OUR TEAM
Rena Willis, CEEL & CSML
Languages: English (native), Spanish (fluent)
Rena is a lifelong learner and a certified school leader who holds a Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) and a Certificate in Early Education Leadership (CEEL) from Harvard Business School & Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has over 15 years of experience in education and is one of the founding partners of Lakeside.
Guadalupe Corea BA., MA.
Languages: Spanish
Guadalupe holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in School Administration. She has over twenty five years of experience as a teacher and school administrator and has been with Lakeside for over 10 years as Academic Director. She's in charge of academics and the school/family relationship. Guadalupe is one of the most supportive and caring people you'll ever meet.
Keilyn Meza B.A.
Languages: Spanish
Keilyn holds an AA degree in business administration and a Bachelor's degree in law. Keilyn has over 9 years of experience managing our office, maintenance and cleaning teams and works alongside Guadalupe in the management of the daily operations of Lakeside. Keilyn is dedicated to the support of Lakeside's learning community- teachers, students and families alike and works with an incredible amount of care.
Rob Willis BS.
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Rob holds a Bachelors of Science degree with dual concentration in Scientific Computing and Marine Biology and has over 13 years of experience in school leadership. As one of the founders of Lakeside, his passion for education that builds community can be seen throughout the school. Rob believes that we succeed together!
Ana Laura Betancourt Méndez, B.Psych.
Spanish (Native)
Ana Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has worked with Early Years and Primary Years students as a Guidance Counselor and Educational Support professional for 5 years.
Andrea Cubillo Contreras, AA
Languages: Spanish (Native)
Andrea is working towards a degree in education and is currently an Early Years Classroom Assistant and Paraprofessional at Lakeside. Andrea is always available to lend a helping hand, her support invaluable to the Early Years team.
Astrid Maradiaga, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (C1)
Astrid holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 17 years of experience as an Educator. Astrid has been both a Teacher and a Leader at Lakeside working with Early Years, Primary Years and Middle Years students. Astrid is a wonderful mentor and educator.
Aura Elena Hernández Gallo, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B2)
Aura holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 10 years of experience as an Educator. Aura has taught throughout our Primary and Middle Years program. Her caring and patient nature, along with her love of learning creates a safe and supportive learning environment for her students.
Bailey Cincotta, M.Ed.
Speaks : English (Native), Spanish (C1)
Bailey holds a master’s degree in education and has over 5 years of experience as an Educator in international settings. Bailey is an enthusiastic and gifted teacher who works hard to make real connections with her students. Her students love coming to school!
Carmen Yalile Ramirez Chaves, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Carmen holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 15 years of experience as an educator. She has worked with early years and primary years students at Lakeside for 4 years. Carmen’s positive attitude is infectious, and students really respond to her enthusiasm for learning.
Daniela Salazar Espinoza, BS. & Cert. Ed
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (C1)
Daniela holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is a certified International Baccalaureate Science Teacher. Daniela joins Lakeside with over 10 years of experience as an educator. She is both a teacher and a leader who translates her passion for science into the classroom through inquiry and project-based learning strategies.
David Jose Moran Uzcategui, M.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B1)
David holds a master’s degree in education with 8 years of experience as an educator in an international setting. David has taught in Primary, Middle and High School. He combines his love of literature and culture to create a dynamic classroom environment where his students learn to love language.
Dayani María Martínez Pérez, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B1)
Dayani holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has taught early years and primary years students at Lakeside for 3 years. Dayani integrates art and language throughout the curriculum, infusing a sense of play in the everyday classroom environment.
Enia Loreys Pérez Chaves, BA.Ed
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B1)
Loreys holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 12 years of experience as both a Teacher and a Leader at Lakeside. Loreys has worked with children in the Early Years and Primary Years program and is a compassionate and gifted educator.
Denise Beauchamp, BS. & Cert.Ed.
Speaks : English (Native), Spanish (B2)
Denise holds a Bachelor of Science degree in child psychology and is a certified International Baccalaureate Teacher. Denise joins Lakeside with over 20 years of experience as an educator. Her love of children and learning translates into a dynamic classroom environment where her students thrive.
