ACADEMIC TEAM
Yannick Pilgrim, BA English
MA Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Academic Director and
English Literature and Composition Teacher
Yannick Pilgrim serves as New Summit Academy's Academic Director as well as teaches English Literature, Composition, and Creative Writing. Before landing at New Summit, Yannick’s journey as a student-athlete took him from his homeland of Trinidad and Tobago to the US where he attended The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut prior to completing his undergraduate degree at Davidson College.
Yannick strives to create classes that make literature more relatable so that students become more self-motivated when dealing with more challenging texts and tasks.
An impactful study abroad experience brought Yannick to Costa Rica in 2010. After graduating from Davidson College, he returned to Costa Rica to teach English and pursue his MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at the University of Costa Rica.
Yannick firmly believes in working closely with colleagues to create interdisciplinary projects that facilitate the consolidation of students’ knowledge and skills. He also often incorporates his passion for the outdoors, sports, film, and food into his daily lessons.
Yannick firmly believes in working closely with colleagues to create interdisciplinary projects that facilitate the consolidation of students’ knowledge and skills. He also often incorporates his passion for the outdoors, sports, film, and food into his daily lessons.
Peter Gottovi, MA in Education
Humanities Teacher, Music Coordinator, and Academic Advisor
Peter Gottovi earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. After a taking a break from academia while pursuing a career in music as a drummer/ percussionist recording artist and live performer in New York City, Peter went back to school earning an Honors Master of Arts in Secondary English Education at The City University of New York. During and for a few years after that degree, Peter joined the New York City Teaching Fellows Organization and Americorps program as a teacher teaching English, history, percussion, and music technology at a public school in one of New York City’s most troubled neighborhoods, located in the South Bronx. Peter left that position in 2008, when he relocated to Atenas, Costa Rica and began his work at New Summit Academy.
During his Masters work in New York, Peter became inspired by such educational theorists as Lev Vygotsky and Howard Gardner. Working in the South Bronx, it became his mission to try to teach in Vygotsky’s “Zone of Proximal Development” through Gardner’s different “Multiple Intelligences”. Early on, it became clear to him that the incredible advances in technology at the time were not being utilized anywhere near to their potential in a vast majority of the classrooms he observed. His principal at the time (now a superintendent for the Department of Education of New York City) asked him to become a lead teacher in technology integration at their school. She gave him the autonomy to write his own curriculum for and integrate his own unique “Literacy through Music and Cultural History” program, which featured a recording studio he built at the school. She wanted him to incorporate his knowledge and skill from his career in music with his English and history curriculum. His students loved the new approach to literacy and history, which allowed them to pen and record their own lyric-centered compositions, in addition to learning much culture and history behind the music they loved. The work inspired his master’s thesis, which was a human study on the impact of technology integration into instruction on his students.
Once at New Summit Academy, Peter immediately got to work building a recording studio as well as bringing down and also acquiring various musical instruments in order to provide the equipment for an energetic, if unorthodox technology-centered music program. But his integration of technology into instruction did not stop there. As the history teacher, Peter has worked tirelessly in order to collect and integrate a large assortment of rich, multi-media content and technology-based, multiple intelligence-delivered products and project/ problem-based research into the standards-based curriculum he developed. It is not unusual that you can hear a group of students “rocking out” in the rancho or in a recording session in the studio while creating new music. It is also not atypical to see a group of students engaged in the creation of a film, a podcast, a song, or the design of a website about an historical event, based on a research assignment. Now, with the integration of iPad technology, Peter is exploring new music apps, such as Real Book for iPad in order to take full advantage of the technology in order to add jazz and blues improvisation to the NSA music program. In addition to his teaching and music collaboration, Peter brings his 35 years of surfing and ocean swimming experience in order to help facilitate surfing instruction, lifeguarding, and trip planning and logistics for NSA’s student-led Surf Club.
