MEET OUR MAESTROS: 

Karina was born in San Bernardino, California to Peruvian parents. As a toddler, she moved to Lima, Peru. That’s where she attended an English immersion school, becoming familiar with bilingual education and what it takes to be fully bilingual. Karina moved to Austin, Texas where she attended college, earning a degree in Anthropological Archeology and Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Initially, Karina dreamed of being an archeologist, a dream that took her to discover many different cultures and several countries throughout Central and South America. In 2008, Karina moved back to Lima, where she taught English to both children and adults. Slowly, Karina discovered her new passion: languages and teaching. This led her to enroll in a master’s program in Applied Linguistics specializing in second language instruction. In Peru, Karina worked in several bilingual programs as an English teacher. In 2010, Karina moved back to the U.S. and started working as an ESL instructor at the University of California, Bakersfield, and taught classes for families that just moved to the United States as well as ESL students at California State University, Bakersfield. In 2011, she moved to Los Angeles and continued teaching in many unique settings, including home tutoring, home school, and after-school enrichment programs. In 2012, she co-founded Kallpachay, a local Spanish immersion program, and summer camp. In 2015, a change in vision led her to establish Yachaywasi, a local Spanish immersion preschool, and OLA Spanish Immersion. During this time, she completed a certification in Advanced Core Early Childhood Education from UCLA Extension and a certificate from MIT in Launching Innovations in Schools. In 2019 she helped found Intiwasi, a non-profit organization with the vision of offering quality and affordable bilingual education to all members of our community.

Uriana was born in Venezuela, in the "twilight city." Her mother and sisters are still there. From a young age, in addition to studying, she danced classical ballet and nationalist dances at the Academy of Art and Culture in her city. At the age of 16, she moved to Colombia to study psychology, which is where her passion for working with children began. During her university internships, Uriana worked as a psychologist in foundations and homes for abandoned children. She collaborated with various NGO to assist children in the Guajira region affected by the Colombian war. She provided university tutoring to teenagers and volunteered to teach children how to read and write. Midway through her university studies, Uriana started working as an assistant teacher and also taught ballet at the same preschool. Later, she became a Teacher at "Mi Trensito Tricolor," working with children aged 3 to 4. Uriana discovered her passion for working with children from a very early age. She loved teaching them, playing with them, telling them stories, nurturing their creativity, helping them recognize their value in the world, and ensuring they always felt loved. During her vacations, she frequently traveled to the United States to visit her family. However, it wasn't until 2020 that she decided to stay in the country permanently. She started working as a nanny while validating her university studies and learning English. Uriana is an active person who loves working with children. In her free time, she practices yoga, spends time with her family, travels, dances, plays volleyball, and cooks. She's very excited to meet everyone here at Intiwasi!

Hola! My name is Yesenia Zamarripas. I was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles. My family roots are from Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. I enjoy teaching about my culture and traditions to children. Fun fact about mi apellido/my last name, it originated from Portuguese. As a first generation American, I attended California State University Dominguez Hills where I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Child Development with a concentration in early teaching and learning. I've had the wonderful opportunity to work in the field of child development for over 11 years. To me, the role of an early childhood teacher is to help children develop core values and guide children on their path to build their foundation in their education and social-emotion growth. My mission as teacher is to help every student along their journey as it is unique to them. I strongly believe that children learn through experiences, attentiveness, and hands-on approaches not solely by worksheets or tests. Therefore, together we are going to learn so many new and exciting things and I am looking forward to every minute of it. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, listening to music , reading articles about child development in our Latino community and support local Latino businesses. I enjoy going to Disneyland, camping trips, discover new places and foods, taking dance class such as salsa and bachata.

Karla is originally from El Salvador. She moved to Los Angeles when she was 12 years old and has lived in this wonderful city ever since. She started working at our sister school Yachaywasi, in 2015 as a Teacher’s Assistant while still in high school. Since then Karla has worked her way up into many different positions. When Intiwasi opened its doors in October 2020, Karla was eager to jump into the new project, becoming a vital part of our school. In 2019, Karla graduated from El Camino College with an AA in Psychology. She is now working toward a BA in education and Psychology. Karla is passionate about learning and always has a great attitude toward new challenges. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, hanging out with friends and family, and listening to music.

