CASA SULARA

Maritza was born and raised in Colombia and has lived in Costa Rica for the past 20 years. She holds a degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Sociology of Education from the National University of Colombia and the University of Costa Rica. With eight years of experience in early childhood education, she finds joy in being present, calm, and intentional with her students—believing that teaching happens in the quiet moments of connection. She also speaks Portuguese and has worked with indigenous communities in the Amazon on education for sustainable development. If she could be any animal, she’d be a dolphin—playful, intelligent, and deeply connected to community. One thing she’d never eat? Monkey brains—*guácala!* 🤮 She dreams of traveling the world by sailboat, stopping from port to port, and if she had a superpower, it would be transforming into different animals to experience life as they do. In her free time, she loves swimming in the ocean, practicing yoga, and studying—always learning things that bring her joy. Though she doesn’t watch sports (no TV!), she once loved rock climbing and still enjoys movement and adventure.

Viviana was born and raised in Costa Rica, where she also earned her Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. With 15 years of experience as both a preschool teacher and an administrative assistant within the Ministry of Public Education, Viviana brings deep expertise and a nurturing spirit to the classroom. She treasures the joy of supporting children through their growth and development, calling it the most beautiful part of her work. In her free time, Viviana enjoys gardening and birdwatching. If she could be any animal, she’d be a cat—for their independence, mystique, and, of course, their ability to nap anywhere! While she’s open to trying most foods, insects are a no-go (unless they’re very well disguised!). She’s always dreamed of visiting Mongolia, and when it comes to superpowers, she proudly says she already has one: being a mom.

Daniel was born and raised in Spain, where his passion for sports and outdoor adventure began early. With over 30 years of experience teaching children through movement, Daniel is certified in a wide range of activities, including skiing, rock and ice climbing, swimming, kayaking, scuba diving (PADI), aquagym, and early stimulation for both water and land. He also has training in first aid and CPR, and previously taught math to children in Costa Rica. Daniel believes that every child learns in their own unique way. For him, teaching is about discovering each student’s inner potential and helping it flourish. If he could be any animal, he’d be a dragon—powerful, resilient, and ever-evolving. While he’s open to many foods, sweet sticks are not on the menu! His dream is to sail around the world, stopping in ports to explore and connect with new places. If he had a superpower, he’d be like Mary Poppins—with a magical bag full of whatever is needed. In his free time, Daniel prefers doing sports over watching them and enjoys climbing, biking, swimming, and discovering new experiences through travel.

Susan was born in Costa Rica and raised in the beautiful region of Pérez Zeledón. She holds a diploma in Preschool Education from Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), has completed her high school studies in the same field, and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree. With two years of experience, Susan brings a fresh perspective and heartfelt enthusiasm to her work with young children. What she loves most about teaching is witnessing the genuine curiosity and excitement children bring to each day. For Susan, being present for those early moments of discovery—when children are developing new skills and exploring the world for the first time—is a privilege filled with joy, wonder, and unforgettable memories. Every day in the classroom offers something new, and she embraces each moment with warmth and care. If she could be any animal, Susan would be a lioness—a powerful, strong, and protective presence. While she enjoys a wide variety of food, she draws the line at reptiles. Her dream trip? Traveling to Norway to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights. If she had a superpower, it would be the ability to teleport—making it easier to be everywhere she’s needed in a flash! Susan enjoys watching boxing and spending her free time surrounded by family or relaxing with a good movie. Her calm strength and nurturing nature make her a valued presence in the lives of the children she teaches.

Gabriel was born and raised in Costa Rica and holds degrees in both Social Work and Social Studies from the Universidad de Costa Rica. With about four years of experience, he brings a fresh and collaborative approach to education—believing that true learning happens when everyone learns together, not just from one person to another. Gabriel speaks some Portuguese and is passionate about making learning a shared journey. If he could be any animal, he’d choose a whale—traveling the depths of the world while staying close to community. He definitely wouldn’t drink carao again (a strong-tasting remedy from his childhood), but he would love to one day visit Chile or even the faraway Pacific islands. His dream superpower? Always knowing where lost things are. In his free time—when he gets some!—he enjoys writing poetry, hitting the gym, and belting it out at karaoke (one of his favorite pastimes!). Though he doesn’t watch much sports, he loves playing soccer, even if he says he’s not great at it.

Erick was born and raised in Costa Rica, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Licenciatura in English Teaching from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. With three years of experience teaching students of all ages, he’s passionate about collaborative learning, emotional development, and alternative education. Erick is currently pursuing a Master’s degree to further support his students’ growth. He finds joy in empowering others through education and believes learning is a lifelong journey. If he could be any animal, he’d be a weaver bird—resourceful and creative. Erick dreams of exploring the world, one continent at a time, and if he had a superpower, it would be the ability to instantly understand and inspire every student. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, spending time with his pets and family, and playing chess for its strategic challenge.

Alicia was born and raised in San José, Costa Rica, and now calls Uvita de Osa her second home. She speaks Spanish and is learning English and Portuguese. After exploring several fields, Alicia followed her passion for design, earning a degree in Industrial Fashion Design and currently studying Advertising at Universidad Hispanoamericana. With 16 years of experience teaching math and textile design, Alicia loves sharing knowledge that’s practical and meaningful. She’d be a jaguar—strong, resilient, and bold. While she enjoys trying new foods, anything still moving is a firm no! Her dream destinations include Iceland, Australia, and Europe, and her ideal superpower would be fixing anything instantly with her hands. Alicia enjoys hiking, mountain biking, surfing, and spending her free time immersed in nature or creating in her workshop.