Meet the Team!


​Principal/ Head of School
Danira Ortiz
Principal/Head of School
dortiz@nmpcs.k12.ri.us
Danira is an experienced educator with a solid foundation in dual-language education. A native of the Bronx, NY and of Dominican descent, she has worked as an elementary and middle school dual-language teacher in both the NYC Public Schools and later, the Central Falls Public Schools.  She has also served as an elementary principal  in the Woonsocket Public Schools, creating both a safe and joyful school culture in her school, the Coleman Elementary School. Most recently, Danira has served as the Director of Family & Scholar Engagement for the Blackstone Valley Prep Charter Schools, creating a system of communication and feedback for both families and strategic partners of the network.

Nuestro Mundo's Co-Founders

Joseph Maruszczak, Ed.D.
Co-founder 
jmaruszczak@nuestromundopcs.org
a veteran educator with 32 years of experience as a high school chemistry/science teacher, principal, charter school director, and superintendent. A graduate of Providence College and Johnson & Wales University, and served as the superintendent of schools of the Mendon-Upton (MA) Regional School District for 10 years. He is passionate about creating innovative educational opportunities that empower a new generation to tackle the issues of our time, specifically reducing inequality, combatting climate change, and creating sustainable communities.
Katie Cardamone
Co-founder/Program Director
kcardamone@nuestromundopcs.org
is an experienced elementary educator, working 15 years as an elementary Spanish immersion teacher. After graduating with her bachelor's and master's degrees from Clark University, she lived and worked in Guatemala. She  served as the Program Coordinator for the Multistate Association of Bilingual Education, Northeast (MABE).  Katie is passionate about the key outcome of a strong, innovative dual language program: empowering multilingual and multicultural learners to understand their importance as global citizens.

Faculty

Kelly Freeman
Founding Special Ed Teacher
kfreeman@nmpcs.k12.ri.us 
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​My name is Kelly Freeman. I have lived in different countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala but I call Texas home. I earned my B.A. in English and Spanish from Howard Payne University in Texas and my M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix satellite campus in Seoul, South Korea. I conducted my student teaching at Seoul American Elementary School (DoDDs).  I have taught for 7 years (2 years of Spanish and 5 years of Special Education). I enjoy kayaking and hiking with my family and reading and writing.
Kathy Frechette
Founding 6th grade English Side Teacher
kfrechette@nmpcs.k12.ri.us​​
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​Hi! My name is Kathy Frechette and I am the Sixth Grade English Language Arts and Math teacher on the English part of the school day.  I can’t believe that I am going into my sixteenth year in education!  Time definitely flies when you do what you love!  I have taught kindergarten, first, and fourth grade in Connecticut and Rhode Island.  I also spent some time in my career as an Associate Dean of School Culture supporting students and classroom teachers.  I am originally from Brooklyn, NY and went to college in Connecticut. My family still lives in NY and my husband and kids love visiting as often as possible. I am excited to be a Founding Member of the Nuestro Mundo Team. I look forward to getting to know our kids and their families! Here is to a memorable year!
Erroll Lomba
Student Culture Mentor
elomba@nmpcs.k12.ri.us​

Erroll has been a youth worker and educator for over twenty years. He is a highly skilled facilitator, that has helped many organizations and community groups thrive and reach their goals. He is blessed to be the father of an amazing 21 year son, Apollo who is an amazing artist studying his craft at the Pratt  Institute in Brooklyn. 

His belief that youth can truly make this a better and safer world, has been the guiding light of his career. He has been a photographer and media educator for many years. Erroll created a media company called roots media. Roots media was founded to create more opportunities marginalized communities to be heard.  

He received his Bachelors of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Change  from College Unbound. He will receive his Master’s of Education in Urban Teaching from Providence College in May. ​
Marta Reina Pueyo
Founding Special Ed Teacher K-2
mreina@nmpcs.k12.ri.us ​
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​I am the Kindergarten and 1st grade Special Education Teacher. It’s my first year teaching in the United States but my 12th year as a teacher. I grew up in a beautiful city in the south of Spain called Seville where I have been a homeroom teacher in PreK&K and a Special Ed teacher. It is not my first time living abroad as I lived with an English family in my early 20s. This time I am so excited to work at Nuestro Mundo as part of this family, ready to meet every child's needs. The most satisfying part of teaching is watching the progress the students make and how they surprise themselves.​
 Marta Naderpour Peñalver
Founding 1st Grade Spanish Side Teacher
mnaderpour@nmpcs.k12.ri.us 
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​Marta Naderpour Peñalver (1991) Soy de Valencia, una ciudad muy bonita que se encuentra al Este de España. Tengo 7 años de experiencia como profesora con niños y niñas de 0 a 6 años, aunque desde muy pequeña he vivido la educación desde muy de cerca en mi familia y siempre supe que quería dedicarme a ello. 

Me considero una persona muy activa, innovadora y que realmente cree en la educación alternativa, es decir haciendo partícipe  a los niños y niñas en su aprendizaje, partiendo de sus propios intereses, así como involucrando al resto de agentes educativos que forman la escuela, como son las familias, el colegio y el entorno. 

He realizado muchas formaciones sobre nuevas metodologías que me hacen crecer profesionalmente y ponerlas en práctica con mi alumnado. Esta es mi segunda experiencia en el extranjero, hace 6 años, estuve un año en UK y tuve la oportunidad de participar en varias escuelas y su funcionamiento.

Además, he sido gimnasta y soy entrenadora de Gimnasia Rítmica, me apasiona este deporte, así como también hacer senderismo y viajar. Este curso me hace mucha ilusión, será mi primer año en EEUU, tengo muchas ganas de aprender con vosotros, espero que juntos lo pasemos muy bien y sea inolvidable.
Catlin Preston
Founding 1st Grade English Side Teacher
cpreston@nmpcs.k12.ri.us​

Catlin Preston has been teaching young children in Kindergarten through Third grade for 20 years.  He grew up in Providence and recently moved back here with his family.  He is thrilled to be on the founding team at NMPCS! ​


​Devlin Lowrey-Demchak
K English Side
ddemchak@nmpcs.k12.ri.us​
Devlin has been teaching in early childhood for nine years. She is passionate about environmental education, social emotional learning and knowing each child in her kindergarten class. 

Support Staff



​Marybel Martinez
Receptionist & Founding Parent
mmartinez@nmpcs.k12.ri.us
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​Diana Ferreira
Founding Operations Associate 
dferreira@nuestromundopcs.org​

Diana Ferreira has been in education for 8 years working in Providence and Cranston. She is a daughter, partner, mother and grandmother to some of the most remarkable human beings on this planet, immigrating to Rhode Island at a young age from Colombia, South America. 

Diana believes in the importance and value of raising not only academically bright, but also kind, respectful, socially conscious and responsible children in this world. She considers herself a fierce advocate for people that may be faced with the English language as a barrier, or just lack of knowledge to help their children succeed and have as many choices and opportunities the world has to offer. She believes in working towards a goal where all children have equitable opportunities to reach their highest potential and become contributing members of our communities and beyond!​


​Amanda Seewald
Curriculum & Instructional Coach
aseewald@nmpcs.k12.ri.us 
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Nancy Rodriguez
Kitchen Staff
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My name is Nancy Rodriguez, I am from the Dominican Republic. I came to the United States in 2014 and have lived in Providence, RI since then. I currently work as a kitchen staff for Nuestro Mundo Charter School. I love working with kids and making sure they get good nutrition. I consider myself to be a very friendly, enthusiastic, and polite person.I am very grateful to be part of this organization