Staff Photos & Bios
21-Day Programs
Program Staff
International Director - Chelsea Van Eck
Originally from Michigan, Chelsea has called many places home. Since earning a B.A. in Sociology at Hope College and a MA in Cross-Cultural & International Education at Bowling Green State University, she has lived and worked in educational spaces in Australia, South Korea, Europe, United States and Costa Rica. Chelsea is excited to return for the Marine Conservation and Turtle Expedition 21 day program to continue sharing her love for hands-on learning and working alongside local partners to make this world a better place.
Local Director - Katherine Sánchez
Katherine was raised in San Rafael of Heredia near the cloud forest, and attended university there where she received her titles of Tropical Biologist and Biology with an emphasis in Natural Resources and Wildlife Management. She worked as a teacher of Natural history of Costa Rica and Ecology and has worked with GLA for 4 years as a Local Director. She has worked in environmental education with endemic and unique species like “Incililus holdridgei”, conservation of snakes, and invasive species on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. She has also participated in several conservation projects across the country with amphibians, reptiles, and projects with mangroves and urban wildlife. She enjoys music, singing, and learning to play guitar. She loves being in touch with nature and sharing time and experiences with communities, loves languages, and enjoys meditation.
Mentor - Brian Wasik
Brian was born and raised in Connecticut and attended George Washington University in Washington, DC where he received a B.A. in Human Services & Social Justice and minored in Psychology and Spanish. Brian then pursued a teaching fellowship with Teach For America in New Orleans, Louisiana where he taught high school Spanish. Afterwards, he pursued a Fulbright fellowship in Spain where he taught English and worked with low-income Spanish students in a US embassy-sponsored education program. He then pursured a masters in International Education at the University of Alcalá before making his way back to the United States in California where he now teaches high school Spanish and History at a international boarding school. He is excited to work with GLA this summer for the fourth time and second time in Costa Rica.
Mentor - Elon Stein (sesssion 2 only)
Elon was raised in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and attended Howard and Columbia University for his B.A. in sociology and M.S. in nonprofit management. He has spent the last three years working as a teacher and tutor for k-12. He is an Alumni of GLA's 2015 Ghana program and has spent much time traveling through the Middle East and Latin America volunteering and living abroad. His hobbies are anything outdoors or active including hiking, basketball, soccer, rock climbing, and training MMA.
GLA Staffing - Roles
GLA staff are native to the host country and international, usually from the US, Canada or Europe. All staff are highly qualified adults with college degrees. Most of our staff are educators and/or working professionals with higher degrees of education. All of our staff have extensive experience working with teenage students, international programs and/or a specific knowledge of the program country.
GLA staff consists of a local program director, someone from the host country with extensive experience working with international students and also an international program director, someone from the west with extensive global experience working with this age group, who together bridge any cultural differences. Mentors work with the students on a day to day basis. Staff ages usually range between 25 – 35 years old. In addition, we maintain a student to staff ratio of 6:1.
Local Director
Local Program Directors are responsible for co-managing the overall experience alongside International Program Directors. First and foremost, they protect the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The Local Program Director is also responsible for planning excursions, speakers, and community service projects
International Director
International Program Directors are responsible for co-managing the overall experience alongside Local Program Directors. Along with the Local Director, the International Program Director protects the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The International Program Director is also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by developing curriculum, facilitating the implementation of GLA’s service-learning workshops through group-wide discussions
Mentor
Mentors are also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by working as part of a team to implement GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum; leading daily discussion, reflection or journaling sessions with small student groups; and helping Directors plan additional workshops and activities to engage students in their “free” time.
Program Administrator
Country Administrators are responsible for managing the overall experience of multiple programs in a certain country. Along with the Local Director, and International Program Directors, the Administrator protects the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The Country Administrator is also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by developing curriculum, facilitating the implementation of GLA’s service-learning workshops through group-wide discussions.
In-Country Coordinator
Our In-Country Program Coordinators are people with close ties to the local community. Their connections are what allow our groups to be welcomed as friends into a community, and their knowledge of the challenges facing local people allow our work to be a meaningful and valued contribution.
Program Manager
Our Program Managers support the International and Local teams over the course of summer programming. The Program Managers have extensive training in risk management, cross cultural communication, student and group dynamics, mental health protocols, staff management and GLA policies and procedures. Program Managers posses and in-depth knowledge of each program site, partner, service activities, and excursion. The Program Managers communicate weekly with each team in the field and provide ongoing support during the summer to ensure safe and successful programs.