OUR MENTORS
TEACHERS, COACHES
& ADMINISTRATION
HAESE Academy mentors are devoted to empowering the Las Terrenas community in the Dominican Republic. Accomplished in their respective fields, our dedicated role models are experienced teachers and former college players, college coaches, national team members, professional athletes, and pro scouts who positively impact the lives of our student-athletes and alumni.
Founder & Visionary
A passionate and dedicated teammate, Derek Haese is about forming relationships and building partnerships to help assist under-served populations. After 10 years working in a non-profit in Washington, DC, Derek moved to the Dominican Republic to pursue his passion of coaching.
In Las Terrenas, Derek quickly realized there was great potential to link sport with education to help lift an entire community. Derek’s athletic abilities afforded him an excellent education at George Washington University. His hope is that the Haese Academy can serve as the catalyst to help the youth in Las Terrenas do the same.
Derek is responsible for overseeing all programs within the Haese Academy while creating the vision for growth and sustainability in the future. Read More
Headmaster of Education
District of Columbia "Public School Teacher-of-the-Year", Susan Haese brings over 13 years of experience teaching elementary education. Specializing in early language literacy, Susan has spent the majority of her career teaching in public schools. She is passionate about teaching at risk youth and has extensive experience teaching and mentoring youth from the inner cities of Washington, D.C.
After nearly ten years teaching in the nation’s capital, Susan joined the team at the Las Terrenas International School where she served as a mentor to young teachers while helping to implement a global curriculum utilizing common core standards.
Having graduated from Peabody Teachers College at Vanderbilt University, with a double major in Elementary Education and Spanish Language, Susan is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Haese Academy’s bi-lingual elementary school. Read More
Athletic Director
Since playing at George Washington University (2003-2006), Jay Quinn has coached in 15 countries, instructing 100+ players who have gone on to college and professional baseball in the United States.
At Columbia University (2006-2012), Jay coached catchers and hitters, recruited nationally, and ran baseball camps and clinics for children ages 7-13. In 2008, the Lions won their first Ivy League (NCAA - Division I) championship in 31 years.
With Major League Baseball (2012-2015), as a freelance instructor, Jay coached alongside current & former MLB players, instructing pro-prospect infielders, outfielders & pitchers at (7) MLB Elite Camps throughout Europe & Brazil (in Brazil, Jay also ran clinics introducing baseball to children and physical education teachers). In 2015, Jay was utilized as a consultant to help plan & execute MLB's first international player trip to the Arizona Fall Classic college showcase. Read More
Player / Coach
Junior is a gifted young man with a powerful story...