break from education, I felt a strong calling to return to IST—a place that has meant so much to me and my family. I’m now thrilled to be back in a new role as IST’s Administrative Assistant and Attendance Coordinator. It’s an honor to work closely with our amazing students, families, and staff each day.

To me, IST is more than just a school—it’s a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community dedicated to high-quality multilingual education. As a mom of three and a longtime IST parent and staff member, I’m deeply passionate about supporting students, promoting inclusion, and helping create a warm and welcoming environment for every child and family.

“My name is Ms. Masi Meyer, and I am honored to serve as the new Head of Early Years at the International School of Tucson. I have been a part of the IST community for 14 years, working as a lead teacher in the German program with a mixed-age classroom of children aged 3 to 5. In addition to my teaching role, I bring ten years of experience as an assistant director at the school.

I hold a degree in Hospitality Management, graduating magna cum laude, which has provided me with valuable insight into the administrative side of education. Combined with my extensive hands-on experience with young children, I am excited to support and enhance the Nursery and Preschool programs.

Outside of school, I lead an active lifestyle and enjoy hiking, traveling, and practicing martial arts. So, if you don’t find me in the office, I’m likely out on the trails or at the gym!”

Hi! My name is Jeovanna Sofia Cervera aka Sra. Cervera. I have been one of the Spanish Teachers in Junior School since 2018. I have a bachelors of Science in Education from Universidad Kino in Hermosillo, Sonora, México.

Before being a teacher in IST, I worked for 5 years as an English Teacher in Hermosillo. I’ve been working with children since I was 13 babysitting and tutoring after school. During my bachelors I did supervised practices in Preschool, Junior School and Middle School.

I am a firm believer that children should learn through hands-on activities and play. We should encourage their natural curiosity and motivate them to always keep asking questions and give them the tools necessary to find the answers.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love making crafts, dancing and solving puzzles.

My name is Alisa Kaiser, I go by Frau Kaiser at school. I teach German for all of Junior School, J1 through M8. I have been at IST since 2017. This school is special to me because I do not only get to share my passion for language education, but also my culture. I graduated with my BA from the University of Arizona in 2016, and completed my Master’s Degree in May 2023. I like to bring my hobbies into work, like playing the ukulele, doing art, and playing board games!

My name is Cecilia Rivera (Sra. Rivera) and I am a Junior and Middle school Spanish teacher. I have been working at IST since 2018.   I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.  Since I was little, my dream was to become a teacher. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education. I have worked in all levels in the education field in Mexico, Florida and now in Arizona, from preschool, elementary , middle and highschool for 25 years now, as a teacher, Academic Coordinator and as a Curriculum Specialist. I am continuously looking for professional development to improve my teaching practice, going to trainings, courses and workshops to increase my knowledge and apply it with my students. I firmly believe it is important to teach young minds in all aspects:  cognitive, social and emotional.   I feel really proud when I see former students who have turned out to be prosperous people in life.  My purpose at IST  is to instill in children the love of learning a second language in a great environment, challenge them to achieve important goals and improve in every way of their lives to become successful and good citizens of this diverse world. 

Our Goal as the Spanish team is to teach kids in a respectful and responsible atmosphere, while they become more proficient in the Spanish Language and get familiar with Latin American culture.

Prior to moving to Tucson I taught English and History to GCSE level in the United Kingdom. I qualified as a teacher in 2009, ranging from Primary (age five) up to Key Stage Five (age sixteen and above). I have taught in schools catering for Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties, and also a specialist school for boys with autism.

I believe that students learn best when they are happy, when they are challenged, and when they understand what is expected of them. I believe in developing the whole child, and that each child will have something they excel at; this may not necessarily be an academic subject. I believe in equipping students with the tools they need to excel when they leave school.

In my personal time I enjoy playing and watching sports, travel, new experiences, and of course – learning!

My name is Laura Garcia (Sra. Garcia).  I was born and raised in a border town and love being part of a bilingual bicultural community.  I am a University of Arizona graduate, receiving a BA degree in Elementary Education, with a Bilingual Endorsement.  I started working with youth and children at the age of 16 in my church youth group in Nogales, Sonora and although I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was 8 years old, being able to apply what I was learning in school made me decide I wanted to do this for the long run.  I started my teaching career at Mexicayotl Academy in Nogales, Arizona as the Spanish model for the 2nd/3rd grade class.  After my first year teaching I came back to Tucson and taught at IST for 5 years as a Spanish teacher.  During this time I had the great opportunity to participate in a summer exchange program in Concepcion, Chile in the summer of 2017.  In 2018 I took a break from teaching and welcomed Victoria in our lives in 2019.  Now returning as a mother of my toddler I am excited to make her part of the IST community.  Culture continues to be a very important part of my teaching style and I am so excited to come back to a school that values and encourages it.

