Meet Our Instructors
At ILSCA, our passionate and experienced teachers bring language to life. Many are native speakers who share not only their expertise but also the culture behind the language. Dedicated to your success, they create a supportive and engaging learning environment that makes every class enjoyable and effective.
Nuria Fortier
Director of ILSCA, Spanish teacher
Hello! I’m Nuria Fortier, the Director of the International Language School for Children and Adults (ILSCA). We love teaching languages to students of all ages. I’m honored to provide you with enthusiastic and passionate teachers like myself who are excited, knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated to helping you learn your desired language. Our goal is to create a fun and engaging environment where students can learn to communicate effectively in different languages and gain a unique perspective on the world.
As a native Spanish speaker, I’m excited to share my love for the language and culture with our students. I love sharing my passion for the beautiful Hispanic world and helping my students achieve fluency in the Spanish language. I have an ELE (Spanish as a second language) instructor certificate from UNAM and I continue to learn new ways to help my students with language acquisition.
At ILSCA, we believe that learning languages improves communication skills and provides numerous neurological and social benefits. We’re dedicated to helping our students achieve their language goals and providing them with a solid foundation for continued success.
In addition to my role at ILSCA, I also lead Spanish Meetup groups for adults who want to practice their language skills in a relaxed and casual setting. I understand the importance of community and believe that practicing Spanish outside of the classroom is a great way to reinforce language skills and build relationships.
When I’m not teaching or leading meetups, I enjoy hiking, reading, cooking, and exploring new places with my family. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for Spanish and look forward to welcoming you to ILSCA. Join us and take your first step towards fluency!
Angela Landa
Spanish teacher
Welcome to the world of language learning with Angela Martinez!
I am an experienced and passionate Spanish teacher. I believe that every student can succeed and reach their goals. My mission is to give every student the tools and knowledge they need to succeed, no matter how they learn or how fast they learn.
I have a degree in Education from the prestigious University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru. I bring a lot of knowledge and experience to the classroom. But it’s not just about learning from books. I also make my lessons creative, energetic, and fun for everyone.
I was born and raised in Peru, so I bring a unique cultural perspective to my teaching. This makes the learning experience richer for my students. I now live in California with my husband and two children. I am proud to be a part of the International Language School community, where I help students of all ages unlock the power of language.
When I am not in the classroom, I am at home taking care of my family or doing things I love, like reading, writing, and dancing. I bring the same joy and fulfillment to my teaching, and I inspire my students to find their passions and reach for their dreams.
Join me on this exciting journey of language learning and personal growth. Let’s work together to unlock your full potential and achieve your dreams!
Miranda Sue
Chinese teacher
Meet our certified native Chinese teacher! She is the perfect guide for your Chinese language journey. She is fluent in Chinese, has excellent teaching skills, is patient, and organized, and has good communication skills. She has been teaching Chinese at ILSCA since 2017 and enjoys interacting with her students. Her love for the Chinese language and culture began when she taught Chinese to students in grades 1-4 in China. She can teach Chinese to beginners and advanced learners. She is passionate about developing her students’ Chinese language skills and intercultural competency. She studied education at Cal Poly Pomona, which strengthened her teaching skills. Outside of work, she loves to travel, explore new cultures, take care of her family, read, shop, and cook.
Audrey Campos
Spanish and English teacher
Meet Audrey Campos, our dynamic Spanish and English teacher who has been transforming young minds for over 31 years. As a native Californian, I am dedicated to sharing my love of the English and Spanish languages with my students, instilling in them a passion for learning that will last a lifetime. I have a Master’s degree in MFCC and a B.A. in the social sciences, as well as a multiple-subject credential, making me an expert in my field. But what sets me apart is my commitment to creating a positive, inclusive learning environment for my beloved students. I understand that every student has unique strengths and weaknesses, and I go above and beyond to provide differentiated instruction that meets the needs of each student. I know that learning a language takes hard work, repetition, and memorization skills, and I provide a variety of opportunities for my students to achieve their goals. But it’s not all work and no play with me – I love to hike, travel, and play Phase 10 with my family and two adorable dogs, Shakespeare and Ace. Join me in my classroom and discover the joy of learning a new language with me. I truly care about your success!
Lainie Lapis
American Sign Language teacher
Meet Lainie Lapis, our talented ASL instructor at ILSCA! Lainie lives in Claremont, CA, and originally comes from New York, where she earned her first degree in teaching. After raising her two sons, she pursued her passion for languages and earned a second A.S. degree in American Sign Language from Mt. San Antonio College. During her teaching career in Claremont and later at Upland High School, Lainie created a successful ASL elective for grades 9–12 that ran for nine years. Many of her students continued their studies at Mt. SAC, testing out of Sign I and beginning directly with Sign II. Her students often used their ASL skills to gain part-time jobs, becoming bilingual—or even trilingual—which proved a valuable asset. Since retiring from teaching in 2017, Lainie has remained active in her community through volunteering with organizations such as NAMI and CERT, and she enjoys singing with the Claremont Chorale and the Southland Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. Lainie is thrilled to return to the classroom with ILSCA, sharing the beauty and richness of ASL with new students, ensuring both students and parents experience joy and growth while learning this dynamic language.
Marina Simonetti-Lutz
Italian and German teacher
Welcome to the world of Italian and German with Marina Simonetti-Lutz!
