ISP Celebrates 20 Years of Language Immersion!
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Meet Our Staff for the 2024/2025 School Year
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
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.
Kara Davis
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
Administrative Assistant
Kara has lived in Tucson most of her life. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education with a Community and Museums Emphasis from the University of Arizona. She has experience working with children of all ages in various settings including preschool, public schools, museums, summer camp, and a ceram
Administrative Assistant
Kara has lived in Tucson most of her life. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education with a Community and Museums Emphasis from the University of Arizona. She has experience working with children of all ages in various settings including preschool, public schools, museums, summer camp, and a ceramics studio. In addition to this, she attended Aveda Institute Tucson for esthetics and enjoys working in customer service. She has two toddler daughters that keep her busy! She loves to read, journal, collage, and scrapbook.
Vanessa Torres
Vanessa Torres
Vanessa Torres
2's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Ms. Vanessa is returning to International School for Peace after a few years of serving at a Montessori-style school. She is happy to bring her 9 years of educational experience back to us to promote peace and kindness in our community. Ms. Vanessa grew up and studied in Hermosillo and has a Bache
2's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Ms. Vanessa is returning to International School for Peace after a few years of serving at a Montessori-style school. She is happy to bring her 9 years of educational experience back to us to promote peace and kindness in our community. Ms. Vanessa grew up and studied in Hermosillo and has a Bachelor of Science in Education from The Universidad del Valle de Mexico. Ms. Vanessa moved to Tucson in 2002 and has grown to love our city. In her free time, she likes to shop at La Encantada, enjoys coffee with friends, and spends time with her son, her daughter and her three beautiful granddaughters. She loves reading books and takes pleasure in teaching children about geography.
Damaris Huerta
Vanessa Torres
Vanessa Torres
3's Full Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Damaris brings ten years of Early Childhood Education experience with her to the 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
3's Full Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Damaris brings ten years of Early Childhood Education experience with her to the 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 time at International School for Peace. Damaris loves to spend time with her Family, camping, gardening, and baking.
"I believe that all children are unique and have something special that they can bring to their own education. I will assist my students to express themselves and accept themselves for who they are, as well embrace the differences of others”.
Lydia Seldner
Vanessa Torres
Lydia Seldner
3-5'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 10th year working at Internation
3-5'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 10th 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 twelve year old daughter who enjoys spending time with her. Lydia likes to travel, exercise, play tennis, practice yoga, and is a fan of outdoor activities, but most of all she loves raising her daughter.
“As play-based educator, I believe that my principal mission is to ignite a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. I will encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a growth mindset, empowering children to become lifelong learners who embrace challenges and explore the world around them.”
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 (15 and 18 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 (15 and 18 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 11th 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 Full 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 daughter; together, they love to read! Zulma is excited to return to her posi
3's Full 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 daughter; together, they love to read! Zulma is excited to return to her position as Lead Full Immersion 3's Teacher. If 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
2's/3'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 through 17 y
2's/3'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 through 17 years of age.
"I believe that children learn through play. I will provide opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine throughout their school day."
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
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 Pe
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.
Paula Wright
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Jodi Gottlieb
Aftercare Lead Teacher
Paula Wright completed her studies toward her AA Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2018 at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA. Before she went to college, she started out as a secretary and then transitioned into bookkeeping. She is also a writer. She has been married for 38 years and has 3 grown children;
Aftercare Lead Teacher
Paula Wright completed her studies toward her AA Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2018 at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA. Before she went to college, she started out as a secretary and then transitioned into bookkeeping. She is also a writer. She has been married for 38 years and has 3 grown children; all are artists. She has been a Preschool Teacher for over 15 years. She spent the bulk of her teacher training in the Head Start Program. She has strong abilities in teaching coping skills, building resilience, and conflict resolution. She loves working with children and enjoys helping them find their best self.
Jodi Gottlieb
Andrea Schrauf
Jodi Gottlieb
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.
Andrea Schrauf
Andrea Schrauf
Andrea Schrauf
Teacher Assistant
Andrea has been working with infants and toddlers for nine years. During this time, she has continued to improve her skills by attending periodic training courses and workshops on infant care and health. She holds several training certificates. Andrea is passionate and dedicated when it comes to working with kids and sh
Teacher Assistant
Andrea has been working with infants and toddlers for nine years. During this time, she has continued to improve her skills by attending periodic training courses and workshops on infant care and health. She holds several training certificates. Andrea is passionate and dedicated when it comes to working with kids and she takes her responsibilities very seriously. The kids in her care are naturally attracted to her sweet and loving manner, and their parents have frequently expressed their appreciation and comfort with the level of care that she provides.
Kaitlyn Ortiz
Andrea Schrauf
Andrea Schrauf
Program Assistant
Kaitlyn was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Kaitlyn enjoys interacting with children. She was a lead teacher for children 5 and younger. She enjoys planning activities, art projects, and dance parties. Kaitlyn loves to spend time with her family on Sundays. If Kaitlyn is not having a cookout with her family, she's most definitely getting her lashes done.
Advisory Board Members
Susie Vincent, Founder & Interim Chair
Marissa Basch, Board Member
Judy Robinson, St. Francis Liaison
Entikhab Alsaraji, Board Member
Shannon Lindemer, Board Member
Pamela Talero, Board Member
Cathy DeMers, Director