UCA STAFF
SCOTT D. BOGARD - FOUNDER & HEADMASTER
As former pastor and entrepreneur from Indiana, Scott is uniquely qualified for his important role as UCA Headmaster. First and foremost, he has a sincere love for his students and sees their limitless potential as human beings whom God has created; he constantly looks for ways to be involved with students in a one-on-one capacity that goes beyond his daily role in administration. Scott's zest for life and love for his students join together with crucial business experience that afford him the privilege to serve as Headmaster at UCA.
As former pastor and entrepreneur from Indiana, Scott is uniquely qualified for his important role as UCA Headmaster. First and foremost, he has a sincere love for his students and sees their limitless potential as human beings whom God has created; he constantly looks for ways to be involved with students in a one-on-one capacity that goes beyond his daily role in administration. Scott's zest for life and love for his students join together with crucial business experience that afford him the privilege to serve as Headmaster at UCA.
BRIGIT L. BOGARD - CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTRESS OF MASTERY-BASED LEARNING
Brigit loves kids, and believes they have limitless potential! Brigit took business and communications courses at Indiana University, and studied abroad in Seville, Spain. Although her love for education wasn't realized until later in life, she feels passion and zeal for teaching and administration, and it's evident in her approach. She sees the students at UCA as individuals, and likes to consider their personal interests and goals when teaching them. She boasts experience teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in the school system where her children attended in Indiana before re-locating to Costa Rica in 2012. Brigit also taught local high school and elementary level students when she served as teacher/tutor at The Learning Place, a private tutoring company she and her husband, Scott, founded in Indiana.
Brigit loves kids, and believes they have limitless potential! Brigit took business and communications courses at Indiana University, and studied abroad in Seville, Spain. Although her love for education wasn't realized until later in life, she feels passion and zeal for teaching and administration, and it's evident in her approach. She sees the students at UCA as individuals, and likes to consider their personal interests and goals when teaching them. She boasts experience teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in the school system where her children attended in Indiana before re-locating to Costa Rica in 2012. Brigit also taught local high school and elementary level students when she served as teacher/tutor at The Learning Place, a private tutoring company she and her husband, Scott, founded in Indiana.
EILIN SILVA - LEAD TEACHER, PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Eilin Álvarez Silva lives with her family in Uvita, and is studying at CEFOM (Centro de Formación Ministerial) and IBAD (Instituto Biblico Asambleas de Dios). Eilin often works with children when she teaches them at her local church in Uvita; she feels that working with children is a real pleasure, a firm commitment, and a privilege. She shares, "When I teach children about God and our faith in Him, I feel passion! When I teach, I learn, too!" Eilin looks forward to her career at UCA, and is eager to help UCA's youngest students learn both Spanish and the English language.
Eilin Álvarez Silva lives with her family in Uvita, and is studying at CEFOM (Centro de Formación Ministerial) and IBAD (Instituto Biblico Asambleas de Dios). Eilin often works with children when she teaches them at her local church in Uvita; she feels that working with children is a real pleasure, a firm commitment, and a privilege. She shares, "When I teach children about God and our faith in Him, I feel passion! When I teach, I learn, too!" Eilin looks forward to her career at UCA, and is eager to help UCA's youngest students learn both Spanish and the English language.
ROBIN PERKINS - LEAD TEACHER, KINDERGARTEN
Robin loves children, and can’t wait to begin teaching Kindergarten at UCA! She graduated with her BA in Communications and Public Relations from Radford University in Virginia, United States. Although she enjoyed working in the communications field after college, she felt it wasn’t impacting others to the degree she had hoped. Robin felt she needed to do something more. Her heart told her that teaching children or adults abroad would fulfill all of her aspirations to help others. So, in December 2017, she completed her TEFL certification in Costa Rica to begin that journey. In her free time, Robin enjoys reading, meditating, and listening to music.
