High School Teachers
I was born and raised in Newton, Kansas, right in the center of the contiguous United States. I went to junior college in Dodge City, Kansas and then earned my bachelors and 2 masters degrees at Wichita State University. I have been in education all my life and have worn many hats . . . in many different places. I have worked with students from 4th grade through 12th grade and always learn so much from each of them. I look forward to working in Venezuela and getting to know the parents and students from CIPLC. I know the start of the year will be very different and maybe even a bit of a struggle, but I also know deep down in my heart that we can do this!
Email: kelley.nelson@ciplc.org
Mr. Hildebrand is extremely excited to join the CIPLC community. He is a veteran teacher of almost twenty years and has taught AP and IB History, Social Studies, Humanities, and ELA. He currently teaches in Guatemala and will be teaching Middle School Humanities and Human Geography at CIPLC. In his spare time, Mr. Hildebrand enjoys training (mainly weight-lifting), walking, swimming, reading, discussing ideas, and anything with animals and nature. Moreover, some of his happiest moments are when he and students are engaged in a Socratic Seminar or simply discussing back and forth while light bulbs are going off. That is a hard feeling to match that only a teacher knows.
Email: ken.hildebrand@ciplc.org
Gisela Burguera is an environmental engineer, turned teacher 7 years ago. She previously taught math for 4 years at ISM-Maturin and for 3 years at CEIA-Anaco. She has lived and studied in Europe (Germany and Holland) for over 9 years and is fluent in Spanish, English, Dutch, German, and Portuñol. Ms. Burguera loves the interactions with students and the small daily challenges of the classroom. She constantly strives for improvement and loves learning new things.
Email: gisela.burguera@ciplc.org
Tom Krause was born in the United States in the state of Pennsylvania, and he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from New York University and a Master of Arts in teaching and English from Marywood University. Tom received a Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from International House in Cape Town, South Africa, and he most recently taught English literature in Quito, Ecuador. Before teaching, Tom worked as an actor in Los Angeles, California, but he considers teaching and working with students to be his most rewarding career. Tom is passionate about books, film, theater, art, writing, and travel. He loves the outdoors, the beach, good food, good music, and good company.
Email: thomas.krause@ciplc.org