My name is Arturo Ortega and I was born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. I have a Bachelors of Science in Education from Kino University – Hermosillo campus. I began working in education, as an international and bilingual teacher, in 2009.  

I believe my role as a teacher is to nurture and encourage the lifelong learning of my students. Through hands-on activities, classroom discussion, and even the use of humor, I hope to prompt students to think creatively and explore their natural curiosity. I want them to feel that no question is too silly to ask. I believe in multicultural education as a progressive approach for transforming education based on educational equality and social justice.

Hello, my name is Valeria Amavizca. I am the first and second grade math teacher and was previously a teacher in the nursery program at IST. I completed my studies at the University of Arizona with a BS degree in Care, Health and Society, and a BA in Spanish with an emphasis in literature. My future goal is to continue with my master’s degree. I joined IST in 2018 as a student intern, ever since I loved the school’s sense of community. I enjoy working with my students and being a part of their development.

¡Hola! My name is Alba Ruth Miranda. I am excited to be a part of the Spanish program in Junior School. I have a bachelor’s degree in English Language Teaching with Universidad de Sonora in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

I have been teaching since 2015 where I taught English in Guaymas, Sonora to adults as part of my Community Service as a college student. I then started to teach both English and Spanish to kids in first, fourth, and fifth grade professionally. These different experiences have taught me to broaden my views towards the world that my students and I live in. I have discovered, within these last years, that teaching young students is truly gratifying, since it has allowed me to see them grow academically and personally.

I believe in a strong sense of community where respect, tolerance, and looking out for each other predominates in my classroom. I like to transmit these values through various activities and exercises where students can really get to encounter and understand these principles. I also enjoy getting to know them on a deeper level to create bonds between students and teacher.

My name is Brighton Fowler and I have been an educator since 2012. I hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence University.

I moved to Tucson in 2021 from Bend, Oregon and am so happy to have found the International School of Tucson! My teaching career has been both stateside and international.

For a combined 4 years I worked in SE Asia as a Preschool and Pre-K teacher at two different international schools. I also taught second grade in Bend, Oregon at Cascades Academy, a private school focused on academics and experiential learning.

I am excited to teach English and Science to J2 students at IST! In my free time I like to go on hikes, ride bikes, surf, travel, and work in my garden.

My name is Mr. Olan and I am the JS/MS French Teacher at IST. I hold a BA in Modern Languages and started teaching when I was 18 years old. I have taught French and Spanish for the most part at different levels. 

Ever since I was a student I realized that learning a foreign language was a great asset to get a better grasp of a new culture and understand different societies. I believe that learning through hands-on activities, communicative drills, and scaffolding is essential. I hope to instill in my students a new love for their target language. As a resourceful teacher, I am committed to designing a unique curriculum that will enable my students to approach the new language comprehensively.

During my spare time, I enjoy hiking, learning another language, yoga, and spending time with my family. 

Born and raised in New York, I have had the wonderful opportunity of visiting each of the 50 states and exploring some countries on the five largest continents.

I attended college in New York and Illinois earning a bachelor of science degree in elementary education with minors in Spanish, History and Remedial Reading. I participated in culture and language training in the Dominican Republic. Following college, I taught Math in junior high and high school on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Then I moved west to continue my education here at the U of A earning a masters degree in bilingual and bicultural education. In 1994, I began my Arizona teaching career with a bilingual classroom of third graders in Tucson and have enjoyed 10 years of teaching in public education. For many years now, I have had the opportunity to substitute here at IST in the infants class through the eighth grade.

Since discovering IST in 2008, five children in my family have attended this language school. This year I look forward to helping the emergent readers on their literacy journey. I believe the gift of bilingualism opens doors and presents opportunities in connecting people across cultural differences and makes exploring the world so exciting!

I treasure summers off to travel with my family and explore the beautiful national parks around the USA

With over 15 years of teaching experience across various educational systems, I am passionate about building meaningful relationships with all the Wolves at IST.

My teaching philosophy is best summed up by William Butler Yeats’ words:
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

I believe that a teacher’s role is not simply to impart knowledge, but to act as a facilitator—guiding students in making their own discoveries. Rather than delivering information, I aim to uncover what each student already knows and help connect that foundation to new learning. My goal is always to cultivate a student-centered classroom that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and self-discovery.

I’m truly excited to be part of the IST community and look forward to learning just as much from the students and families as I hope they’ll learn from me.