Cindy Kollie is a dedicated and experienced early childhood educator with over a decade of teaching experience across various early learning settings. As the Lead Teacher for the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) group at Intiwasi School, Cindy brings an affluence of expertise in fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for young children. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Northridge, and an Associate’s Degree in Child Development from El Camino College. Throughout her career, she has served in various roles, including as a Lead Teacher at prestigious institutions such as the Disney Children's Center in Glendale and Kids Collective in Culver City. Cindy’s teaching philosophy is grounded in Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, emphasizing hands-on learning, positive guidance, and child-centered exploration. In her previous roles, Cindy excelled in organizing and maintaining engaging classroom environments, conducting observational assessments, managing daily routines, and leading parent-teacher conferences. She also played a pivotal role in training and supervising staff, ensuring a collaborative and supportive learning community. Her ability to create tailored curricula that meet the diverse needs of her students aligns with Intiwasi’s holistic approach to education. Cindy’s passion for early childhood education extends beyond the classroom, where she believes in cultivating strong connections with both parents and the community. Her commitment to fostering curiosity, social-emotional development, and a lifelong love for learning makes her an invaluable member of the Intiwasi team.

Hi! I was born and raised in Guatemala. My passion has always been teaching, my journey in the field of education started 14 years ago in Guatemala where I started working towards a teacher’s degree, assisting teachers in Elementary school classrooms and taking classes that involved planning and curriculum. I moved to the United States in 2010, and continue with my teacher career at Santa Monica College. While attending college, I volunteered and did a few internships at different preschool centers. I graduated with an AA degree in Child Development and started working as a Lead Teacher and some years later as an assistant director in a Spanish immersion Preschool located in Culver City. In 2020, I graduated with a BA in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles. In the same year, I experienced teaching preschoolers and tutoring elementary school children in Spanish through zoom. I am passionate about teaching and bilingual education because I know from my own experience how being able to speak more than one language can be an important tool to children’s future. As a teacher, my goal is to bond with my students and create an environment in which children feel safe and enjoy their learning experience. During my free time I enjoy hiking, reading, and spending as much time as I can with my family.

Ximena Medina was born in the capital city of Quito, Ecuador. At the age of 19, she accepted an invitation to work as a professional full-time au pair in the US (09/2007 – 10/2009). After helping mother, raise, and love both a toddler and an infant for the Gamble Family in both Arizona & California, she returned to Ecuador to study Anthropology at the university level. While living/working in the US, she also studied English in Community College there. She holds a certificate in Academic Excellence in English as a Second Language. She has 15 years of professional teaching experience that includes pre-school, kindergarten, grade school, & high school students, as well as business professional adult students. Her area of specialty & strength lies in creating a positive learning environment via positive reinforcement. Her creative instructing experience fosters discipline, learning skills, and healthy social attitudes in children of all ages. Ultimately, her God-given talent gains the trust and confidence of children, teenagers, adult students, and the parents of those students. What stands out as making her different & unique from other educators is the following: 1) her empathic ability to perceive & recognize the differing individual needs of each child\ 2) her connection to a natural lifestyle that reflects her innate interest to offer a ‘wholistic’ education in nature that includes art, gardening, music, permaculture, & yoga; the ritualistic and its reflection on the human element.

Blanca is an experienced educator with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Los Angeles, earned in June 2017. With a strong foundation in child development, transformative teaching in diverse classrooms, English language development, and special education, Blanca has developed a broad skill set tailored to meet the needs of students across different age groups and educational environments. During Blanca’s time as a Teacher Assistant at East Los Angeles College’s Department of Computer Application and Office Technology (2009-2017), they facilitated classroom instruction for adult learners, ensuring comprehension of course material, grading assignments, and managing classroom operations. Her experience also extended to managing a computer lab, where they supported students with hands-on technical assistance, taught Microsoft Office skills, and collaborated with the IT department to maintain equipment. In addition to these professional roles, Blanca has contributed significant volunteer time as a Teacher Assistant at both Miles Avenue Elementary School and the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation Head Start School. Here, they assisted in bilingual classrooms, worked closely with teachers to develop engaging lessons, and provided direct support to students to enhance their learning experience. Fluent in Spanish and highly organized, Blanca excels in the classroom by providing individualized support to students, alongside a collaborative approach to improving student outcomes Her passion for fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments makes her a valuable asset in any educational setting. We are truly happy and excited to welcome Blanca to intiwasi!

Leslie Calderon is originally from Guatemala. Prior to coming to Intiwasi, she worked at Intiwasi's sister school, Yachaywasi for five years. She has also taught Spanish classes to children ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade incorporating cooking, dance, movement and more. Leslie loves to cook and spend time with her family.

