Volunteer Staff
Current Volunteers
Executive Director
Victor Amezcua (2003-Present)
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Victor Amezcua, one of the founders of LCEF, is originally from Mexico City. He holds a Master’s degree & PhD candidacy from UC Berkeley in Mathematics. He worked in the computer industry in the San Francisco bay area for many years, taught college Mathematics and has owned several businesses.
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Director
Julie Catton (2003-Present)
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Julie Catton, originally from California, is one of the founders of LCEF. As a former school teacher Julie has a love and passion for helping children. Julie has spent extensive time in Spain and Mexico where she has taught English to children and adults. Julie holds a B.A. in Recreation Administration from San Diego State University and an M.S. in Education from Dominican University in San Rafael, CA.
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Wings Scholarship Program Director
Dean Klompas (Winter 2007 – Present)
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Dean Klompas has worked in many capacities for LCEF and currently is our Wings Scholarship Program Director. Dean is also key player in assisting with the project coordination of Costa Alegre Educational Center (CAEC) and assists with the middle school English classes. (See Dean's bio)
Dean Klompas is from Canada and is a Computer Engineer. He holds a B.A. in History with a minor in Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a Post Graduate Degree in Information Technology and Business. He has also completed certification courses in Technology, T.E.S.L, International Development, Project Management and Conflict Resolution and has worked as a project manager, volunteer and teacher in Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico. Dean has brought a lot of heart, positive energy, and project management skills that quickly proved to be beneficial to the foundation and the community of La Manzanilla.
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Program Director
Nancy Wyeth (December 2010-Present)
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Nancy has worked and volunteered in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico and has developed a strong desire to always give back through her work. She holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia and a BA in Anthropology (honors). She has worked as a business consultant with non profits in Canada but always looks for opportunities to return to Latin America. She is very excited to be able to work with LCEF and help the community of La Manzanilla. |
Teacher Interns
Lacey Rimer (January - April 2012)
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Lacey Rimer has joined La Catalina Foundation for her final practicum experience of her Masters of Teaching degree at the University of Calgary. She previously graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in English Literature. She is excited to get the opportunity to teach in La Manzanilla as this is her family’s second home and somewhere she has been coming her whole life. She hopes during her time here she can give back to the community that has always been so warm and welcoming to her and her family.
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Jordan Rees (January - March 2012)
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Jordan is a new addition to La Catalina foundation and has her TESL certification. She has completed two years of Sociolgy and is continuing her education this coming September in the world of health and wellness. After spending extended periods of time in Mexico Jordan began to realize how much she had learned from the Mexican culture and its people. Jordan decided she wanted to give something back to the people through her work with La Catalina Foundation. She is excited to pass on her skills and knowledge to others in a friendly and fun environment!
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Traver Riggins (September 2011- current)
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Always with a smile, Traver brings her love of the English language and desire to spread knowledge through happiness to the classroom. In 2010 she graduated cum laude from Howard University with a degree in communication. Her work at an international investigative non-profit showed her the power of spreading knowledge in a global context. Teaching English with La Catalina allows not only her students, but Traver as well, to achieve that goal.
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Volunteer Teachers
Deborah Dagoli - Debbie has provided invaluable assistance to the foundation and the children of La Manzanilla! She tirelessly teaches English in the elementary school for the 7 months of the year that she is here. She also does a lot of other activities in the community helping out the kids.
Judy Rohloff - Judy helps Debbie out in the elementary school. Judy's presence makes the lessons more effective and fun for everyone! She makes teaching the class of 44 grade 4 students a bit more manageable for the volunteer teacher.
Karin Carter - Karin teaches English in the La Manzanilla middle school. She has experience teaching internationally and lives in La Manzanilla full time. The students appreciate having this talented native English speaker leading their class!
Past local volunteers include: Mazinka Rutherford, Marilyn Sudbeck, Deanna Hammersley, Tonia Kimsey
Previous Volunteers
Linda Koenig (Art Teacher 2010-2011) Show Bio
Linda is a full-time resident of La Manzanilla and is always looking for ways to help in the community. She has been volunteering in the Children's After School Art Program and with her teaching background and experience the kids love her!
Stephanie Fernandes (Teacher Intern April - August 2011) Show Bio
Stephanie was a real asset to the organization. Stephanie has completed a BA in Criminal Justice and Public Policy (honors) with a Minor in International Development from the University of Guelph in Canada. She has broad teaching experience, plays guitar, and has traveled throughout Central America. With her great sense of humor, Stephanie is a natural with the kids and as a teacher in Mexico.
Kelly Thomas (Teacher Intern June - August 2011) Show Bio
Kelly is a graduate of Reed College in Portland, OR and this is her first time in Mexico. She teaches in the elementary school, the middle school, and in our after school programs. Kelly has experience working with educational non-profits, a strong passion for languages and teaching, and a consistently positive and happy demeanor.
Elizabeth Cabrera (Program Director January - December 2010) Show Bio
Elizabeth Cabrera is originally from Los Angeles, California. Her family is originally from a small town in Jalisco near Ciudad Guzman called San Jose de Gracia. She holds a B.A. in English with a minor in Spanish from Harvard University, where she graduated with honors. She has worked with educational non-profits such as Breakthrough Collaborative (as an English teacher) and Teach for America (as a Campus Campaign Coordinator). Elizabeth has quickly adjusted to the community of La Manzanilla and looks forward to working with LCEF in helping La Manzanilla improve its levels of education.
