Our Team
Wendy Aguilar
Director
Wendy, originally from Cochabamba, Bolivia, moved to the United States in 2007.
She completed her Psychology Degree at Universidad Privada Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia and attended Penn Foster College to get her diploma in Child Day Care Management. Currently, she is working towards obtaining The Virginia Early Childhood Administrator Professional Credential.
Before moving to the US, Wendy taught K-5 in a bilingual elementary school and worked at Centro Boliviano Americano (CBA) for 8 years teaching English, designing curriculum, training teachers, and managing the children’s program.
Wendy has been in Early Childhood Education in the US for over 12 years. She's held multiple positions, including Spanish Language Teacher, Lead Preschool Teacher, Assistant Director, and most recently a Preschool and Children’s Language Center Director for 10 years. In addition, Wendy taught Spanish for Fairfax County Public Schools’ FLEX Program for 3 years and was a Spanish Studio Coach for Rosetta Stone for over 4 years.
Wendy’s life and professional mission is to make a positive impact in every life she touches - young or adult. Her passion for children’s education, language, and culture are evident in the roles she performs in her community. What’s more, her knowledge and compassion show she is a strong advocate for children and families.
Wendy’s warm demeanor, caring vision, and eye for detail ensure that LEAD Day School’s operations run smoothly.
In her free time, Wendy loves reading, assembling jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with her family and favorite dog, Tony.
Shirlen Mamani
Day School Head Teacher, 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 y.o. & Assistant Director
Shirlen, a native from Cochabamba, Bolivia, moved to the United States with her husband over 22 years ago.
Shirlen received a Degree in General Accounting from Universidad Mayor de San Simon, Bolivia and she obtained her Early Childhood Child Development Associate from the CDA Council.
After moving to the U.S. Shirlen devoted her life to her family and raising her two children. One of them graduated from college last spring and the other one is starting college this fall.
Shirlen started working with young children as a Preschool Assistant Teacher in 2009 and since then has held several early childhood positions including most recently as an Assistant Director for over 6 years.
Shirlen’s true passion resides with the young learners; her philosophy is that each child is unique; therefore, they learn and thrive at their own pace. Shirlen strives to create a community of learners that nurtures growth in a positive and fun environment.
During her free time, Shirlen enjoys spending time with her family.
Paulina Escobedo
Day School Head Teacher , 2 - 2 1/2 y.o.
Paulina, originally from Santiago de Chile, moved to Venezuela when she was just 2 years old.
Paulina holds a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science from Universidad Nueva Esparta and she received a Teaching Diploma from Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador. In addition, she holds her Child Development Associate’s Degree (CDA).
At age 18, Paulina started working in Education, first as a Spanish Assistant at “Colegio Internacional de Caracas,” then as a Computer Science Teacher at “Colegio San Francisco de Asís” for 10 years.
When moving to the United States with her husband, Paulina took a break from work to devote herself entirely to her family and children. Paulina rejoined the workforce in 2011 and worked for 9 years as a Spanish Preschool Teacher.
For Paulina, teaching is her passion; she loves being on the move and surrounded by children- each day is a different adventure when surrounded by young children. She feels that one never gets bored, one can laugh and cry with the children - there is no time for worrying about anything because children make you forget everything that happens outside the classroom. The values that she wants children to cultivate are generosity, honesty, gratitude, tolerance, humility, and responsibility.
When she is away from work she spends all of her time with her family, she has 3 children who keep her always busy.
Ivonne Portilla
Day School Head Teacher, 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 y.o.
Ivonne, originally from Quito, Ecuador, grew up in Guayaquil and moved to the United States in 2010.
Ivonne completed her studies as a Dental Assistant and holds her Child Development Associate’s Degree (CDA) for preschool ages.
When moving to the US, she started working as an Assistant Preschool Teacher and as a babysitter and after completing her dental career, she rejoined the Early Childhood Education field as an Assistant Preschool Teacher and most recently as a Lead Preschool Teacher, where she worked for over 5 years.
Ivonne attributes her love for children and teaching to the years where she was part of Sunday School and was also surrounded by cousins and nieces to whom she was constantly teaching and entertaining.
Ivonne really likes books and experiments. Her classes will always have an activity in which children can get messy. She likes creating sensory experiences that go a long way in helping children overcome their fears and see a world where exploring with their senses is fine.
When not at work, you can find Ivonne at home watching movies, looking for new experiments or ideas for her students. Ivonne also takes time to give to her community in Ecuador, she is part of Kafaed Foundation - she helps collect clothes and donations for the children in the foundations.
