OPERATIONS TEAM
James Woody, BS, 9-12 Math & Woodshop Teacher, Operations Director, Co-Founder
James Woody is a high school math teacher who believes in incorporating real-life applications of curricular materials into his classroom every day. He has extensive experience in electrical systems design, building design, construction, and engineering. He enjoys the art of creation, especially when working in the woodshop. Mr. Woody is highly respected by the students he teaches thanks to his consistent, structured expectations and his ability to make math and science come alive through hands-on activities and real-life applications.
James is dedicated to his students, serving as an honorable and influential mentor both inside and outside of the classroom. Most recently, James took on a more influential role at The Bridge Program for young adults where he serves as both an administrator and mentor to the young men participating in a gap year experience. He helps organize, teach, and mentor… all with a smile on his face!
Laura Leon, Chef
Laura has been working for New Summit Academy since August 2017; she is an expert cook who has developed the art since 2014, studying at the Maria Pacheco School in Alajuela, but it was always one of her passions.
Originally from Atenas, Laura is a proud mother of two daughters. She loves to go for walks, dancing is one of her passions, and she has one kitten and two little dogs. Laura is a quiet, sweet, attentive and collaborative chef who prepares the most delicious meals for our students, whom she sees as her children.
Originally from Atenas, Laura is a proud mother of two daughters. She loves to go for walks, dancing is one of her passions, and she has one kitten and two little dogs. Laura is a quiet, sweet, attentive and collaborative chef who prepares the most delicious meals for our students, whom she sees as her children.
Maria Elena Fonseca, Limpieza
Maria Elena always has a smile on her face and a “saludo” for anyone walking by. Besides helping keep New Summit Academy clean and safe, Maria Elena enjoys helping staff the Tuesday service afternoons at Hogar de Vida. She is the coordinator of our cleaning team and is an amazing help at decorating and preparing for events such as graduations and homestay picnics.
Abigail, Limpieza
Abi is from Altos de Naranjo, a lovely town located in Atenas, known for its coffee plantations, and beautiful landscapes. She has one brother, a pet named Chela, and one beautiful daughter. Abi loves sports, she does weightlifting and biking, she also loves to cook Italian food, really enjoys nature, and loves animals. She really enjoys working at New Summit Academy and having conversations with students in Spanish!
Federico Víquez, Garden & Groundskeeper
Federico holds technical studies from the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje as "Livestock Farms", which has to do with Zootechnics, an area of agronomy that includes the care and management of farm animals. Federico's hobby is the production of vegetables in hydroponics, which is the cultivation of vegetables in water or aquatic environments, where all the nutrients that are required are provided. Through this experience, he maintains our beautiful gardens and also to helps our students develop projects involving nature and working with the earth.
Originally from Atenas, Federico's mother is Salvadorian and his father is Costa Rican, and he has a beautiful girl named Lía who is the love of his life.
Originally from Atenas, Federico's mother is Salvadorian and his father is Costa Rican, and he has a beautiful girl named Lía who is the love of his life.
Rafael Andrés Delgado Morera , Maintenance
Coming soon...
Our Operations Teams
