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Durante más de cincuenta años, el Instituto Hispano para el Avance del Área de la Bahía (BAHIA) se ha dedicado a servir a las familias y fortalecer nuestra comunidad en el área este de la bahía. Nuestro éxito se basa en el esfuerzo colectivo, la dedicación y la pasión de nuestras familias, personal y socios comunitarios. Nos honraría contar con su apoyo en esta misión.
En BAHIA, creemos en el poder del aprendizaje bilingüe. Nuestros programas ayudan a los niños a desarrollar sólidas habilidades lingüísticas tanto en inglés como en español, fomentando una base bilingüe que les beneficiará durante años.
A través de diversos eventos culturales, celebramos la riqueza de las culturas hispanohablantes, promoviendo una mayor conciencia y comprensión cultural. Estas actividades no solo mejoran la adquisición del idioma, sino que también crean un ambiente inclusivo y acogedor para todos los niños. Al combinar estos enfoques, nuestro currículo ofrece experiencias de aprendizaje holísticas y apropiadas para el desarrollo que despiertan la curiosidad, fomentan la independencia y cultivan el respeto por las diversas culturas.
En BAHÍA,
Estamos dando forma
MENTES JÓVENES
A
PROSPERAR
en una comunidad global.
¡Conozca al personal!
Durante más de 50 años, BAHIA ha sido un pilar fundamental de la educación infantil de alta calidad , fomentando un entorno enriquecedor y culturalmente enriquecedor para el crecimiento y el aprendizaje de los niños. Nuestro dedicado equipo, muchos de cuyos miembros llevan años con nosotros, aporta una vasta experiencia y pasión a nuestras aulas.
En BAHIA, los estudiantes prosperan bajo el cuidado y la guía de educadores dedicados de países hispanohablantes de todo el mundo. Nuestros reconocidos programas brindan a los niños una sólida base en el idioma, la cultura y el aprendizaje temprano, preparándolos para el éxito de por vida. Nos enorgullece contar con un personal excepcional que no solo ama su trabajo, sino que también está profundamente comprometido con los niños y las familias a quienes servimos.
Director Ejecutivo (Interino)
Jorge López
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 Association’s,” Charter School of the Year recognition”. 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.
Director Senior del Programa
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.
Maritza Castillo-Vargas
Director Asociado de Desarrollo de Personal y Currículo
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, México 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
Supervisor de obra
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
Margarita Tamayo
Coordinador de Inscripción y Elegibilidad
Dolores Franco
Bookkeeper
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 education—regularly 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.
Política de no discriminación
BAHIA da la bienvenida a niños y familias de todos los orígenes raciales, étnicos y lingüísticos. No discriminamos por raza, color, nacionalidad, etnia, género, discapacidad ni ninguna otra categoría protegida en nuestras políticas de admisión, programas educativos ni servicios.