About us
Our Mission: Bridging Cultures and Learning
We all need support through the most important period of our children: the early years
At Seattle Amistad School, we recognize the early years as a critical foundation for a child’s future. We partner with families to provide a nurturing, bilingual environment that fosters curiosity, emotional growth, and a love for learning. Together, we build the support system children need to thrive during this essential stage of development.
Inclusive
We celebrate diversity, ensuring every child feels valued and supported in a community where everyone thrives together.
Responsible
We foster responsibility by teaching students to care for themselves, others, and their environment, building a foundation for thoughtful and accountable actions.
Respectful
We instill respect by teaching students to value themselves, others, and the world around them, creating a culture of kindness and understanding.
Collaborative
We nurture collaboration by encouraging students to work together, share ideas, and support one another to achieve common goals.
Vision
At Seattle Amistad School, we envision a community where children can embrace their cultural values while receiving a high-quality education. We believe schools thrive when they are rooted in and actively nurture students’ cultural and linguistic strengths. Our goal is to empower students to navigate their own cultural identities while understanding and appreciating those of others. By equipping children with the tools to bridge cultural and linguistic divides, we prepare them to lead with compassion and contribute to a more just and inclusive world..
Mission
At Amistad, we center and radically commit to joy, excellence, and liberation for Black, brown, and Indigenous students and families. As a two-way dual language program, we prioritize native Spanish-speaking families and strengthen our students’
connections to their home languages and cultures. We nurture bilingual, bicultural, and bi-literate students who use their gifts to change the future for their communities, families, and themselves.
Meet the teachers
Experts in giving your children best start
Martha David- Orugas Class
Andy Jordan- Orugas Class
A proud mother of two beautiful children, Pierina (26) and Andres (11), is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador. She moved to Seattle, Washington with her family in 2018.
Andrea has been part of the Seattle Amistad School community for two years and feels proud to contribute to this vibrant environment. She is currently pursuing a degree in Education at North Seattle College, with the goal of completing her studies and furthering her career in education.
Her dream is to finish her degree in Education and continue making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in her community.
Jhensy Elias- Crisálidas class
Maritza Rios- Crisálidas class
Pierina Silva- Mariposas Class
Pierina is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, and arrived in Seattle in 2018 with her family. She is married and the mother of a young boy named Jaiden. After completing her primary and secondary education in Ecuador, she is currently pursuing her third state certificate in Education at North Seattle College.
This is Pierina’s third year as a member of the Seattle Amistad School community. Her experience with young children and her passion for teaching and learning from them make her a valuable part of the team. Pierina firmly believes that the key to effective teaching is educating with love and respecting children’s ideas, fostering an environment where they feel valued and heard.
Outside the classroom, Pierina loves spending time in nature, enjoying outdoor hikes, exploring waterfalls, and watching sunsets. She also cherishes quality time with her family. Her interest in learning about different cultures and their traditions reflects her open-mindedness and curiosity about the world.
Wendy Arrieta- Mariposas Class
Rocio Collantes- Prek 1
Rocio Collantes was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in Jesús María, fondly remembering her childhood in Residencial San Felipe. She studied Banking Administration and is currently pursuing an Early Childhood Education State Certificate (ECE).
Rocio loves traveling, spending time with her family, and dreams of visiting Mykonos and touring Europe. Being part of the Seattle Amistad School community has helped her discover her passion for teaching. She finds great joy working with the children and families, making every day a meaningful experience.
Yuridia Rivera- Prek 1
Esther Angulo- Prek 2
Esther Angulo was born and raised in Lima, Peru, where she studied Education and discovered her passion for teaching young children. She worked as a teacher in Peru for 10 years, specializing in the education of children aged 2 to 5. In 2010, she moved to Seattle to continue her journey in education.
Esther joined Seattle Amistad School in the fall of 2018 and deeply values being part of a community that nurtures both the heart and soul.
In her free time, Esther enjoys drawing, driving around the city, and cycling.
Narda Lechuga- Prek 2
Narda Lechuga was born in Mexico City and grew up in the small town of Huatulco, located on the coast of Oaxaca. She studied graphic design and taught painting to children in Mexico City for two years. Through an exchange program, Narda continued her experience in childcare and teaching art to young children.
Narda has a passion for painting, dancing, watching art films and series, hiking, and traveling. One of her dreams is to create children’s books in Spanish.
She joined the Seattle Amistad School community because of her deep passion for working with children and her strong connection to the values of friendship and love that the school promotes. Narda feels fortunate to be part of the Amistad family, where she can share her knowledge and instill these values in the children she teaches.
