About Us

Zach McDuffie
Owner, Designer, Artist

Zach first visited Costa Rica shortly after receiving his bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Georgia in 1996. He fell in love with the healthy lifestyle, endless summers, and consistent surf conditions he found and moved back to Costa Rica permanently in 1997. 
Zach came up with the concept for the School of the World based on a traveler's desire to learn about the world around him. With just enough money to buy a laptop and pay the first month's rent on the cabinas (that would be the original location for the school) the school was born. The school grew rapidly in popularity, having created a new type of "learning vacation" option for travelers in Costa Rica. 
In 2002 Zach began designing and building the new facility, a building that contributes to the great vibe of the school through unique artistic and architectural design. Zach has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. 
He is currently working on a digital "Spanish for Travelers" program using an artist's visual approach to learning Spanish. His interests include art, photography, design, surfing, travel, fishing, diving, motorcycles, and guitar.

Brian Phelps
Director

Brian and Zach have been good friends since their days at the University of Georgia. He came to Costa Rica with Zach in 1996, but returned to UGA and continued on to earn a masters degree in forest management, before moving to Costa Rica permanently in 2001. He speaks English and Spanish and enjoys spending time with his son Ben, surfing, and fishing.

Hannah Glenn
Program Coordinator

Hannah first joined the School of the World family as a student in February of 2005.  Originally from Boston, Mass., she wanted a change of pace from the States and decided to move to Costa Rica in October 2005. She returned to the school to continue learning Spanish, to help with the transition of living in Costa Rica.  Hannah is now fluent in Spanish, and in her free time enjoys photography, art, surfing, and going to the beach. Hannah started working at the school in December '07, and she and Ricardo (head surf instructor) are expecting their first baby which is due in July.

Marcela Benavides
Photography and Spanish Instructor

Marcela has been an important part of the School of the World family since January 2005. She is Costa Rican, and speaks Spanish, English, and some Italian. Marcela teaches art, photography, and Spanish and loves introducing travelers to her beautiful country. Marcela is from the capital city of San Jose but loves now living closer to nature in a smaller beach town. In her spare time Marcela enjoys making art, taking photos, and spending time at the beach with her husband Luis and their son Ian.

Diego Lopez
Spanish Instructor

Diego has been teaching at the School of the World since March of 2004. He originally from Uruguay, and is fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French. Diego has traveled extensively throughout the Americas and Europe, crossed the Atlantic Ocean by sailboat, and even worked on fishing boats in Alaska. An avid traveler and lover of new languages, cultures, and adventures, Diego is great at expressing these passions through his teaching. Repeatedly referred to by students as "the best language teacher I've ever had", Diego played an integral roll in the creating of the content for School of the World's new online Spanish course for travelers, scheduled to be released in the fall of 2008. in his time off he enjoys surfing, traveling, reading, and biking.

Laura Aguillar
Spanish Instructor

Laura is from the city of Cartago in Costa Rica and started working at the school in January, 2008. She speaks French, English, and of course Spanish, and likes to travel, cook, and read when she is not teaching.

Ricardo Centeno
Head Surf Instructor

Ricardo is from Venezuela and has been working at the School since July 2005. He is an I.S.A. certified surf instructor that has surfed and taught surfing in Bali, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, as well as Costa Rica. Ricardo lives and breathes surf, and is a well informed and patient teacher. When he is not surfing (which seems to be most of the day!) he enjoys skateboarding, mountain biking, and graphic design. He and Hannah (Program Coordinator) are expecting a baby in July.

Carlos Sanchez
Photography and Surf Instructor

Carlos is an amazing Costa Rican artist and surfer. He started working at the School of the World in January of 2006, and his contagious good vibe keeps everyone smiling. He is C.P.R. lifesaving certified and has been surfing since he was a boy. He has exhibited his art in San Jose, Miami, and New York. In his spare time he enjoys surfing, skating, photography, painting, and fishing.

Esteban "Fish" Hidalgo
Surf Instructor

Fish is from Costa Rica and started working at the School in January of 2007. Fish loves meeting new travelers that come to the school from all over the world and is very proud to show them the beauty of his country. When he is not in the water surfing or teaching, Fish enjoys mountain biking and also manages a bar and restaurant in Playa Hermosa called Rippers.

Rodrigo
Surf Instructor

Rodrigo is from Buenos Aires, Argentina and has lived in Costa Rica for six years. He started working at the school in November 2007. When he is not teaching people to surf he likes to ride his stylish moped, cook, and look for monster waves to surf.

York
Surf Instructor

York is from San Jose, Costa Rica. He started working at the school in January 2008. He has surfed since he was fourteen and spends all his free time looking for places to surf.

Melissa Grace
Yoga Instructor

Melissa studied Hatha yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute of New York City. In addition to Hatha yoga, she also learned many other aspects of yoga including anatomy, physiology, yogic diet, nutrition, raja yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and jnana yoga. She incorporates breathing techniques, postures, meditation, and deep relaxation into her classes. Her goal as a teacher is for students to leave class with a fresh, positive attitude and a deeper understanding of oneself.

Jill Pauwels
Yoga Instructor

Jill studied yoga under Brian Kest, Peter Barnet, and Kevin Light for many years in California before moving to Costa Rica in 2006. In addition to being a certified yoga instructor she is also a nutritional and wellness counselor. She has also studied the power of intentions and visualizations at the Agape International Spiritual Center and believes that yoga and a proper diet are key ingredients to a physical and spiritual wellness and harmony. Jill's specialty is power yoga.

Maria Quesada
Housekeeping

Maria is Costa Rican and has been with the School of the World since the beginning, back in 1997. Her daughter Josebeth has practically grown up with the School, and we proudly sponsor her to study in the local private school where she is an honor student. Maria has seen the business grow from humble beginnings and takes a lot of pride in her work environment.

Martha Sanchez
Housekeeping

Martha is from Nicaragua and is a longtime friend of Maria's. Martha likes to listen to music and watch the sunset at the beach in her free time. She is a part of the crew that keeps the school clean.

Jose Lopez
Project Manager, Maintenance

Jose is from Nicaragua and was one of the original construction workers contracted to build the new facility back in 2004. It was his great attitude and contagious happy spirit that earned him a permanent place at the School of the World. He seems to work around the clock making sure everything is running smoothly around the hotel, and always with an ear to ear smile. Light bulb burnt out? Lost key? Look for this guy, and he'll be there to help you with a smile... but look out, he is a prankster and loves a good practical joke.

Angel Lopez
Night watchman

Yes, the guard's real name is Angel! He and Jose are brothers, and this is the guy that watches over everything while everyone is sleeping. He has been working at the School since 2006.