I was born in Tucson, and as a daughter of professors at the University of Arizona, I spent a few years living in France as a child due to my father’s sabbaticals.

I earned my BA in French, English and Creative Writing from the UA in 2015 and spent two years in Paris studying at Université de Paris VII and also working as an English teaching assistant in Parisian public schools. Subsequently I taught English Language Arts to middle school students at a small school in Southside Tucson, and then I returned to the U of A to complete concurrent MAs in French and Teaching English as a Second Language. I am delighted about this opportunity to teach the subjects I love at IST!

Chris Mavuso

Originally from South Africa, I bring over five years of experience teaching mathematics, physics, and chemistry to students of various levels. I hold a Master’s degree in Mathematics and am passionate about helping students grow in confidence and curiosity through problem-solving and critical thinking.

I’m thrilled to be part of the IST team here in Tucson, Arizona, and I look forward to making math engaging, accessible, and meaningful for every student I teach.

Outside the classroom, I enjoy reading and staying active with regular workouts at the gym.

Hello, my name is Mathew Ogram. I am the Geography, Science, and History Teacher for the Junior and Middle School. I was born and raised in Tucson and received a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Arizona State University. Between 2012 to 2021, I lived and worked in Beijing as an ESL teacher and a Homeroom teacher for kindergarteners through 6th grade.

My teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in emotional and cognitive development and growth. IF a child feels safe and supported, the child will thrive and push to new heights. I also bring the passion for my subjects with me and seek to ensure that all my students have the opportunity to learn, understand, and embrace the world around them. 

Hello! My name is Michael Schaefer, and while I’m new to IST, I’m certainly not new to teaching. I’ve had the privilege of teaching every grade from Kindergarten through 8th, and for the past eight years, I focused on middle school math and science for 6th–8th graders at another local school. This year, I’m excited to be teaching English and Science to our Year 4 students (third grade) here at IST.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I remain just as passionate about learning and helping students grow as I was when I first began. I love working with students of all ages and believe strongly in creating a positive, engaging learning environment.

Outside of the classroom, you’ll usually find me spending time with my kids, working on renovations in my fixer-upper home, performing improv, or getting lost in a good book.

I first came to Tucson in 1972 and attended Sam Hughes Elementary, Doolen Junior High, and both Catalina and Tucson High Schools. At 18, I moved to Alaska, where I lived for nearly twenty years. During that time, I earned degrees from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Idaho in Moscow. My early career was focused on crisis and short-term therapy, with a specialty in rural support, before I eventually transitioned into education.

In 1998, I took a break to travel throughout Europe, returning to the U.S. in 2001. Over the following years, I lived in Connecticut and North Carolina before finally returning to Tucson for good in 2015.

When I’m not traveling or exploring, you’ll likely find me in the kitchen cooking—often with two (or more) dogs underfoot. Around town, I’m usually accompanied by one of my dogs, whether we’re walking the Rillito Bike Path, visiting local dog parks, or just driving around together. When I’m not brushing dog fur off my clothes, I enjoy reading, writing, and playing computer games.

I’m thrilled to be part of the IST community and look forward to teaching your child!

My name is Eric Hobson, and I’m a proud Tucson native. I’m thrilled to be a part of the International School of Tucson as a Math and Geography teacher!

Throughout my school years, I was always drawn to history and geography, and later developed a strong foundation in math and science during college. I’m passionate about sharing that enthusiasm with students and helping them build curiosity and confidence in these subjects from an early age.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona. After working in clinical healthcare for 12 years, I felt called to education and recently earned my Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. During my graduate program, I had the opportunity to teach students from 1st through 7th grade.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife and daughter—whether hiking, exploring, or simply soaking up the Arizona sunshine.

I obtained my BS and my MS in Economics from the Facility of Economics and Management at the National University of Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). I taught Mathematics for three years at Saint Exupery Middle School in my country before coming to the United States.

I have been teaching French here at the International School of Tucson since 2006. I am one of the original teachers in the French program. I am an experienced educator and I believe in teaching every student according to his or her individual needs. I also do my best not to teach a single concept in only one way. I believe all students benefit from a variety of teaching methods and also that it is much more fun for children not to do the same things all of the time.

Even though I teach preschool French, I see myself as an educator of all of IST’s students. I do all I can to mentor them, teach them, and to be someone they always feel comfortable approaching. When I am not at school, I enjoy being home with my beautiful wife and my four wonderful children.

My name is Maricela Brambila. I am from Jalisco, Mexico, and have been teaching at IST since 2009. I have a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education and a profession as a Librarian.

