Our teachers are all highly qualified and experienced, with 100% holding a bachelor's degree and 65% holding a master's. To further their lifelong commitment to learning, they’re always undergoing professional development training from Nord Anglia University, where they share resources and master the best teaching practices in the world.
Our teachers know your child learns best when they're having fun and feeling happy, and they're at the center of making this true at CDS every day. 96% of CDS parents agree their child is happy at school, and 99% strongly agree their child has a great relationship with their teachers. This combination gives them the motivation, support, and resilience to succeed, leading to excellent personal and academic outcomes.
Following our “learn-first, tech-second” approach, CDS teachers encourage students to use different technologies that enhance or complement learning through research, communication, or creativity. Our students apply what they’re doing in the classroom to make a tangible impact, especially in STEAM projects and activities like our MIT challenges, where they use “design thinking,” for example, to map out solutions to problems.
We also use two exciting digital platforms that further our students’ abilities to connect with the world through technology: Global Campus, the Nord Anglia platform for collaborating with peers around the world on global challenges; and Share a Dream, the Nord Anglia social purpose platform that gives our students the impactful tools to plan, execute, and report on socially motivated activities, including service projects with NGOs.
Elizabeth Cotter has 15 years of professional education experience including as a High School Social Studies Teacher; High School Assistant Principal/504 Coordinator; Director of Curriculum and Instruction; District Director of People, Organization, and Accreditation; and Deputy Superintendent.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Relations from the Michigan State University Honors College; a Graduate Teacher Certification with a Central Office Endorsement from Grand Valley State University; and a Juris Doctorate from University of California – Hastings. She has previously worked six years as a litigation attorney.
Brian Balding has 8 years’ experience as a high school teacher, 4 years’ experience as an athletic director, and 13 years’ experience as a secondary administrator.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in History from Alma College as well as a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University.
Three decades later at CDS ... and it still feels like coming home! Arriving at work every morning is a joy not only because of the affection I have for my students but also due to the warmth, respect, and kindness shown by everyone.
Our teachers’ own learning and continual improvement at CDS never stops. We support all teachers through regular performance reviews and trainings from Nord Anglia University, allowing us to regularly evaluate our practices and analyze what we need to do to maintain the highest quality.
Our teachers’ openness and willingness to continually grow allows us to deliver our absolute best — both in and beyond the classroom.
We use research-backed practices in all facets of our community, as we uphold the best teaching and learning standards in the world from our location in Costa Rica.
No matter the subject, our activities, lessons, tools, and resources are based on the optimal literacy program for our knowledge, vetted by the Nord Anglia global educational team of experts. The Nord Anglia team runs pilot programs in different classrooms to analyze what factors lead to the best results, so our teachers can have the confidence that they’re providing the most effective education possible.
We’re dually accredited in the US and Costa Rica, giving us the ideal frameworks to deliver high-quality programs recognized throughout the world.
Our Admissions team would love to hear from you. Schedule a Virtual Discovery Meeting with our Admissions Coordinator to learn more about our program and what makes us special.
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