Our Team and Culture
Get to Know our Team
At Tico Lingo, our strength comes from the heart and dedication of our team. We are passionate educators, administrators, tour guides, and community leaders with one mission: to create meaningful Spanish immersion experiences in Costa Rica.
Our team blends teaching expertise, cultural knowledge, and genuine care for every student. From professors and homestay families to support staff and tour leaders, each person helps students feel at home, inspired, and connected to local life. We take pride in the inclusive environment we have built, one that celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and cultural exchange. At Tico Lingo, we do not just teach Spanish, we open the door to Costa Rica’s vibrant way of life and the spirit of pura vida.
Head Office
The Head of Office team oversees every part of the Tico Lingo experience, from university outreach and conference participation to student placement, homestay coordination, and program design. This dedicated group ensures each student’s journey is organized, welcoming, and academically enriching while supporting school growth and community engagement.
Chris Reidy
Founder & Commercial Director
Yenifer Lovatón
School Director & Partner Relations
Dani Mata
Head of Student Services
Josue Esteban Saravia
Tour and Activity Director
Mary Orozco
Academic Advisor
Yamileth Ortega
Chef, Educator
Warner Hidalgo
Transportation Director
Our Spanish Professors
Since 2015, we’ve built a team of passionate Spanish professors who know how to adapt to every student—no matter the level, age, or learning style. What started as a small group of teachers has grown into a family, united by a love of language and a mission to help students thrive.
All of our professors are native Spanish speakers with years of professional teaching experience in Costa Rica and across Central America. Each brings unique energy and expertise to the classroom, making learning both effective and fun.
Click the names below to meet the Tico Lingo professors who make our immersion programs unforgettable.
Freddy is a native to Costa Rica born and raised in the city of Alajuela. He helped co-found the school after working 10+ years as an English teacher and 8+ years as a Spanish teacher. He holds a linguistics degree from the University of Costa Rica and continually implements the newest learning techniques while staying steadfast to the tried-and-true classic methods. Never a dull moment, Freddy’s classes are known to feel like a party more than they feel like school.
Favorite Cuisine: The typical Costa Rican classics!
Born in the beautiful Costa Rican province of Guanacaste, Yóbeth has called Heredia home for more than thirty years. She studied at the National University in Heredia as well as at the University of Costa Rica in San José. Holding a degree in Spanish Philology, with supplemental studies in Educational Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, Yóbeth knows the Spanish language inside and out. She started teaching in 1994 and has since earned a certification from the University of Salamanca, Spain to prepare other’s who are looking to pass the DELE test preparation and teach Spanish as a foreign language. Enjoying the cultural aspect of Tico Lingo, she’s been teaching with us on and off since 2016. In her free time she looks after her lush tropical garden and goes on walks with her adorable dogs.
Favorite Cuisine: Seafood
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Philology and a Master’s degree in Latin American Literature, Kevin was born and raised in the heart of San José and truly loves dissecting the Spanish language and sharing it with his students. He’s been teaching for 7 years now and is a huge fan of hearing the many stories and backgrounds of the students who come through Tico Lingo. He also loves music and can often be spotted wearing metal band t-shirts!
Favorite Cuisine: Lebanese
Born in the heart of Alajuela, Costa Rica, Marcela has been teaching Spanish as a foriegn language since early 2009. She studied elementary teaching techniques at one of the largest universities in Costa Rica (Universidad Estatal a Distancia) and has taught Spanish at the university level at various institutions throughout the country. Having a joy of sharing Costa Rican culture, Marcela teaches Spanish to connect with new people from around the world and help them get to know Costa Rica on deeper level.
Favorite cuisine: anything chocolate!
Hailing from the great country of El Salvador, Zulma moved to Heredia in 2001 and has called Costa Rica home ever since. As a young woman, Zulma studied law at Eastern University (UNIVO) in San Miguel, El Salvador. Later in life, she discovered the world of teaching and dedicated herself to studying and mastering the art of education. She obtained a license to teach Spanish as a foreign language through the University of Costa Rica and has taken supplemental courses at the Technology Institute of Costa Rica as well as the National Institute for Education. Having taught Spanish for well over 20 years, Zulma enjoys meeting new people from around the world and giving them a personalized Spanish learning experience.
Favorite cuisine: Las pupusas!
A native to Costa Rica, Karina was born and raised in San José. She studied Spanish Philology in San Pedro, San José at the University of Costa Rica. For more than 30 years, she has called “Profesora de Español” her profession and has easily taught more than a thousand students how to speak the language. Since a young woman, she’s always enjoyed seeing how students’ eyes shine when they manage to communicate their ideas and feelings in Spanish. Having taught all levels, ages, and backgrounds, she finds teaching Spanish allows her to constantly be connecting with new people from all walks of life. In her free time, Karina is a cat lover who enjoys shopping organic fruits and vegetables at the local farmer’s market.
Favortie Cuisine: Anything with personality and history behind it.
Born in San José and having spent the majority of her adult life working and living in Heredia, Zaida has been teaching Spanish to foreigners for well over 10 years. With extensive experience working with children as well as with seniors, Zaida excels at pinpointing the needs of her students and aiding them in getting over the fear of speaking. She studied Human Resources at the Professional Technical College of Heredia and holds a teaching Spanish as a foreign language degree from Amistad Institute.
Favorite Cuisine: Seafood
Are you ready?
Book a call today to begin planning your personalized Spanish immersion program at Tico Lingo!