For a year I participated in the program CONAFE (National Council for Educational Development), the mission of this institution is to bring education to rural areas.

For eight years I worked in the public library in my town. My work consisted in promoting the habit of reading in children, youth and adults, performing different activities,story time, discussions, debates, etc.. as well as maintaining the library in order and helping users in their tasks. Also, I taught 3 years in elementary school Cirilo Marmolejo, with groups of third, fourth and fifth grade.

The Preschool Gabriela Mistral was the first opportunity I had to work with infants of 3 years, I taught here 2 consecutive years. I have 11 years of teaching experience combined with 8 years as a Librarian. A total of 18 years of helping children learn. In all this time, I discovered that teaching is my calling, my vocation.

My name is Aracely Medina. I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. My family is from Michoacan Mexico. I have been working with children since my sophomore year in high school. At Sunnyside I took a class called Up With Children, that is where I discovered my passion for teaching and I knew I wanted to become a teacher when I got older.

My philosophy of education is that during the preschool years children develop characteristics which will affect their lifelong love of learning. I believe that life is all about gaining knowledge and sharing what we have learned with others. The early years of elementary school are one of the first places that the building blocks of learning are established for Early Childhood Elementary Education should provide the academic, social, and emotional basics to children.  I believe that early childhood educators have one of the most important jobs that exist because they are preparing children for the world of learning. An educator should be a leader, coach, counselor, and facilitator to their students. Yet, an early childhood teacher should be more of a mentor and director of the students than the main focus. All educators should be a strong example to their students, by displaying an enthusiasm for learning. 

As Harry Wong said, “ The single greatest achievement is not race, it is not poverty- it is the effectiveness of the teacher.” I strive to be the best, highly qualified, organized and effective teacher.

In my down time I enjoy going to the movies, watching baseball and attending hockey games and being with my family. I also enjoy to traveling, planning and decorating for parties.

Hola! I am Lilliana Rehder. I am from Hermosillo, Sonora, México. I began teaching in 2006 and have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a MD in Linguistics Applied to the Teaching of Spanish as a Second Language.

My teaching is based on my students’ needs and interests. In my lesson plans, I implement fun learning activities to actively engage my students to make the teaching-learning process more efficient.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also like listening to classic rock and I love going to the beach.

I am Chinese teacher at International School of Tucson. 我是國際學校一年級的中文老師.  I have been teaching Tucson Chinese School since 1994 and taught in other states since 1989. I taught two high schools for a year and had six years substitute Chinese teacher certificate for public high schools in Tucson.  Luckily, I have two oversea outstanding Chinese teacher rewards, one from China, another from Taiwan. 自1994 年來到Tucson, 就在本地中文學校任教職, 自1989之後還曾在其他州任教過. 也曾在本地兩所公立高中教了一年中文, 持有6 年的公立高中代課教師證.  幸運地得到兩項海外優秀華文教師獎, 一個來自中國大陸, 令一項來自台灣. I got my BA from University of Arizona major in music and minor in Chinese.  Because I was from Taiwan so I teach traditional, but I learned simplified Chinese from University.  Therefore I am able to teach both systems of Chinese.  I have taught Chinese to the age 4 and up to adults.  I also teach children how to sing Chinese songs. 我是本地州立大學音樂系畢業, 主修音樂副修中文. 因為我從台灣來, 所以我教繁體中文, 我在大學選讀了简体中文.因此我能教這兩個系統中文. 我曾教過3 歲以上不同年齡的人. 我也教兒童中文唱歌班. I enjoy teaching and to be with people.  I have gift of outreach different ages of students easily. I am not only teaching Chinese language and share Chinese culture as well. My personal interests include: classical music, arts songs, singing, traveling and Chinese cooking. 我喜歡人也愛任教職. 我天生的容易接觸不同年齡學生. 除了教中文之外, 還分享中國文化.  個人興趣: 傳統音樂, 藝術歌曲, 唱歌, 旅遊, 做中國飯. My teaching philosophy is: Keep learning which is always want to update myself, student center, teaching and approach students individually with full of passion. 教學理念:  不斷學習, 自我更新, 以學生為中心, 熱誠教學, 因才適教.

你好!I am Kelly Wang. I am originally from Beijing, China where I received my BA in Education

from Beijing Teacher’s University. After graduation, I was a teacher at the same university.

In 2006 I began teaching both Mandarin and Chinese dance in the US.

Before being a teacher in IST, I was the Chinese lead teacher at a preschool in the Catalina

Foothills distrist.

In the 2013-2014 academic school year, I received the Distinguished Teacher Award

from the CSAUS in the United States.

