Meet Our Staff
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
Stephanie Griffin, MLIS
Stephanie Griffin, MLIS
Director
Cathy earned a Master's degree in Special Education in the area of social/emotional development and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and she has almost 40 years of teaching and administrative e
Director
Cathy earned a Master's degree in Special Education in the area of social/emotional development and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and she has almost 40 years of teaching and administrative experience in both the public and private sector. Cathy lived in Highland Park, Illinois and worked for the North Suburban Special Education District for 17 Years before relocating back to Tucson in 2001. She worked as a preschool teacher where she met Susie Vincent (Founder of ISP) and helped start International School for Peace in 2004. Cathy enjoys exploring & hiking in beautiful Tucson with her husband Gerry and she looks forward to visiting her two daughters, Grace and Laura, in Chicago soon.
Stephanie Griffin, MLIS
Stephanie Griffin, MLIS
Stephanie Griffin, MLIS
Administrative Assistant
Stephanie was born and raised in Duvall, Washington. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in History, with a Minor in Business Administration, from Washington State University, and her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University. In Duvall, Stephanie was the librarian, middle school teacher
Administrative Assistant
Stephanie was born and raised in Duvall, Washington. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in History, with a Minor in Business Administration, from Washington State University, and her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University. In Duvall, Stephanie was the librarian, middle school teacher (ELA and Social Studies), and registrar at Hillside Academy. She relocated to Tucson in 2022. Stephanie enjoys reading, painting, and crafting.
Ana Santiago
Damaris Huerta
Damaris Huerta
Younger 2's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
After Care Assistant Teacher
Ana Santiago is a proud parent of two kids, Adanis (16 years old) and Pedro (8 years old). For the past 14 years she has worked in the preschool education field. She was a preschool teacher in Lawrence, Massachusetts for 3 years, then transitioned as a Sub-Dire
Younger 2's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
After Care Assistant Teacher
Ana Santiago is a proud parent of two kids, Adanis (16 years old) and Pedro (8 years old). For the past 14 years she has worked in the preschool education field. She was a preschool teacher in Lawrence, Massachusetts for 3 years, then transitioned as a Sub-Director in the administrative office at the Head Start Program in Puerto Rico, with a capacity of 1,846 kids of low income. After that she returned to Massachusetts where she held the position of Lead Teacher in Early Head Start Program with toddlers for 7 years. Nothing fills Ana with more joy than being a teacher and working directly with kids in a classroom. Education: Bachelor’s degree on Early Childhood Education- Inter-American University of Puerto Rico- 2004. Favorite activities: *Spending time with her kids *Reading a book* Going to the movies* Doing outdoors activities!
Damaris Huerta
Damaris Huerta
Damaris Huerta
3's Full Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Damaris brings eight years of Early Childhood Education experience with her to International School for Peace. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Educational Intervention and has taught preschool, kindergarten, and first grade at bilingual institutes in Nogales, Sonora and Tucson, Arizona. Damaris was
3's Full Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Damaris brings eight years of Early Childhood Education experience with her to International School for Peace. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Educational Intervention and has taught preschool, kindergarten, and first grade at bilingual institutes in Nogales, Sonora and Tucson, Arizona. Damaris was born and raised in Nogales, Sonora and moved to Tucson after getting married in 2018. She loves to teach values and principles for a peaceful world and looks forward to making new friends during her first year at International School for Peace. Damaris loves sushi, her two huskies, Frida Kahlo, and baking.
Lydia Seldner
Damaris Huerta
Lydia Seldner
3/4's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Lydia was raised in Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico and received a professional degree in International Business Administration from Universidad De El Valle De Mexico, Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico. She has extended experience in early childhood education. This is Lydia's 6th year working at Internationa
3/4's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Lydia was raised in Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico and received a professional degree in International Business Administration from Universidad De El Valle De Mexico, Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico. She has extended experience in early childhood education. This is Lydia's 6th year working at International School for Peace as a Lead Language Enrichment Teacher. She started as a volunteer and assistant during the Spring of 2015. She has a beautiful nine year-old daughter who enjoys spending time with her. Lydia likes to play tennis, practice yoga, and is a fan of outdoor activities, but most of all she loves raising her daughter.
Paola Sagar
Farzana Mohseni
Paola Sagar
4/5's Full Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Paola is from Chile. She went to college there and obtained degrees in Learning Disabilities and Speech Pathology. She moved to the United States in January, 2001. Ms. Paola is married and has two boys (12 and 15 years old) and a dog named Shadow. She enjoys reading, gardening, running, and dancin
4/5's Full Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Paola is from Chile. She went to college there and obtained degrees in Learning Disabilities and Speech Pathology. She moved to the United States in January, 2001. Ms. Paola is married and has two boys (12 and 15 years old) and a dog named Shadow. She enjoys reading, gardening, running, and dancing! She's vegetarian and is always looking for some new recipes. This is Ms. Paola's 9th year at International School for Peace - a supportive community where we embrace children's curiosity for learning as well as their backgrounds. Ms. Paola not only believes that ISP is a wonderful place for children to learn, but for adults as well.
Zulma Nunez
Farzana Mohseni
Paola Sagar
3's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Zulma was born and raised in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. She moved to Tucson over 15 years ago and loves it here. Zulma has experience working with children at Bonillas Elementary School and Ventana Vista. Angelique is Zulma's nine year old daughter; together, they love to read! Zulma is excited to r
3's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Zulma was born and raised in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. She moved to Tucson over 15 years ago and loves it here. Zulma has experience working with children at Bonillas Elementary School and Ventana Vista. Angelique is Zulma's nine year old daughter; together, they love to read! Zulma is excited to return to International School for Peace this year as our program assistant. When Zulma is not spending time with her family, you can find her at the gym.
