1701 E Seneca St |Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: (520) 406-0552
Administration
Jessica Palma
Head of School
Having been at IST since July 2011, I have played a significant role in the growth, development, and success of the school. I have loved watching the school (and the students!) grow throughout the years and I am excited to significantly contribute to its future.
I believe that every child is a unique individual. To be successful, each child needs a secure, loving, and stimulating environment where they can grow and mature academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Along with creating that environment, my goal as an educator is to help instill a love of learning in the students I interact with each day.
My leadership style is collaborative, innovative, and strategic. These traits are necessary to achieve effective and efficient results across the school’s internal and external organizational boundaries. I strive to motivate and inspire my colleagues and students while simultaneously establishing true, genuine relationships with the staff, students, and their families.
When I am not at IST, the rest of my time is spent spending time with my family. My husband David and I have two children at IST (third and seventh grade) and I also have two step-sons (a sophomore at the University of Chicago and one pursuing a career in flying).
Megan Aussprung
Head of Junior and Middle School
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.
My name is Abdel-Rahim and I am French native speaker, originally from Lyon, France. I came to Tucson for the first time as an exchange student at the University of Arizona in August 2011. I have a BA in American and British Literature, History and Linguistics in English Studies from the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3, I also minored in Early Childhood Education.
I joined the International School of Tucson in the Fall of 2012 as a volunteer and became a French preschool lead teacher in the Fall 2014.
After 7 years of teaching, I became the Head of the Early Childhood Program during the summer of 2021.
Outside of work, I love sports, especially soccer and tennis. I like gathering with friends and simply down time at home.
Kellie Zwickl
Business Manager
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 Spanish minor.
In my spare time I am a mother and student.
Shaun Burger
Head of Facilities
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.
Dawn Bryce
Admissions and Administrative Officer
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!
Mylana Skinner
As a military spouse, I have had the incredible opportunity to live and work all over the world from Japan to Italy to North Carolina to Korea to Maryland. During these many years overseas I had the pleasure to work for the Department of Defense schools, with a focus in Special Education.
I earned a Bachelor of Social Science and a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of Maryland. I will graduate with my MBA in May 2024, also from the University of Maryland.
We moved to Tucson in 2019 to start my husband’s new career after his military retirement. We set out to find the best educational opportunities for our three young children. That brought us to IST and we immediately fell in love with IST’s mission, their staff, students and educators. Naturally, once I was ready to restart my own career, after being a stay-at-home mom for seven years, I looked to IST–a nonprofit near and dear to my heart. I’m sincerely happy to be here helping where I can and as an added bonus I get hugs throughout the day from my babies.
In my spare time I read (historical fiction is my favorite) and travel as much as possible with my husband and our children. We have 5 children, two adults and three young IST kids. My entire adult life has been dedicated to children and I can’t think of a more rewarding way to spend my days.
Junior & Middle School
Jeovanna Cervera
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.
Monica-HuiLin Garcia
Hey there! I’m Monica-HuiLin Garcia, a native Taiwanese with a big love for creativity, organization, and all the little details. I hold a BA degree in Apparel Design and a MS in Textile Science at Thomas Jefferson University and had some exciting positions as a Senior Apparel Designer at companies like Walt Disney and Adidas International. Fun fact: I met my husband during my time at Adidas!
When our kids were 5 and 2, we decided to head back to my hometown in Taiwan to give them a taste of different languages and cultures. We stayed there until they were ready for secondary school. While overseas, both my husband and I pivoted into education. I taught Art and Mandarin Chinese programs, from kindergarten to 12th grade, at an International school near the famous Semiconductor Village.
Upon our family’s return to the States, I kept the education train rolling, teaching at Pima Community College and in public schools. Now, I’m very excited to bring my passion for teaching Mandarin Chinese to IST. I want to make learning fun and exciting, while also teaching about eco-friendly practices and good social values, like integrity and morality. I will also be working alongside my husband at IST.
I truly believe my mix of teaching experience and global work background makes me a great fit for inspiring and educating students here at IST. I’m ready to dive in and help our students grow and succeed!
My name is Cecilia Rivera (Sra. Rivera) and I am one of the fIve Spanish teachers in Junior and Middle School. 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.