María Arévalo- Kinder
Originally from El Salvador and moved to the United States nine years ago. She enjoys going for walks and spending quality time with her family.
María is currently pursuing her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College. This is her fourth year as part of the Seattle Amistad School community. Her love for teaching and her dedication to making a positive impact on others’ lives make her a cherished member of the team. María strongly believes that love is what truly defines a family.
Lucia Alvarez- 1 Grade
Tania Chicas- 1st &2nd Grade
Francisca Gastelum- 2nd &3rd Grade
Mabel Gonzalez- 4th &5th Grade
Was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in Nicaragua, where she discovered her passion for teaching by working in community programs during her teenage years. She holds a degree in Pedagogy with a specialization in primary education and has over 10 years of experience working with children in both Nicaragua and Seattle.
She has been part of the Seattle Amistad School community for nearly five years, a place she deeply values for its collaborative and multicultural approach. For Mabel, teaching at Amistad is an opportunity to both learn and teach in an environment that honors and celebrates her language and culture.
In her free time, she enjoys reading and sharing book reviews on social media while caring for her two adorable cats, Mr. Darcy and Lizzy.
Luisa Moreno- Middle School
Luisa grew up here in Seattle and attended the University of Washington where she got her BA studying History, Education and Spanish. She has also worked at Green Lake Elementary with their drama program, at the Seattle Public Library, and with UW Riverways Education Partnerships, where she ran a literacy arts project in around Washington State. She is passionate about working with young people and helping them make the world a better place, especially through writing and reading! In her free time, Luisa loves to eat big meals with her family, play board games with friends, and find time to make art when she can. She is excited and honored to be apart of the Amistad community.
Alfredo De La Hoz- P.E Teacher
Alfredo De La Hoz, originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, brings over 18 years of experience as a physical education teacher and a Level II volleyball coach. He has taught students from kindergarten to high school, focusing on motor skills development and mini-volleyball programs, and has coached volleyball teams for several universities in Barranquilla. Alfredo has completed numerous national and international courses to continually enhance his skills as an educator and coach.
Since arriving in Seattle in 2011, Alfredo has embraced the city’s culture and beauty, building a close-knit family and contributing to the Seattle Amistad School community for the past six years. He values the school’s commitment to community and strong values.
In his free time, Alfredo enjoys watching sports, exploring television shows, and dreaming of one day living by the beach to watch the sunrise every morning. He is proud to bring his passion for physical education and sports to Amistad, helping students grow and thrive.
Rafael Rodriguez- Math Teacher
Massiel Clavijo-Helper Teacher
Originally from Lima, Peru, and spent many years in the coastal city of Callao, known for its beautiful scenery and wonderful people. She is a chef specializing in Peruvian cuisine, particularly seafood, and has experience in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on early stimulation and development.
Massiel loves spending time with her two children, Lia and Eyttan, and finds great joy in working with children. She is passionate about supporting their growth, learning, and happiness.
Her goal is to continue developing as both an educator and as a leader within the school community. Massiel is committed to personal and professional growth, aspiring to become a lead teacher and make meaningful contributions to the school’s mission.
Josseline Morales-Helper Teacher
Was born and raised in El Salvador. She has been living in Washington State since 2023. Josseline completed her primary and secondary education and has experience working with children of various ages.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, and laughing. Her biggest dream is to open her own dance studio.
Josseline joined Seattle Amistad School because of its strong sense of community and the school’s values, which align perfectly with her own expectations and beliefs.
Martha Rosa Losada- Helper Teacher
Originally from Colombia and holds a high school diploma with additional training in clothing design.
She enjoys walking, visiting the beach, and is passionate about continuous personal growth. Being part of the Seattle Amistad School allows her to learn and improve every day while doing what she loves most: working with children.
Martha is deeply committed to the Amistad community, which she values as a special place that inspires her both personally and professionally.
Silvana Aguilera- Helper Teacher
Originally from Nicaragua, holds a degree in Business Administration and certifications in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from the state of Washington. With four years of experience at Seattle Amistad School, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in ECE at North Seattle College.
Silvana enjoys sharing creativity and art with children to inspire playful learning. In her free time, she loves walking on the beach and listening to Nicaraguan music.
Her dream is to learn another language and explore new cultures. She is proud to be part of Amistad, where she combines her passion for early education with creating safe, nurturing environments that encourage children to explore, ask questions, and grow.