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.

Mariam recently moved back to Curacao after spending ten years in Lebanon where she taught students in grades 3,7 and 11, and ran an educational center with after school programs and tutoring.  Mariam is also a mother of three boys, ages 14,11 and 4, which keeps life exciting! She enjoys cooking and baking for her family and friends. In her free time, she watches medical dramas and true crime shows.

Coming soon…

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.

Steve is….

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!