Andrea Cortes is from Colombia and earned her degree in Psychology in Bogotá. She moved to Minneapolis in 1997 and earned her teaching degree in K-6 education and 6-8 Social Studies at St Thomas University. Due to her bilingual abilities and interest in bilingual Education, she worked for Minneapolis Public Schools at Emerson Spanish Immersion school in grades 4-6 while earning her Masters in Science Education. She was the Minneapolis Public school’s teacher in residence at the Bakken Museum in 2003 and taught Middle School Science at Anwatin. She has done staff development for teachers of different schools in Minneapolis, promoting Science education and hands on learning.
She has been working as a 4th grade teacher at Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion since 2012. She believes that the educational experience of a child is a continuous negotiation of meaning, where experiences improve comprehension, interest of learning and promotion of literacy. Bilingual education is crucial for learners so that those worlds interact mentally and increase their ability to interpret the world. Most of her free time is dedicated to her daughters, and the folkloric dance group (“Grupo de Danzas Colombianas en Minnesota”) which they belong to.
Angela (Angie) de Peña is the proud parent of an Éxitos 8th grade daughter, a 6th grade son and is a long time Robbinsdale resident. As a family they love nature, visiting state and National parks, reading and biking.
This is her 19th year as a bilingual teacher in the US. She has taught in bilingual and immersion programs in Saint Paul, Robbinsdale, Richfield, and presently here at Escuela Éxitos. She was a Spanish and pre-law major at Calvin university in Grand Rapids, MI where she did her undergraduate work including a study abroad at la Universidad Pedagógica in Tegucigalpa Honduras. She earned a Masters in Second Languages and Cultures Spanish and ESL from the UMN twin cities and a Second Masters from Hamline specializing in Urban Education and Biliteracy where she earned her classroom licensure.
She is a second generation American with grandparents who emigrated from Sweden and Norway. Angie was born in MN and has lived in Costa Rica, Honduras and Ecuador. She is a passionate advocate for heritage Spanish instruction, bilingual education and social justice.
Angie has been a supporter of Escuela Éxitos since its beginnings and was instrumental in the promotion and recruitment of our school and the ability to open with a 6th grade class.
Sam is a licensed teacher and principal with a decade of experience in teaching and educational leadership. Sam has worked exclusively with underserved populations and a high percentage of English Language Learners.
Dana has 4 kids and live in this community. Two of my children attend Escuela Exitos. She is a firm believer that serving the community you live in is where change happens. She loves sports and fitness and am currently the program director at Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping in MG.
She worked for RAS and Intermediate District 287 and supports the local sports groups. She has been known for building relationships while working in specialized education. She has 20+ years of fostering and building relationships around the Robbinsdale Area community and promoting equity and inclusion. She is action focused and am not afraid to make noise for change.
"I am here to make noise for change, growth and inclusion on behalf of and for ALL at Escuela Exitos", she says.
Ingris is from Guatemala, and has two children. Her eldest started with us in 3rd grade and her son joined us as a Kindergartner in the 22-23 school year. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology which means she understands children at their different stages of growth along with their cognitive and physical development. She is currently enrolled in a Teacher program at Metro State University. Ingris worked at Casa de Corazon as a Lead Teacher and this, along with her experiences, have made her qualified to be a Kinder teacher. We are happy to have her as a staff member.