Our Team

Head of School: Amanda Payne

Amanda is the Head of School at Escola Eleva Brasília and holds a degree in Pedagogy from the University of Brasília. With more than a decade of experience in bilingual education, she brings a wealth of knowledge acquired throughout the years in the K–12 segment. Amanda earned her Master’s Degree in Intercultural Education from the University of Verona, in Italy, and also holds a certification in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University. In her role at Escola Eleva, her mission is to build a school community focused on the holistic development of students, fostering a culture of care and academic excellence.

Early Years and Grade 1 Coordinator: Virgínia de Castro

Virgínia holds a degree in Pedagogy from Centro Universitário IESB and a degree in Psychology from UniCeub. She earned an MBA in School Management from USP/Esalq and is currently deepening her studies in Neuroscience and Education through the Child Behavior Institute of Miami. With ten years of experience as a teacher across different grade levels, she now serves as the Early Years to Grade 1 Coordinator at Escola Eleva Brasília, supporting children, families, and teachers. Early Childhood fascinates her — she believes that trusting in children’s capabilities is the key ingredient for high-quality education.

Lower School Coordinator (Grades 2–5): Ana Catarina Paiva

Ana Catarina holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the Catholic University of Brasília and has specializations in Psychopedagogy, School Coordination and Management, and Educational Guidance. She earned her degree in Pedagogy from the University of Brasília (UnB).
With extensive experience leading renowned educational institutions in recent years, she stands out as a passionate educator committed to quality learning. In 2020, she participated in a short-term exchange program in Peru, visiting schools such as Dinámica, La Casa Amarilla, and Colegio Áleph, engaging in meaningful exchanges especially focused on Early Childhood and Elementary Education (up to Grade 7).

Middle & High School Coordinator: Gabriel Lott

Gabriel holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics, along with several specializations in Educational Management. Over his 15-year career as a teacher, he has distinguished himself in teaching a variety of subjects, particularly those rooted in logic and creativity, with Mathematics as his primary area of expertise in both Middle and High School. Gabriel is currently dedicated to educational management, serving in coordination and school leadership roles, always focused on the continuous improvement of educational processes and the development of innovative methodologies. Known for his engaging, attentive, and respectful demeanor, he strives to foster a welcoming and effective learning environment.

IBDP Coordinator – High School: Vanessa Riveira

Vanessa Riveira is a biologist specializing in the evolution of Cerrado flora. Passionate about education, she believes it is a powerful avenue for making the world a better place. She holds both a bachelor’s and a teaching degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Brasília, as well as a Master’s in Botany from the same institution. After a period working at the New York Botanical Garden, she began her doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her PhD and taught for six years. She has 14 years of experience teaching science, biology, and English.

School Psychologist: Luísa Barata

Luísa is a psychologist graduated from PUC-Rio, holds a teaching license in Pedagogy, and a postgraduate degree in Psychopedagogy, Education, and Plurilingualism. She is also a Certified Parenting Educator with specialization in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy from the Albert Ellis Institute. After gaining clinical experience, she found her true professional and personal passion within the school environment. She was part of the founding team of Escola Eleva Barra da Tijuca, and in 2021 moved to Brasília to support the opening of Escola Eleva. She believes that school psychology creates strong bonds between educators, students, and families. Her practice incorporates principles of positive discipline, respectful education, and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as fundamental pillars for cultivating a healthy and welcoming school environment.

Student Support Services Coordinator: Maria Clara Chehin

Maria Clara holds a degree in Pedagogy from UniRio (Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro) and a Master’s in Inclusive Education from UFP (Universidade Fernando Pessoa) in Porto, Portugal. She also holds postgraduate degrees in Psychopedagogy and Neuroscience and has experience in school mediation, curriculum adaptation, and alternative teaching-learning practices. Passionate about inclusion and diversity, she has also worked on, licensed, and coordinated projects for children with high abilities.