After the birth of my two children, Olanna and Matías, I discovered my passion for children. These years of experience as a mom have challenged and provoked me to not only learn to listen to children but to recognize them with respect, intelligence, love, trust and confidence.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I came to the United States as a Rotary International Cultural Ambassador, later earning a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Arizona. Once I became a mom, a new journey of learning began.
The study of what it means to be a child is a never-ending learning process for parents. Like many experienced through the Covid-19 pandemic, I was pushed to become immersed in early childhood education to provide for my children’s learning needs through a time of uncertainty. A fire of curiosity was lit in me as I tirelessly researched how education could be reimagined to truly meet the needs of children today. I imagined a preschool where the journey of learning is based on dialogue, observation, interpretation and making children’s learning visible.
Considering the importance that bilingualism has played in my life, I knew that a Spanish immersion environment was essential. Not only to give that gift to my children, but to provide the children of Phoenix an amazing immersion environment to live, learn and grow up speaking Spanish.
Having worked most of my professional life at multiple levels of the financial sector, I bring a breadth of experience and passion into my role and responsibility of running One Hundred Leaves Preschool.
My time as an educator dates back to my first year of kindergarten, when I wouldn’t stand for my best friend’s mispronunciation of the word “yellow”. I’ll always remember the pride and fulfillment we both felt when he finally got it. Thirty years later, I’ve never stopped seeking opportunities to mentor and shape those around me.
Yet growing up I found school terribly boring. I bemoaned the monotony of a school system designed for homogeneity. Spanish class was my one escape. After graduation, I followed my passions around the world, traveling through Spain and living and studying in Guadalajara, Mexico. Every friend I met, every food I ate, and every experience I had with Spanish taught me not only about language and culture, but about myself - and about humanity.
In the blink of an eye, I was back in the classroom, but this time as a teacher with a mission to create something new. I vowed to make my classes engaging, challenging and fun for everyone who entered. A place to find common ground and learn through meaningful experiences together.
I earned my B.A. in Spanish and French and my M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, teaching Spanish at high school, elementary and preschool levels. I’ve seen the wonder of bilingual language acquisition while raising my own children to be fluent in Spanish. I’ve worked as an immigration interpreter and translator, and I’m unofficially an honorary member of the Hispanic community.
I have many passions in life, but creating environments where people can connect and grow is what truly inspires me. Now I’m taking on my biggest and most exciting creative project as an educator - One Hundred Leaves Preschool. I can’t wait to be part of a new generation of learners, this time in a place where they can truly flourish. A school I would have loved to attend.
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