Elementary & Middle School Teachers
Maria Arévalo
Kinder
Originally from El Salvador, María moved to the United States nine years ago. She enjoys walking and spending quality time with her family. Currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College, María is in her fourth year with Seattle Amistad School. Her passion for teaching and commitment to making a positive impact make her a valued member of the community. She firmly believes that love is what truly defines a family.
Lucia Alvarez
1st Grade
Known as “Maestra Lucia,” Lucia Alvarez was born in Lima, Peru, and moved to the U.S. in 1999, settling in Seattle in 2010. Teaching since 2011 and part of Amistad since 2017, she values early childhood education and Amistad’s celebration of diverse cultures. In her free time, Lucia enjoys traveling, family time, reading, and dancing. She dreams of exploring the world while continuing to inspire young lives through teaching.
Thania Chicas
1st &2nd Grade
Thania Chicas graduated as a lawyer in 2007 from the Oriental Multidisciplinary Faculty in her hometown. Her passion for education led her to pursue a second degree, and in 2010 she graduated as an educator from the University of El Salvador. Since then, she has found her true professional joy in the classroom.
Although moving to the United States in April 2015 was not part of her original life plans—and she arrived without knowing a single phrase in English—she rediscovered her purpose through teaching. In 2020, she earned her B.A. in the Arts of Education from Goddard College.
For Thania, being a teacher is deeply rewarding and one of the greatest privileges in life. She believes that working with children has healed her own wounds and fills her with daily gratitude. She often says that if there is only one good and important thing we can do in this life, it is to love children.
Amistad is her place. She loves the program and is deeply thankful to be part of the community.
Francisca Gastelum
2nd &3rd Grade
Francisca Gastelum, originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, holds a degree in Systems Engineering but found her true passion in education. With experience in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, as well as school administration, she is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Known for her warmth, organization, and commitment to social justice, Francisca integrates cultural values into her teaching to inspire future generations. As part of Seattle Amistad School, she takes joy in guiding students through their academic journey.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and mountain climbing. She strives daily to uplift young voices and advocate for equality and social justice.
Mabel Gonzalez
4th &5th Grade
Born in Miami and raised in Nicaragua, Mabel discovered her passion for teaching through community programs as a teenager. She holds a degree in Pedagogy and has over 10 years of experience working with children in Nicaragua and Seattle. A part of Seattle Amistad School for nearly five years, Mabel values its multicultural community and the chance to celebrate her language and culture. In her free time, she enjoys reading, sharing book reviews, and caring for her cats, Mr. Darcy and Lizzy.
Luisa Moreno
Middle School
Luisa grew up in Seattle and earned her BA in History, Education, and Spanish from the University of Washington. She has worked with Green Lake Elementary’s drama program, the Seattle Public Library, and UW Riverways Education Partnerships, where she led a literacy arts project across Washington State. Passionate about empowering young people, especially through reading and writing, Luisa is excited to be part of the Amistad community. In her free time, she enjoys sharing meals with family, playing board games with friends, and creating art.
Rafael Rodriguez
Math Teacher
Rafael Rodriguez, originally from El Salvador, is a dedicated math teacher with over 20 years of experience teaching middle and high school students. He graduated as a teacher in 1999 and began his career in 2000 in his home country, developing a passionate and practical approach to education. Since 2021, Rafael has been part of the Amistad community, where he has found a rewarding experience working with students of all ages. He enjoys inspiring his students to overcome challenges and build confidence in their mathematical abilities. Outside the classroom, Rafael shares his love for soccer by coaching a girls’ soccer team and teaching the sport to students. For him, soccer is a powerful tool to foster discipline, teamwork, and confidence in young people, both on and off the field.
Alfredo De La Hoz
P.E Teacher
Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Alfredo De La Hoz has over 18 years of experience as a physical education teacher and Level II volleyball coach. He has worked with students of all ages and coached university volleyball teams. Since moving to Seattle in 2011, Alfredo has been part of the Seattle Amistad School community for six years, valuing its strong sense of community. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, exploring TV shows, and dreaming of living by the beach. Alfredo is proud to share his passion for physical education, helping students grow and thrive.
Sarah Grace Richardson
English Teacher
Sarah Grace Richardson moved to Seattle from Texas four years ago. As the oldest of five children, she was inspired to join Amistad by her youngest brother—a ten-year-old who is half Mexican. She wanted to learn Spanish to better communicate with him and understand his culture, especially since he lives in Texas with limited cultural connection through only his father.
A 2020 graduate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a BA in Communications and minor in Marketing, Sarah Grace discovered her passion for teaching while working as a children’s gymnastics instructor at The Little Gym. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in child development and psychology.
Though new to Amistad, Sarah Grace has quickly embraced the community and sees her role as an excellent opportunity to develop Spanish fluency while working with students and families.