I’m very excited to be a part of the faculty at the International School of Tucson and teach all the little

ones in my native language and watching them learn everything through Chinese.

In my free time, I love dancing, playing the Guzheng, hiking and traveling with my family.

Hola! My name is Carmen Rivero, I am a Spanish native speaker. I was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and raised in Hermosillo, Sonora.  Since I was a little girl my dream was to become a teacher. I have a Bachelor Degree in Social Communication and I am a Certified Montessori Teacher.

I believe that children should learn through hands-on activities and play. We should encourage their curiosity and motivate them to always keep asking questions, and give them the necessary tools to find the answers. I love to have fun in the classroom with students exploring different activities.

I have been working in this field since1997, as a Low Elementary Teacher,  Spanish Teacher, and Early childhood Educator.

When I am not working, I love spending time with my family. I love cooking, listening to music and hiking!

Bonjour! My name is Maggie, and I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona.

I graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Bachelor of Arts in French, with an emphasis in Language, Literature, and Francophone Cultures. I find languages fascinating, and I am very passionate about helping others become more interested in learning and improving their languages skills too.

During my undergraduate studies, I had an incredible opportunity to study abroad twice in France- in Paris and Montpellier. During my studies in Montpellier, I volunteered at a local bilingual preschool.

Since graduating, I have lived and worked in France as an English teacher during the school year. In the Lorraine region, I taught middle and high schoolers. For two years, I was in the beautiful city of Annecy, working at a bilingual highschool as the Anglophone assistant in the English, Chemistry and Math classes. This past year, I moved back to the south of France and worked as an English teacher at Paul-Valéry University in Montpellier.

I am very happy to say that I have been a part of the IST family since 2016. I started as an intern with Monsieur Abdel Sakhri in the French preschool, and then taught summer school as the French preschool teacher for the past few summers.

In my free time, I enjoy eating (French cheese, especially), watching tv shows, and exploring new places.

I am looking forward to returning to the desert and becoming the new French Preschool Teacher at IST. I can’t wait to meet my future students- we will have a fantastic year together! À bientôt.

Hi! My name is DJ, short for Daija Jiménez. I am a teacher on the nursery team and am more than excited to be a part of the IST family. It is amazing to work with so many experienced teachers. I’ve learned so much in my time here already!

I’ve always had a passion for children, all children, I believe they are all a gift. I plan to graduate college earning my degree in children psychology. I am preparing myself to spread awareness on the importance of a child’s mental health as well as the parents mental health.

Although I dedicate a lot of my time to assisting children during their growth, I enjoy hiking, reading and skateboarding.

“Teaching kids to count is great, but teaching kids what counts is best” Bob Talbert

Hi, I am Monica Partida and I have been working on IST in the nursery program since September 2018 and I am really happy to be part of this school.

I was born in Rocky Point Sonora Mexico, I had a Bachelor Degree in Computer Systems I graduated in the year 2000 and I got married in 2001 and I moved to Tucson the same year. I have 3 kids (2 boys and one girl). They are my greatest treasure.

I began my work in education in 2012, mostly with infants and toddlers and during all this time I’ve been taking classes of Early Childhood Education and I’ve been learning about children and their behavior, and many fun and useful things that can be implemented in the classroom every day.

What I most enjoy working with young children is watching them grow day by day, I like when they look at me and smile at me and show me their love. I like to be their friend, someone they can trust and hug them when they feel sad and always try to make them feel better.

What I like to do in my spare time is read thriller and romantic books, listen to music, go shopping and watch movies with my family.  I enjoy nature and I love to watch the sunsets.

My name is Nekoye Masibili, fondly known as Frau Nekoye or Ms. Koye. I am currently the lead teacher of the German preschool program at the International School of Tucson (IST), where I’ve been part of the team since 2023. I began my journey at IST as a teaching assistant in the German preschool classroom, working closely with Frau Meyer. Her mentorship over the past two years has been instrumental in shaping my growth as an educator and in supporting children’s development across all learning domains.

My journey with the German language began in my home country, Kenya, where I was raised in a multilingual environment. I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a major in German and later earned a Master’s degree in German Studies from the University of Arizona. With seven years of experience teaching German as a second language, I am passionate about helping children connect with language and culture in meaningful, engaging ways. IST’s language and culture immersion program aligns perfectly with my values, and it truly feels like home.

