ISP Celebrates Over 20 Years of Language Immersion!
Meet Our Staff for Summer Care 2026
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.
Elizabeth Wallace
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
Cathy DeMers, M.Ed.
Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth is a native Tucsonan with over 15 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education; most recently working in Special Education Preschool. She is a firm believer in the importance of Early Childhood Education and the positive impact it can have on a child's life.
Elizabeth is a wife and a mother.
Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth is a native Tucsonan with over 15 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education; most recently working in Special Education Preschool. She is a firm believer in the importance of Early Childhood Education and the positive impact it can have on a child's life.
Elizabeth is a wife and a mother. She is also a dog and reptile mom. She has a great love for animals and nature. In her free time you can find her with her family, crafting and creating with polymer clay.
Sira Esquivel
Sira Esquivel
Sira Esquivel
2's/3's Partial Spanish Immersion
Child Educator
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 foste
2's/3's Partial Spanish Immersion
Child Educator
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."
Zulma Nunez
Sira Esquivel
Sira Esquivel
3's/4's Full Spanish Immersion Child Educator
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 he
3's/4's Full Spanish Immersion Child Educator
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.
Lydia Seldner
Sira Esquivel
Lydia Seldner
4's-6's Full Spanish Immersion Child Educator
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 Internati
4's-6's Full Spanish Immersion Child Educator
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.”
Paula Wright
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Aftercare Child Educator
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 childre
Aftercare Child Educator
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.
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Tiffany Vander-Woude
Assistant Child Educator
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 extensi
Assistant Child Educator
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.
Kristy Kittrell
Kristy Kittrell
Kristy Kittrell
Assistant Child Educator
Kristy attended college at the Instituto Tecnologico de Sonoro. After completing studies, she worked as psychologist for 13 years in Obregon City, Sonora. Upon moving to the U.S. in 2022, Kristy was employed by Cherry Creek School District in Colorado as an assistant childcare educator supporting children with severe needs.
Jennifer Valdes
Kristy Kittrell
Kristy Kittrell
Assistant Child Educator
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 yea
Assistant Child Educator
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
Pamela Talero, Board Member
Teri Green, Board Member
Deborah Whitaker, Board Member
Cathy DeMers, Director