Liam Smilie
Prior to moving to Tucson I taught English and History to GCSE level in the United Kingdom. I have nine years of teaching experience, 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 Arturo Ortega and I was born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. I have a Bachelors of Science in Education from Kino University – Hermosillo campus. I have more than 10 years of teaching experience as an international and bilingual teacher.
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.
¡Hola! My name is Alba Ruth Miranda. I am excited to be a part of the Spanish program in Junior School. I have 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 in a deeper level to create bonds between students and teacher.
Aya Negm
My name is Aya Negm, and it is an absolute honor to be part of the IST family. I came to Tucson back in 2019 and I love it! For the past 15 years, I have taught K-8 grade levels. I have taught in countries such as the USA, China, Egypt, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I hold a US Teacher Certification and an Arizona Teaching License. I am also an evaluator for the Council of International Schools. I have evaluated schools in Qatar, Prague, and Mexico. Maintaining high standards is essential for all schools.
As a reflective and enthusiastic educator, I am dedicated to enabling young minds to develop and achieve the foundational knowledge and skills needed to become lifelong learners. I am committed to devising captivating, stimulating, and unique teaching practices that generate interest for all students. I believe in utilizing my lively and energetic attitude to encourage students to work with enthusiasm and a positive demeanor. My aim is to give students many learning opportunities that engage and motivate them to become Global Citizens and Internationally Minded young adults.
Brighton Fowler
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 last January 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.
JoAn Bian
Hello, my name is JoAn Bian. I have been living in the US for about 20 years, ever since I finished college in China and then worked as an accountant. I really enjoyed learning new things after moving to America, such as arts, biology, psychology, etc.
I have four teenagers and six pets at home, including three beautiful chickens, two lovely cats, and a smart dog. Some of my hobbies include traveling, gardening, cooking, and hiking.
I first started my teaching career when my youngest child was 2 years old. For more than ten years I taught at the TCCC where children learn Chinese. A few years ago, I started a Chinese club at my child’s elementary school and helped them build a library with other teachers. I really enjoy working with people. Another reason that influenced me to become a Chinese teacher is that I love my mother language very much. I wish to pass it along to new generations.
Santiago Olan
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.
Preschool
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.. Likewise maintaining the library in order and help 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.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. I am also continuously expanding my knowledge of early childhood practices through classes, books and by meeting with the Las Familias CoP in Tucson.
As a teacher I believe it is important to awaken the child’s curiosity and to guide them on their journey of acquiring knowledge through hands on activities.
Outside of work I enjoy hiking, swimming, cooking, traveling, solving puzzles and learning new things.
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 travel and to plan and decorate parties.
Lilliana Rehder
Kelly Wang
你好!I am Kelly Wang. I am originally from Beijing, China where I received my BA in Education
from Beijing Teacher’s Unversity. After graduation, I was a teacher at the same university.
I have 16+ of experience 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
foothill 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 apart 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 for 15 years, 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!
Bonnie Simmons
Hello ! My name is Bonnie Simmons, I am from Xin-ying, Taiwan. I studied and eventually majored in early childhood and kindergarten education the subjects including dances, music, meal design, nutrition science, infant massage, physiology, biology, science, psychology, eugenics, behavior Modifi-cation, Montessori Education, homemade textbooks, environmental planning and more…. at University of Taiwan and
I had nanny license of my country. I have been teaching in preschool, tutor and after-school programs bout 18 years in Taiwan. While leaving in Bellevue, WA I taught after school Mandarin programs and several
private tutors for the last 3 years in Bellevue. I am a daughter, a wife and a mother of a wonderful eight-
years old girl. I enjoy to play jazz piano, singing, harmonica, canvas painting, dance, experiment with science, drama, cook, garden and observe insects. Speak good words, think good intentions and do good deeds (by Master Cheng Yen) is my motto. Life has so much fun and I think as a teacher doesn’t matter how many years your experience are, but matter your heart and passion. I would like to share with kids and let them meet how much fun to learn my language, too. I am dedicating my professional life to helping our most precious resources.
Love, Simmons
Maggie Gauthier
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.
DJ Jimenez
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 have more than twelve years of experience working with children, most I’ve been 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 watch 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 the nature and I love to watch the sunsets.
