Mrs. Gallagher, a native of Texas, has over 30 years of experience in creating and selling businesses both in the United States and Central America. She has made Nicaragua her home and has established several businesses over the past ten years. Education is one of her top priorities and she works with locals teaching them valuable skills and then helps them establish businesses of their own. She is one of the founding members of Granada International School.
Stef Biemans
Secretary
Stef Biemans is a Dutch documentary cinematographer working for the Nicaraguan and Dutch media specializing in social content. He studied journalism and public relations at the School of Journalism in Utrecht, Netherlands. In 2004, he came to live in Nicaragua because he found the love of his life in Masaya. They are married and have two children. Mr. Biemans is also on the Board of the Dutch school De Springplank which is an initiative of the Dutch Embassy in Nicaragua. The school teaches Dutch language and culture for children of mixed and Dutch couples.
Ernesto J. Leon
Mr. Leon received his B. S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998. After graduation he started to develop his professional career in the steel industry at Bethlehem Steel Corporation in northern Indiana in maintenance. Mr. Leon moved to the east coast to work for a small engineering plastics company named Timco, Inc. in Peekskill, NY where he ventured into technical sales for Latin America. For personal reasons, he moved back to Nicaragua in late 2002 where he has continued to work in his field. He has worked in companies specializing in industrial air conditioning, international trade and as Maintenance Supervisor for Exxon Mobil. His latest position was in technical Sales for Neue Gesellschaft in Mexico. Mr. Leon currently resides in Nandaime, Nicaragua, where he lives with his wife and children.
Frances M. Butler, EdD
Francie obtained her BA from the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Anthropology and minoring in French and English. She received a lifetime Californian teaching credential for grades k-9. Subsequently she received her MEd in Special Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, and her EdD in Special Education from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has a direct knowledge of the needs of students from diverse backgrounds, having taught in public schools in grades k-12 in California, Hawaii, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Nevada. Dr. Butler’s scholarship centers on the area of effective instruction, and she has published and presented research on effective practices in reading and mathematics for all students, including students with disabilities. Dr. Butler has spent 15 years teaching instructional methods at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. Dr. Butler is a certified trainer in the Strategic Instruction Model Learning Strategies developed by the University of Kansas. Dr. Butler lives in Granada with her husband, 3 dogs and 3 cats.
Kelly D. Graber
Raised in California, Kelly earned her BA in International Relations from Richmond University and her MSc in International Development Management from The London School of Economics, both of London, England. Her connection with Nicaragua began with serving in the United States Peace Corps in the field of agriculture from 2003-2005 working on projects of soil conservation and drought-resistant incomes. After returning for numerous extended stays throughout the years, she finally moved with her family from Charlotte, North Carolina to reside in Nicaragua in 2013. Kelly homeschooled her son through 4th grade before he joined Granada International School.
Cecilia M. Rosario
Cecilia obtained her business degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, majoring in Computer Information Systems. During her undergraduate studies Cecilia began working in the banking industry for a major US bank, which later would turn into 15-year career. Upon graduating she moved to Charlotte, NC, and began working in an analytical role where she assessed credit risk for auto, home equity, and small business products. Cecilia and her family fell in love with Granada during a family vacation and later decided to make Granada their permanent home. Mrs. Cecilia is originally from Honduras. She resides in Granada with her husband, two children and numerous pets.
Granada International School aims to engage each student in a creative, experiential, and bilingual learning environment to uncover the maximum intellectual, artistic, and physical potential of each student.