MEET OUR MAESTROS: 

Karina was born in San Bernardino, California, to Peruvian parents, and spent most of her childhood in Lima, Peru. There, she attended an English immersion school, an experience that sparked her lifelong passion for bilingual education and the transformative power of language. After returning to the United States, Karina earned a degree in Anthropological Archaeology and Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Her early dream of becoming an archaeologist led her to travel throughout Central and South America, exploring diverse cultures and deepening her appreciation for human connection and identity. In 2008, Karina returned to Lima, where she began teaching English to children and adults. It was through this work that she discovered her true calling, education. She went on to pursue a master’s in Applied Linguistics, specializing in second language instruction, and taught in several bilingual programs. In 2010, she moved back to California, where she worked as an ESL instructor in community and university settings, including a brief teaching role at the University of California, Bakersfield. She also taught English classes for newly arrived. After relocating to Los Angeles in 2011, Karina expanded her work into tutoring, homeschooling, and enrichment programs. A year later, she co-founded Kallpachay, a local Spanish immersion program and summer camp. In 2015, her growing vision for early bilingual education led her to establish Yachaywasi, a Spanish immersion preschool, and OLA Spanish Immersion. During this time, she completed an Advanced Core Early Childhood Education certification from UCLA Extension and a Launching Innovations in Schools certificate from MIT. In 2019, Karina helped found Intiwasi, a nonprofit Spanish immersion and IB-inspired elementary school dedicated to making high-quality bilingual education accessible to all families. Today, she continues to lead with the belief that language is not only a tool for communication, it’s a bridge for understanding, empathy, and global citizenship.

Originally from El Salvador, Karla moved to the United States when she was seven years old. After high school, she began working and studying simultaneously, earning an Associate of Arts in Child Development from Santa Monica College. During this time, she gained valuable hands-on experience. Karla began her career in education at just 17, working as a teacher assistant at Yachaywasi, Intiwasi’s sister preschool. Over time, her dedication and organizational skills led her to take on more administrative responsibilities. She played an integral role in helping open Intiwasi and has been part of the community since its very beginning. Today, Karla supports the school’s daily operations and assists with employee relations and administrative coordination, always bringing warmth, reliability, and a deep commitment to the Intiwasi family.

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Yesenia Zamarripas proudly celebrates her family roots from Jalostotitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. She finds joy in sharing her culture and traditions with children, helping them connect with their heritage in meaningful and joyful ways.

Originally from Guatemala, Leslie Calderón has been part of the Intiwasi community since 2021. Before joining Intiwasi, she worked for five years at Yachaywasi, Intiwasi’s sister preschool, where she discovered her passion for bilingual early education. She began her journey as a teaching aide and, through dedication and a deep love for working with children, grew into her current role as an Associate Teacher. Leslie is currently pursuing her Associate Teacher degree and continues to expand her skills through ongoing professional development. Since 2018, she has also led afterschool Spanish classes and Spanish immersion camps, where she combines her passions for cooking, yoga, and dance to make language learning lively, creative, and natural. Her approach encourages children to learn Spanish through movement, play, and meaningful real-world experiences. Outside the classroom, Leslie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking traditional Guatemalan dishes, and sharing her culture with the Intiwasi community.

Originally from Sonora, Mexico, Melissa Ballardo has always been passionate about education and early childhood development. Her love for teaching led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional in Mexico. She later pursued and completed a Master’s degree in Montessori Education from the Escuela Iberoamericana de Postgrado, as well as a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from East Los Angeles College.

Samir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from his home country, Colombia. After relocating to Los Angeles, he joined Intiwasi, where he discovered a new passion for teaching and supporting children’s growth through movement, creativity, and play. At Intiwasi, Samir assists in sports, drawing, and gymnastics classes, bringing energy, positivity, and enthusiasm to every activity. His background in accounting reflects his strong discipline and attention to detail, while his work with children showcases his caring nature and ability to build meaningful connections with students. Samir is excited to continue growing as an educator and to inspire children to explore their talents, build confidence, and discover joy through learning and movement.

