Meet our K-5 Director

Maria is a native from Caracas, Venezuela and she has been thrilled to call Dripping Springs home since 2013. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education and majored in Pedagogy at the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in her hometown of Caracas.  

Maria moved to Paris, France in the summer of 1996, where she studied French at La Sorbonne University. When she visited Austin for the first time, Maria fell in love with the Texas bright blue sky and the kindness of the people. She made Austin her home and raised her two beloved daughters, Sophie and Andrea.

As part of College requirements to graduate in Venezuela, Maria had her first teaching experience as a substitute in 1st grade. She has fond memories of her first class as well of her middle and high school students, when she taught Literacy for her undergrad internship.  While living overseas, Maria had the opportunity to teach elementary students in Mexico City. In Austin she has taught toddlers, kinder, elementary, middle schoolers, and SPED kids in her 15+ years of experience in public and private schools.  

Maria feels honored to be a founder member of the Appamada elementary team and to get to know and work with the children in the community where she lives. It gives her joy to work with the children individually and support their individual learning styles. Maria values a holistic approach to teaching due to her Montessori certification, as a guide for the 3 to 6 year old. As an educator, her goal is to make a positive impact in the lives of all of her students, nurture their love of learning, create a safe learning environment where they can express themselves and take risks in their learning.

In her spare time, Maria adores spending time with her family and dogs, as well as reading, cooking, gardening, and going on hikes to enjoy nature.

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