Mateo Colby (Teacher Intern Summer 2010) Show Bio
Mateo joined LCEF the summer between his junior and senior year at Harvard University. He assisted with our summer camp for the Mexican children, taught English classes to the community, and created and built up our Facebook Page. Before coming to La Manzanilla, Mateo had traveled extensively around the world, was fluent in multiple languages and was a writer for the guide book Let’s Go: Italy.
Amanda Weynand (Teacher Intern Fall/Winter 2009) Show Bio
Amanda Weynand is originally from Wisconsin and has a B.A. in psychology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She has worked in many different areas of Social Work with an emphasis on children and families and has completed course work in teaching English as a second language. She is very excited about the great opportunity to teach and get involved with the community and families of Manzanilla. This opportunity will help with her goal of working in bilingual education.
Shanna McClarnon (Teacher Intern Spring 2009 - Spring 2010) Show Bio
Shanna McClarnon is orginally from Oklahoma. She holds a degree in Marketing from Oklahoma State University where she graduated with honors. Most recently, Shanna worked as a Corporate Marketer and Director of Events for a non profit in the U.S. Shanna has also done mission work in the Tonala area of Mexico, worked as a Spanish tutor, and dreams of teaching bilingual education. All of her skills and devotion have been of great service to La Catalina Educational Foundation and the community of La Manzanilla.
Elisa de la Pena (Fall/Winter 2008) Show Bio
Elisa de la Pena comes to us from Los Angeles, Califorina after recently graduating from Long Beach State University with a B.A. in Sociology. Elisa's family is orginally from Mexico and she is enjoying reconnecting with her roots and spending the semester in La Manzanilla. Elisa's primary volunteer work is teaching our adult English classes and our kid's Art and English Classes, where she has been very popular with the children of the village. Elisa's interest include traveling, singing and playing the guitar.
Ruth Parino Santiago (Teacher Intern Fall 2006 - Spring 2007) Show Bio
Ruth Parino Santiago came to us from the Philippines, has her Bachelor's degree in Communications and has done extensive coursework in Education. Ruth brings a lot of creative energy, including a strong background in drama, stage production for MTV, teaching English and other subjects in China and the Philippines, and authoring two children’s books. She is also assisting La Catalina Natural Language School with various projects. Quote: "My experience working with La Catalina Foundation and living in La Manzanilla gave a meaningful description to the word “teacher” for me in one month, more than all my years of experience teaching in other places. Being a teacher does not only mean you impart knowledge, but you have to be willing to give away a big part of yourself as it will come back to you 100x bigger."
Erin McCall (Teacher Intern Winter/Spring 2006) Show Bio
Erin recently graduated from Ohio State University where she majored in Spanish and linguistics. Although she is relatively new to teaching, she is keenly interested in developing skills and returning to school to obtain her teaching credential after she completes her internship with La Catalina Foundation. After studying abroad in both Spain and Ecuador, Erin was very eager to experience living in Mexico. In addition to teaching English classes in the schools, Erin was instrumental in helping to organize the Foundation's 2nd Annual "A Night Under the Stars" Silent Auction fundraiser. Quote: "It is truly a magnificent thing that La Catalina Foundation is doing in this town. I am very proud to have been a part of it."
Dana Borja (Teacher Intern Fall/Winter 2005) Show Bio
Dana came to us after having taught English in Japan for three years. Prior to going to Japan, Dana received her degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a major in Spanish and a minor in Asian Studies. Dana’s love for Mexico and the Spanish language brought her to work as an intern for La Catalina Foundation. In addition to being a very effective English teacher to the children in the schools, Dana assisted with one of our small business development projects. Dana time working with La Catalina Foundation inspired her to return to school to get her teaching credential. Quote: “I am so lucky to have been here in La Manzanlla. It is a beautiful place and the people are wonderful. I have learned a lot from this experience and only hope I can give back as much as I received."
Anna Roberts (Teacher Intern Winter/Spring 2005) Show Bio
Anna Roberts came to us from San Francisco, California after graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in International Studies. Anna’s enthusiasm and contributions left a mark on La Manzanilla and the Foundation. In addition to teaching her dynamic English classes, Anna was instrumental in assisting with the implementation of the foundation’s first annual silent auction. This auction was a huge success and generated over $4,000 for Foundation projects. Quote: "La Manzanilla and its people will always hold a very special place in my heart. I had an amazing experience living, teaching, and learning more about Mexico, its culture, and people."
Michael Topmiller (Teacher Intern Fall/Winter 2004) Show Bio
Michael Topmiller came to us from the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with B.A. in Mathematics & Secondary Education. Michael was our first intern and a very popular teacher and he touched the lives of many children in La Manzanilla. After living in Mexico, gaining experience as a teacher with La Catalina Foundation, and improving his Spanish speaking abilities, Michael got motivated to return to school where he is currently working on his Master’s in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University. Quote: “It was an absolute dream for me living and teaching here in La Manzanilla and an experience I will never forget.”
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