Maria is a passionate early childhood ESL and special educator who is deeply committed to culturally competent practice. She is invested in reflecting upon her practice and doing the work necessary to ensure children have a joyful and rewarding experience. Additionally, she is a teacher leader/aspiring administrator who leads with love, empathy, and with a commitment to dedication to empowering all staff. Through her work as an ESL educator, she develops authentic, strong, and caring partnerships with families and other community stakeholders. As the adage states, “It takes a village to raise a child.”