Born and raised in Guatemala, Ilce Álvarez discovered her passion for teaching early in life. Her journey in education began over 14 years ago while pursuing a teaching degree, assisting elementary school teachers, and learning the foundations of curriculum design and classroom management.

Originally from Venezuela, Uriana Peralta is a lifelong learner with a deep passion for child development and education. As a child, she dedicated herself to dance, studying it throughout her school years — an experience that nurtured her discipline, creativity, and empathy. After high school, Uriana moved to Colombia to pursue a degree in Psychology, earning her Bachelor of Arts and beginning her journey of understanding how children learn, grow, and connect with others. Shortly after graduation, she relocated to Miami, and later found her way to Los Angeles, where she joined Intiwasi. Uriana’s classroom reflects her belief that empathy is at the heart of education. She is deeply committed not only to her students’ academic growth but also to their emotional well-being. Since joining Intiwasi, she has completed two International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP trainings and a Singapore Math certification, continuing to expand her skills as both a teacher and instructional leader. In 2025, she became Intiwasi’s IB Coordinator, guiding teachers through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework and supporting the school through its candidacy process. Uriana continues to advance her professional journey by pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology, with the dream of helping children reach their fullest potential as learners and human beings.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Meredith Portillo is a passionate and dedicated educator with a strong foundation in child development. She holds a Child Development Teaching Permit and has completed nearly 30 units of coursework at Pierce College. Meredith is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Before joining Intiwasi, Meredith worked as a lead teacher at KinderCare, where she honed her skills in creating nurturing and engaging environments for young learners. While that experience deepened her understanding of early childhood education, her true passion emerged after joining Intiwasi in 2024, when she began working with elementary students — a group she quickly fell in love with. That same year, Meredith completed her first International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP training, immersing herself in Intiwasi’s bilingual and inquiry-based philosophy. In 2025, she transitioned into her current role as English Teacher and Afterschool Program Coordinator, where she combines her creativity, structure, and warmth to design meaningful, engaging learning experiences for children. Meredith also brings her love of dance into the classroom and afterschool program, teaching choreographies that encourage self-expression, confidence, and teamwork. In addition to her teaching role, she continues to apply her experience as a behavioral therapist, supporting children with diverse social-emotional needs. Outside of school, Meredith enjoys spending time with her younger cousins, painting, singing, and exploring arts and crafts. Her blend of creativity, empathy, and dedication makes her a beloved member of the Intiwasi community.

Blanca, affectionately known by students as “Blanquita,” is a caring and dedicated educator who recently joined the Intiwasi community as an Associate Teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Los Angeles, in 2017, where she developed a strong foundation in child development, inclusive education, and language learning. Before joining Intiwasi, Blanca gained valuable classroom experience as a Teacher Assistant at East Los Angeles College’s Department of Computer Application and Office Technology, supporting adult learners with instruction, classroom management, and hands-on computer training. She also volunteered at Miles Avenue Elementary School and the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation Head Start, where she assisted in bilingual classrooms and provided one-on-one support to students. Fluent in Spanish and passionate about bilingual education, Blanquita brings warmth, patience, and a collaborative spirit to her classroom. She is excited to continue growing as an educator and to contribute to Intiwasi’s mission of nurturing confident, curious, and compassionate learners.

Lisa is a former competitive gymnast and a British Gymnastics–qualified coach in both gymnastics and trampoline, as well as a certified Personal Fitness Trainer. She also runs her own small business, Fitness 4 Life, where she helps children and adults build strength, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for movement. Lisa’s gymnastics journey began at just three years old, and by seven, she was competing in a development program for young athletes. She went on to represent her county at the regional level, finishing her competitive career as an All-Around County Champion at 18. At only 14, Lisa began coaching at her local club—supporting young gymnasts, choreographing routines, and assisting at competitions. She later earned multiple British Gymnastics coaching certifications, including Level 5 Assistant Club Coach, Level 4 Club Coach, and Preschool Gymnastics Instructor, along with advanced training in biomechanics, child development, and skill progression. Over the years, Lisa has taught in private clubs, sports centers, schools, and camps, working with children of all ages. Her teaching philosophy centers on confidence, joy, and perseverance through movement, helping every child discover their own strength and potential. At Intiwasi, Lisa brings her contagious energy and love of movement to every class, creating experiences that build not only physical skills but also teamwork, resilience, and self-belief—core values that align beautifully with the IB Learner Profile.

