Maríateresa Torres MaríaTeresa (yes one word) Torres is the lead instructor of Amigos de Palo Alto and has been working with young children for over 20 years, in both the private sector as well as the last 9 years for the Palo Alto Unified School District.   Educated in Colombia, Germany and the United States, Maríateresa has extensive experience working with children in both individual and group learning settings, with an emphasis on early literacy formation.  She has worked with children and families from dozens of countries from every corner of the world.   Maríateresa’s personal interests include the global melting pot of the World Cup (Soccer), which she has traveled to and attended in person every four years since 1982.  An accomplished cook, she also enjoys sharing the favorite dishes of her native Bogotá, Colombia.

Rocio Arango Rocio Arango is the Director of Amigos de Palo Alto. She became interested in the child development field and began her studies in child development prior to having her own children.  She has worked at Marin Day Schools in San Francisco, was actively involved in a Spanish Parent Participation Preschool in the Bay Area, worked for Parents Place in Palo Alto with a program sponsored by FIRST5.  Rocio is a mother of two children ages 5 & 7 and is passionate about her family as well as Spanish Education.

Nohora Rodriguez Nohora Rodriquez is a graduate of San Buenaventura University with a degree in Education Administration.  She was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia.  After graduating from University she worked first as a Spanish language teacher in a private elementary school and later was appointed Vice Principal, a post she held for over 4 years before moving to Northern California in 1998, where she has worked as both a Tutor and Nanny.   Nohora continues to build on her credentials in child development and teaching, doing coursework at De Anza College toward a secondary or post graduate degree in Child Development and Education.   In her spare time, Nohora likes to cook and spend time with family and friends.  She loves the outdoors, and she also loves to travel. She enjoys working at Amigos de Palo Alto and inspiring your children to learn Spanish in a fun and nurturing way.

Kelly Is a teacher's aid.  She has a special way of being with the children.  She provides love and nurturing while at the same time establishes age appropriate limits on the children.  She was born in Colombia and currently is attending Foothill College with an emphasis in child development. Ronald Is a teacher aid.  The children like to be around him lots and he really lets them get away with lots too.  He is originally from Peru, enjoys the company of the children, engages them into sports and science activities.