Farzana Mohseni
Farzana Mohseni
Farzana Mohseni
Farsi Teacher &
Program Assistant
Farzana was born in Afghanistan and moved to Tucson, AZ in March 2004. Farzana has three wonderful girls (13, 11, and 8 years old). The oldest is in Sonoran Science Academy, and the other two are in Basis Tucson North and Basis Tucson Primary.
Farzana has over 16 years of experience working with children
Farsi Teacher &
Program Assistant
Farzana was born in Afghanistan and moved to Tucson, AZ in March 2004. Farzana has three wonderful girls (13, 11, and 8 years old). The oldest is in Sonoran Science Academy, and the other two are in Basis Tucson North and Basis Tucson Primary.
Farzana has over 16 years of experience working with children infant-12 years old. While she was working with children, she was also the Safety Captain and helped out in the office.
Farzana enjoys walking and hiking.
Siria Esquivel
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Older 2's Partial Immersion
Lead Teacher
Precare Lead Teacher
Siria was born and raised in Hermosillo Mexico. She is married and mother to two children ages 7 and 15. Most recently, Ms. Siria held a lead teacher position for 5 years at Strauss Early Child Center in Tucson. She has experience working with children ages 6 months thru 17 years of age.
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Younger 2's Assistant Teacher & Aftercare Teacher Assistant
Tiffany recently relocated from Riverside, California, where she was raised on the family dairy farm. She holds a BS in Liberal Arts from California Baptist University and a Teacher Assistant Certificate from Riverside Community College. In addition, Tiffany holds an Associate
Younger 2's Assistant Teacher & Aftercare Teacher Assistant
Tiffany recently relocated from Riverside, California, where she was raised on the family dairy farm. She holds a BS in Liberal Arts from California Baptist University and a Teacher Assistant Certificate from Riverside Community College. In addition, Tiffany holds an Associate Teacher Permit. She comes with extensive experience working in private preschools, public school programs, and Vacation Bible programs throughout Riverside County, California. Tiffany enjoys painting, latch work, and spending time with her 5-year-old niece.
Alex Manrique
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Lourdes Torres
Aftercare Lead Teacher
Alex is a student at the University of Arizona and will be graduating in May 2023 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Educational Psychology. They have lived in Tucson for 6 years, but grew up in Washington State. Alex worked in a different Afternoon Extended Care program prior to the pandemic, and is excited to be working with kids again!
Lourdes Torres
Marianna Martinez
Lourdes Torres
Teacher Assistant
Lourdes Torres, or “Lulu” as she likes to be called, was born and raised in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora Mexico. She moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2008 after graduating from high school. Lourdes has more than 5 years’ experience working with children, including private Spanish tutoring as well as working as a preschool teach
Teacher Assistant
Lourdes Torres, or “Lulu” as she likes to be called, was born and raised in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora Mexico. She moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2008 after graduating from high school. Lourdes has more than 5 years’ experience working with children, including private Spanish tutoring as well as working as a preschool teacher assistant. She really enjoys working with children of all ages. Lourdes loves to learn and explore new languages and cultures; she is very excited to be part of the ISP team this year. When Lourdes is not working, she loves to spend time with her husband as well as her 2 schnauzer dogs Marcello and Nikita. She enjoys reading, singing, art, and movies.
Marianna Martinez
Marianna Martinez
Marianna Martinez
Teacher Assistant
Marianna was born and raised in San Diego, California and moved to Tucson in June of 2022. She graduated from UCLA in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. In the near future, she is hoping to pursue a Masters in speech pathology. In San Diego Marianna worked in a 2’s classroom and
Teacher Assistant
Marianna was born and raised in San Diego, California and moved to Tucson in June of 2022. She graduated from UCLA in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. In the near future, she is hoping to pursue a Masters in speech pathology. In San Diego Marianna worked in a 2’s classroom and can’t wait to continue working with children here at International School for Peace! She is looking forward to learning from all the amazing teachers here and from the children as well. In her free time, Marianna enjoys playing volleyball, roller skating, hiking, and painting nails.
Jodi Gottlieb
Marianna Martinez
Marianna Martinez
Hebrew Enrichment Teacher
Jodi is so excited to be returning to ISP. She was born and raised in Johnstown, PA and has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She moved to Tucson in 1992 and doesn't miss snow one bit! Jodi has volunteered for many years in various preschools and elementary schools; she loves spe
Hebrew Enrichment Teacher
Jodi is so excited to be returning to ISP. She was born and raised in Johnstown, PA and has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She moved to Tucson in 1992 and doesn't miss snow one bit! Jodi has volunteered for many years in various preschools and elementary schools; she loves spending time with children and she enjoys watching them learn and grow. Jodi has two beautiful daughters and a wonderful husband who keep her very busy. She enjoys long walks, practicing yoga, and Zumba workouts. Jodi is forever grateful for all the beautiful things that life has to offer.
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Multicultural Music Enrichment Teacher
Advisory Board Members
Susie Vincent, Founder & Interim Chair
Marissa Basch, Board Member
Jason Ground, Board Member
Judy Robinson, St. Francis Liaison
Entikhab Alsaraji, Board Member
Shannon Lindemer, Board Member
Pamela Tolero, Board Member
Cathy DeMers, Director