Meet the Mariposas Instructors

Teachers are one of the most important part of a child’s learning process. Mariposas is a small collective of teachers that love working with children and understand the importance of learning a language at a young age. Through different backgrounds, each instructor brings their own creativity and uniqueness to Mariposas in order to continue offering the best to Austin’s children.

We share a common goal: for our students to be excited about speaking another language. Our classes emphasize fun learning without any pressure. Our instructors have all worked with children extensively. They are fluent speakers, nurturing, compassionate, and well rounded. We strive for a true Spanish experience and encourage our students to practice with one another in and out of the classroom.

Our Teachers are…

Qualified

All Mariposas Teachers go through a rigorous training on the Mariposas Curriculum & Procedures. Additionally, they are required to take 6 hours of continuing education per school year and observe Mariposas & Montessori classrooms for further inspiration and knowledge.

Certified

All Mariposas Teachers have been finger printed and background checked through F.A.C.T Clearing House (Fast Pass), affiliated with the Texas Department of Safety. All staff members are also CPR/First Aid Certified.

Vaccinated

All Mariposas Teachers are vaccinated against COVID-19. Depending on the kind of activity your child is participating in with Mariposas, we will communicate with you about the exact procedures we will be following

Core Instructors | Team

  • Yvette Montalvo

    Founder | Instructor

    (she/her)

    Yvette is a native Spanish speaker and received her B.A. in Marketing and Spanish from UT Austin. She founded Mariposas Spanish in 1999 and has developed a curriculum that allows each child to learn in a comfortable setting and gives each individual a strong framework on which they can grow and develop confidence in speaking and learning a foreign language.

    Meet Yvette

  • Lihlu Fuentes

    Instructor

    (she/her)

    Maestra Lihlu keeps the whole Mariposas team hip. She started with us as a high school intern in the summer of 2017 and has been a responsible, fun, engaging instructor. When she’s not traveling the world, you can find Lihlu at our summer camps or working remotely on her classroom material.

    Meet Lihlu

  • Ashley Romero

    Instructor (on maternity leave)

    (she/her)

    Maestra Ashley has been an amazing addition to Mariposas team since joining us in 2019. She moved to Austin from Buenos Aires in 2015 and has enjoyed spending this time working with children. Maestra Ashley is currently on maternity leave.

    Meet Ashley

  • Flor Rizzo

    Instructor/Sub

    (she/her)

    Maestra Flor is a joy to watch teaching! She works with our youngest community (18 months) up to our Elementary students. Prior to being with Mariposas, she was a public school teacher. Now she enjoys sharing her magic with a variety of ages in the surrounding Austin area .

    Meet Flor

  • Kiki Hernandez

    Enrollment Supervisor

    (she/her)

    Kiki joins Mariposas with over 25 years experience in of executive administration. Although she is currently retired, she loves to keep busy helping out at her grandson’s elementary school and working part time with Mariposas families. Kiki is a full time grandmother and loves to bake, crochet and help out in her community.

    Email Kiki

Guest Instructors

  • Monica Caivano

    Dance Instructor

    (she/her)

    Co-founder of Esquina Tango, Monica is the operational director and events co-director. She began teaching tango in 1997, in Austin, Texas. In Austin, her love for the arts did not leave but rather intensified. Her motivation for teaching was and continues to be to share her love for the dance, the music, and the culture. Her incentive is to get people “out in the street” dancing. Her charisma and warm personality engages students.

  • Paula Sanchez

    Toddler Camp Instructor

    (she/her)

    Maestra Paula is from Bogota, Columbia and moved to Austin, TX at just six years old. Learning a new language in a new country was a challenge, but she enjoyed the different and fun ways she could learn English. Paula believes that a teacher can make a big difference in a child’s life and enjoys getting to know each student as an individual during camps.

  • Jaime Nair

    Camp Instructor

    (she/her)

    Maestra Jaime became fluent in Spanish after living and working in Central America for 3 years with the Institute for Central American Development Studies and Punta Mona Sustainable Living Project. She has earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Bilingual Education from Texas State University. And has been a bilingual elementary teacher for 20 years.

  • Hortencia “Tencha” Guerrero

    Culinary Instructor

    (she/her)

    Maestra Tencha has been the cooking class instructor since joining Mariposas Spanish in 2005. She is a native of Monterrey, Mexico and is aunt to Mariposas director, Yvette. Tencha has been a crucial pillar in raising the children of the family and brings the strong values of compassion and kindness to our students. Year after year she is a summer camp favorite and we are glad to have her!

  • Vianey Camorlinga

    Assistant Instructor

    (she/her)

    Maestra Vianey has a lifetime of experience in education, language and kids. Born in Mexico City, but raised in Austin she has had the wonderful opportunity to watch her home grow and become more and more diverse. Vianey has dedicated herself to building a smooth educational journey for students and is a wonderful contribution to the Mariposas team!

  • Laura Gonzalez

    Guest Teacher & Consultant

    (she/her)

    Maestra Laura has been teaching with Mariposas since 1999. In fall of 2023, Laura will be taking a break to continue her studies. When she can, she will be supporting our team through guest teaching and consulting.