Meet Our Staff

2's Partial Spanish Immersion 

Lead Teacher

Maricruz was born in Guanajuato, Mexico in a very family-oriented environment.  She earned a Bachelor Degree in Clinical Psychology at the Autonomous University of Queretaro where she worked as a psychologist and as a lead teacher for eight years with children aged 2 to 4 years-old.  She also worked as counselor for a year before heading to the USA.  Once in this country she volunteered at Dietz Elementary School, were she enjoyed working with first and second graders from around the world who were getting introduced to the English language.  She later worked as a Spanish teacher at Satori and as a math tutor for TUSD.  Maricruz took a break to go back to school earning a Master’s Degree in Language, Reading, and Culture with emphasis in Early Childhood at the U of A while working in a law office.  She enjoys working with young children the best because of their capacity to learn new things and be amazed.  For Maricruz, teaching is about developing in children a love for learning and inquiring.  In her free time, Maricruz enjoys working out, reading, and listening to music.  Most of all, she loves spending time with her family: her husband and children, daughter, and son.

2's Partial Spanish Immersion 

Teacher Assistant

Gabby graduated from Pima Medical Institute as a certified Medical Assistant. She then learned that her love for children was greater and began her training in Montessori education.  She taught for several years in a Montessori School in Tucson. Gabby was born and raised in Douglas Arizona, a small border town a few hours away from Tucson. Spanish was the main language spoken among her family and friends. She is also a mother to an adorable little boy who she loves and cares for very much. Gabby has grown to be very family oriented with an immense love for children and others. After starting her career at ISP as our lead aftercare teacher, Ms. Gabby's is excited to spend a second year as a teacher assistant in our 2's partial immersion class. 

2's Precare Assistant Teacher

2's Partial Spanish Immersion 

Teacher Assistant

Holli Kent is a native Tucsonian. She grew up on the Saint Francis campus attending church with her grandmother. Holli began training as an EMT and is a licensed massage therapist. Holli is excited for her second year at International School for Peace. She believes that kids are fun to hang out with and to learn from - they open her eyes to different possibilities. When she’s not at work, Holli enjoys reading, playing video games, drawing, playing the violin, and making soap! 

3's / 4's Language Enrichment

Lead Teacher

3's / 4's Aftercare Teacher

Farsi Enrichment Teacher

Nooshin was born in Iran and cherished her youth growing up with her family.  She graduated from the University of Tehran with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.  She taught in Tehran at an elementary & middle school & later served as the Assistant Principal of the middle school.  After marrying her husband, she moved to Tucson. Nooshin loved raising her daughter, Sara, at home.  When Sara started kindergarten, she volunteered to work at her school, Sunrise Elementary. Shortly after, she worked as a volunteer and later as a substitute teacher at ISP.  Within a short time she had an opportunity to work as an assistant teacher at ISP and has been a teacher here for 12 years!  Nooshin loves teaching and believes teaching is not a job, but a passion.

4'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, so she's always looking for some new recipes. This is Ms. Paola's 7th 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.

Hebrew Enrichment Teacher

Jodi is so excited to be returning to ISP. Jodi 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! She 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 taking long walks, practicing yoga, and Zumba workouts. Jodi is forever grateful for all of the beautiful things that life has to offer.