Experiential Education

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION TEAM

Andy Myers, BS Experiential Education Director, Co-Owner

Andy received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Policy and Behavior from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment. As well, Andy was the Trip Coordinator for the University of Michigan’s Outdoor Adventure Program, where he planned, organized and led backpacking, rock climbing and sea kayaking trips for participants of all ages. His experience also includes working as a High-Ropes Course Facilitator at University of Michigan’s Challenge Program, where group and team dynamics are the focus. He has several years of extensive experience with at-risk high school students in environmental education and in therapeutic residential settings. Andy served as the Experiential Education Director at Coronado Academy after working as the Assistant Director for the Costa Rica Program of the Academy of Swift River (a satellite program of an emotional growth boarding school based in Massachusetts). Andy is bilingual and has lived in Costa Rica since 2001.

Andy’s work is his passion. He views his work with adolescents as a unique opportunity to positively impact the future of our global community. Andy speaks fluent Spanish and has traveled extensively throughout Latin America, experiencing the warmth of the Costa Rican culture first-hand. He holds a position on the Board of Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound, overseeing safety of their courses in Costa Rica. As Experiential Education Director of New Summit Academy, Andy organizes on and off campus recreation activities, “Aventuras”, organized sports and cultural immersion opportunities.

“I believe that education is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.” –John Dewey, from a pamphlet published by E.L. Kellogg and Co.(1897)

Eric Cano, Experiential Education Assistant Director, Aventura Coordinator

Eric has been a part of the NSA team since 2006. In addition to leading adventure trips through the cloud forest and Chirripo as well as recreational trips all over Central America, Eric has been involved in our home stay program and service learning objectives. Off campus, Eric has extensive experience in white water kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, camping, guiding, and many other outdoor adventures. He has been studying tourism and psychology at the university level and is directly applying this education to his work at NSA.

In his free time, Eric enjoys participating in adventure based races throughout Latin America. He has a long history of success on Costa Rican national teams as well as individual races. Eric also enjoys spending time with his dogs, Lucy and Bruno, who keep him in shape by burning calories on their daily runs.

Tom Hutton, Campus Life Coordinator

Tom was born and raised in Northwestern Illinois. He earned a BA in Training & Development from Almeda University and worked in Manufacturing Engineering for 14 years. In 1996, Tom moved to Costa Rica where he and his wife Ana have two children, Johan and Maggie.

Before NSA, Tom’s adventurous and athletic personality has lead him to guide tours (via foot, bike, car, kayak, and boat) in interesting Costa Rican places such as the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. Tom also worked for the Academy at Swift River’s Costa Rican program for 4 years.

Tom is an avid mountain biker and raced as a NORBA expert for 8 years. He brings this love of mountain biking as he leads the mountain biking club at NSA. Tom’s strengths lie in his athletic pursuits, his organizational abilities, his love of the Costa Rican culture, and his detail-oriented risk management skills.

Miguel Varela, Experiential Education Activities Coordinator

Miguel was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He played sports his whole life, both soccer and rugby as a young boy and got to play second division in rugby. Miguel went to the Argentinean school for gastronomy for one year and then realized that it was not his path. From then on he traveled and worked in Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. In 2004 he moved to the beach of Costa Rica looking for peaceful living. In 2005, he met the woman who is now his wife, and he is now father of 5 children.

Miguel came to New Summit Academy because he met Andy Myers when working at a restaurant and he offered him a job as a an EE mentor. He says, "From there I have gained experience and I became a shift leader, and a trip leader in the activities, and I like the Aventuras (Integrated Aventuras and Recreational Aventuras)." Miguel also takes the important role of being the homestay coordinator and leads the activities of cultural exchange between the students and the local families.

Frank Guerrero, Experiential Education Mentor

Frank was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Costa Rica when he was 13 years old. Frank presently lives in Costa Rica, surrounded by his many friends.

Frank got his High School degree from the "Colegio Nuevas Oportunidades" in Atenas. Since then he has received other certificates as a Computer Operator for example. One of his passions is cooking; in the past he has worked as a cook in various restaurants throughout the whole country. Frank is presently studying to become a chef.

Frank's human warmth, his service minded way of being and his ease for the interpersonal relationships were also seen by other business people that at the right moment gave him the opportunity to work as a receptionist in a prestigious hotel. In this hotel is where he learned the value of working as a team.

