Presentation Day
Cab Campus: Thursday, November 28th 10-12
Las Terrenas Campus: Friday, November 29th 10:30-12:30
Our Cabarete Team
Yessica Gonzales
Primary Lead Teacher
Educación Nivel Básico: Lengua Española y Ciencias Sociales, en el Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña
¡Hola a todos!
I knew that teaching was part of me, since I was a little kid. I focused my attention on classic books in my free time, and then I always shared the experiences that I knew to all the people around me. When I was 14, I also gave private classes to children who were unaware of the wonderful world of reading. In September, 2015 I started study Education: Spanish Language and Social Sciences, at the University: Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña, i’m also completing my master's degree in Linguistics of the Spanish Language there I improved my skills to share knowledge with others through continuous training; I carried out workshops oriented to Spanish education, history, the arts, theater, and more... In this way I integrate them into my class.
I believe that meaningful learning is carried out effectively when playful strategies are integrated into the classes, since these dynamize the teaching process and create affection between the teacher and the students, the best is to integrate what they most love to do while learning: Play
I have been working at Isla Academy for two years. The vibe is definitely amazing, due to the diversity, since this is an International school in the Caribbean that allows the integration of different cultures. This, without a doubt, has been one of the most rewarding experiences to share with highly trained teachers, who make teaching part of their lives and who share their love for education like me.
Patricia Batista Moldonado
Primary Teaching Assistant
Patricia Batista Maldonado was born on August 7, 1988, and this is the second year as an ISLA elementary teacher assistant. Patricia has recently graduated from an English program and she happily enjoys working with the teachers and interacting with the students in her class.
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Rachael Baker de Soler
Director of Primary/ Elementary
Primary Lead Teacher
Bachelor of Arts, Primary Education, Birmingham City University, England
Hello. My name is Rachael I am originally from England. I knew from an
early age I wanted to be a teacher, so after college I went on to attend university. I went on to gain a BA (Honors) degree in Primary Education specializing in Early Years in 2009. I taught in a range of schools, and have experience teaching children from 2– 11 years old. For our family holidays, we usually stayed close to home and visited Spain, Portugal, or one of the Balearic or Canary Islands. This was until one day my mum saw an offer in the
travel agent’s window that she couldn’t pass up. Our first vacation to the Dominican
Republic was back in 2006. There was a special charm about this small Caribbean
island that inspired me to return, which I did for many years until together with my identical twin I took the plunge and moved to Cabarete at the end of 2011.
With only what we could fit into a suitcase we flew 9 hours, over 4,000 miles from home to see where Caribbean life would take us. After only a month I began working at an international school here on the North Coast. I was a third-grade homeroom teacher for four and a half years. During that time, I got married and my husband and I welcomed our three inquisitive children, a true blessing.
I am so thrilled that they have the opportunity to have such a hands-on, child-
centered education, such as is offered here at ISLA. I am a firm believer that children learn by ‘doing’ therefore I believe that using inquiry to allow children to ask and answer questions about the world around them is a fantastic way to engage children and help them to learn2love2learn.
I am very much looking forward to this next academic year, my ninth year teaching at ISLA Academy.
Rebeccca Baker de Martinez
Director of Operations
Teacher - Phase 2 (Grades 1 & 2)
Bachelor of Arts, Primary Education, Birmingham City University, England
Yesenia Cristina Zapata
Elementary Assistant
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Carmen Gomez (Paola).
Primary Spanish Teacher
Elementary Assistant
Hola, Mi nombre es Cristina Zapata, (Yesenia). Soy Dominican, naci el 5 de diciembre. Vivo en Montellano. Estudio en la Universidad (USAD) Autonoma de Santo Domingo. He tenido experiencia en el área con los niños y descubrí que me gusta enseñar a Los niños y parents nuevas codes con ellos
Hola, mi nombre es Carmen Gomez (Paola), soy estudiante de Educación mención Filosofía y Letras en el Centro Universitario Regional del Atlántico (CURA-UASD). He trabajado en ISLA Academy por dos años, desempeñándome como asistente de maestras del nivel inicial, actualmente me desempeño como maestra de Español desde los grados de nivel inicial hasta segundo grado de primaria.
