Meet Our Staff

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 over 35 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.

Administrative Assistant

Khylia moved to Tucson 16 years ago to attend the University of Arizona, fell in love, and never left!  She earned her Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and her Post-Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education. After teaching high school on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation for four years, she had her first child and chose to stay at home to raise her. While doing so, she occasionally taught as a substitute for TUSD and discovered a love for the eagerness and sincerity of younger students. She is proud to say that her youngest child is an International School for Peace graduate! When not spending time with her family, Khylia enjoys dancing, cooking, and book clubbing! 

3's / 4's Language Enrichment

Lead Teacher

Aftercare Teacher

Farsi Enrichment Teacher

Nooshin was born and raised in Iran with her family. She moved to Tucson 20 years ago after marrying her husband. Prior to moving to the United States, she was also a teacher in Iran! She taught in Tehran at an elementary & middle school. She later served as the assistant principal of the middle school.  Nooshin has a daughter that is going into her senior year at Catalina Foothills high school. When her daughter, Sara, started kindergarten, Nooshin volunteered to work at her school, Sunrise Elementary. Shortly afterwards, she was hired as a substitute teacher at ISP. After this, she was given the opportunity to work as an assistant teacher at ISP and ever since January 2010, she has been with the school. 

Nooshin loves teaching and believes teaching is not a job, rather a passion.

4's & 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 (10 and 13 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 8th 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.

Program Assistant

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 seven 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.