Join us for a special Día de los Muertos community event at Open Minds! Children will explore the rich traditions of this cultural celebration through crafts, music, and storytelling. Drop off your child to experience a colorful and meaningful afternoon honoring this beautiful Mexican tradition.
Name: Santiago Mones Ruiz
Classroom: All of them
Hometown: La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hobbies: I love playing and studying chess, learning programming, cooking, hiking, skating, and practicing calisthenics.
Passion for Teaching: What excites me the most is teaching the universal language of music, which transcends any idiomatic barrier. I also love seeing how children remember the smallest things we teach them every day.
Favorite Snack: Dulce de leche, authentic gelato ice cream, granola, mixed nuts, tropical fruits.
Name: Elizabeth Valadez
Classroom: Sol
Hometown: Berkeley
Hobbies: Spending time with family and my dogs
Passion for Teaching: I believe that all students are unique and need a teacher that caters to their individual needs in a safe and stimulating environment. I want to create a classroom where students can flourish and explore to reach their full potential. My goal is also to create a warm, loving environment, so students feel safe to take risks and express themselves.
Favorite Snack: Chocolate pretzels
Name: Yuny Y. Hurtado
Classroom: I am a Psychopedagogist and Professor specializing in Learning Difficulties. Currently, I am part of the infant program.
Hometown: I grew up in Venezuela.
Hobbies: When I’m outside the classroom, I enjoy going to the movies, attending concerts, and playing cards.
Passion for Teaching: What I love about teaching is seeing the children’s faces light up when they understand a story or something you’re teaching them.
Favorite Snack: I love homemade cakes.
Name: Katherine Stefany Guadamuz Brizuela
Classroom: Floater
Hometown: Granada, Nicaragua. During vacations, I used to go to my grandparents’ estate.
Hobbies: Visiting my family, playing with my nephews, doing pedicures, reading books, and watching TV.
Passion for Teaching: I love seeing the ability children have to absorb what we teach them and knowing that we play a crucial role in the child’s development alongside the family.
Favorite Snack: I like green mango and banana.
Name: Lilian García
Classroom: Tierra
Hometown: I spent my childhood in Guatemala and my adolescence/adulthood in Oakland
Hobbies: I like spending time with my family & friends. I enjoy working out, going on nature walks, going to the movies, and drawing.
Passion for Teaching: What I love about teaching is that it doesn’t feel like work. Every day is fun and exciting, watching children’s creativity, curiosity, and imagination unfold. I love being able to provide them with knowledge that will help their growth and development. And I also get to learn from them.
Favorite Snack: Ruffles cheddar cheese or sour cream and onion, as well as ice cream.
Name: Nelly Balladarez
Classroom: Luna
Hometown: Granada, Nicaragua
Hobbies: Spending time with family, visiting new places, going out to eat.
Passion for Teaching: The evolution of children is a rewarding job. I also enjoy their development and learning.
Favorite Snack: Fruits.
Name: Majo
Classroom: Fuego
Hometown: Venezuela
Hobbies: Going to the gym.
Passion for Teaching: I enjoy being part of children’s growth. Early childhood shapes a person’s life, and knowing that I am contributing to the formation of future adults makes me very happy. Another thing I love about being a teacher is the connection you can create with your students. Being a teacher is one of the most amazing and rewarding jobs.
Favorite Snack: Melon, watermelon.
Name: Catherine Caraballo
Classroom: Tierra
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Hobbies: Spending time with my children. I have two boys, one is 17 years old, and the other is 10. I enjoy going to church; I am a Christian.
Passion for Teaching: I like knowing that I will leave a lasting impact on each child. I also learn a little from each one of them.
Favorite Snack: Donuts, pastries, madeleines.
Name: Monica Rodriguez
Classroom: Chef
Hometown: Guatemala
Hobbies: Going to the park with my dog.
Passion for Teaching: Interacting with the children.
Favorite Snack: Fruits.
Name: Olga Coreas
Classroom: Estrella
Hometown: Jalisco, Mexico
Hobbies: Dancing Mexican folklore, singing, hiking, and enjoying walks in nature.
Passion for Teaching: I love seeing how kids learn, whether it’s little or big things, and how something simple for adults is a huge milestone for them. My favorite part of teaching is the love I share with my students.
Favorite Snack: Ice cream (vanilla, mango, pecan, and coffee flavors).
