Our Story

I experienced the transitory nature of being the child of a military parent.  Having experienced multiple moves during my K-12 experience, I understand what new students and families face each time they must start again in a new location, new school, and new community.  With school memories from Nevada, Hawaii, New Mexico, Alabama, and Texas - where I moved in with a teacher's family to complete my senior year - I recall the feeling of being disconnected from those around me.  It was the outreach from teachers and administrators that made a difference in my success. 

With each move, I brought with me a multitude of experiences and educational knowledge that I was wanted to share.  So do second language students and our second language families.  Through the right plan of reaching out, in their home language, those students can share what they know and those parents and families can become integral partners in their child's education. 

I suppose it is not surprising that I became a middle school teacher, a move that launched a full career in education. I worked to build a sense of community in my classrooms, the schools in which I was principal, and ultimately the district in which I retired as the director of human resources.  I completed my PhD in Education and Leadership at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon and am currently completing my MBA there as well.  My experience and skills have led me to work with Patricia on our dream of connecting schools, programs, and businesses with the students, families, and parents they serve. 

I know connections matter.  They matter to the students, families, and staff in schools.  They matter to community programs looking to connect with those they can serve.  They matter to small businesses who look to grow and serve their community.

In the Spring of 2002 I moved to Eugene, Oregon with my 5-year-old daughter, leaving behind my country of Peru, family, and friends.  Leaving behind everything I knew that made me feel comfortable, protected, and safe. I was looking for financial security, something that was becoming difficult for the working middle class in the city of Lima, a city I loved.  My story of change is the story of many immigrants who seek opportunities for themselves and their children. 

With a bachelor degree in Architecture, earned in my first language of Spanish at the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, I made the decision to move to the United States with my daughter. I moved knowing my education, skills, and abilities would not automatically transfer to work opportunities I may want due to not yet mastering English. That did not stop me. 

The immense change in our lives meant learning a language we barely understood, my daughter learning faster than myself!  As the mother of a child starting kindergarten, I relied on translations and interpreters to connect with those educating my child.  I wanted to fully support my child and be engaged in her educational experience and growth.  At the time, I needed additional support to do that.   As with most second language learners, I began to understand more than I felt comfortable expressing in English.  An experience many Spanish speaking parents have shared with me.

Earning my dual citizenship, and being a Peruvian American, has led me to understand as an interpreter you must take into account the various cultures of those in the meeting or presentation, and know how to deal with difficult, emotional, and sensitive situations and conversations.  It takes more than just knowing two languages to properly meet the translation and interpretation needs.  It takes knowing how to assist monolingual staff in accessing the translation and interpretation skills being provided.  It takes building relationships to best meet the needs of those we are serving.

Our Team

Each member brings unique skills and a shared passion for improving bilingual communication in schools, community programs, small businesses, and local/state agencies.