Supporter of the Month: Cathy Sullivan
"Teaching has always been a great joy for me. After retiring, I realized I simply wasn't ready to stop doing what I love."
At Na'atik, every person who joins our community brings their own story, experiences, and passion. This month, we are delighted to introduce Cathy, a retired elementary school teacher from the United States, whose love for education and languages brought her all the way to Felipe Carrillo Puerto.
After dedicating 25 years to teaching in the San Francisco Public School system, Cathy retired, looking forward to a slower pace of life. She spent time with friends, attended concerts, and enjoyed the freedom retirement offered. But after a while, she realized something was missing.
"I started getting bored," she laughs. "I wanted to teach again because I really love being a teacher."
Originally from the Bronx in New York City, Cathy grew up surrounded by many languages. Hearing Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, and many others sparked a lifelong fascination with languages and cultures. That curiosity eventually inspired her to improve her own Spanish.
While searching for a Spanish immersion program, Cathy discovered Na'atik. What immediately caught her attention was the opportunity to live with a local family and experience everyday life in a Maya community rather than simply visiting as a tourist.
"I liked the idea of living here and experiencing daily life. It felt much more like being a resident than a tourist."
She joined Na'atik as a Spanish immersion student for two weeks and quickly fell in love with both the program and the organization's mission. Learning that international students help make English education possible for local children made the experience even more meaningful.
"I really loved that mission. It gave me such a good feeling about the school."
Before leaving, Cathy submitted her résumé and offered to volunteer as a teacher. After returning to the United States, she waited patiently until she finally received an email inviting her to interview for a teaching position.
She accepted immediately and moved to Felipe Carrillo Puerto. What was originally planned as one year soon became two, as she found herself deeply enjoying both the work and the community.
As one of Na'atik's teachers working with our youngest students, Cathy has found endless inspiration in watching children discover the world around them.
"I love seeing how their minds work, how quickly they learn, and how they figure things out."
Although living in Mexico has introduced her to a different culture, one thing has remained remarkably familiar.
"Children are almost the same everywhere. Even though this culture is very different from the United States, they go through the same stages of development."
For Cathy, creating enjoyable activities and watching children engage with them is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. Every lesson becomes an opportunity to spark curiosity, confidence, and joy.
When asked what advice she would give to new teachers, Cathy is honest about the challenges of beginning a career in education.
"When you're just starting, teaching is hard. Many times you'll want to quit. But with experience, you become more comfortable, more confident, and eventually you'll learn to love it the way I did."
Her journey reminds us that education is not simply a profession but a lifelong passion. Through her experience, generosity, and dedication, Cathy has become an important part of the Na'atik family, helping our youngest students build confidence while also continuing her own journey of language learning and cultural exchange.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing your experience, your kindness, and your love of teaching with our community. We are grateful to have you as part of the Na'atik family and wish you all the best as you continue inspiring young learners wherever your journey takes you.
To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.