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. 
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Daniel Alfaro Blanco
Executive Assistant and Academic Coordinator
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Janet Munoz
​​Event Coordinator
She/her/hers ​
I am originally from Phoenix ,Arizona  and moved to Portland 12 years ago . Since a young age my mom has worked with many nonprofit organizations and took me along . We did many things such as marching for LGBTQ rights , undocumented rights , knocking on doors , made phone calls etc . Since those days I got a passion to work with my community ,and learning/sharing experiences from many different cultures . I also enjoy spending time with my family and 3 fur babies ! ​
Melissa Orozco
AVANZA Program Coordinator
ESL & Spanish Teacher

I was born in Guatemala and lived there most of my life until I moved to California. The transition was difficult and pushed me out of my comfort zone in various ways.  Even though art has been an important part of my life, I never thought I would be spending most of my time creating it.  

As a child I always felt at home in nature; I used to spent endless hours in my parents garden. When I became an adult I decided to study biology and began to pick up oil painting on a side as a hobby.  I tried to experiment with other forms of art like music and sculpture, but I realized my artistic connection is the expression of color.   
Sophia Lanina
She/her
Health Educators Program Coordinator
​I was born here in Portland and grew up in Eugene, where my mama encouraged me to learn Spanish and to always maintain a connection to our Mexican community. After graduating high school I spent time working as a nanny in Spain, and later traveled throughout other Spanish speaking countries like Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, and Mexico. I went to school sporadically throughout my early twenties, eventually landing back in Portland at PSU. I graduated with a BA in Social Sciences with a focus on Chicana/Latina studies. I’ve always felt passionate about connecting with and uplifting Latinx communities, and in my spare time I love to go dancing with friends, try new vegan recipes, read in the sun with my cat, and make music with my band.  
Anna Salcido
She/her
Intercambio & ESL Classes Coordinator
Outreach Worker
​My name is Anna Salcido. I am 34 years old and was born in Arizona but grew up in Mexico. I have been living very happily in Portland for more than three years. Since I arrived, I have had the opportunity to start working as a Spanish teacher applying methods such as Montessori and sign language. It has been a wonderful experience to be able to develop with the children and grow professionally day by day. I have a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and my experience with customer service has built my discipline and passion. I love spending my time with my family, camping, meditating, reading, and drinking coffee or tea.

​Thank You for the opportunity, I am very excited to be part of the team.
 
Sincerely,
Anna Salcido

EDITH JAIMES
Outreach Worker
NACE COLE 
​Outreach Worker
Hola, My name is Nace Cole. I am an Outreach & Marketing Coordinator here at Educate Ya . Although I may wear many hats from time to time considering my many talents and versatile skills. I hold an Associate degree in Applied Science, Business Management/Marketing Development and Choreography, along with many other accomplished trades skills.  I’m also heavily active in the local 737 laborers union. I have spent the majority of my professional career in the Portland metropolitan area. With over 15 years in the non-profit sector. Over time I have developed a strong sense of service within the Latino community and in the community at large with regard to cultural, social- political and economic concerns in order to create social change for equality for everyone.
In addition, with my complimentary skills of cultural understanding and non-bias approach. I have developed a particular set of skills for networking which provides me with a unique approach to professional relationship-building with corporate and non-corporate entities, while identifying the bridge for potential future opportunities for both parties. I also attend a wide variety of community meetings and events representing and promoting Educate Ya. My personal self-reflection in life is to enjoy the finer things in life, but don’t judge by them. Enjoy the small moments and take nothing for granted. I also love new emerging technologies, dancing and movies.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
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John Quincy Adams
Nace Cole
Him/He ​

Spanish/English Instructors

Belinda Calderon
​Spanish All levels Grammar 
Hola! As a native Spanish speaker sharing the love for my language and culture has being a passion in my life the past 30 years. I was born and raised in Venezuela where I attended college and earned a Computer Programming Degree. I always dreamed of learning English as a second language maybe because of my love for English music even though I did understand anything. I had the opportunity to come to Brigham Young University for a year and submerge  in a full time English program. During that time I met my husband and the rest is history.  I love teaching Spanish and I try to bring as much of my culture into class as possible. I believe that a good education shapes not only minds but hearts as well. I enjoy spending time with my husband John, my daughters, my son and our 2 adorable furry babies. I have played the piano since I was 5 years old and continue to feel fascinated with the magic that music brings. I believe that in this changing world, learning another language is very important in helping us become better and kinder people.
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Hope to meet you all soon. Hasta pronto!

Adrian Neri
Spanish All levels Grammar 
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Pronouns: he/him/his  Languages Spoken: English, Spanish  

Adrián is a journalist, dancer, teacher, and community organizer from Aguascalientes, Mexico. Adrián has a degree in Communication and Information from the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes and studied Mexican Folklore at the University of Arts from the Cultural Institute of Aguascalientes. In Mexico, he taught Art, Spanish, and English for elementary-college students and  worked for the local government in his community. 

Adrián came to the United States in 2015 as an asylee after having done community journalism in his hometown of San José de Gracia. Upon arrival in Atlanta, GA, he worked in office cleaning, yard work, painting and restaurants. 
In Oakland, CA, he worked at Viva el Español, teaching Spanish in a kindergarten and an elementary school. 
In Seattle, WA he worked at Entre Hermanos, an LGBTQ non-profit organization, as a peer educator and outreach worker educating the community about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. In Casa Latina, a day laborer center, he was a Spanish instructor and a health and safety promoter. Also, he worked for Villa Comunitaria and YouthCare, in the first non-profit organization, as coordinator of the basketball tournament and in the second one as youth counselor for migrant children separated from their families by the federal government when crossing the border. 

In Portland, OR, he worked as the MLK Jr Worker Center Director at Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project, coordinating the operation of the Center to offer employment, education and defense opportunities to day laborers.

As a volunteer in Mexico and the USA, he has collaborated in organizations that work with hospitalized children and their families, migrant children, children whose first language is Spanish, day laborers, the LGBTQ community, elderly people in a state of neglect, and people with disabilities. 
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He is a proud foster parent for Youth Progress to youth who are Spanish-speaking or of Latin American descent. His passions are dancing, traveling, writing, reading, and working with the community doing volunteer work. He wants to learn how to play an instrument, play a sport, and find new challenges in life.
Rafael Arellano 
Spanish All levels Grammar 
Melissa Orozco
Spanish All levels Grammar 
​ESL All Level
Melissa Reyes
​ESL All Level
​My Name is Melissa Reyes. I am a New York born Puerto Rican. I was born in Brooklyn, New York.  At a young age I learned that success can be achieved through education and hard work. 
 
Growing up I had wonderful opportunities to acquire a higher education than most from my native community. I lived in New York, Maryland, Florida and California before moving to Portland One year ago. 
 
My decision to move to Portland is genuinely a love of the city. Although I came to know this city in a time that many call, "Not the same as it was", I see the hope and love its citizens have for it and I share the same hope and dream to see it flourish once again. 
 
My dedication to this city and its communities are my focus and motivation for working towards a better future. 
 
- Juntos, Si Se Puede!