Born and raised in Rome, Italy, Marika discovered her passion for working with children at the end of high school, when she began assisting teachers for 3–5-year-olds at her dance school. A dedicated child development and rehabilitation therapist, Marika brings over 14 years of experience 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 and is a Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) in Italy, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She is also a Certified International Trainer with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM). In Rome, Marika worked at Nuova S.A.I.R., where she conducted comprehensive evaluations, designed individualized education programs (IEPs), and implemented data-driven strategies to help children achieve measurable growth. Her approach focuses on enhancing adaptive behavior, social-emotional skills, communication, cognitive functions, and physical development, always through compassion and strong collaboration with families. Marika’s work has spanned clinical and educational settings, including pediatric rehabilitation centers, preschools, elementary schools, and early intervention programs. She believes deeply in holistic education, having collaborated closely with pediatricians, neurologists, and educators to ensure every child receives well-rounded, coordinated support. 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, they fill my life with laughter every day.” Outside of her professional life, Marika enjoys traveling, Pilates, photography, hiking, video games, and spending time with her family.

Originally from Ecuador, Ximena Medina began her teaching career there, spending eight years as an English teacher across multiple grade levels. During that time, she was first introduced to the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, which inspired her appreciation for inquiry-based and holistic approaches to learning. Ximena is passionate about art, creativity, and self-expression, and has always dreamed of combining those passions with her teaching. After relocating to Los Angeles, she joined Intiwasi in 2022, where she found the opportunity to bring her creative and bilingual background into the classroom. Since joining Intiwasi, Ximena has completed two IB PYP trainings and Singapore Math professional development, a program she has grown to love and skillfully integrates into her lessons. She uses her creativity to design hands-on, meaningful projects that make complex mathematical and conceptual ideas accessible and fun. Through art, exploration, and play, she inspires her students to think critically, express themselves, and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Jessica is a firm believer that we attract what we desire. From an early age, she dreamed of teaching young children — a dream that became reality when she joined Intiwasi, where she feels grateful to work alongside inspiring students, teachers, and families each day. Originally from El Salvador, Jessica lived there for 19 years before moving to California. A native Spanish speaker, she finds joy in introducing children to a second language through songs, play, and everyday conversation, helping them develop curiosity, confidence, and a sense of cultural pride. Jessica first discovered her passion for teaching while volunteering as a catechism instructor at her church in El Salvador. After relocating to the United States, she earned an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from El Camino College and recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in Education, an accomplishment that fills the Intiwasi community with pride. At Intiwasi, Jessica views teaching not merely as a job, but as a calling, a way to guide children with love, empathy, and purpose. She embraces the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, nurturing students’ natural curiosity, independence, and compassion through inquiry-based, hands-on learning experiences.

Álvaro Carmena-Black is a Spanish-American trumpet player who began his musical journey at the age of seven. Since then, he has dedicated himself to growing as both a performer and an educator. After moving to the United States, Álvaro immersed himself in diverse teaching methods and musical styles, ranging from the classical William Adam method to jazz improvisation. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Brass Performance Studies from the Berklee College of Music in May 2022. Álvaro joined the Intiwasi team in 2023, where he shares his passion for music by creating joyful, hands-on learning experiences that connect rhythm, expression, and culture. As an educator, he strives to inspire each student to explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of music.

Alejandra Deras earned her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Over the past years, she has gained valuable experience working as a substitute teacher, teaching assistant, and after-school program leader, supporting children from preschool through elementary school.