Marika was born and raised in Rome, Italy, and at the end of high school, she discovered the joy of working with children by becoming an assistant teacher for 3–5-year-olds at the dance school she attended. Marika is a passionate child development and rehabilitation therapist with over 14 years of experience in supporting children with diverse developmental needs. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy, she is also a Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) in Italy, with expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and a Certified IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage) International Trainer. In Rome, Marika worked at Nuova S.A.I.R. where she provided comprehensive evaluations for children, designed individualized education programs (IEPs) to meet their specific needs, and used data-driven strategies to track progress and adjust interventions for optimal results. She is passionate about creating a stimulating and supportive learning environment that empowers each child to reach their full potential. Marika's focus is on enhancing children's adaptive behavior, social-emotional skills, cognitive functions, communication abilities, and physical development. Her compassionate approach and ability to build strong relationships with children and their families contribute to a nurturing and motivating therapeutic environment. She has collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams, including pediatricians, neurologists, and educators, to ensure a holistic approach to therapy. She has worked in various clinical and educational settings, including pediatric rehabilitation centers, preschools, elementary schools, and early intervention programs. Her words: “In these years working with children, I have learned many things about them, but also many things about myself. They are an endless source of learning and affection and they fill my life with laughter every day.” Outside of her professional life, Marika loves traveling, pilates, videogames, photography, hiking, and enjoys relaxing with her family.

Ms. Diana Curi is from Cartagena, Colombia. Her love of education began in 1996 during a high school program called M.T.C.A. (Multicultural Teacher Career Academy) which ignited her passion for the Early Childhood Development field. She started her career in 2002. In 2015 she branched out to ABA and Early Intervention to assist children with global developmental delays. As a mother of three amazing children, in her words, she knows "the power of compassion and love." She also believes that children learn through play and will thrive with proper guidance including: positive discipline, consistency and following through while embracing their individuality.

Meredith is a passionate and dedicated professional with a solid foundation in child development, holding a Child Development Teaching Permit. She has completed nearly 30 units of child development classes at Pierce College and is currently transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) to pursue her BA in Child Development. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she has always had a deep love for her community and a commitment to nurturing its youngest members. With almost two years of experience as a lead teacher at Kinder Care, Meredith honed her skills in creating engaging and educational environments for toddlers. Following this, she broadened her expertise while working as an assistant at a Christian school, where she supported children of all ages, focusing primarily on pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. Currently, Meredith is a behavioral therapist, specializing in supporting students with severe behavioral challenges. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on her young client's life, helping her navigate and overcome difficulties with care and compassion. Throughout her career, Meredith has developed essential skills for working with children, including curriculum planning, classroom management, communication, creativity, patience and empathy, and problem-solving. She excels at designing age-appropriate lesson plans that foster cognitive and social development, implementing effective strategies to maintain a positive and structured learning environment, and building strong relationships with parents, colleagues, and students through clear and compassionate communication. Meredith uses innovative approaches to make learning fun and engaging, such as integrating arts and crafts into daily activities. Her understanding and addressing the individual needs of each child with sensitivity and care demonstrate her patience and empathy. Additionally, her ability to quickly and effectively resolve conflicts and behavioral issues that arise in the classroom highlights her problem-solving skills. In her personal time, Meredith enjoys playing with her little cousins, engaging in arts and crafts, and spending time at the park. Her love for painting and singing adds a creative dimension to her life, allowing her to express herself and bring joy to others. Meredith's blend of professional expertise and personal passions makes her a remarkable individual committed to the growth and well-being of children.

I’m a firm believer that we attract what we desire. For as long as I can remember I have imagined myself teaching preschool-aged children. Now, I feel blessed for having the privilege of working with wonderful children, teachers, and parents at Intiwasi. I am from El Salvador. I lived there for 19 years before moving to California. I am native Spanish speaker and bring the joy of introducing a second language through songs, play and everyday conversations with the children. I took my college classes here in the United States at El Camino College where I graduated with an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and I am looking forward to growing and pursuing higher education next year. I discovered my true passion for working with children while teaching catechism at my church in El Salvador. One of my absolute favorite things is being able to spend time in the classrooms playing with our little students. They are an absolute joy and watching them grow and learn is an honor. I see teaching as more than a job but really a mission to contribute on this Earth by guiding the children in my care with love. Children’s curiosity has always inspired me and I am confident that Montessori education fits and becomes a lifelong love for learning.

Alvaro Carmena-Black is a Spanish-American trumpet player who began playing trumpet at the age of seven. Since then, he has been focusing on growing his skills as both a performer and a teacher. Since moving to the United States, Alvaro has been exposed to many different teaching methods and musical styles, from the classical William Adam method to Jazz improvisation. In May 2022, Alvaro graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Brass Performance Studies. As a music educator, Alvaro hopes to pass on his knowledge and experience to his students so they can continue to grow along their musical journey.

Originally from Colombia, Ioska Cassares brings a vibrant energy and passion for physical education to our team. With a degree in Physical Education from Colombia, Ioska serves as our sports and soccer coach, leading outdoor games and activities that promote teamwork and sportsmanship. He also oversees our aftercare program, creating engaging projects and activities that inspire creativity and fun. A devoted soccer enthusiast, Ioska encourages students to embrace physical activity and collaboration through the sport. In addition, he enjoys making paper airplanes with his students, using this enjoyable activity to enhance fine motor skills and spark their imaginations.