Meet Our Language Educators & Specialists
At ILSCA, we work with dedicated language educators and specialists who bring their experience, cultural knowledge, and individual approaches to our programs and services. Whether teaching group classes, providing private tutoring, or supporting our educational and language services, each contributes to the welcoming, encouraging environment we value.
Nuria Fortier
Director | Spanish Language Educator
Nuria Fortier
Director | Spanish Language Educator
Hello, I’m Nuria Fortier, Director of the International Language School for Children and Adults (ILSCA).
As a native Spanish speaker and language educator, I’ve always believed that learning another language is about more than vocabulary and grammar. It’s about connecting with people, understanding different cultures, and feeling comfortable expressing yourself.
I hold a certification in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). I continue to build on my teaching experience and explore ways to make language learning engaging, practical, and meaningful.
At ILSCA, I oversee the development of our language and cultural programs while continuing to teach and tutor Spanish. I enjoy working with learners of different ages and backgrounds, helping them practice conversation, ask questions, and discover what they can accomplish at their own pace.
I also facilitate Spanish conversation gatherings for adults, where participants can practice speaking in a relaxed, welcoming environment. These gatherings reflect something I value deeply: language learning brings people together.
I’m grateful to be part of ILSCA’s continued story and its tradition of serving our community since 1991. Whether you’re beginning a new language or returning to one you’ve studied before, I look forward to welcoming you to ILSCA.
Angela Landa
Spanish Language Educator
Angela Landa
Spanish Language Educator
Originally from Peru, Ms. Angie brings her love of the Spanish language and Peruvian culture into the classroom. She enjoys helping children discover Spanish through stories, music, movement, games, and conversation.
Ms. Angie holds a degree in Education from the University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru. Her educational background and creative approach help her make lessons engaging, interactive, and welcoming for young learners.
She believes children learn best when they feel comfortable participating, asking questions, and exploring a new language at their own pace. Her goal is to encourage curiosity and help students develop their Spanish skills through meaningful, age-appropriate activities.
Now living in California with her two children, Ms. Angie values the connection between language, family, and cultural identity. She enjoys sharing her heritage with students and introducing them to the traditions and everyday expressions that make Spanish such a rich language to learn.
Miranda Sue
Mandarin Chinese Language Educator
Miranda Sue
Mandarin Chinese Language Educator
Ms. Miranda brings a thoughtful, patient, and encouraging approach to teaching Mandarin Chinese. She enjoys creating a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable practicing pronunciation, asking questions, and developing their language skills at their own pace.
Her teaching experience began in China, where she worked with children in grades 1–4. That experience helped shape her appreciation for the connection between language, culture, and education.
Since joining ILSCA in 2017, Ms. Miranda has worked with learners at different levels, from beginners discovering Mandarin for the first time to more advanced students developing their communication skills.
With an educational background from Cal Poly Pomona, she combines her teaching experience with a structured, supportive approach. She emphasizes pronunciation, listening, conversation, and cultural understanding, helping students connect what they learn in class with everyday communication.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Miranda enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, exploring different cultures, and spending time with her family. Her curiosity about the world is something she enjoys sharing with her students.
Audrey Campos
Spanish & English Educator
Audrey Campos
Spanish & English Language Educator
With over 31 years of teaching experience, Ms. Campos brings a wealth of knowledge, patience, and dedication to her work as a Spanish and English educator.
A native Californian, she has spent much of her career helping students develop their language skills while encouraging curiosity, participation, and a love of learning.
Ms. Campos holds a master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling (MFCC), a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, and a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential. Her educational background and years of classroom experience have shaped her understanding of the different ways students learn and grow.
She believes that language learning takes practice, encouragement, and consistency. Her teaching approach combines clear instruction, repetition, and opportunities for students to participate at their own pace. She values recognizing each learner’s individual strengths and creating a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and trying something new.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Campos enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family and her two dogs, Shakespeare and Ace. She also enjoys a good game of Phase 10!
For Ms. Campos, teaching is about more than helping students learn a language. It’s also about making learning a positive and meaningful experience.
Latasha Dupar
American Sign Language (ASL)Educator
Latasha Dupar
American Sign Language (ASL) Educator
Ms. Latasha Dupar is a proud Deaf educator with more than 20 years of experience in American Sign Language (ASL) education. Originally from Texas and now living in California, she brings her personal experiences, cultural knowledge, and passion for teaching to ILSCA.
For Ms. Dupar, learning ASL is about more than signs and vocabulary. It’s also about understanding Deaf culture, building meaningful connections, and communicating with respect.
She holds an Associate of Arts degree in American Sign Language and a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Studies. Her professional experience includes teaching ASL at the university level, providing online instruction, supporting Deaf children of hearing parents, and advocating for accessible education.
Fluent in ASL and English, Ms. Dupar is also familiar with Mexican Sign Language (LSM) and Signed Exact English (SEE).
