OPERATIONS TEAM
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James Woody, BS, 9-12 Math & Woodshop Teacher, Operations Director, Co-OwnerJames 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.
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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!
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Roy Vindas, ChefRoy has been with NSA since we started in 2005. He has a personality bigger than life, and his food is no exception. With trips to the farmer’s market and a constant interest in trying out new recipes, he keeps us well fed and happy. He enjoys NSA students, helping them learn to cook or slipping them secret ice cream sandwiches in between classes. His classic “What’s up, my friend?!” is heard multiple times throughout the day as he welcomes students to the dining hall. Roy loves his family, his daughter, his beloved horse, and he has been known to ride a “sick wave” or two on his surfboard.
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Laura, Chef AssistantOriginally 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 has been working for NSA 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. |
Laura is a quiet person, but very sweet, attentive and collaborative, always willing to work and do the best in her position, and prepare the most delicious meals for our students, whom she sees as her children.
Natalia Calvo Barboza, Nutritionist
Natalia obtained her bachelor's degree with honors at the Universidad de Costa Rica in 2013. Since then she has devoted her professional practice in the clinical nutrition area and also in food services, ensuring quality, safety and food balance that are consumed by different populations.
Her commitment to offer consumers the best quality food led her to become certified in ServSafe, as well as being an instructor at Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje in order to teach the courses of food handling since 2016.
By the year 2017 she obtained the certification in Nutritional Coaching by the International Association of Coaching. For the year 2018, she began the program of specialization in Management and institutional dietetics of Instituto de Nutrición de Centroamérica y Panamá, INCAP.
She enjoys nature, hiking and spending time with her family in her free time.
Her commitment to offer consumers the best quality food led her to become certified in ServSafe, as well as being an instructor at Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje in order to teach the courses of food handling since 2016.
By the year 2017 she obtained the certification in Nutritional Coaching by the International Association of Coaching. For the year 2018, she began the program of specialization in Management and institutional dietetics of Instituto de Nutrición de Centroamérica y Panamá, INCAP.
She enjoys nature, hiking and spending time with her family in her free time.
Alejandra Arguedas, Transition House MotherAlejandra Arguedas and her husband, Marcos, are the house parents to our transition students at the transition house.
The students adore Alejandra and her family and are grateful for her patience and guidance as they practice independent living skills off campus. She loves her family, loves to dance, and enjoys spending time with NSA staff and students. |
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Kattia Castillo, LimpiezaKattia has worked at NSA since February 2013 and enjoys her job helping keep NSA a clean and safe place. She also collaborates with special events (like graduations, home stay parties, and other celebrations).
We are fortunate to have such a caring and wonderful person as a part of the NSA team. |
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Maria Elena Fonseca, LimpiezaMaria Elena always has a smile on her face and a “saludo” for anyone walking by. Besides helping keep NSA 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.
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Katherine, LimpiezaKatherine decided to move to Atenas in 2017, leaving the bustle of San José to enjoy the peace and tranquility of village life for her and for her daughter.
Katherine is the head of her household, an excellent mother, and is a very dynamic, collaborative and strong person. She is an animal lover (at the moment she has 5 dogs), likes going to the gym to de-stress from everyday life, and also enjoys fishing. Katherine enjoys spending time with friends and family (especially her daughter, who is the center of her life). |
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Carlos Ramos, Operations CoordinatorCarlos joined the NSA team in 2014 to manage operational maintenance. He brings a lot of experience from local hardware stores, operational projects, and his volunteer work at Hogar de Vida, the children’s restoration home where we volunteer weekly. We are blessed to have his expertise, in all areas of operations. He has a calm and pleasant demeanor and enjoys practicing his very good English with our students and staff. When not working, Carlos enjoys spending time with his family.
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Jose Antonio Cascante, Operations AssistantA native of our home town, Jose Antonio, or "Tito," maintains our beautiful gardens. The Costa Rican climate keeps him busy–cutting the fast-growing grass in the rainy season, raking up dry leaves in the dry season, and dealing with the loads of mangoes that fall during February through April. Add that to managing the delicate flowers and coffee plants, and helping students with their gardens, Tito keeps busy! When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family.
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Filemon, Garden & GroundskeeperFilemon started working with NSA in December of 2018. Originally from Nicaragua, he has lived in Costa Rica since 1991, raising three children and two grandchildren. Before joining NSA, Filemon worked for several years at a school in San Jose, where he gave form and color to many gardens. He also worked for several years in the BANDECO company in the banana harvest, and for some time in construction.
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Filemón is a true machine, working to maintain the gardens of the campus, manicuring all of our green areas, he does a thousand things at once, and with a positive attitude, good cheer and a nice smile on his face. He is a valuable employee and excellent human being ... and our gardens are beautiful, thanks to him.