Melanie Woo
Elementary Lead Teacher
George Brown College January 2008-April 2009
Early Childhood Education (ECE), Diploma
My name is Melanie Woo, and I am absolutely thrilled to be your child's teacher this year. With over a decade of experience in Early Childhood Education, I have dedicated myself to nurturing young minds, helping them flourish into confident and creative individuals.
I am a wife, mother to two young children, and have two dogs. It's never a dull moment!
Nature has a special place in my heart, and I have a passion for plants. I find solace and inspiration in their growth and the lessons they teach us about resilience and adaptability. Just like plants, each child in my classroom is unique and special, deserving of the utmost care and attention as they navigate their educational journey.
Originally from Canada, life led me on an incredible adventure, and I now call the Dominican Republic my home. I love the vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and warm-hearted people.
In my classroom, I foster an inclusive and nurturing environment where children can develop at their own pace. I wholeheartedly believe that every child is gifted with their unique set of talents and abilities, and it is our responsibility as educators to uncover and nurture those gifts. Through personalized learning approaches, I strive to make each child feel loved, valued, supported, and confident in their abilities.
My teaching philosophy revolves around creating a sense of wonder and excitement for learning. I encourage exploration, creativity, and critical thinking, as I believe these qualities lay the foundation for lifelong learning. We will embark on a journey together, discovering the world, exploring various subjects, and celebrating achievements, both big and small.
Communication is key in our classroom community, and I am always open to discussing your child's progress and needs. Your involvement in your child's education is essential, and together, we can ensure they receive the best possible learning experience.
I am genuinely thrilled to be part of your child's educational journey this year. Let's work together to make it a year of growth, discovery, and unforgettable memories. Here's to an exciting and successful school year ahead!
Danielle Wallin
Elementary Lead Teacher
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in ESOL (English as a Second Language) from Dalton State College.
Master of Education. Curriculum and Instruction. Carson Newman University. Jefferson City, Tennessee.
My name is Danielle Eileen Wallin. I was born in Dalton, Georgia on Sept. 5, 1973. I am the baby of 4 children, 2 boys and then, 2 girls.
I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in ESOL (English as a Second Language) from Dalton State College in 2006. I taught 4th grade that year. I taught 2nd grade for the following 3 years. I got my ESOL Certification during the next summer and began working the following 11 years as an ESOL teacher.
I have been married to Kevin Wallin for 8 years. We have 5 kids but none together. We have 3 grandkids.
My hobbies are reading, spending time with my husband and family, and spending time at the beach or in the pool. I love to build things with wood and remodeling homes. I have flipped 5 houses prior to coming to the DR including laying tile, vinyl plank, building porches, replacing light fixtures, etc. I love making ugly things pretty again.
I am excited to continue to learn ways to help students!!
Jamie Hart
Elementary Lead Teacher
Advanced diploma in Children and Youth Worker, Mohawk College.
Hello/Hola! My name is Jamie Hart. I am originally from Canada but moved to the Dominican Republic with my wonderful wife and daughter three years ago. We absolutely love it here.
I graduated from Mohawk College with an Advanced Diploma, Children and Youth Worker in 2010. I was able to work in many different foster home settings and treatment centers with at-risk children and youth. I finally landed my career at the Hamilton School Board working with children ages 3-13, creating/implementing treatment plans that pertained to their needs in a classroom setting.
Throughout my career, I also worked at a summer program for 7 years called Under the Willows. It was an art, garden and play therapy program allowing children to paint, build and just let their imaginations run wild.
My family and I love to spend time walking the beaches of Cabarete/Sosua as well as soaking up the sun and culture with the locals. We are also enjoying learning how to speak Spanish.