Her teaching approach emphasizes visual learning, active participation, and cultural understanding. She enjoys helping students develop their receptive and expressive signing skills while introducing them to the traditions, perspectives, and experiences of the Deaf community.
Whether teaching children or adults, in person or online, Ms. Dupar values creating a welcoming learning environment where students can ask questions, practice, and develop their communication skills.
Through her teaching, she hopes to encourage greater understanding and meaningful connections between Deaf and hearing communities.
Marina Simonetti-Lutz
Italian & German Educator
Marina Simonetti
Italian & German Language Educator
Originally from Italy, Ms. Marina Simonetti is a native Italian speaker who is also fluent in German. She brings more than two decades of teaching experience, along with a love of languages and European cultures, to her work at ILSCA.
Ms. Simonetti has been teaching since 2001 and enjoys working with students who have different interests and reasons for learning a language. Whether someone is preparing for travel, studying for an exam, developing professional communication skills, or simply learning for personal enjoyment, she adapts her lessons to their goals and experience.
Her teaching approach emphasizes conversation, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and practical communication. She enjoys introducing students to everyday expressions and cultural traditions, helping them understand how Italian and German are used beyond the classroom.
Before joining ILSCA, Ms. Simonetti taught Italian at the Oxford Institute Italiani in Milan, Italy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Literature from the Università degli Studi di Milano and earned a German language certification from the Goethe-Institut in Boppard am Rhein, Germany.
Outside of teaching, Ms. Simonetti enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, cooking, and photography. Her interest in exploring different places and cultures is something she enjoys bringing into her lessons.
For Ms. Simonetti, language learning is an opportunity to discover new perspectives, connect with others, and enjoy the experience of communicating in another language.
Mariam Zaki
French Language Educator
Mariam Zaki
French Language Educator
Ms. Mariam Zaki brings a love of the French language, a strong educational background, and a thoughtful approach to teaching to her work at ILSCA.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in French Language and Arts from Assiut University in Egypt and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from National Louis University in Chicago, Illinois.
With years of classroom experience, Ms. Zaki understands that students come to language learning with different interests, abilities, and goals. She enjoys creating lessons that combine clear instruction with conversation, participation, and opportunities to explore French language and culture.
Her teaching approach emphasizes patience, encouragement, and active learning. She believes students benefit from an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions, practicing new expressions, and learning from their mistakes.
For Ms. Zaki, teaching French is also an opportunity to introduce students to different cultures and perspectives. She enjoys helping learners discover how language connects people and offers new ways of understanding the world.
What she values most about teaching is sharing her enthusiasm for learning and supporting students as they develop their language skills, one lesson at a time.
Nohora Hernandez
Spanish & English Language Educator | Bilingual Education Specialist
Dr. Nohora Hernandez
Spanish & English Language Educator | Bilingual Education Specialist
Dr. Nohora Hernandez brings more than 35 years of experience in education and a lifelong dedication to helping students learn and grow.
Throughout her career, she has worked with learners of different ages and educational backgrounds, from kindergarten students developing their early literacy skills to graduate students preparing for careers in education.
Fluent in Spanish and English, Dr. Hernandez specializes in bilingual education. She understands the important connection between language, culture, and identity and values creating learning environments that recognize each student’s background, strengths, and individual needs.
Dr. Hernandez holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. Her academic preparation and years of classroom experience have shaped a teaching approach that emphasizes strong literacy foundations, culturally responsive instruction, and meaningful opportunities for students to participate and learn.
She believes that education is most meaningful when students feel respected, encouraged, and comfortable exploring new ideas. Whether working with children, adults, or future educators, she brings patience, knowledge, and a genuine appreciation for the learning process.
For Dr. Hernandez, teaching is an opportunity to share knowledge, build understanding across cultures, and encourage a lasting interest in learning.
Misuzu Ueno
Japanese Language Educator
Misuzu Ueno
Japanese Language Educator
Ms. Misuzu “Missy” Ueno is a native Japanese speaker who brings her love of the Japanese language and culture to her teaching at ILSCA.
With years of teaching experience, Ms. Missy enjoys helping students discover Japanese through conversation, interactive activities, and practical language use. Her approach combines thoughtful instruction with opportunities for students to participate, ask questions, and practice at their own pace.
She believes that learning Japanese involves more than understanding vocabulary and grammar. By introducing students to Japanese traditions, customs, and everyday expressions, she helps them appreciate the cultural connections that give the language meaning.
Ms. Missy encourages students to stay curious, embrace challenges, and become more independent in their learning. She values creating a welcoming environment where beginners and continuing learners can explore the language and develop their communication skills.
For Ms. Missy, one of the most meaningful parts of teaching is sharing her language and culture while encouraging students to continue learning and discovering new perspectives beyond the classroom.