Robin loves children, and can’t wait to begin teaching Kindergarten at UCA! She graduated with her BA in Communications and Public Relations from Radford University in Virginia, United States. Although she enjoyed working in the communications field after college, she felt it wasn’t impacting others to the degree she had hoped. Robin felt she needed to do something more. Her heart told her that teaching children or adults abroad would fulfill all of her aspirations to help others. So, in December 2017, she completed her TEFL certification in Costa Rica to begin that journey. In her free time, Robin enjoys reading, meditating, and listening to music.
MARTIE BECK - LEAD TEACHER, FIRST GRADE
Martie Beck “aspires to inspire” and uses her creativity to make learning and life fun for students in the first grade! Originally a trainer and motivational speaker, Martie is excited to bring her talents to Uvita Christian Academy, where she believes she can teach a sincere love for learning. Martie studied Business and Communications at Lewis Clark State College and the University of Idaho; she has worked with small children in various capacities for about 30 years. She boasts experience working with local elementary schools in the US to teach "Kindergarten Boot Camps," is certified to teach "7 Habits for Happy Families," and has experience managing a daycare facility. Helping children discover their own special, God-given DNA of talents and abilities is something Martie is eager to do. Martie believes children learn best with lots of hands-on activities, and positive illustrations. She can't wait to let her enthusiasm explode! Along with Sam, her husband of 30 years, they are the proud parents of 4 sons, 3 daughter-in-laws and 7 grandchildren. The Becks are proud to be called “my American parents” by many international students who have lived with them while studying English at their local college.
Martie Beck “aspires to inspire” and uses her creativity to make learning and life fun for students in the first grade! Originally a trainer and motivational speaker, Martie is excited to bring her talents to Uvita Christian Academy, where she believes she can teach a sincere love for learning. Martie studied Business and Communications at Lewis Clark State College and the University of Idaho; she has worked with small children in various capacities for about 30 years. She boasts experience working with local elementary schools in the US to teach "Kindergarten Boot Camps," is certified to teach "7 Habits for Happy Families," and has experience managing a daycare facility. Helping children discover their own special, God-given DNA of talents and abilities is something Martie is eager to do. Martie believes children learn best with lots of hands-on activities, and positive illustrations. She can't wait to let her enthusiasm explode! Along with Sam, her husband of 30 years, they are the proud parents of 4 sons, 3 daughter-in-laws and 7 grandchildren. The Becks are proud to be called “my American parents” by many international students who have lived with them while studying English at their local college.
STEFANNY NAVARRO - LEAD TEACHER, JR. ELEMENTARY
Stefanny is Costa Rican, and originally from Buenos Aires, Puntarenas. She studied at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, where she earned her English Teaching Bachelor's Degree. She believes that children are often used by God, and for that reason, she considers teaching a great opportunity to provide them with good instruction. She also believes that childhood is one of the most important stages in a person's life, because it is the time when personalities and beliefs are established. Stefanny believes the Bible verse that says in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." In addition to formal training, Stefanny has worked at her church with children, youth and worship ministries for several years, and music is one of her passions. She loves to play different kinds of sports in her free time, and also enjoys reading, singing and doing social work.
Stefanny is Costa Rican, and originally from Buenos Aires, Puntarenas. She studied at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, where she earned her English Teaching Bachelor's Degree. She believes that children are often used by God, and for that reason, she considers teaching a great opportunity to provide them with good instruction. She also believes that childhood is one of the most important stages in a person's life, because it is the time when personalities and beliefs are established. Stefanny believes the Bible verse that says in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." In addition to formal training, Stefanny has worked at her church with children, youth and worship ministries for several years, and music is one of her passions. She loves to play different kinds of sports in her free time, and also enjoys reading, singing and doing social work.
IRINA ALVAREZ - LEAD TEACHER, MATH (for high school students)
Irina Alvarez is highly passionate about education! She loved growing up in Costa Rica, and being nurtured by a family of teachers. She strongly believes that education is a precious gift from God that can open the door for great opportunities! She started her teaching career at a very young age when she taught first and second year courses for students majoring in Spanish at Indiana University, in the United States. Moved by her call to help children, she also co-founded a non-profit organization to contribute to education in developing countries. This opportunity allowed her to witness the struggles that a lot of children undergo while learning. Irina believes education should be enjoyable, engaging, and memorable. Therefore, every time she teaches she works hard to apply these ideas to make it the best experience for her students. Irina graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Costa Rica and her Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Chemistry from Purdue University, in the United States.