I am very honored and thankful to be a part of the ISLA team as this is a wonderful school to work at.
Kasia Katarzyna Bartuzi
Secondary Lead Teacher
University of Warsaw - 2007 Postgraduate studies: Editorship
Warsaw University of Technology, College of Social Studies and Administration - 2005
Postgraduate studies: Pedagogy
Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw - 2001
Master of Arts: Theology
Hi, my name is Kasia Bartuzi, and I am thrilled to be joining Isla this year! I hold an MA
from UKSW (Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Poland) and completed my
postgraduate studies in pedagogy and editorship. With a career spanning 25 years, I have had
the privilege of working as a teacher, translator, interpreter, and editor. My life has always
been defined by my love for people, books, and languages.
I am passionate about student-centered and project-based learning, and I am committed to
creating an engaging and dynamic classroom environment. I believe in fostering creativity
and critical thinking, ensuring that each student is actively involved in their own learning
journey.
I thrive on new experiences and challenges, which is precisely why I am a teacher. Boredom
is never an option for me, and I do my best to bring my adventurous spirit into my teaching
and daily life. When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me immersed in a book or
struggling to build a new raised bed for my veggies, or practicing Muay Thai, or cold
plunging, or chopping wood, or walking my dogs for hours, or learning a new language.
I definitely love to learn.
As I embark on this exciting new chapter in the Dominican Republic, I am eager to share my
knowledge and enthusiasm with my students, helping them discover their own paths to
a success.
Gloribel Davila Ricart
Secondary Lead Teacher/Secondary Coordinator
Director of Performing Arts.
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from UNICARIBE University with a specialty in Early Childhood Stimulation
Master's Degree in Learning Process and Preschool Management from UASD university
Hi! My name is Gloribel Davila. I’m proud to be part of Isla Academy! I am Dominican, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from UNICARIBE University with a specialty in Early Childhood Stimulation, recently finishing a Master's Degree in Learning Process and Preschool Management from UASD university. This will be my 15th year teaching, offering curricular adaptations for children with educational support. I’m very creative! I love music, art, and science! I have worked with boys and girls with autism in regular classrooms. I have created workshops for parents and teachers to answer concerns about children's neurological, socio-emotional, and motor development. One of my goals is to use different pedagogical and creative activities that promote positive skills in children. I have a true passion for working with young learners! They are the key to the future! I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures their growth in a positive, fun, and lovable environment. I’m married and have a beautiful 13-year-old daughter who is part of the school too! I'm looking forward to working with you as partners in every child's growth.
Cristina Ricart
Secondary Lead Teacher
Clinical Psychology, Technological Institute of Santo Domingo
Hey everyone!
I am Cristina Ricart, born and raised in Santo Domingo, currently living on the north coast as part of the ISLA family in Cabarete.
I’m a very loving person, creative and passionate about art, education, and human behavior. I’ve been teaching since I was 19 and my journey has driven me to work both in the private and public sectors of education, ranging from middle schoolers all the way to mature adults at a university level. I studied to become a clinical psychologist at the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC) and have completed studies in School Dropout Prevention and Reintegration to School Systems with MASHAV in Israel, and currently, a master’s in art therapy by Art Counseling Academy.
One of the most rewarding experiences for me is being able to be a part of the development of my students, learning from them, and growing from the experience they have to offer, it makes work an exciting adventure!
It's been an incredible experience to teach at ISLA and see our students evolve into skillful, self-driven creators of knowledge.
Mery Jane Garcia Ynfante
Permaculture Lead Teacher
Social Communication at the Universidad Catolica Santo
Domingo in Santo Domingo and a Master's degree in education with a specialty in educational management from the Universidad Internacional de Mexico and the Universidad del Atlántico in Spain
Mery Jane Garcia Ynfante is the name my mother and father gave me, I was born and raised in Santo Domingo. I am a lover and guardian of the natural resources and ancestral wisdom of this island. I come from an indigenous farmer's lineage that protects food sovereignty.