Nursery School
of the IST community.
Hi my name is Starr and I am a teacher in the owl classroom. 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 their growth and development.
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 July 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.
Reyana Canez
Hi! My name is Reyana Canez and I am your new Nursery Floater. I am so looking forward to getting to know everyone and help IST be the best that it can be. I was born in Tucson but have bounced back and forth between here and New Mexico. I have been babysitting and working with kids for over 7 years since I graduated high school and have loved every minute of it. Every day, every minute is something completely new and exciting. I love being able to be a part of molding the minds of your little ones and seeing them thrive and grow. I am excited to be a part of a place where I get to wake up and say YAY I get to go to work today!! I get to be a part of something today! Everyday is more fulfilling than the last and I can not think of a better place to be.
During my time away from IST, I am a cat mom to three cute little kitties and a complete foodie. I also love to read and cook anything and everything that I can. I am super excited to be a part of the IST team and I look forward to working with all of you beautiful people!
Eternity Medina
Hello my name is Eternity. I am super excited to be starting here at IST as the new teacher in the owl classroom. I’m looking forward to creating a safe and supporting environment for your children. I started working in childcare this year and I absolutely love it. I love watching every single one of my students grow and reach their own milestones. Everyday I learn something new about working with kids and I want to be able to use that knowledge to be a better teacher everyday for them so they can grow.
In the future I plan on getting my bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I want to be able to continue my career in assisting children and helping them grow each day. My goal is to make a difference in every child’s life and help them through their own journey.
Outside of work I love to travel, go shopping, watch baseball and watch movies with my family.
Megan Arthur
Hi! My name is Megan Arthur and I am your new Cottontails teacher! I am from Mount Airy, North Carolina. I moved to Tucson December of 2022. My husband was stationed here at Davis Monthan and thus our adventure began. I graduated high school in 2021 and continued my studies at a local community college to become a dental assistant. However, I began working in the early childhood field in Summer ’22 and I decided to change my original plan and pursue Early Childhood Education and it has been the best outcome for me. I originally worked with infants, but here at IST I was given the opportunity to work with 1-year olds!
I will be enrolling in college soon to pursue my Associates and further my education. My future career goal is to become a director! Outside of work I enjoy reading and going on walks. I’m very thankful for this opportunity and cannot wait to meet new people.
Co-Curricular and Support Staff
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.
Katie Purdy
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.
Kathleen Kelly
Kaitlin O’Connor
Rick Garcia
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. For the past four years I have taught Physical Education and coached basketball here in Tucson 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!
Sally McCallum
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!
In 2018 I returned to the University of Arizona to earn dual masters’ degrees in Teaching English as a Second Language and French. As a graduate assistant I currently teach one section of French 101 at the U of A to freshmen and sophomores, but since my main interest is teaching at the K-12 level, in the Spring of 2022 I began interning in the French classroom at IST and I am excited to have joined the staff part-time. I finished my MATESL in the Spring of 2022 and will finish my MA in French in December 2022. I am married to a high school English teacher and we are currently expecting our first child (also in December 2022!)
Idalia Morgan
Hello All! My name is Idalia Morgan, I am originally from El Paso, TX and I relocated to
beautiful Tucson in the Summer of 2023. Prior to moving to Tucson, I lived in Southern
California where I worked as a licensed hairstylist. I had the great privilege to join
International School of Tucson in the Spring of 2024 and it’s been the best decision I’ve
made career wise. It’s been amazing to see the children all receive a high quality level
of education and learn many languages from around the world at such a young age. I
look forward to seeing them all grow up academically, socially and fluent in a foreign
language.
Life outside IST is fun, exciting and sometimes busy. My most favorite is spending time
with my son Peter who is now a busy adult. No matter how busy life may get for us,
Peter and I always make sure we spend time together My favorite hobbies include
running, walking my Husky (Denali) and watching horror movies. Fun facts, I have ran
over 15 marathons, I train year round to run 3 marathons a year, I love the Arizona
heat, my favorite designer is Gucci and I am a licensed cosmetologist in CA and AZ. My
true fact, I am extremely grateful to be part of the IST family!
David Palma Lopez
Hi, I’m David. I am the new 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.
OPENING THE WORLD TO YOUR CHILD
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