Ivonne’s message for each child is
"Make mudpies, jump in puddles, climb trees, lie in the grass, dream big, build a fort, run barefoot, play in the rain, reach for the stars, imagine, go messy, sleep soundly."
Sandra Reyes
Day School Head Teacher , 4 1/2 - 5 1/2 y.o.
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, moved to the United States with her family many years ago.
Sandra is married and has two boys, 28 and 20. Her older child is a Civil Engineer and her younger one is a Biology junior student at GMU. Her husband works at WMATA.
Sandra has a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education from “Universidad San Buenaventura.” She has over 19 years of experience as a Preschool and Spanish Teacher and as an Afterschool Program Teacher. Sandra has worked Belvedere ES, Spring Hill ES, Forestville ES, Mount Daniel ES, Great Falls ES, Baby Toddler Preschool, Children’s Center for Language and Culture, Comprehensive Center for Early Stimulation and FANA Adoption Center (Bogotá, Colombia). Sandra lives by the following values and looks to instill them in her students, too:
● Perseverance, it gives Sandra the strength to keep going despite the difficulties.
● Motivation, it helps Sandra achieve the proposed goals and objectives.
● Respect, she has learned and recognizes that we are all different and must live together in peace and tolerance.
During her spare time, she likes to search for class materials and listen to the news. Her hobbies are reading and walking. And her favorite place to be is the beach.
Ivonne Montalvo
Day School Assistant Teacher
A native from Cochabamba, Bolivia, Ivonne moved to the United States in 2010 to help with her grandchild.
Ivonne holds a bachelor’s in Pharmaceutics from Universidad Mayor de San Simon, Bolivia. And has most recently, she obtained her Child Development Associate (CDA).
Back in Bolivia, spent her early family years taking care of her two children and owned a pharmacy and a dairy products distribution center.
After moving to the United States and helping raise her younger granddaughter, she worked as a nanny for 2 years. Then, she became an Assistant Teacher for preschoolers and school aged children.
Ivonne’s philosophy for children is to help them be independent and assertive in everything they do. Ivonne understands that children bloom at different times and encourages them in their development. She enjoys chatting with children and engaging in play pretend and art activities.
During her free time, Ivonne loves knitting, sewing, and crocheting. She also likes to spend time with her two children and their families.
Geovanna (Geovy) Ruiz Portilla
Day School Assistant Teacher
A native from Ecuador, Geovy moved to the United States in 2001 with her mother.
In 2011, Geovy started working with young children in preschool and day care. She worked at an immersion preschool as an assistant teacher for around 3 years. Then from 2016 to 2019, Geovy worked in Virginia Beach as a Teacher Aide at two different centers. Geovy has taken many training sessions in early childhood that have helped her improve her practice and create a safe environment for children and her goal is to finish her career as a medical assistant in the near future.
Geovy enjoys working with children because since she was a young girl she dreamed of being a pediatrician. She loves working with the little ones because in their eyes she is their role model and every goal they achieve, no matter how big or small, is a great achievement and a great satisfaction for her as their teacher. When working with children, she can honestly say that anything done with love will flourish.
Geovy joined LEAD Day School in September 2021; she works as an assistant with the 2 ½ - 3 ½ year old children and enjoys caring and teaching them new skills.
In her free time, Geovy loves to spend time with her family, especially playing and bonding with her son.
Angela Yohana Vanegas
Day School Assistant Teacher
Angela, originally from Bogota, Colombia, moved to the United States in 2016.
Back in Colombia, she studied a couple of semesters to become a Social Worker and worked for a government agency helping victims of domestic violence. Also, Angela’s mother owned a day care where she used to help in the classes. Since she moved to the United States, Angela has worked with young children in different settings; she worked as an assistant and lead teacher. Angela has taken several courses and workshops in early childhood education and is looking forward to studying to obtain her CDA (Child Development Associate).
Angela believes that children learn through songs, play, and fun activities in which every child can participate and enjoy their time together; children encourage us, fill our days with joy and hope - they are our future. She loves teaching and caring for young children and considers herself a devoted and responsible provider who always does her best.
Angela joined LEAD Day School in October 2021; she works as an assistant with our 3 ½ - 4 ½ year olds and helps in our extended day program. Angela’s goal is that children feel comfortable and happy to come to her class, learn new skills, and develop their self-confidence; she wants children to give their best at all times.
In her free time, Angela loves to spend time with her daughter (Allison) and her husband. She likes going to the movies and visiting new places. Her hobbies are music and skating.