Faculty and Staff

Brooke Snyder works at CAPS as our Kinder teacher after years of experience with preschool and kindergarten classrooms. She is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Educational Studies and is well-informed on current best practices for advancing the academic goals of early elementary education. As a resident of Curaçao and assistant in the international school system for over four years, Brooke is acquainted with the island and its culture, as well as the challenges and benefits for multicultural students. Brooke enjoys reading, gaming, diving, cooking and dragons. Brooke aspires to lead a classroom centered around growth mindset, independence and positive social interactions.

Marielza was born in Caracas, Venezuela where she also received her teaching degree from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello.  Marielza has always loved teaching, even from a young age when she used to pretend she was a teacher and her neighbors were her students. Teaching is a heartfelt commitment for her, and she finds it immensely rewarding. When Marielza is not working, she spends her time with her husband and son, cooking together and talking over dinner. She loves animals and helps stray dogs whenever she gets the chance. Marielza also enjoys reading contemporary narrative texts, and her favorite authors are Fernando Savater, José Saramago, and Paulo Coelho.

Heather Olson-Garcia, originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University. She began her career teaching English Language Learners in a full-inclusion model public school district. With over 20 years of experience teaching grades 3 through 6, Heather later moved to Malaysia with her husband, Fidel Garcia, to teach Math and Science for two years.

For the past three years, Heather has taught fourth grade at an international school in Montenegro, Europe, where she enjoys working with diverse students from around the world. She is passionate about creating a fun and challenging learning environment and has actively contributed to curriculum development, teacher mentoring, and school leadership. Heather completed her Master of Science in International Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo last year.

Excited to join CAPS, Heather looks forward to inspiring her students to reach their full potential while building strong relationships with all community members. In her free time, she loves traveling, hiking, yoga, reading, snorkeling, diving, baking, and enjoying music and art. Heather, Fidel, and their dog Druže eagerly anticipate exploring Curaçao and all its cultural activities.

Kuan-Ying Lin is from Taiwan and has more than 10 years of teaching experience as an ELL teacher, an Elementary teacher, and a K-12 Mandarin teacher in Taiwan, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Kuan received his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from The College of New Jersey. Prior to being an educator, he worked as a public relations assistant in NYC, and the personal assistant to the Minister of Sports Affairs in Taiwan. With his varied work experiences, he believes that it is important to foster an inclusive classroom in which students would share their diverse perspectives and background freely. He strives to build a safe, trusting, stable, and supportive learning environment for his students. Outside of school, Kuan likes to listen to podcasts while cooking and baking, learn new languages, and travel.

Maria was born in Venezuela, Barquisimeto where she graduated as an Early Child Educator from the College Fermín Toro. While she was in college, she worked as a tutor and as a counselor at summer camps.  Upon completing her degree, she worked as a preschool teacher and child care provider in community-based settings before embarking on new adventures as a live-in and traveling nanny for numerous families in Canada. After becoming a Canadian citizen, Maria returned to working in different daycares and forest schools in Toronto, Canada. 

Before moving to Curacao, Maria had come many times to visit her sister who also lives on the island. Having fallen in love with the island, Maria was engaged and married on Curacao before eventually moving there with her husband and two beautiful kids. 

Maria is known for her warm heart towards little ones. Maria likes plants, a good cup of coffee, jogging and eating pizza on Saturday nights with her family.

Andy Wilson works at CAPS as the high school social studies teacher. Coming from England, Andy used to work as an engineer in the Royal Air Force and later as a project engineering manager in the oil and gas industry. Andy has always been involved in mentoring and training others as part of his previous roles. After moving to Curacao with his wife and daughter in 2013, he decided his passion lay with teaching and became a full-time teacher at CAPS in 2015. In his time at CAPS, Andy has taught project management, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade homeroom, and now social studies to our upper school students. In his spare time, Andy loves reading historical fiction, playing mandolin, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Suzie is from a small peninsula in England, called the Wirral, though she chose to study in the city of Manchester. Originally an Art historian, she made the decision to pursue a career in teaching math and has spent the past 10 years doing that, adding science to mix several years ago. She was inspired to help others through teaching and began her career in secure units teaching vulnerable and disadvantaged learners. At CAPS Suzie teaches high school math. Suzie was drawn to CAPS because of the community spirit that radiates through the school.