My name is Aishat Omobolawa Oladipupo, and I am a Nigerian who finds deep joy in working with children and celebrating languages and cultures. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in German Studies from the University of Ibadan, where I graduated as the department’s best German student and a Master’s in German Studies from the University of Arizona, along with a B2 German certificate. Before joining IST, I gained several years of experience teaching German to doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Nigeria, as well as to students eager to learn German for various academic and professional goals. I also taught German online through my own virtual learning platform, helping learners connect with the language from anywhere. I am fluent in English, German, Yoruba, and Pidgin English, speak conversational French, and I am working to grow my skills in French, and Spanish.

I joined the International School of Tucson (IST) in 2023 during my Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing my master’s degree, starting as a German Assistant for the junior and middle school. I later served as the Nursery School Director of Duty (DoD) and now work as the Preschool Curriculum Coordinator, Preschool German Assistant, and Social Media Manager.

I love supporting young children’s growth and learning every day. Working in a multilingual, multicultural community like IST allows me to share my passion for languages and intercultural understanding while helping shape a nurturing, engaging preschool program. I am dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming environment where families, students, and staff feel connected and supported.

In my free time, I enjoy journaling, exploring new places, dancing, and capturing moments through photography. I am proud to contribute my skills and energy to IST’s mission and its bright, diverse community.

Hello everyone! My name is Hong Xu, and I am the music teacher in the Preschool Department at the International School of Tucson (IST). I was born in Beijing, China, and speak fluent Mandarin. In Chinese, my name “Hong” means rainbow, which is why many of the children lovingly call me Ms. Rainbow. My love for music began in early childhood. I started playing the flute at age eight, while also studying art, choir, and dance. I later graduated with honors from the Xi’an Conservatory of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance and Piano as my minor. I am certified as a National Class II Flutist (Associate Professor) in China and bring over 20 years of teaching experience across all age groups, from preschoolers to college students and adults.

In addition to teaching, I’ve had the privilege of helping shape the music community in China. In 2006, I co-founded the Beijing Band Directors’ Association and the Beijing International Band Festival, and in 2009, I co-founded the Beijing Wind Orchestra, where I served as President. In this role, I managed performances, marketing, and opera collaborations with the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. I’ve also led the orchestra in international events such as the WASBE Conference, the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival, and national tours across China. In 2016, I served as Executive Director of the 19th Asia Pacific Band Directors’ Association Conference.

Since moving to Tucson in 2017 with my husband, I’ve embraced a new chapter of life and feel incredibly lucky to work with so many wonderful children. Although I don’t have children of my own, I’m surrounded by little angels every day. I love singing, dancing, and sharing joyful musical moments with them. Their laughter and hugs fill my heart, and I bring all my passion into helping them discover the beauty of music. Outside of teaching, I enjoy traveling (including a road trip across the U.S. from Arizona to Maine!), gardening, painting, crafts, and volunteering at the Hermitage Cat Shelter. I’m a lifelong animal lover.

My name is Sara and I work in the nursery classroom. I am a Tucson native. I enjoy the outdoors and spending time with my son, Isaac. I have been working in childcare since 2013. If you had asked me years ago I would not have guessed that I would be working with children but I truly enjoy engaging with them and being  a part of their learning journey. I am so thankful that I jumped right in and never looked back. I am excited to be apart of the IST community.

Hi my name is Starr. I obtained my first teaching position in 2000 and have had the opportunity to work with all age groups. The bulk of my experience has been with toddlers, my current age group . I have an advanced CDA from Pima Community College and I plan to earn an Associates sometime in the near future.

I am often asked what it is I enjoy most about being an early childhood educator and without a doubt it is not only being able to witness the development of young children but also having the privilege of adding to their growth and development.

Hello, my name is Magaly Flores. I am a teacher in the owl classroom and very happy to be part of IST. I was born in southern California. I am bilingual. Spanish is my first language. Also, A mom to a student here at IST.  I have been working in early childhood education (ECE) since 2009. I have learned so much over the years. Have to say I love my job. Working with kids is magical and amazing. You get to enjoy a child’s love, educate the children, and watch them grow. I have some college credits and I am working on completing my associate degree in ECE.

Hello! My name is Maira Martinez Mora, I have been a floating teacher since 2023 at IST. My primary language is Spanish, I was born in Cuba. I have a degree in Spanish-Literature. In Cuba I worked in Daycare with toddlers for 3 years. I love working with children. I am always aware of their safety and well-being.

Hello! My name is Mary Kimbrough, and I’m so excited to be part of the IST community. I was born and raised here in Tucson, and I love spending my free time with family and friends.

Working with children has always been a passion of mine. I absolutely love kids, and my top priority is making sure they feel safe, supported, and comfortable in their environment. I began my journey at IST as an infant/toddler floater teacher, and I’m thrilled to now be stepping into the role of second teacher in the Owls Room!

