About Na’atik

Our Mission

To teach and learn Spanish, Maya and English through authentic intercultural experiences which promote and inspire global citizenship and contribute to the sustainable development of our local community.

What we offer

At Na’atik, we offer Spanish and Maya language programs through authentic experiences, cultural exchanges, and homestays, giving students a true glimpse of the real Zona Maya not just the ruins!.

We also provide subsidized English classes and scholarships for local students, funded by immersion fees, online classes, and donations, to help them access better education and career opportunities.

History

Na’atik Language and Culture Institute was founded in 2010 by Catherine Gray, a dual U.S.-Mexico citizen, and her Mexican-Maya husband, Pedro Esquivel Puc. Catherine, a James Madison University graduate from Virginia, first came to Felipe Carrillo Puerto in 1996 to volunteer and learn Spanish, where she met Pedro, a history enthusiast and local high school teacher. After teaching abroad in South Korea and traveling through Asia, the couple returned to Mexico and married in Tulum.

Catherine began teaching private English classes in a rented house, but high demand led her to leave her university job and establish Na’atik. Recognizing the financial barriers many young locals faced in accessing quality education, Catherine and Pedro created the Maya Youth Project (MY Project), which now provides scholarships for over 50 students through subsidized English programs.

To share Felipe Carrillo Puerto’s rich culture with the world, they launched the MaS Maya and Spanish Language Immersion Program, offering international students an authentic experience learning Spanish and Yucatec Maya in the real Zona Maya.

Meet the Team

Catherine, Founder & Director

Catherine is from Alexandria, Virginia. She came to Carrillo Puerto to do environmental education with a local NGO from Seattle. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, spend time with friends, and cook with her kids.
Pedro, Founder & Spanish Teacher

Pedro is a co-founder of Na’atik and began teaching Spanish with Na’atik in 2011. He was a social studies teacher and administrator and retired in 2014. He loves history, reading, traveling, talking about politics, and learning about different cultures.
Dafne, Maya and Spanish Program Director

Dafne is originally from Oaxaca, but grew up in Chetumal. She studied Marketing and Administration and has a master’s degree in International Peace Studies. She is studying a second master’s in Project Management. She loves dogs, traveling, penguins, chocolate, reading and trying food from all over the world.
Erick, English Program Manager

Erick is from the X-Pichil Maya community and speaks Maya, English and Spanish. He is a former recipient of Na’atik’s MY scholarship program and studied English at the University of Quintana Roo. He also teaches Spanish. Erick is passionate about cinema.
Adrian, Head of Marketing and Communications

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Mari, HR and Accounting Manager

Mari lives in Felipe Carrillo Puerto and studied Administration at the Tecnológico de Carrillo Puerto. She likes listening to music in her free time.
Abigail, MaS Immersion Coordinator

Abigail is from Felipe Carrillo Puerto. She studied Business Management Engineering at the Tecnológico Nacional de México. She enjoys playing musical instruments, reading, cycling, watching series, crocheting and spending time with her family.
Brian, MaS Immersion Assistant

Brian grew up in Mexico and California. He studied Sociology and Latin American Studies in California. He speaks Spanish and English, and is learning Portuguese. His interests include history, politics, and literature. He enjoys reading, playing soccer, hiking, camping, and a good casual conversation on the sidewalk.
Sibila, Reservations Coordinator

Sibila is from Mexico City and was raised in Chetumal. She has a degree in marketing. She volunteers with vulnerable groups and was an independent dog rescuer. She loves animals, nature, cenotes, traveling, visiting Mexico’s ‘Pueblos Magicos’ and interacting with new cultures.