Tamra Koch Making a Positive Change in Sayulita

Tamra Koch, originally from Venice, California, moved to Sayulita 15 years ago. Wanting to make a difference in the lives of children in Sayulita, she co-founded Costa Verde International School and is also the President of the Board of Directors. While Tamra tries to volunteer for as many things as she can in the community, the school has become a full time volunteer position for her the past eight years.

How did you get involved with Costa Verde?

When it was our daughter’s last year at the wonderful little preschool ran by Jennifer and Gary Culp, we decided we needed to create an alternative elementary school for our daughter and her classmates. After interviewing parents from the preschool and local families in Sayulita, we learned there was a desire for a bilingual school and we set our sights on creating one. One year later, after months of research and meetings with professionals, we founded the Costa Verde International School. The founders consist of myself, Theo Koch and Anne and Johann Ackermann. There are many other incredible people that contributed during these beginning stages and without them it would have not been possible. I am incredibly grateful to them all.

How does Costa Verde make a difference in Sayulita?

The CVIS scholarship program allows local families to attend a bilingual and progressive school. At this time, 49% of our students receive some kind of financial aid. We are a green school. With curriculum focused on ecology, we are educating the community on sustainable living. The quality of education provided by CVIS has inspired many foreign families to join our community, creating a more diverse cultural experience. Costa Verde provides employment for over 25 people in this community and provides a Spanish language program, Hola Sayulita to teach foreigners the language and embrace the culture.

What motivates you to continue to try to make a positive impact in Sayulita?

I see first hand how the school has changed the lives of students and families. Last year we had children graduate from 6th grade who had started in kindergarten and have been with CVIS since the beginning. It is incredibly motivating to see their progress and what beautiful and insightful young adults they have become. There is a mix of cultures from around the world at CVIS and I believe it is important for children to grow up and share tolerance and acceptance of all races and cultures. We are doing that at CVIS and it is a beautiful thing.

What changes do you want to see brought about by Costa Verde?

At this time we are growing too big for our current property. For the first time we have classrooms that have reached their capacity and we are running out of space. We have classrooms from preschool to 9th grade totaling 175 students. I would love to see us move into a larger space and build a sustainable green school with gardens that feed our cafeteria and more space for the children to run.

What role do you play?

As the co-founder and president of the board, I work closely with the director implementing positive change and growth for the school and community. I volunteer on many different levels at the school and in the community as often as I can and I try to be the best mom I can be to my daughter. 

How are the founders involved in the school?

Costa Verde is a non-profit entity. All proceeds go directly back into the school. The founders helped fund the school in the beginning and continue to volunteer and fundraiser for its continued success. The founders and board members are volunteers and not paid staff members. The board of directors, which is composed of the founders, parents and community members, vote on the decisions that govern the school.

What positive changes have you seen brought about by your efforts?

I have received many wonderful comments about the school from parents and community members, local and foreign. Children enjoy the school. The small classroom sizes allow children to create lifelong friendships with their classmates. Families make changes to their way of life in regards to recycling and living more sustainably. Local Sayulita children graduate and continue their education.

What are you most proud of?

The continued success of the school and the fact that we are in our 7th year. The founders and board of directors continue to support the scholarship program and the Adopt a Scholar program, which allows us to open the door to more nationals to receive a quality education.

What additional change(s) would you like to see in the future and what are you doing to make this happen? 

Costa Verde needs to expand. Our student population is growing and our current space can only allow so much expansion. We are currently looking for a larger piece of land to build a sustainable green school. The school itself does not have the funds to purchase the land or to build the infrastructure. We are searching for donors and financial assistance to make this happen. With a larger space we can create a community garden, after school community projects, and a library open to everyone. This was our original goal and with the growth of Sayulita, we see it is a necessity, now more than ever.

How can others help?

Adopt a student through the Adopt a Scholar program and change the life of a local Sayulita child. There are full and partial scholarships available and your donation is tax deductible in the United States and Canada. They can also attend our annual fundraiser coming up on February 17th at Don Pedro’s. All proceeds from this fundraiser support our scholarship program which currently assists 49% of our students.  Visit our website for more information on how to support the school through tax deductible donations or to volunteer. Come visit the school!