Later in the year 2013, Frank joined NSA and started to work as a EE Mentor. He is passionate about working with young people, taking advantage of every situation, in order to be able to teach them useful tools that will help them confront the challenges that they are presented with in life, and with that promote positive attitudes like tolerance towards others despite their differences. Presently Frank leads the cooking club at NSA where he has motivated many students to learn this art. In addition, Frank has shown a high achievement in the practice of various sports, like soccer and basketball among others.

Jairo Pichardo, EE Mentor, Aventura Guide

Jairo is a proud Tico (Costa Rican) and a wonderful nature guide and mentor for NSA students. His quiet and mature nature has a calming and inviting effect on students. His risk management in the wilderness of Costa Rica ensures safety for all.

Jairo enjoys learning and guiding NSA students. Jairo is a special soul who we hope continues to share his wisdom and guidance for years to come at NSA.

Jorge Quiros, EE Mentor / Fitness Coordinator

Jorge Quiroz grew up in Atenas and currently lives here, but has also lived in some other areas of Costa Rica. Jorge graduated from INA (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje, or the National learning Institute), as an English-speaking call center executive in 2011. He is a very service-oriented person and loves to help others and also likes meeting new people and sharing new experiences with them. He aspires to set an example for others around him and is always supportive of his friends. Jorge hopes to learn from the students, to get more experience and build his leadership skills.

In his free time, Jorge likes to go to the gym and participate in playing basketball or any outdoor activities with his friends.

James Mas, Experiential Education Mentor & Transition Coordinator

James Mas is a native of Houston, TX and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from The University of Alabama. James has always been dedicated to service and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa, working with health education and disease prevention. James has spent over ten years living abroad, mostly in Central America, which has made him keenly aware of the need for garnishing resources and becoming adaptable to one’s environment. James previously worked in Costa Rica as an International Director for a cultural center where he coordinated international volunteer programs. More recently, he worked as a Programming and Training Specialist for Peace Corps Panama.

As the Transition Coordinator, James is in charge of all of the logistics related to the Transition program, supporting students in their last quarter at NSA. In addition, he co-leads weekly Life Skills Workshops as well as supports students with their individual Transition Plan assignments. From experience, James understand the challenges faced when in a period of transition, and hopes to share his experience with students as they plan for their future beyond NSA.

James is an avid athlete and in his free time he enjoys biking, working out at the gym and running. As an art major, James has a passion for photography and loves exploring Costa Rica and documenting his adventures through photo and video.

Roger Sanchez, MA,Experiential Education Mentor & Shift Leader

Roger has been working with international students in different parts of the world (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Kenya) for the last 15 years. He has been involved in counseling students for personal growth, to avoid/stop addictions and to build self-esteem and confidence. He played an active role in developing approaches to learning and implementing the International Baccalaureate Programme in the organization he worked for previously. He conducted Spanish and Theory of Knowledge classes, supervised Extended Essay and Personal Project for Business and Management Studies, Psychology and Spanish. He was actively involved in clubs and adventures as part of the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), a core subject of the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme).

Roger holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in Social Ministry. Roger strongly believes that students are more likely to succeed when realistic goals are set and they work according to their own convictions. Roger has built his character and personality by interacting with several different cultures and assimilating the values, practices, spirituality and languages by immersing in communities.

In his free time, Roger loves playing soccer, basketball, chess, listening to traditional and classic music, reading and learning about different cultures. Roger returned to Costa Rica in December 2017, after having lived in East Africa for almost 10 years, in order to start his new job position as EE Mentor at NSA. He is married to a Burundian and a proud father of two.

Jon Ornelas, Experiential Education Mentor

Jon came to NSA in September of 2018. He is a native of Southern California, where he had been working in the oil industry for the last 15 years as a machinist and a welder, manufacturing various oil well parts. During his childhood, he lived with his mother, sister and stepfather both in Costa Rica as well as in the U.S. He is familiar with Costa Rican culture and is fluent in Spanish. Jon graduated high school in California and began working right away to live independently. He attended trade school and completed his welding certification from Fullerton College.

Jon loves to travel and visit places he's never been before. He enjoys playing basketball, hiking, shooting pool, playing cards and hanging out with his friends. His hobbies include working on cars and building things with his hands. Although completely different from his previous jobs, Jon enjoys working with the students at NSA, and he quickly became a trusted member of our team. Whether it be talking to students, giving them advice or just listening, he likes being able to give a different perspective on life and feels he has a lot to our young men.