My passion for teaching stems from the values inculcated by my mother, a former teacher and nurse, and my oldest brother, an elementary school teacher. They also spring from my own positive experiences with my elementary school teacher Tía Nana (I loved her class so much that I was almost always the first person to arrive every day!), from my work in Seattle Public Schools, and from the invaluable notes, conversations and discussions with teachers and peers during my graduate teaching program. 

I was born and raised in Chile and moved to the United States in 1998.  I have a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Concepción in Chile. I completed internships at Plymouth Marine Laboratory in England and at the University of Umea in Sweden. After I finished my undergraduate degree, I worked as a marine biologist for the University of Hawaii, the University of Concepción, and for a Chilean government institution. During that period, I had the opportunity to teach a freshman course at the University of Magallanes. I also worked as a volunteer with an organization for blind people, providing reading, counseling, and general assistance. In December 2010, I finished my Masters in Teaching K-8 at Heritage University in Seattle.

I have worked at Seattle Public Schools for seven years with K-5 students and their families. Being a bilingual educator has allowed me to work with kids of all ages and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, which has been one of the greatest experiences of my life because I have learned strategies to channel a student's frustrations into a positive learning experience and to listen carefully to what each student has to say, no matter what her or his background may be. 

My teaching philosophy is based on the principles of reflection, excellence, equality, and the critical issue of child safety. At McDonald, I want to provide every student in my classroom with the necessary tools and skills that will enable her or him to reach academic and social excellence. I also want my students to expand their minds and leave the classroom with dignity and hope in their hearts and to think critically about the society they live in.

I am excited to be a part of this learning community, and I look forward to working in close collaboration with students, parents, and school staff.