Team 5

Nathanael Parson, English Language Arts and Social Studies

5th Grade Team Leader

"When we dream alone it remains only a dream. When we dream together, it is not

just a dream. It is the beginning of reality." Dom Hélder Pessoa Câmara

 I thought I knew how my life was going to look when I graduated from a small High School in a town of only 7,000. I was going to be a hero - a fireman/paramedic. My friends and family told me I was destined for the career and I agreed wholeheartedly. Mid-way through my preparation as a fireman I thought it would be a good idea to learn Spanish and become a bilingual fireman. So I moved to Cuenca, Ecuador for one semester and took intensive Spanish courses. While in Cuenca, I began to imagine my future life and realized my career choice was an attempt to please friends and family. My own dream was to work with kids and help them discover their ability to learn and understand this amazing world. So I chose my own career path and I couldn't be happier. When I step into a classroom full of students I can't help the smile from overwhelming my body. The best thing about being a teacher is watching the incredible change in the students' eyes as they form their unique understandings of the world.

Jonathan Bowles, Math and Science

My name is Jonathan Bowles and I am extremely excited to be working with the best students in the world! I have taught in various locations throughout the world and I have found out that ASFG students are the best!

A little bit about myself: I was born on December 7th in Detroit Michigan. I have moved around a lot in my life. I have lived in Detroit MI, Mount Pleasant MI, Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario, Farnborough England, Guadalajara Mexico, Mexico City Mexico, Chilpancingo Mexico, Orlando FL, and Fort Myers FL. I have been a teacher for 6 years, teaching everything from 5th grade to University. I had a business for a couple of years dealing with money management. That is why math is so important in life. I have taught English, Language Arts, Science, and Math.

I have had other jobs such as Assistant Dean of Academics, Teacher, Coach, Human Resource Director, Substitute teacher, computer technician, stand-up comedian, cashier, and manager at a fast food restaurant.

I enjoy sports in general; my favorite sports are basketball and hockey. In my free time I like to go bowling, listen to music, sing, and play the keyboard and spend time with my wife and son.

I am looking forward to working with the 5th grade this year and cannot wait to have the best year of my life!

Please feel free to contact me at jonathan.bowles@asfg.mx

Malu Cruz, Español & Civismo/Geografía/Historia

Soy María Lourdes Cruz García, todos me conocen como Malú; con gran satisfacción y orgullo tengo 8 años de formar parte del equipo del profesorado del ASFG. Tengo una Licenciatura en Pedagogía y cursé un diplomado en  Neurolingüística impartido por el TEC de Monterrey. En mis ratos libres me gusta disfrutar de un buen libro y escuchar música clásica, pero lo que más aprecio es estar en compañía de mi familia.

Andrea Cota , Español & Civismo/Geografía/Historia

Soy Andrea Cota López, nací en esta hermosa ciudad de Guadalajara y es mi tercer año en esta Institución  a la cual estoy orgullosa de pertenecer. Cuento con una Licenciatura en Educación Primaria por el Instituto Nueva Galicia y una Maestría en Educación por la SEJ, MEIPE. Tengo 11 años en la docencia y he trabajado en todos los grados de primaria. Disfruto mucho trabajar con niños y jóvenes ya que aprendo mucho a diario  de ellos y son mis mejores maestros. Tengo una hija que es alumna de esta Institución. Me gusta ir al gimnasio, andar en bicicleta y correr, pero sobre todo disfrutar mi familia y vivir al máximo cada día.

Michelle Malkowski, Math and Science

My name is Michelle Malkowski and I am thrilled to be here in Guadalajara!  Growing up in Michigan, I spent many winters trudging through drifts of snow.  By the time I graduated from Central Michigan University, I sought a career in warmer weather.  Migrating to Arizona proved to be a wise weather decision.  Over a ten-year period, teaching fifth, sixth, and seventh graders in Arizona was incredibly satisfying, but mostly tons of fun.  After ten years in Arizona though, it was time for me to experience something new.  I am now looking forward to the upcoming school year in beautiful Guadalajara and all that I will learn and be a part of in ASFG's community.

Kate Hansen, English Language Arts and Social Studies

Though I was born on a small island off the coast of Washington state and lived in Hawaii as a kid, I'm a Californian at heart.  I have done all of my schooling, university, master's degree, and teaching there.  In the five years that I have been teaching, I have taught every grade in kindergarten through 8th grade, with a focus on teaching Spanish and English language learners.  I also have a Master's Degree in Administration and hope to move into that field in the future.  I started studying Spanish as an eighth grader, and it instantly became my favorite subject.  I continued to study Spanish in high school, college, and lived in Madrid, Spain for a year.  I love to learn about other cultures, so I am thrilled to be joining the staff of The American School in Guadalajara!  I know this school year will be the first of many great ones to come!

In my free time I love to run and travel.  I have completed 3 half-marathons and one 200-mile team relay.  My greatest travel adventure thus far has been running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.  During my time in Mexico, I hope to visit as many Latin American countries as possible, and to learn to surf and rock-climb.