My passion for education goes beyond the established principles, for me it is part of my philosophy of life to be in contact with Mother Earth, respecting her natural cycles and appreciating the greatness of her love and benefits. Everything is connected in nature, everything has a rhythm and a cosmic balance, so for me, it makes sense to project this same ancestral wisdom in the upbringing of my son, as well as in his path through life and equally, in what today we call it education, with games and connecting with our essence in a safe, relaxed and fun space.
I completed a degree in Social Communication at the Universidad Catolica Santo Domingo in Santo Domingo and a Master's degree in education with a specialty in educational management in the Universidad Internacional de Mexico and the Universidad del Atlántico in Spain. I have performed various roles in public and private schools and NGOs national and international.
My partner and I are a multicultural family and we have been living in the beautiful community of Cabarete for 9 years. Our son Theo Josep also studies in Isla Academy, so you will surely see him from time to time pulling my arm. We are grateful to be part of the family of this space that honors the spirit and diversity in all aspects.
Harriet Trower
Permaculture Lead Teacher
BA HONS Geography degree from the University of Leeds and a Masters in Environmental Management from the University of Keele.
Blessings to everyone!
My name is Harriet and I’d love to share a little bit about myself. I grew up in a small town in the countryside of Shropshire in England, with a father who is a coach, a mother who is a gardener, and grandparents who were teachers. I have always had a thirst for knowledge, and a skill of synthesizing information and retelling in a storytelling fashion adapting to any type of audience.
I am fascinated by humans, and I love how children are curious and playful. I started teaching at the age of 23 years, and now at the age of 32 I have taught a range of ages, from 2 to 74! I love offering shared learning experiences which are hands on and center around play. I am a Permaculture Designer and have designed school gardens, private gardens and commercial farms. I love to share knowledge about fungi, plants, worms, compost, regenerative agriculture, community development and nonviolent communication.
I have a BA HONS Geography degree from the University of Leeds and a Masters in Environmental Management from the University of Keele. I studied Permaculture in 2016 and it completely changed my life, my purpose and my vision. Living a regenerative life, planting seeds fills me with hope for the future, and I love sharing this gift with new generations.
Rauel Mitchell
Outdoor Adventure Lead Teacher
BA in Outdoor Leadership and Management
Hello, I'm Rauel, and I have embarked on an extraordinary journey from the city of
Manchester, England to the Dominican Republic. A path of adventure,
unconventional learning, and a heartfelt dedication to the great outdoors has led me
to ISLA Academy. While the confines of traditional education initially posed
challenges, my passion for learning found its compass in the realm of adventure
sports. This trajectory propelled me to embrace what is known as outdoor education,
where nature itself becomes the classroom.
I ventured across the globe for over a decade, and along the way, I assumed the
roles of a canyoning and climbing instructor in both Vietnam and New Zealand.
These experiences allowed me to shape my understanding of how immersive
learning can truly transform lives.
Eager to deepen my knowledge and better align my purpose, I pursued a BA in
Outdoor Leadership and Management in the UK. This academic pursuit was a bridge
between my real-world experiences and the theoretical foundations that underpin
effective outdoor education.
I am very grateful to be part of the ISLA family, and I am committed to fostering a
deep connection between young minds and the natural world through exploration
and hands-on experiences. Together, we are crafting a narrative that empowers the
next generation with knowledge, curiosity, and a profound love for the world we call
home.
Marlon Bonilla Disla
Physical Education Lead Teacher
Degree in Physical Education. Higher Institute
Teacher Training Salomé Ureña, Luis Campus
Napoleón Núñez Molina
My name is Marlon Bonilla Disla, I was born on October 28, 1998 in Puerto Plata, graduated in physical education from the Higher Institute of Teacher Training Salomé Ureña (ISFODOSU) and graduated with honors (Magna Cumlauden) with diplomas in education such as; diploma in technology with the use of ICTs, diploma in professional ethics and diploma in English for teachers, in my experience, as a teacher I had two years of practices and internships in various public schools and colleges in Santiago, plus a year as a teacher in the area of physical Education at the episcopal college of Montellano.