Once at New Summit Academy, Peter immediately got to work building a recording studio as well as bringing down and also acquiring various musical instruments in order to provide the equipment for an energetic, if unorthodox technology-centered music program. But his integration of technology into instruction did not stop there. As the history teacher, Peter has worked tirelessly in order to collect and integrate a large assortment of rich, multi-media content and technology-based, multiple intelligence-delivered products and project/ problem-based research into the standards-based curriculum he developed. It is not unusual that you can hear a group of students “rocking out” in the rancho or in a recording session in the studio while creating new music. It is also not atypical to see a group of students engaged in the creation of a film, a podcast, a song, or the design of a website about an historical event, based on a research assignment. Now, with the integration of iPad technology, Peter is exploring new music apps, such as Real Book for iPad in order to take full advantage of the technology in order to add jazz and blues improvisation to the NSA music program. In addition to his teaching and music collaboration, Peter brings his 35 years of surfing and ocean swimming experience in order to help facilitate surfing instruction, lifeguarding, and trip planning and logistics for NSA’s student-led Surf Club.
Juan Diego Rodriguez, BS in Biology Education
Science Teacher and Academic Advisor
Before teaching at New Summit Academy, JD worked as a volunteer for a number of non-profit institutions, doing recreational activities with teenagers and children while studying Microbiology at the University of Costa Rica. Juan Diego is a scientist at heart who loves genetics and cellular biology studies. However, JD’s passion for working with teenagers led him to pursue a degree in education. JD is particularly excited about the Biotechnology course he developed at New Summit.
NSA students respect and admire JD for his open and easygoing personality which makes him easy to approach. JD also has many interests to find in common with his students, including Rock Band, magic, graphic novels, sports, and video games.
During football season, JD runs a fantasy football league (go Green Bay!). JD also helps the Student Life department with physical education classes, which gives him a nice and unique opportunity to interact with his students outside the classroom. He loves to go to the gym, play flag football, and especially play basketball with the students. Sports have always been a big part of JD’s life as he also played first division volleyball in Costa Rica and has celebrated a few championships.
JD is one of the staff who is native to the Atenas area. He loves being close to home and has a large family in the area, many of whom have opened their homes as homestay families to our students. JD enjoys spending time at home, talking to his family and sharing stories with them. He also loves to dance Salsa and other Latin rhythms although he claims he is not especially good at it.
Fabian Munoz, BS in Mathematics Teaching
Mathematics Teacher and Academic Advisor
Fabian's journey as a mathematics educator began when he was just ten years old, gathering friends in the afternoons to review lessons they found difficult. Through these informal tutoring sessions, he discovered a natural talent for explaining complex ideas—even those he was only beginning to learn himself.
In 2007, he enrolled at the Costa Rican Scientific High School on the University of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste campus, where he developed a strong interest in the natural and basic sciences, especially mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Two years later, this passion led him to San José to begin his studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Costa Rica.
In 2007, he enrolled at the Costa Rican Scientific High School on the University of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste campus, where he developed a strong interest in the natural and basic sciences, especially mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Two years later, this passion led him to San José to begin his studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Costa Rica.
Although he found engineering intellectually stimulating, he soon realized his true vocation was teaching mathematics. Drawing on his engineering background, he began supporting students in engineering and economics programs, focusing on courses such as calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, geometry, and statistics. In 2011, he formally pursued this calling by enrolling in the Mathematics Education program at the University of Costa Rica, graduating in 2016.
As a teacher, he has worked with a remarkably diverse range of students—from seven-year-old children to seniors in their eighties, including high school and university students, police officers, firefighters, incarcerated individuals, and members of indigenous communities. He views mathematics as a dialogue between rigorous content and the unique capacities and interests of each learner. For him, mathematics is not an obstacle to personal growth but a pathway to self-discovery—an opportunity to build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem through continuous achievement.
As a teacher, he has worked with a remarkably diverse range of students—from seven-year-old children to seniors in their eighties, including high school and university students, police officers, firefighters, incarcerated individuals, and members of indigenous communities. He views mathematics as a dialogue between rigorous content and the unique capacities and interests of each learner. For him, mathematics is not an obstacle to personal growth but a pathway to self-discovery—an opportunity to build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem through continuous achievement.
Stephen Kopels, BFA Filmmaking
Documentary Filmmaking and Still Photography Teacher
Stephen Kopels has been a dedicated filmmaker, television director, and educator for over 50 years. His journey began in 1968 as a combat photographer in Vietnam, capturing the realities of war for esteemed publications such as Stars and Stripes, The New York Times, Newsweek, U.S. Army Digest, among others.
After his service, Stephen pursued higher education at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Filmmaking.
After his service, Stephen pursued higher education at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Filmmaking.