I’m truly looking forward to being part of each child’s journey as they grow and learn. It’s an honor to support them during these early and important years.

Hi! My name is Sarah Valenzuela, and I joined the Nursery team at IST in May 2025. I bring experience as a lead infant room teacher and am excited to continue growing in my role here. Although I initially stumbled into the field of early childhood education by chance, it quickly became clear that this is where my heart belongs. I truly love working with young children and feel honored to support them as they learn and grow.

I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at AZCN and am also a proud mom to two wonderful boys—who I hope will soon be part of the IST community as well!

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy exploring local coffee and thrift shops, trying out new skills, and making art whenever I can

Hi, my name is Ayana Pacheco. I’m a proud Tucson native, originally from the small town of San Manuel, Arizona. I moved to Tucson when I was seven and grew up here alongside my three siblings—two brothers and a sister.

My favorite human in the world is my beautiful daughter, who is almost nine. She keeps me on my toes and constantly opens my eyes to new perspectives. She’s my greatest teacher and my biggest cheerleader.

Some fun facts about me: my favorite food is wings with homemade ranch, and my favorite color is yellow. Cooking is one of my favorite ways to express myself. In my free time, I love camping, hiking the rivers and mountains around Tucson, and traveling whenever I get the chance.

I graduated here in Tucson and went on to explore trade school and various jobs, eventually finding my calling at IST. Since December 2023, I’ve been part of the nursery team as a Toddler Teacher. I absolutely love what I do. I never imagined myself in this role, but I feel incredibly fortunate to help nurture and support the youngest members of our community. I’m grateful to be part of the IST family and look forward to many more years here.

Ashlyn McKinnon – I’m a 23-year-old professional based in Idaho. I’m married and share life with my husband Brody and our dog Nala. I value balance, reliability, and a grounded approach to both work and life. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors and creating a calm, intentional home environment.

Hola! Hello! My name is Melissa. I’m proud to be Hispanic and bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English. I’m 29 years old and the youngest of three siblings.

I currently serve as a floater teacher at the International School of Tucson, where I support various classrooms across age groups. I bring four years of experience in early childhood education, with a strong focus on infants and toddlers.

My goal is to ensure a smooth and consistent experience for your child, even as I move between different rooms. I love discovering each child’s unique personality and building strong, trusting relationships through gentle, playful interactions. I look forward to partnering with you to help your little one grow, learn, and explore the world with confidence and joy.

Hello! My name is Zanati, but I go by Z! I’m a 25-year-old part-time photographer, teacher, and proud cat mom.

I’ve been working with children since I was 16—what started as babysitting grew into daycare, which led to nannying, and I’ve never looked back.

I recently moved to Tucson from California this past February, and I’ve been loving it here! In my free time, you’ll find me at concerts, thrifting, watching horror movies, or hanging out with my brother.

Even though I’ve only been here for six months, I already feel so excited and honored to help nurture and support your children as they grow. Thank you for allowing me to be part of their journey and enrich their little minds!

My name is Amanda. I was born and raised in the city of Chicago, where I earned my BA in Early Childhood Education from NEIU. I have a deep passion for learning and experiencing cultures outside of my own. For 7 years I taught abroad in 3 different countries, (The UAE, South Korea, Taiwan)

I am a Mother to a wonderful 6 year old named Henry! We enjoy the outdoors, cooking, dancing, and creating! We are so honored to be part of the IST community. From our heart to yours, WELCOME! 

My name is Norma Robles, born in Hermosillo, Sonora, México. I received my Bachelors Degree in Clinical Psychology from Universidad Del Valle de México. The beginning of my professional journey started in 2004 as a volunteer, working specifically with children with a disability or Autism. Within a year this became my job.

In 2013, I started at IST as an educational assistant working with a special needs student. Since then, I have loved the school, the students, the teachers, and am grateful to have officially joined the IST team in 2021 as a teacher. My current position is School Counselor.

One of my greatest beliefs as a Psychologist and as a mom, is that early childhood is very important and it makes me really happy to be part of the cognitive and emotional growth of so many kids during this critical period of their development. 

When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

I have been teaching art at IST since 2016 to the nursery, preschool, junior, and middle school. I taught pre-kindergarten art for four years and also worked with k-5 th grade in an afterschool program for two years prior to working at IST. I previously created an afterschool art program called Art Is Purdy Fun from my home studio. The program offered elementary age students an environment where a variety of art mediums were available and many fun and creative art pieces were created. I am an abstract artist and also spent the past year teaching art to adults at a local art studio. I have a great deal of passion for art and truly believe everyone is an artist!