Name: Jesús Bolívar
Classroom: Supporting teachers and staff
Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela
Hobbies: Trail running and skiing with my family.
Passion for Teaching: Helping families and creating lifelong friendships.
Favorite Snack: Arepas and dark chocolate.
Name: Marta Manriquez
Classroom: Estrella
Hometown: Jalisco, Mexico
Hobbies: Traveling, exploring new places, dancing Zumba.
Passion for Teaching: I enjoy interacting with children and learning from them.
Favorite Snack: Coffee with bread.
Name: Myah Jhoselynn Bermudez
Classroom: Floater
Hometown: Mexico
Hobbies: Spending time with my family and friends. Shopping.
Passion for Teaching: Everything, especially the detailed activities.
Favorite Snack: Stuffed milanesa with pasta.
Name: Sinai Arias
Classroom: Agua
Hometown: Oakland, USA
Hobbies: I enjoy cooking and baking. I like to look up new recipes and learn new techniques in the kitchen. I also enjoy going on walks at the beach with my dog and playing with other puppy friends.
Passion for Teaching: I love getting to know each child’s different personality and creating a unique bond with each of them. I also enjoy seeing their individual growth throughout the year and how they reach milestones at their own pace.
Favorite Snack: I enjoy drinking coffee and trying new coffee shops and flavors. I also enjoy spicy foods, especially chips.
Name: Karen Hernandez
Classroom: All of them
Hometown: Venezuela
Hobbies: I enjoy doing pilates, playing padel, going to the gym, and hiking with my family. I also love traveling, exploring new places, reading, and continually learning.
Passion for Teaching: I love learning about children’s unique perspectives, and the little moments when a child excitedly shares their discovery. I also love sparking their creativity.
Favorite Snack: Milk chocolate, fruits, cookies, arepas, and teas (caffeine-free)
Name: Ana
Classroom: I work alongside the teachers to plan, design, and develop the curriculum, so I spend a little time in each classroom.
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, Nico my husband, and my daughters: Alba and Francisca. Exercising. Going to the forest.
Passion for Teaching: When I’m in the classroom with the children, I lose track of time, and I’m passionate about observing what they are trying to learn for themselves. Supporting the questions they ask to explore what interests them is my favorite activity in the world.
Favorite Snack: Argentine pastries.
Name: Oscar José Solorzano Acevedo
Classroom: In charge of pick-ups in after school. Occasional assistant in the classrooms.
Hometown: Villa de Cura, Venezuela
Hobbies: Watching movies and sports events. Listening to music.
Passion for Teaching: The ability of children to learn when the motivation is good.
Favorite Snack: Chocolate cakes
Name: Silvia Rodríguez
Classroom: Agua
Hometown: Costa Rica
Hobbies: I enjoy exploring places full of nature. I like going on walks and doing crafts.
Passion for Teaching: I really enjoy seeing the changes and progress in children, both emotionally and academically.
Favorite Snack: Red fruits, yogurt, granola with seeds
Name: Blanca Soto
Classroom: Fuego
Hometown: Mexico
Hobbies: Hiking, trekking
Passion for Teaching: Helping children in their learning and developing their skills
Favorite Snack: Fruit
Name: Arahely Hernández
Classroom: Luna
Hometown: Guatemala
Hobbies: Reading books, cooking, exercising, listening to music, going to the movies, dining at nice places
Passion for Teaching: The innocence and light of children; also their creativity and energy, which is contagious. It’s beautiful to be part of the development of children.
Favorite Snack: Fruits and Cheetos
Name: Vicky
Classroom: Sol
Hometown: Guatemala
Hobbies: Going on outings with my children
Passion for Teaching: What I enjoy the most is seeing how children develop their skills. I also like seeing their progress and enjoy the moments spent with the children.
Favorite Snack: Carrot cake
Name: Claudia Santana Rodríguez
Classroom: None – I’m at the Front Desk
Hometown: I grew up in the Canary Islands, in an island called Gran Canaria.
Hobbies: Currently I’m pretty obsessed with padel, and whenever I have some free time, I head to Treasure Island to burn off some energy. Additionally, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing cards and board games, and traveling.
Passion for Teaching: It is very rewarding to see the children growing and developing at their own pace. Observing those moments when they are integrating new concepts, understanding, and blooming is really beautiful.
Favorite Snack: Kinder Bueno, sea salt kettle chips with Coke, and healthy snacks (hummus, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, bananas, and apples with Nuttzo).
Amy BIO
