Who I Am and Why Spanish Matters in Our Home

My story and my reason why.

I was born and raised in Ecuador, surrounded by family, traditions, and the Spanish language woven into everyday life. Spanish wasn’t something I “learned” it was how I loved, prayed, joked, argued, and dreamed. It carried our stories, our humor, and our faith.

Today, I live in the United States, married to an American, raising children in a community where Spanish is often seen as optional rather than essential. In many spaces, culture is simplified, languages are reduced to vocabulary lists, and children grow up unaware of the beauty that exists beyond their immediate world.

That contrast is what stirred something deep in me.

I began to notice how early children absorb language, how naturally they imitate sounds, and how quickly curiosity fades when exposure is limited. I also noticed a lack of cultural awareness — not out of malice, but out of distance. When children don’t encounter other languages and cultures early, it becomes harder for them to empathize, connect, and appreciate difference later on.

Spanish is not just a skill.
It is a bridge.

At La Casita Spanish Academy, my goal is not perfection or fluency overnight. It’s exposure, confidence, and connection. I want children to hear authentic Spanish, understand where it comes from, and see language as something alive, something tied to real people, real places, and real stories.

Spanish opens doors.
But more importantly, it opens hearts.