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For over fifty years, the Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement (BAHIA) has remained dedicated to serving families and strengthening our community of the east bay area. Our success is built on the collective effort, dedication, and passion of our families, staff and community partners. We would be honored to have you join us in this mission.
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At BAHIA, we believe in the power of dual-language learning. Our programs help children build strong language skills in both English and Spanish, nurturing a bilingual foundation that will benefit them for years to come.
Through a variety of cultural events, we celebrate the richness of Spanish-speaking cultures, promoting deeper cultural awareness and understanding. These activities not only enhance language acquisition but also create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children. By combining these approaches, our curriculum provides holistic, developmentally-appropriate learning experiences that spark curiosity, foster independence, and cultivate respect for diverse cultures.
At BAHIA,
we’re shaping
YOUNG MINDS
TO
THRIVE
in a global community.
WHO WE ARE
The Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement, (BAHIA), is a private, non-profit corporation that receives funding from the state of California for the operation early childhood education and after school programs centers in Berkeley: Centro VIDA, serves children ages 2 to 4.9 years old. Sol de Berkeleyprovides after school care during the regular school year, and full day summer programs during the summer.
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BAHIA was established in 1975 to meet a growing need for bilingual early childhood education in West Berkeley. Initially launched as Project VIDA, the program began with just 20 children in a small residential duplex. As the demand for culturally and linguistically responsive child care increased, BAHIA expanded its capacity with the support of federal funding administered through Berkeley’s Community Action Agency. In 1978, the organization was awarded a contract by the California Department of Education, enabling it to reach more working families with limited income. That same year, BAHIA relocated to a city-owned facility at James Kenney Park, sharing space with a school-age program. While this move provided room to grow, the shared environment introduced operational and philosophical challenges that underscored the need for a site dedicated exclusively to preschool-aged children.
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In response, BAHIA's board committed to developing a permanent bilingual child care facility, securing funding from state, federal, and local sources to acquire land and repurpose school district bungalows. This effort led to the opening of Centro VIDA in 1982, offering a dedicated, Spanish-English bilingual program tailored to the developmental needs of preschoolers. In 1983, BAHIA expanded further with the purchase of an adjacent lot to support a toddler classroom, which opened in 1985. As community needs evolved, BAHIA continued to adapt its services—culminating in 1988 with the award of a state contract to operate the school-age program at its former shared site. BAHIA's ongoing commitment to building a comprehensive, quality bilingual continuum of care for the communities we serve.
Board of Directors
Lupe Gallegos-Díaz
Board Chair
Chicano/Latino Student Development & Community Affairs, UC Berkeley
Angelica Gonzalez
Board Secretary
Vladimir Foronda
Sr. Prospect Analyst, UCB
Financial Analyst, UC Berkeley
David Pearson
Board Treasurer
Director Educational Facilties
Shankey Good
Janice Galindo
Dean of Instruction TK-3rd Grade
Benito Juarez Elementary School
Meet the Staff!
For over 50 years, BAHIA has been a cornerstone of high-quality early childhood education, fostering a nurturing and culturally rich environment for children to grow and learn. Our dedicated team, many of whom have been with us for years, brings a wealth of experience and passion to our classrooms.
At BAHIA, students thrive under the care and guidance of caring educators from Spanish-speaking countries around the world. Our renowned programs provide children with a strong foundation in language, culture, and early learning, preparing them for lifelong success. We are proud to have an exceptional staff who not only love what they do but are deeply committed to the children and families we serve.
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Executive Director
Jorge Lopez
Jorge is a dedicated leader in education with extensive experience in both the nonprofit and business sectors. As the founder of Amethod Public Schools (AMPS), he built a nationally recognized public charter school management organization and academic program from the ground up. Under his leadership, AMPS received numerous accolades, including the prestigious National Blue-Ribbon School Award from the U.S. Department of Education, multiple California Department of Education (CDE) Title I Academic Achievement Awards, multiple CDE Distinguished School Awards, and the California Charter Schools Associationās,ā Charter School of the Year recognitionā. Beyond his work with AMPS, Jorge has played a pivotal role in shaping education policy in California. He has served on the California State Board of Education, the California Department of Education (CDE) Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS), and the California Department of Education Waiver Committee. His commitment to advancing education has also led him to prestigious fellowships, including the Pahara Institute Fellowship, the National Institute for Latino School Leadership Fellowship with UNIDOS US (former National Council de la Raza), and the Achievement First Accelerator Cohort. Additionally, he is a member of the National Charter School Resource Center (NCRC) Advisory Group and a Harvard Business School -HBS Bay Area Community Fellow. Jorge was brought on to stabilize the Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement (BAHIA) during a critical transition period and is now focused on transforming it into a thriving organization that delivers high-quality educational programs. His vision is to build a strong foundation for future success, ensuring that BAHIA continues to serve its community with excellence for generations to come.