Irina Alvarez is highly passionate about education! She loved growing up in Costa Rica, and being nurtured by a family of teachers. She strongly believes that education is a precious gift from God that can open the door for great opportunities! She started her teaching career at a very young age when she taught first and second year courses for students majoring in Spanish at Indiana University, in the United States. Moved by her call to help children, she also co-founded a non-profit organization to contribute to education in developing countries. This opportunity allowed her to witness the struggles that a lot of children undergo while learning. Irina believes education should be enjoyable, engaging, and memorable. Therefore, every time she teaches she works hard to apply these ideas to make it the best experience for her students. Irina graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Costa Rica and her Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Chemistry from Purdue University, in the United States.
CONSUELO GUTIERREZ - ASSISTANT TEACHER, ELEMENTARY
Consuelo Gutierrez is originally from Nicaragua, and has lived and worked in Uvita for several years. She and her husband love their daughter, Alison, who attends UCA as a student. Consuelo began her career at UCA as an assistant in the Kindergarten class. She quickly proved herself, however, to be very valuable and hard working; she was promoted to work as teacher's assistant in the Jr. Elementary class. Currently she works as the teacher's assistant for UCA's Elementary class. For Consuelo, this opportunity is very important. She shares, "I like children and I love working with them."
Consuelo Gutierrez is originally from Nicaragua, and has lived and worked in Uvita for several years. She and her husband love their daughter, Alison, who attends UCA as a student. Consuelo began her career at UCA as an assistant in the Kindergarten class. She quickly proved herself, however, to be very valuable and hard working; she was promoted to work as teacher's assistant in the Jr. Elementary class. Currently she works as the teacher's assistant for UCA's Elementary class. For Consuelo, this opportunity is very important. She shares, "I like children and I love working with them."
STEPHANIA LANGFORD - LEAD TEACHER, UPPER LEVEL
Stephania loves working with kids and is happy to be joining the UCA family. Stephania first started to learn Spanish as a child in Peru, where her parents were missionaries. Her family is originally from Oklahoma. That is where she attended Southern Nazarene University and studied both International Studies and Spanish. Stephania also earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction there a few years later. She has taught in international Christian schools in both San Jose, Costa Rica and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most recently, Stephania has worked for the Richardson, Texas school district. She worked especially with bilingual students and second language learners. Stephania looks forward to getting to know our community, our families, and our students.
Stephania loves working with kids and is happy to be joining the UCA family. Stephania first started to learn Spanish as a child in Peru, where her parents were missionaries. Her family is originally from Oklahoma. That is where she attended Southern Nazarene University and studied both International Studies and Spanish. Stephania also earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction there a few years later. She has taught in international Christian schools in both San Jose, Costa Rica and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most recently, Stephania has worked for the Richardson, Texas school district. She worked especially with bilingual students and second language learners. Stephania looks forward to getting to know our community, our families, and our students.
DAWN ROBERTS - LEAD TEACHER, ART
Dawn graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Retail Merchandising and Fashion Design in the United States. She took various art classes including graphic design, ceramics, three-dimensional art, and sculpture. While studying in London, she learned about the impressionist and post impressionist European artists (Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, etc.). Dawn's current experience in "art" consists of decorating cakes, re-designing and re-modeling homes, and custom designing photo albums. Dawn makes her home in Ojochal, with her husband Steve and her crew of cats.
Dawn graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Retail Merchandising and Fashion Design in the United States. She took various art classes including graphic design, ceramics, three-dimensional art, and sculpture. While studying in London, she learned about the impressionist and post impressionist European artists (Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, etc.). Dawn's current experience in "art" consists of decorating cakes, re-designing and re-modeling homes, and custom designing photo albums. Dawn makes her home in Ojochal, with her husband Steve and her crew of cats.
