Sra. Nilsa T. Santiago is originally from Puerto Rico and has been a dedicated member of the Academia Santo Rosario community since 2018. She began her journey as a Kindergarten assistant and later transitioned to the preschool classroom, where she discovered her passion for working with young children and sharing love and care with them each day. During the 2022–2023 school year, she completed her basic certification in early childhood education and continued her training with the Child Care Action Council to earn her state certification in early learning. She is currently continuing her studies to further grow in her field. Sra. Nilsa is a woman of strong faith and devotion. She comes from a large family, including a priest and a deacon among her siblings. Raised in the Catholic faith, she believes deeply that we are all children of God and that the most important thing in life is to love one another as we love ourselves.

Lizbeth Duran serves as the Pre-Kindergarten Assistant at Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy and has been a dedicated member of the school community for 13 years. She began her journey working in the federal nutrition program and, over time, has followed God’s guidance into new roles within the school. Lizbeth is certified to teach religion and has supported a variety of school events throughout the years. She is currently continuing her education in early childhood development, focusing on children ages 3 and 4, and is passionate about supporting young learners during these important early years. A devoted mother of four, Lizbeth has a special connection to HRBA. Her two oldest children attended the school from Pre-K through 8th grade, and she now enjoys watching her two youngest begin their journey in Pre-K. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, especially movie nights together. Lizbeth is grateful to be part of the Holy Rosary community and to serve students and families with love and faith each day.

Mrs. Alis Morales serves as a dedicated Kindergarten teacher at Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy and is now in her third year with the school community. Originally from Colombia, Alis discovered her passion for education early on while attending a vocational teacher training high school. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Humanities and English from the Universidad de Córdoba in Montería and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Elementary Teaching as she continues to grow in her profession. After moving to the United States and exploring other career paths, Alis felt called back to the classroom, where her heart truly belongs. She is a proud member of the HRBA family in more ways than one; not only does she teach here, but her two daughters are also students at the school. Alis is passionate about creating a nurturing and joyful classroom environment where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn through play, creativity, and hands-on experiences. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, gardening, visiting libraries, and spending quality time with her family.

Mrs. Sonia Ceballos is a native Spanish speaker with over a decade of experience in Washington State, where she has dedicated the past ten years to enriching the field of education. Passionate about promoting bilingualism, she has played an important role in both public and private elementary schools, contributing meaningfully to Spanish dual language immersion programs. Originally from Río Grande, Puerto Rico, Mrs. Ceballos earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (Pre-K through 3rd grade) and holds certification in both areas. She later completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and holds a Washington State certification in elementary education. She is currently pursuing a certificate in Bilingual Education through Boston College. Mrs. Ceballos is deeply committed to supporting children and their families and strives to make a positive impact in her community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, and together they love getting creative in the kitchen by trying new recipes.

Mrs. Celestina Gonzalez has dedicated more than 30 years to education, beginning her career as a bilingual second-grade teacher in the Walla Walla School District. She later taught both second and third grade in the Puyallup School District, where she also had the opportunity to work with the Karshner Museum. During her time there, she created a field trip curriculum aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Pre-K through seventh-grade classes. In addition to her classroom experience, Mrs. Gonzalez served for several years as the Director of Elementary Faith Formation at All Saints Parish, supporting the spiritual growth of young learners and their families. For the past three years, Mrs. Gonzalez has been a valued member of the Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy community, where she teaches second grade. She is passionate about helping students grow academically while nurturing their faith and love for learning. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Gonzalez enjoys spending time with her husband, their four daughters, and their son-in-law. She also loves going for walks, working in her garden, watching Gonzaga basketball, and catching up on the many books on her ever-growing reading list.

Ms. Mac is a kind and caring educator who is deeply passionate about teaching and committed to being a lifelong learner. She holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science with a minor in Mathematics. She continues to grow her Spanish language skills and enjoys the challenge of expanding her ability to connect with students and families. A mother of three, with her youngest currently attending Saint Martin's University, family, faith, and community are very important to her. Ms. Mac strives to grow in her Catholic faith and encourages students to live with compassion, integrity, and purpose. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing, spending time with her dog, and taking road trips to national and state parks and beaches. Her love for science and math inspires her to share that enthusiasm with her students and encourage them to see themselves as capable learners and future changemakers. Ms. Mac believes that today’s students are the leaders of tomorrow and that they have the power to make the world a better place. Her goal as an educator is to build students’ confidence in learning while fostering compassion, faith-filled growth, and understanding in all.

With more than 15 years of teaching experience, Sra. Levato brings a wealth of global perspective and a deep commitment to her faith to Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy. Originally from Argentina, she has spent the past five years serving the students and families of Holy Rosary with dedication and care. Her diverse professional background includes teaching adults English and Computer Science in Argentina and providing specialized academic support as a tutor at Sylvan Learning Center. In addition to her work in education, Sra. Levato pursued advanced legal studies, earning an LL.M. from Fordham University and being admitted to both the New York State and Argentinian Bars. As a Catholic educator and certified Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Facilitator, Sra. Levato is passionate about creating a supportive and faith-filled environment where students and families feel encouraged and empowered to grow, learn, and thrive.

Mr. Iván Achata has served the Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy community as a teacher since 2015. Originally from Peru, he brings many years of international teaching experience and a deep passion for education to his work with students. Mr. Achata holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Ricardo Palma University. He has more than 19 years of teaching experience in both English and Spanish, working with students at the primary, middle school, high school, and university levels. His professional background also includes extensive training in personalized teaching methods. He is passionate about combining education with moral values and the arts, and he strives to help students grow academically while developing strong character and purpose. Mr. Achata believes that education is not only about knowledge, but also about helping students become the best version of themselves. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Achata enjoys spending time with his family and traveling with his wife of 19 years, exploring new cultures and languages. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, singing, and spending time with his dog.

Mr. Gabriel Farias teaches Middle School English, Religion, and Social Studies at Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy. He is a graduate of Stadium High School and Pacific Lutheran University.

Mr. Farias has been part of the Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy community for the past 11 years, serving in several roles within the school and parish, including supporting church programs and working with student leadership groups. Throughout his teaching career, he has worked with middle school students in grades 5 through 8 and has developed a strong passion for guiding students during these important formative years. Before becoming a teacher, Mr. Farias worked at the Boys and Girls Club as a Site Coordinator, where he supported and mentored students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Mr. Farias is passionate about cultivating leadership, responsibility, and confidence in his students so they can positively contribute to their communities long after they leave Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy.

Mr. Herrera, also known as Mr. H, serves as the Physical Education teacher at Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy and has been part of the HRBA community for four years. He brings a strong passion for sports, fitness, and student wellness, supported by two degrees in his field.

Mr. H believes that physical activity supports the well-being of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. He is passionate about Catholic education and enjoys helping students build healthy habits, teamwork, and confidence through sports and exercise.