Rafael Arellano
Executive Director, Founder and Spanish Instructor
Rafael was born in Cuernavaca, México, the City of the Eternal Spring. He started teaching Spanish when he was 16 years old and is still doing it at Edúcate Ya. He received a BA in Pastoral Ministries from Marylhurst University, and did his graduate studies in Theology at Mt. Angel. He has been an advocate for education among Latinos, has offered opportunities for those that are interested in learning Spanish and about Latino cultures, and has provided the opportunity to study abroad. He has a MA in Spanish Literature and has taught in four community colleges in the Portland area. He is the founder and executive director of Educate Ya.
Executive Director, Founder and Spanish Instructor
Rafael was born in Cuernavaca, México, the City of the Eternal Spring. He started teaching Spanish when he was 16 years old and is still doing it at Edúcate Ya. He received a BA in Pastoral Ministries from Marylhurst University, and did his graduate studies in Theology at Mt. Angel. He has been an advocate for education among Latinos, has offered opportunities for those that are interested in learning Spanish and about Latino cultures, and has provided the opportunity to study abroad. He has a MA in Spanish Literature and has taught in four community colleges in the Portland area. He is the founder and executive director of Educate Ya.
Daniel Alfaro Blanco
Executive Assistant and Academic Coordinator
Executive Assistant and Academic Coordinator
Dixon Bourne
Event Coordinator
He/him
¡ Hola hola !
I’m Dixon from California. I began my career as an accountant after obtaining a degree in economics. That didn’t stick. After traveling around the world with a surfboard under my arm, I’m glad to have settled down in Portland as Educate Ya’s event coordinator and facilities manager. I love this city despite its distance from the waves, and I’m stoked to foster its cultural diversity. I am currently learning Spanish (me estoy calentando) and learning how to teach English too.
Reach out with any questions about our events!
Event Coordinator
He/him
¡ Hola hola !
I’m Dixon from California. I began my career as an accountant after obtaining a degree in economics. That didn’t stick. After traveling around the world with a surfboard under my arm, I’m glad to have settled down in Portland as Educate Ya’s event coordinator and facilities manager. I love this city despite its distance from the waves, and I’m stoked to foster its cultural diversity. I am currently learning Spanish (me estoy calentando) and learning how to teach English too.
Reach out with any questions about our events!
Zach Larkin
Grant Writer
Hola! My name is Zach Larkin, and I am responsible for supporting Edúcate Ya’s programs and team as Grant Writer. I have coordinated donor engagement and partnership agreement strategies in the educational nonprofit field since 2016, and have been a proud Portland resident since 2022. Prior to nonprofits, I worked as a development intern for several film production companies & television networks while attending the University of Southern California, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in History with Honors and minors in Screenwriting, Playwriting, and Cinematic Arts. I am passionate about providing meaningful educational experiences to learners of all ages, and eager to promote bilingual dialogues within our community.
Grant Writer
Hola! My name is Zach Larkin, and I am responsible for supporting Edúcate Ya’s programs and team as Grant Writer. I have coordinated donor engagement and partnership agreement strategies in the educational nonprofit field since 2016, and have been a proud Portland resident since 2022. Prior to nonprofits, I worked as a development intern for several film production companies & television networks while attending the University of Southern California, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in History with Honors and minors in Screenwriting, Playwriting, and Cinematic Arts. I am passionate about providing meaningful educational experiences to learners of all ages, and eager to promote bilingual dialogues within our community.
Instructors
Diego
Spanish and ESL All levels
Pronouns: he/him/el Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Hola! Soy Diego! I hold a degree in Journalism from Universidad Autonoma de Occidente in Cali - Colombia where I'm originally from. My experience includes Public Relations, working with educational programs for studying abroad, and teaching languages. I consider myself a passionate traveler and hiker who loves nature. That's why I decided to explore Brazil for twelve years. There, I studied applied linguistics and started my career as a language teacher. I have taught English, Spanish, and Portuguese for the last 10 years, focusing my classes primarily on conversation. I believe that language learning is most effective when students use vocabulary and grammar structures to discuss their experiences and talk about their reality. Drawn by the vibrant and eclectic atmosphere, I decided to moved to Portland, where I quickly fell in love with the city's unique vibe.
Spanish and ESL All levels
Pronouns: he/him/el Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Hola! Soy Diego! I hold a degree in Journalism from Universidad Autonoma de Occidente in Cali - Colombia where I'm originally from. My experience includes Public Relations, working with educational programs for studying abroad, and teaching languages. I consider myself a passionate traveler and hiker who loves nature. That's why I decided to explore Brazil for twelve years. There, I studied applied linguistics and started my career as a language teacher. I have taught English, Spanish, and Portuguese for the last 10 years, focusing my classes primarily on conversation. I believe that language learning is most effective when students use vocabulary and grammar structures to discuss their experiences and talk about their reality. Drawn by the vibrant and eclectic atmosphere, I decided to moved to Portland, where I quickly fell in love with the city's unique vibe.
Elizabeth
Spanish/Italian Teacher All levels
Pronouns: she/ella/her
Hi, I´m a native Spanish speaker. I was born in Mexico, City, and I studied Italian Literature & Language at UNAM. I love to teach, and for that, I studied a course in Didactic at Università per Stranieri in Siena, Italy, and after a Master in Competency-Based Education.
I taught Italian and Spanish for 15 years at the university UNAM, and now I’m here in Portland Oregon to share with you all my Spanish and Italian language, my experience, and my Latin culture.
Gracias!!!
Elizabeth.
Spanish/Italian Teacher All levels
Pronouns: she/ella/her
Hi, I´m a native Spanish speaker. I was born in Mexico, City, and I studied Italian Literature & Language at UNAM. I love to teach, and for that, I studied a course in Didactic at Università per Stranieri in Siena, Italy, and after a Master in Competency-Based Education.
I taught Italian and Spanish for 15 years at the university UNAM, and now I’m here in Portland Oregon to share with you all my Spanish and Italian language, my experience, and my Latin culture.
Gracias!!!
Elizabeth.
Dixon Bourne
ESL All levels Grammar/ Spanish Pronouns: he/him/his Languages Spoken: English, Spanish |
Rafael Arellano
Spanish All levels Grammar |