Site Supervisor
Diana Acosta-Leja
Diana is a fully bilingual, experienced educator with 17 years of expertise in both preschool and school-age education. She has a proven track record of working closely with families, mentoring educators, and supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of children. Recently certified as a CLASS observer for preschool, Ms. Acosta is committed to advancing early childhood education through effective assessment and professional development. She excels in implementing a pedagogical philosophy that fosters critical thinking and leadership skills in young students, with a particular focus on supporting bilingual learners. Dedicated to serving marginalized communities, Ms. Acosta strives to equip families with the resources necessary for success while promoting collaboration among educators. She holds an Associate of Arts (AA) in Child Development and is currently pursuing an AA in Psychology. Her professional mission is to empower children by helping them discover their passions and ensuring they receive the support needed for lifelong success
Senior Program Director
Yanci Lucero
Yanci is a highly experienced educational leader with over 18 years of experience in the field of early childhood education, specializing in preschool settings. Throughout her career, she has cultivated a comprehensive expertise in curriculum development, staff training, and educational leadership. Her contributions have been instrumental in facilitating the transition of educational institutions from traditional, teacher-centered pedagogies to more progressive, emergent, and play-based curriculum models. These approaches prioritize child-directed learning and the cultivation of critical thinking skills. Ms. Lucero has worked with a broad range of age groups, from 2-year-olds to kindergarten students, allowing her to develop a deep understanding of the various developmental stages in early childhood. This extensive experience has also enabled her to mentor and support educators in the creation and implementation of research-based, developmentally appropriate practices that address the diverse needs of young learners. Additionally, she is committed to ensuring that educators remain well-informed about the latest advancements in early childhood research and pedagogy. Ms. Lucero holds a bachelor's degree in child development and a Master of Science in Education (MS Ed) with a focus on Early Childhood Education. A multilingual professional, she is fluent in Swedish, Spanish, and English, and is a strong proponent of bilingualism and cultural inclusivity in educational environments. Her linguistic proficiency allows her to engage effectively with diverse families and colleagues, fostering inclusive and culturally responsive learning communities.
Margarita Tamayo
Enrollment & Eligibility Coordinator
Maritza Castillo-Vargas
Associate Director of Staff and Curriculum Development
Maritza is a highly experienced educator with a robust background in both public and private educational settings. She holds a bachelor's degree from the Universidad Vizcaya de las Americas Colima, MĆ©xico in educational sciences and has completed a seminar in Educational Sciences research. Throughout her career, Maritza has managed classrooms of up to 35 students, effectively implementing differentiated instructional strategies to address diverse learning needs. Her work with elementary-aged students has focused on fostering positive learning environments and promoting both academic and socio-emotional development through targeted guidance strategies. In the field of early childhood education, Maritza has worked with preschool-aged children (ages 2 to 5), using evidence-based strategies to support emotional regulation and development. Additionally, she has significant experience in adult education, having facilitated literacy programs for adults aged 50 to 65 through the National Institute of Adult Education in Colima. In this role, she created an empowering learning environment that significantly boosted participants' self-esteem. Recruited to BAHIA to help establish a strong foundation for Spanish language learning, Maritza continues to develop and expand the program. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Staff Development and Curriculum and as the Site Supervisor for Sol de Berkeley. In these capacities, Maritza leads professional development initiatives, ensures curriculum alignment, and strengthens community relationships. Her role involves providing feedback to educators and ensuring the high-quality delivery of a bilingual program. With 24 units in Early Childhood Education and specialized knowledge in Braille literacy and writing, Maritza is well-equipped to navigate and support complex, multilingual educational environments
Teresa Guardian
Operations Coordinator
Margarita has been an integral part of BAHIA for 25 years, bringing over two decades of experience as an educator. In her current role as Recruitment and Enrollment Coordinator, she continues to make a meaningful impact on the organization and the families it serves. Margarita holds an Associate Degree in Child Development and a Site Supervisor Permit, which she utilized during her seven-year tenure as Interim Site Supervisor. Her dedication to professional growth is evident in her ongoing pursuit of educationāregularly attending workshops, courses, and industry events focused on critical topics such as child and family trauma, speech education, and child mentorship. Beyond her professional expertise, Margarita is deeply committed to fostering strong family and community connections. Her care and dedication have left a lasting impression, as she continues to maintain relationships with former students, now adults, whose lives she has positively influenced. Margarita is fluent in Spanish and English.
Non-Discrimination Policy
BAHIA welcomes children and families of all racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on race, color, nationality, ethnicity, gender, disability, or any other protected category in our admission policies, educational programs, or services.