ISP Celebrates Over 20 Years of Language Immersion!
Meet Our summer 2025 Staff
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 over 40 years of teaching and administrative exp
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 40 years of teaching and administrative experience in both the public and private sector. She worked as a preschool teacher where she met Susie Vincent (Founder of ISP) and helped start International School for Peace in 2004. Cathy and her husband, Gerry, enjoy visiting their oldest daughter in Chicago and their youngest daughter in New Orleans.
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.
Damaris Huerta
Damaris Huerta
Damaris Huerta
4-6'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. Damari
4-6'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
Damaris Huerta
Damaris Huerta
3-5's Full 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
3-5's Full 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.”
Zulma Nunez
Damaris Huerta
Zulma Nunez
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 daughter; together, they love to read! Zulma is excited to return to her position as Lead Full Im
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 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.
Siria Esquivel
Jennifer Valdes
Siria Esquivel
2's/3's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Precare Lead Teacher
Siria was born and raised in Hermosillo, Mexico. She is a mother to two children aged 10 and 20. Ms. Siria held a lead teacher position for 5 years at Strauss Early Child Center in Tucson. She has experience working with children 6 weeks through 17 years of age. She is pa
2's/3's Partial Spanish Immersion
Lead Teacher
Precare Lead Teacher
Siria was born and raised in Hermosillo, Mexico. She is a mother to two children aged 10 and 20. Ms. Siria held a lead teacher position for 5 years at Strauss Early Child Center in Tucson. She has experience working with children 6 weeks through 17 years of age. She is passionate about fostering a love of learning in young children. She is currently pursuing her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. When she is not in the classroom she enjoys walking and spending time with family.
"I believe that children learn through play. I will provide opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine throughout their school day."
Paula Wright
Jennifer Valdes
Siria Esquivel
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.
Jennifer Valdes
Jennifer Valdes
Jennifer Valdes
2's/3's Teacher Assistant
Aftercare Teacher Assistant
Jennifer is a passionate early childhood educator with over nine years of experience in bilingual and multicultural learning environments. She has worked as a preschool teacher assistant at Corvallis Waldorf School and is now returning to the International School for Peace in Tucson. Pre
2's/3's Teacher Assistant
Aftercare Teacher Assistant
Jennifer is a passionate early childhood educator with over nine years of experience in bilingual and multicultural learning environments. She has worked as a preschool teacher assistant at Corvallis Waldorf School and is now returning to the International School for Peace in Tucson. Previously, she spent nine years as a youth care worker, helping unaccompanied minors express themselves through art and storytelling.
Ms. Valdes values family, community, and creative expression. With her warm and encouraging personality, she strives to inspire young learners and celebrate diversity in the classroom. She is honored to be part of a team dedicated to immersive and meaningful education.
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