I am a native Italian speaker and fluent in German, and I love teaching both languages to students of all ages. My goal is to make learning fun for everyone because we all learn better when we’re having fun and surrounded by positive energy! I tailor my teaching style to meet your specific needs. Whether you need to learn Italian or German for work, travel, or an exam, I can help. I use a communicative approach, which includes plenty of speaking practice, dialogues, discussions, and activities to broaden your vocabulary and improve your listening skills. I have been teaching since 2001, and I have had the pleasure of teaching at the International Language School for Children and Adults. Before joining ILSCA, I taught Italian at the Oxford Institute Italiani in Milan, Italy, which allowed me to learn different teaching methods and techniques. In addition to teaching, I have a BA in Linguistics and Literature from Università degli Studi di Milano in Milan, Italy, and a certificate in German from the GOETHE INSTITUT BOPPARD AM RHEIN in Boppard, Germany. When I’m not teaching or studying, I love to explore the outdoors, travel, cook, and take photos.
Mariam Zaki
French teacher
Meet Mariam Zaki, our passionate language teacher! She believes that learning a second language can change the way we see the world. Mariam has a bachelor’s degree in French Language and Arts from Assiut University in Egypt and a Master’s in Art in Teaching (MAT) from NLU, Chicago, IL. With years of teaching experience, Mariam has found that her students’ excitement and smiles while learning are both contagious and rewarding. She encourages her students to challenge themselves while having fun, and she tailors her teaching style to suit their interests. In today’s globalized world, learning a second language is more important than ever. Mariam believes that it can broaden our horizons, open up new opportunities, and help us better understand different cultures and customs. Join Mariam and let her guide you on your language-learning journey!
Nohora Hernandez
Spanish and English teacher
Nohora Hernandez, Ed.D, a passionate and experienced bilingual educator, has dedicated over 35 years to igniting a love for learning in students of all ages. From guiding kindergarteners through their first steps in literacy to empowering graduate students to become impactful educators, Nohora thrives on creating engaging and supportive learning environments where students can reach their full academic and personal potential. Her fluency in Spanish and English, combined with her expertise in bilingual education, allows her to connect with diverse learners and foster a global perspective in the classroom. Nohora’s dedication to her students is evident in the countless success stories she has witnessed, and her infectious enthusiasm continues to inspire and motivate those around her.
Misuzu Ueno
Japanese teacher
Meet Misuzu “Missy” Ueno, our passionate Japanese teacher at ILSCA! A native speaker with years of teaching experience, Missy has developed an engaging and student-centered curriculum that makes learning Japanese both fun and effective. She loves sharing not only the language, but also the rich traditions and customs of Japan, helping students gain a deeper cultural understanding along with their language skills. Missy’s long-term goal is to create communities of lifelong, independent language learners. She believes that learning Japanese is more than mastering words — it’s about building meaningful connections with culture, people, and the world.
Ana Maria Rada
Spanish and Portuguese teacher
Meet Ana Maria Rada, our passionate Spanish and Portuguese teacher at ILSCA! Ana has a BA in sociology from Universidad Central de Venezuela. Ana loves to share her love of language and culture with her students. Her teaching style is interactive and fun, and she makes sure that her students meet their learning goals. Ana has been with ILSCA since 2019 and takes pride in seeing her students build self-confidence through role-playing skits in class and using what they’ve learned in the real world. She believes that learning a new language can be intimidating, but her enthusiastic and cultural approach to teaching enables students to acquire language skills in a way that keeps them interested and motivated. When Ana is not teaching, she enjoys traveling, reading, writing poems, and doing photography. Join Ana’s classes to learn a new language and gain insights into the culture and traditions of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Viviane Hanna
French teacher
Viviane Hanna is a certified French language teacher. She is fluent in French with a high degree of fluency in English, Arabic, and Spanish.
Welcome to my class!
I create an enthusiastic environment to make learning a happy journey among students.
I work in a polite and friendly manner and enjoy designing and delivering lesson plans to my students varying from children to adults by integrating the latest tools of technology in the curriculum, to ensure my student’s motivation.
Florida Rojas Robayo
Spanish teacher
Meet Florida Rojas Robayo, our enthusiastic and knowledgeable Spanish teacher!
As a native speaker from Colombia, Florida is passionate about teaching Spanish and sharing her culture with students of all ages. She received her B.A. in Textile Design from the Universidad Autonoma de Colombia and is also a certified instructor of Spanish as a Foreign Language from UNAM. At ILSCA, Florida has developed her own curriculum and teaching philosophy, which focuses on project-based learning and encourages students to start speaking Spanish from the very first class. She loves being part of the supportive and structured environment ILSCA provides and enjoys working with children and adult students. I want to make learning Spanish fun and interactive and give you a strong foundation in the language. I believe learning a new language is a great way to broaden your horizons and understand different cultures. When I’m not teaching, I love to travel, read, and explore different art forms. Join my class and start your Spanish language journey today!
Nancy Naranjo García
Spanish teacher
Meet Nancy Naranjo García, our enthusiastic and knowledgeable Spanish teacher!
Meet Professor Nancy Naranjo García
Professor Nancy Naranjo García has over 10 years of experience teaching Spanish to students of all ages, including beginners, heritage speakers, and adults learning Spanish as a second language.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in literature from the University of Guadalajara, completed her Master’s in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Delaware, and later earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside.
Nancy is passionate about helping students connect with the Spanish language through meaningful and engaging lessons. She believes that learning a new language opens doors to new opportunities, friendships, and ways of seeing the world. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your skills, her classes are designed to support and inspire you.
Outside the classroom, Nancy loves reading poetry and novels, watching movies, and exploring new ways to teach language in fun and creative ways.
Want to join our team?
Are you a passionate, talented educator?
Do you want to help us spread the love of foreign languages and culture to kids and adults?
If so, please email us your resume to hello@ilsa.com. We will get back to you!
Interested in joining our family?
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