I received my BA in English and Minor in Theater art at the University of Arizona. I later received my Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University.

I have an affinity for teaching and consider myself to be a lifelong learner. I love culinary art as well, and enjoy cooking delicious and healthy meals with my three children.

Hi! I’m Kathleen Kelley and I am very grateful to join the IST community. I am a Tucson native and have been working with children since 2005, with ages ranging from one year old up to middle schoolers. I love working with children because no two days are ever the same.

I love learning and growing along with the children I work with and continually learning new techniques and best practices.

Outside of work I enjoy crafting and learning new types of crafts. I also enjoy sports, both playing and watching.

Hi! My name is Kaitlin O’Connor and I am originally from Des Moines, Iowa. Growing up, I had the opportunity to sing with the Des Moines Children’s Choir which helped foster my love of music and provided me with the opportunity to tour both domestically and internationally. These experiences developed my love of travel and experiencing new cultures through music. I am an experienced music educator with twelve years of teaching experience in schools. I hold a B.A. from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Boston University. I have spent the last eight years teaching elementary and middle school music in Casablanca, Morocco and Jakarta, Indonesia. Prior to moving abroad, I spent four years teaching middle school and high school general and vocal music in my home state of Iowa where I hold my teaching certification. I am very excited to be joining the teaching team at IST this year and am looking forward to sharing my passion for music with the IST community.

My name is Rick Garcia and I will be teaching Preschool thru Middle School, Physical Education and Leadership here at the International School of Tucson.

I am a proud Arizona native, raised in the heart of Tucson, Barrio Centro. My lineage as an educator extends far back to my great grandfather, Augustus C. Brichta who was the first public school educator in Tucson. Oddly enough, my mother, a Principal of thirty-five years, spent her first year of teaching in this building, known only at the time as Jefferson Park

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, I held a long time career as a Graphic Designer for both Nike and Adidas in Oregon and in Hong Kong. Although I had an amazing career, I decided that I wanted to go back to college to pursue my next greatest interest, Physical Education. I have taught Physical Education and coached basketball here in Tucson since 2018 and eleven years at an International school in Taiwan.

My wife and I are the proud parents of two very talented boys. Our oldest, who is currently attending Arizona State University, and our youngest, a senior at Salpointe Catholic High School. We are very happy to be back in Tucson to reunite with family, friends and the community. There’s no place like home!

It is with great privilege to be part of the International School of Tucson. I will do the very best to utilize my knowledge, skills and life experience to educate and inspire our students. Go Wolves!

Buenas Dias! The kids call me “Miss O”. I have been working at IST as a holiday program teacher and substitute teacher since 2021. I love working with children because they are the best teachers. I was born in Caborca, Sonora, México and I have one son. I like traveling. 

Hi, I’m David. I am the hot lunch chef. I was born and raised in Tabasco, Mexico and am the youngest of thirteen children. My mother and older sisters are the ones who initially taught me how to cook. I have worked in the food industry since 1995 as a chef and restaurant manager. I truly enjoy cooking and I am excited to start the hot lunch program at IST and I will do my best to create healthy and exceptional food for students and staff.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have four children, two of which are college students currently enrolled at the University of Arizona and the University of Chicago whilst the two younger attend IST in the Junior and Middle School Spanish programs. I also enjoy coaching my daughter’s softball team and my youngest son’s basketball team.

My name is James. I am facilities maintenance assistant at IST. I started working at IST in November 2019. I have lived in Tucson all my life. My hobbies are working out and keeping up my cars maintenance. My background consists of custodial and transportation. I worked for the AZ Air National Guard for ten years. I was a state employee and I also worked as a Bus Driver for TUSD for four years. My time here at IST has been “great “. The staff is nice and friendly. The students are eager to learn with hands on activities and play.

My name is Juan Angel Castillo. I was born in Los Angeles, California. When I was 2 years old my parents moved to Nayarit, Mexico. I am the oldest brother of two sisters and one brother.  I lived my entire childhood in Mexico and when I turned 18 years old I decided to return to the United States. Today I am married and I have two daughters and one son.

Hi, my name is Bob Heath, and I’m proud to serve as the school’s bus driver for field trips and sporting events. My top priority is ensuring that students travel safely and have a positive experience on every journey.

Before joining IST, I worked as a failure analyst, where I specialized in identifying and resolving complex issues in a variety of systems. I also proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a submarine veteran, an experience that instilled in me a deep sense of discipline, responsibility, and teamwork.

I’m honored to be part of the IST community and to play a role in supporting our students beyond the classroom.