Dilsaurys Mercado
Spanish Lead Teacher
Degree in Neuroscience O & M University
My name is Dilsaurys Mercado and I'm proud to be a teacher. I graduated from the O & M University in 2018, however, I began my teaching practice in 2013 as an assistant with the Dream Project Foundation. With the Dream Project, I obtained a university scholarship.I have also studied the Montessori Method and have a diploma in Neuroscience. In 2018, I joined the Mariposa Foundation until 2022 where I headed the literacy program and taught hundreds of girls how to read and write. Since that date, I have been part of the ISLA team in the Spanish department.
Nathalie Mailhot
Public Speaking Lead Teacher
With 30 years of experience, our public speaking teacher has mentored students of all ages, fostering confidence and clarity in communication. For the past three years, they have led the Teen Talk program at ISLA Academy, culminating in a recent TED-Ed event featuring secondary students. Teen Talk is designed to help students speak with confidence, communicate clearly, and articulate their thoughts effectively in a fun, interactive, and educational environment. Their dedication to empowering students through public speaking has made a lasting impact, inspiring young speakers to find their voice and express themselves confidently.
Jesus De La Cruz
Art and Project Development Teacher
My childhood was always marked by the curiosity to know and this was decisive in
feeling that I wanted to dedicate myself to art.
At the end of school, I could not give up either of my two passions and I combined my technical studies in electronics with art classes at the Artistic Institute of my city, before entering the School of Design. It was there that I began to acquire the identity that characterizes me today: the fusion between art and electronics, the precision of science with the spirituality of the creation process and the connection of everything with everything.
The colors of my works always start from violet blue in their entire range, inspiring me towards
that sensation of cold that elevates me to connect with the universe on a spiritual level, in which the woman, another of the characteristic elements of my works, the Femininity is the center of everything.
Another of the key elements in my creations, the pendulum, what unites and balances, in its
oscillation and fragility, always remains firm, moving at will through all the earthly and spiritual
planes that exist, always remaining in the center as a point. connection of both planes. It is the
balance that keeps us on earth, but at the same time transports us to other dimensions.
The sublime, the spiritual, transporting yourself to other planes, and understanding other levels of wisdom. The creation process is a unique and unrepeatable conversation with each of the pieces. They create me on a new spiritual plane.
In my artistic career, my objective is to maintain the need for curiosity, which makes me always in continuous movement, provoking and searching for new thoughts that put the creative source to work. Art is like a rubber band that stretches as far as each one wants, in which there are no limits, there are no barriers!
With my life and professional partner, Silvia Roa Aranda, we were asked to
intervene in a concrete sculpture (1.50cm military), after several interventions that did not
convince us, we found a new technique for us, fine embroidery thread and liquid crystal, without realizing it has become another of our current artistic projects, to continue to
develop it to take it to other artistic dimensions and obtain different results.
Our family is thrilled to be a part of the ISLA Family. We are excited to see what the future holds!
John Wheeler
Math Teacher
BS degree in Accounting from Southern University
MBA from the University of Houston
Happy Greetings To All,
My name is John Wheeler and I am the Math Instructor/Coach here at Isla Academy. My passion has always been teaching, learning and helping students to 'Get it'. I was born in Louisiana, but have spent the majority of my adult life in Texas. I have a BS degree in Accounting from Southern University and a MBA from the University of Houston. I am a Certified Teacher in Secondary Math and also hold a Principal Certificate.
The last eighteen years of my life, I was the owner and operator of three Sylvan Learning Centers in the Houston area.
I am very excited to join the staff at Isla Academy and looking forward to enriching and molding your minds.
Laura Bencosme