Christine is most passionate about helping her students understand the historical and social context of the books, stories and poems they read. In her free time she is an avid reader, a creative writer of short stories and novels, and enjoys getting outside to run, hike, and swim.

Steve was born near Chicago and lived there until he graduated from Arlington High School. He chose to attend the University of Wyoming, where he was awarded a degree in Wildlife Management. While attending the University of South Florida Steve began teaching High School Science. He taught Biology in The Netherlands before coming back to Curacao, first as the 8th grade teacher at CAPS and now for several years all of the High School Science courses. Steve enjoys the family atmosphere at CAPS, it is unique to be able to teach the students science for five years as they grow up. Outside of CAPS, Steve has been with Heleen Visser for 20 years, and they have two children, Tom and Rose. In his free time Steve scuba dives, conducts scientific research and plays golf and rugby.

Amaya is from Spain, where she graduated from the University of Salamanca in the specialty of Music and violin teaching from the Padre Antonio Soler Conservatory and DipABRSM in Violin performance. She is a curious person, highly interested in teaching and its applications in the education of the future, the knowledge of new cultures and ways of life. This leads her to be an enthusiast for teaching Spanish around the world. She has completed her studies with a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis. She has worked in educational needs settings, specializing in autism and cerebral palsy. Her commitment to community well-being led her to develop a Training program in Affective and Cognitive Neuroscience for Psychosocial Care and another in MEDUCA Neuroscience Training.  Amaya collaborated as a volunteer in different services during the Covid’19 pandemic and as a result continued her training in educational neuroscience and the benefits of meditation for personal and intellectual development, receiving a Diploma in Neuroeducation and a Diploma in Contemplative Psychotherapy.  In her free time she likes to enjoy nature, walking and observing new environments, music and long conversations with old and new friends.

Mariana is from Argentina where she also studied Education. Mariana has been working in CAPS for over 20 years and has taught K3-K4, Gr.1, ESL , Art and Spanish. She loves our school, especially because it is a multicultural community. Mariana is very passionate about her job and she loves to spend time with her students and do fun learning activities .

Luke was born in Toronto, Canada but has served as the clinical director for the Curacao National Football Federation (FFK) since 2017. After completing his master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Luke moved with his family full-time to Curacao as the strength and conditioning director at the Blue Wave Academy serving all youth, national team soccer players.  Although Luke has a clinical background, he is experienced in developing and educating athletes, coaches, and therapists. Luke has a growth mindset and seeks opportunities to develop as a person, father, and professional.  As a physical education teacher, Luke strives to foster a positive, healthy space for students to cultivate their relationship with physical activity.  When not at CAPS, you can find Luke playing capoeira, cycling, running, or relaxing with his family at Playa Kanoa. 

As a local resident of the island of Curaçao, Gillisa Hart has many years of experience in the art realm. She studied illustration and design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in States, and worked on a designing online educational games for children there before returning home to continue as a freelance designer and artist. In recent years, she found herself being reinspired by the vibrant culture of her island and especially from the amazingly creative children in her after school art classes. Children’s education had always been the underlining force behind her art. Now she hopes to teach the next generation of kids the beauty and freedom that art can bring. Creativity is everywhere and self-expression is unique to each and every person. Let’s make some art! 

Lauren is from the Midwestern part of the USA and has been living in Seattle, USA for the past six years. Her Bachelor of Science degree is in TESOL and a minor in Applied Linguistics, with a focus on second language acquisition. While in undergrad, she studied abroad in Seville, Spain and volunteered twice weekly in an ESL classroom near her homestay. Lauren taught in one of the most diverse school districts in the United States. As an ELL teacher, she integrates her knowledge of differentiation and culturally responsive practice into her work. The languages, dialects, and cultural practices of students are assets that must be used in the classroom to provide a more equitable, humane, and inclusive space for students.  In Lauren’s free time, she plays in a co-ed adult soccer league two to four times a week, is a fan of Seattle Sounders FC, takes Spanish classes, and is a foster parent for kittens waiting to be adopted. As an ELL teacher and a linguist, she is looking forward to living in the linguistically diverse country of Curacao, taking Papiamentu classes, and working with the students, families, and staff at CAPS.