Erick Alonso Soto Loria, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Erick holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 10 years of experience as an educator. He has taught both middle years and high school students at Lakeside for 3 years. He integrates art, history and philosophy throughout the curriculum and encourages students to think critically and express themselves creatively.
Eugenia Gianaretti, BA & Cert.Ed.
Speaks: Italian (Native), Spanish (B1), English (A2)
Eugenia holds a bachelor’s degree in Art and a Certificate in Education. Eugenia has worked as a classroom assistant and Specialty Teacher at Lakeside for 6 years. Eugenia brings color, texture, arts and crafts as well as a lot of fun to each of her classes.
Fabiola Navarrete Rodríguez, BA.Ed.
Speaks: Spanish (Native)
Fabiola holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 12 years of experience as an Educator. Fabiola’s patient nature combined with her ability to work with individual student needs creates an amazing learning environment for her students.
Franklin David Castro Castillo, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (A2)
David holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 10 years of experience as an educator. David has worked throughout the primary years and middle years program at Lakeside for 2 years. He regularly infuses his teaching and learning with his passion for the outdoors, science, and technology. He exemplifies experiential learning!
Geiner Sánchez Núñez, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (C1)
Geiner holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 15 years of experience as an educator. Geiner has worked with Lakeside students throughout the Early Years, Primary Years, Middle Years and Bachillerato programs for more than 8 years. He is a flexible and dynamic educator who loves both teaching and learning.
Gerardo Emigdio Palacios Martinez, MS. & Cert.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B2)
Gerardo holds a Master of Science degree and is a National Geographic Certified Science Teacher. He has worked with Middle Years and Bachillerato students at Lakeside for 7 years introducing them to the exciting world of science. He encourages his students to think critically through inquiry and investigation. Gerardo combines his love of nature with his passion for education to create a stimulating learning environment for his students.
Jary Jafeth Madriz Bolaños, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Jary holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has worked with Lakeside students of all ages for 2 years. He is an active and dynamic teacher who excels at making learning fun and engaging. He regularly incorporates movement in his lessons, encouraging students with different learning styles to engage in the learning environment.
Julia Sanchez Perez, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B1)
Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and has over 10 years of experience as an Educator. Julia has worked with children in the Early Years program at Lakeside for 8 years and is an expert on integrating learning for optimum whole child development.
Karen Spruce, BA.Ed.
Speaks: English (Native)
Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in education with a focus in teaching English and Math. Karen joins Lakeside with over 12 years of experience as an educator. She is passionate about learning and works hard to build positive relationships and create a safe and engaging learning environment for her students where they will thrive.
Keyla Vanegas, B.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B2/C1)
Keyla holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and has worked as both an Early Years and a Primary Years Teacher at Lakeside for 5 years. Keyla loves learning and shares her love of learning with her students creating a rich environment where children thrive.
Laura Maria Zeledón Chavarría, BA.Ed.
Speaks: Spanish (Native), English (C1)
Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and has over 37 years of experience as an Early Years Educator. Laura has worked with children in the Early Years program at Lakeside for 12 years and is a passionate and enthusiastic educator. Laura lovingly introduces our earliest learners to the exciting world of Learning!
Liza Mena Leal, BA.Ed.
Spanish (Native), English (B2/C1)
Liza holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 10 years of experience as an Educator. Liza has worked with children throughout Lakeside’s Early Years & Primary Years program. Liza’s students love the creative and challenging projects that are a staple in her classroom.
Luis Felipe Pizarro Busto, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B2/C1)
Felipe holds a bachelor’s degree in education and brings his enthusiasm and positive energy to each of his classes. Felipe has 3 years of experience as an educator and believes that learning should be fun and centered on the development of the whole child.
Luis Ricardo Murillo Hiller, MS. & Cert.Ed.
Teacher : Bachillerato & Middle Years / Naturalist
Luis Ricardo Murillo Hiller, MS. & Cert.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B2)
Ricardo holds a Master of Science degree and is a certified educator with over 12 years of experience. Ricardo combines his love of environmental science, biology and education to create dynamic and project-based learning experiences for his students.
