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.
“Energetic teachers, engaging lessons, great COVID safety measures! Y’all were one of the few who took it seriously this year.”
-Jen G. 2021
“The teachers involved in Mariposas are so loving, easy to get along with and easy to communicate with. I always know our children are being well cared for!”
-Anonymous 2021
Our Teachers are Certified
All Mariposas Teachers have been finger printed/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.
Our Teachers are Qualified
All Mariposas Teachers go through a vigorous 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.
The Core Team
Yvette Montalvo (she/her) – Founder and Instructor
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.
Laura Gonzalez-de Leon (she/her) – Enrollment Coordinator and Instructor
Laura has been with Mariposas Spanish since 2009. She has been speaking Spanish since she was a little girl in the Rio Grande Valley and has loved being a bilingual educator for ten years. Learn more about Laura below!
Ashley Romero (she/her) – Instructor
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.
Flor Rizzo (she/her) – Instructor
Meet Flor! Our newest team member that we are excited to collaborate with on many levels. She is easy going, kind and brings loads of experience to our program.
Guest Instructors
Lihlu Fuentes (she/her) – Curriculum Design | Instructor
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, and engaging instructor for all of our students. You can find Lihlu at camp or in the Mariposas office when she’s not traveling the world.
Sevylla del Mazo (she/her) – Music Instructor
Maestra Sevylla is a second-generation Cuban American and native Spanish speaker. She is the founder of Roots & Rhythms, a cultural arts and music education program that aims to increase community fellowship by providing a percussion program to local youth. We love having her at camps to teach music!
Paula Sanchez (she/her) – Toddler Camp Instructor
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 (she/her) – Camp Instructor
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.
Marianne Marin (she/her) – Camp Assistant
Marianne has been a primary Montessori guide, ages 3-5, at Private & Montessori schools. She has been teaching for over 16 years and assisting at our camps since 2011. She grew up overseas and attended high school in Barcelona, Spain. Marianne is patient, kind, fun and a great addition to our camps!
Hortencia “Tencha” Guerrero (she/her) – Culinary Instructor
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 (she/her) – Assistant Instructor
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!