Ana Maria Rada
Spanish & Portuguese Educator
Ana Maria Rada
Spanish & Portuguese Educator
Ms. Ana Maria Rada brings a love of languages, culture, and creative learning to her work at ILSCA. Since joining the school in 2019, she has enjoyed helping students explore Spanish and Portuguese through conversation, interactive activities, and cultural discovery.
Originally from Venezuela, Ms. Rada holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Universidad Central de Venezuela. Her academic background has contributed to her appreciation for the connections between language, culture, and community.
Ms. Rada believes that learning a new language should be an engaging and welcoming experience. She enjoys incorporating everyday conversations, role-playing, and practical activities that give students opportunities to use what they are learning.
One of her favorite classroom activities is having students participate in short skits and role-playing exercises. She especially enjoys seeing learners become more comfortable expressing themselves as they practice together.
Through her lessons, Ms. Rada also introduces students to the traditions, customs, and perspectives of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities, helping them appreciate the cultural richness behind each language.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, reading, writing poetry, and photography. Her creative interests and curiosity about different cultures are reflected in the activities and conversations she brings to her teaching.
For Ms. Rada, sharing a language is also a way of sharing stories, experiences, and connections with others.
Viviane Hanna
French Language Educator
Viviane Hanna
French Language Educator
Ms. Viviane Hanna is a certified French language educator who brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a love of languages to her teaching at ILSCA.
Fluent in French and highly proficient in English, Arabic, and Spanish, Ms. Viviane appreciates the different experiences and cultural backgrounds students bring to the classroom. Her multilingual background has shaped her understanding of language learning and the importance of patience, encouragement, and meaningful communication.
She enjoys teaching children and adults, adapting her lessons to students’ interests, learning styles, and individual goals. Her approach combines clear instruction, interactive activities, and opportunities for students to practice French in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Ms. Viviane also enjoys incorporating technology and creative learning tools into her lessons. She believes that thoughtful preparation and engaging activities can make learning more enjoyable while helping students develop their speaking, listening, and comprehension skills.
For Ms. Viviane, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is sharing her love of French and encouraging students to explore the language and the cultures connected to it.
Her goal is to make each lesson a positive experience where students feel welcome, supported, and motivated to continue learning.y.
Florida Rojas Robayo
Spanish Language Educator
Florida Rojas Robayo
Spanish Language Educator
Originally from Colombia, Ms. Florida Rojas Robayo brings her love of the Spanish language, culture, and creativity to her teaching at ILSCA.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design from the Universidad Autónoma de Colombia and a certification in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Her artistic background and language teaching preparation influence the way she develops lessons and engages students.
Ms. Florida enjoys creating interactive, project-based learning experiences that encourage students to use Spanish in meaningful ways. She has developed her own curriculum and teaching approach, combining conversation, hands-on activities, and cultural exploration.
She believes that students benefit from opportunities to begin speaking Spanish early in their learning experience, even when they are just starting to learn the language. Her lessons encourage participation, curiosity, and the practical use of Spanish in everyday situations.
Through her teaching, Ms. Florida also enjoys introducing students to the traditions, expressions, and perspectives of Spanish-speaking communities, helping them appreciate the cultural richness of the language.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, reading, and exploring different forms of art. Her creative interests are reflected in the activities and projects she brings to her lessons.
For Ms. Florida, teaching Spanish is an opportunity to share her culture, encourage communication, and make language learning an engaging experience for her students.
They connect with culture.
They expand their horizons.
Nancy Naranjo García
Spanish Language Educator
Nancy Naranjo García
Spanish Language Educator
Professor Nancy Naranjo García brings more than a decade of experience teaching Spanish, along with a deep appreciation for language, literature, and culture.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Literature from the University of Guadalajara, a master’s degree in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures from the University of Delaware, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside.
Throughout her teaching career, Professor Nancy has worked with learners of different ages and backgrounds, including beginners, heritage Spanish speakers, and adults seeking to strengthen their language skills.
Her teaching approach combines clear instruction, meaningful conversation, and opportunities to explore the cultural and literary traditions of the Spanish-speaking world. She enjoys helping students understand not only how the language works, but also how it connects to history, identity, and everyday life.
Professor Nancy values creating a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, practicing Spanish, and developing their skills at their own pace. She believes that curiosity, consistency, and active participation are important parts of learning a language.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading poetry and novels, watching films, and exploring creative approaches to language teaching.
For Professor Nancy, sharing Spanish is also an opportunity to introduce students to new ideas, different perspectives, and the richness of the cultures connected to the language.
Interested in Collaborating with ILSCA?
Are you a language educator or specialist interested in sharing your experience and cultural knowledge with the ILSCA community?
At ILSCA, we welcome opportunities to connect with experienced language educators, tutors, and specialists who share our appreciation for language, culture, and meaningful learning.
Interested in working with us? Visit our Join Our Team page to learn more and introduce yourself.