Marco Vinicio Blanco Gamboa, BA
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Marco holds a Bachelor of Art degree and is certified in project-based learning. Marco has more than 15 years of experience working in Education. He is a flexible leader and a passionate educator who believes that strong relationships are the foundation for learning.
María José Castillo Montero, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (C1)
María José holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 10 years of experience as an educator. She is a Positive, energetic, and motivated teacher who loves to create a happy, stimulating, creative and enjoyable environment for her students. She strives to install a love of learning in each and every one of her students.
Marianela Alvarez Marín, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B2)
Marianela holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has 5 years of experience as an Educator. Marianela has worked with children in the Early Years and Primary Years program integrating art, language, and mindfulness into the curriculum.
Matthew Russell Sanders, M.Ed.
Speaks : English (Native), Spanish (B1)
Russ holds a master’s degree in education and has over 25 years of experience as an international educator. He is a flexible and passionate educator who seeks to connect with his students and cultivate their natural curiosity. Having lived and worked all over the world, he brings a unique perspective to his classroom.
Matthew B. Diaz, M.Ed.
Master's Degree in Education
Speaks : English (Native), Spanish (B2)
Matt holds a master’s degree in education and has over 10 years of experience as an educator. Matt is an enthusiastic, caring, and creative educator committed to student development and growth. His focus is to connect student’s lives to the world outside the classroom encouraging responsible citizenship.
Maureen Gutierrez Santana, BA.Ed., B.Psych.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B1)
Maureen holds a bachelor’s degree in education with a focus in special education as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has worked at Lakeside for over 5 years with students of all ages. Maureen strives to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for her students.
Melissa Auxiliadora Angulo Espinoza, BA.Ed., M.Psych.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B1)
Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in pedagogical psychology. She has worked at Lakeside for over 6 years with students from early years to middle years. Melissa is a flexible educator whose focus is always on her students and creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment
Mirania Ivonne Villarreal Sánchez, AA
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Mirania holds an associate degree in education and has over 8 years of experience working with Early Years students at Lakeside. Mirania started as an Early Years Assistant and fell in love with learning. That love of learning can be seen every day in her classroom. She is a caring and supportive leader.
Natalia Patricia Espinosa Rivas, BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (C1)
Natalia holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and has worked as an Early Years Teacher at Lakeside for 4 years. Natalia is a natural teacher, and her enthusiasm, dedication and love of children can be felt every time you enter her classroom.
Noelia del Carmen Cajina Leiva, BA.Ed.
Spanish (Native), English (B1)
Noelia holds a bachelor’s degree in education and is an enthusiastic and caring teacher who is passionate about learning. Noelia strives to build strong relationships and excels at creating a sense of play in her classroom, making learning fun for all of her students.
Ronald Díaz Cabrera BA.
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Ronald holds a bachelor’s degree in art. He is a thriving local artist, scout master and dynamic educator. He regularly shares his passion for art and culture helping to promote creative thinking, resilience, and a love of learning in all of his students.
Vanessa Andreina Mejias Centeno, BA.Ed
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 5 years of experience as an educator. She is a dedicated and flexible teacher who works hard to build an active and engaging learning environment where her students can thrive. Vanessa has worked with students from Early Years to Middle Years at Lakeside for over 2 years.
Wilbert Ronel Arias Castro B.Ed
Speaks : Spanish (Native)
Ronney holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 17 years of experience as an educator. Ronney has worked with children of all ages to incorporate movement, health and fitness into their daily routine.
Ysbel Alicia Saavedra Inojosa BA.Ed.
Speaks : Spanish (Native), English (B1)
Ysbel holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has over 10 years of experience as an educator in international settings. She has worked with students at Lakeside in the Primary Years, Middle Years and Bachillerato programs for over 4 years during which time she has mentored several medal winning Lakeside students during the Costa Rican Math Olympics.
Get to know Lakeside through our videos. A picture really is worth a thousand words.