For 14 years, Stephen served as a Senior Producer/Director at PBS, where he crafted numerous award-winning documentaries and live television shows. His work garnered acclaim on national and international platforms, including accolades from the New York International Film Festival, the Gabriel Awards, and the San Francisco International Film Festival. Notably, he represented America at the Rockefeller International Independent Film Symposium in Venice, Italy.
In 1985, Stephen joined as a partner with Image-maker Productions in Nashville, Tennessee, and over the next decade, he produced a myriad of commercials, music videos, corporate films, and documentaries.
Relocating to San Francisco in 1995, Stephen embarked on an independent career, collaborating with Fortune 500 Corporations such as Levi Strauss, Oracle, Federal Express, Bank of America, Westinghouse, DuPont, Texas Instruments, and the Smithsonian Institution. His work also extended to PBS, where he produced and directed three segments for the acclaimed series "Religions of the World," hosted by Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley.
In 2005, Stephen co-founded the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking, where he served as President and Director of Education for a decade. The school has trained aspiring filmmakers from around the globe in the art and craft of filmmaking. Concurrently, Stephen co-produced seven feature films for theatrical release with Fog City Pictures.
In 2011, Stephen retired from the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking and relocated to Atenas, Costa Rica. There, he continues to share his wealth of knowledge and passion for filmmaking and still photography as a part-time teacher at New Summit Academy.
In 1985, Stephen joined as a partner with Image-maker Productions in Nashville, Tennessee, and over the next decade, he produced a myriad of commercials, music videos, corporate films, and documentaries.
Relocating to San Francisco in 1995, Stephen embarked on an independent career, collaborating with Fortune 500 Corporations such as Levi Strauss, Oracle, Federal Express, Bank of America, Westinghouse, DuPont, Texas Instruments, and the Smithsonian Institution. His work also extended to PBS, where he produced and directed three segments for the acclaimed series "Religions of the World," hosted by Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley.
In 2005, Stephen co-founded the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking, where he served as President and Director of Education for a decade. The school has trained aspiring filmmakers from around the globe in the art and craft of filmmaking. Concurrently, Stephen co-produced seven feature films for theatrical release with Fog City Pictures.
In 2011, Stephen retired from the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking and relocated to Atenas, Costa Rica. There, he continues to share his wealth of knowledge and passion for filmmaking and still photography as a part-time teacher at New Summit Academy.
Daisy Rojas, Lic. Spanish as a Foreign Language Teacher
Cultural Coordinator and Spanish Immersion Teacher
Before joining NSA in 2006, Daisy graduated from the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica as a Forest Engineer in 1988. She has worked in various forest programs in Costa Rica, working on monitoring sustainability of forest operations, reforestation, and environmental education. In addition, Daisy completed her license in education while working with a program for teen mothers, helping them complete their education as a teacher of math and sciences. She also completed (with honors) a technical degree in Teaching of Spanish as a Second Language through the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. These experiences lead Daisy to begin teaching Spanish and Environmental Sciences at NSA.
Daisy holds dear her spiritual beliefs, family values, and desire to serve her community. These have guided her work as a person, mother of two, wife, and professional educator. She is a loving person whose joy for life, unlimited hugs, and hope for the future make her a joy to work with and a person to admire.
Martin Naffziger, BA Creative Writing and Literature, M.Ed. Global Studies in Education,
Graduate Certificate in College Counseling - Registrar and College Counselor
Martin Naffziger is a Director Emeritus, Registrar, and College Counselor at New Summit Academy. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing from Wittenberg University, he began teaching English as a second language as a means of traveling to and living in places such as Thailand, Nepal, South Korea, Mexico, Ecuador, Indonesia and Costa Rica.
Since joining NSA in 2006, Martin has taught Literature and Composition, Creative Writing, U.S. and World History, Visual Arts, Global Citizenship, Archeology, and Culinary Arts, as well as designed and continues to coordinate our College Guidance Program.
Since joining NSA in 2006, Martin has taught Literature and Composition, Creative Writing, U.S. and World History, Visual Arts, Global Citizenship, Archeology, and Culinary Arts, as well as designed and continues to coordinate our College Guidance Program.
While with New Summit Academy, Martin has earned his M.Ed. in Global Studies in Education from the University of Illinois, and earned his graduate certificate in college counseling from UCLA. Travel, the outdoors, culture, and education continue to be driving passions in Martin’s life, and he takes great pride in applying these passions to supporting an unrivaled Academic program at NSA.