Meet the Team
Dedicated & Certified
Carolina Stealey
Executive Director
She is originally from Bogota, Colombia. Carolina has more than 17 years of experience teaching children from infants to high school and she has
experience as an academic coordinator in the United States. Carolina earned her degree in Colombia in Basic Education with a specialization in computer science. She is a certifed Montessori Guide by the American Montessori Society (AMS) in the United States. Carolina has two early certifications; Level 8 in Early Care Education and level 11 in School Age by The North
Carolina Institute for Child Development Professionals. She has been leading Mi Escuelita’s family since January of 2019.
Julia Suarez
Assistant Director and Lead Teacher of Cometas classroom.
Julia is originally from Mexico, she earned a Bachelor degree in Education from the Universidad Pedagogica Nacional, Mexico and a Technical license in Business Administration She moved to Chapel Hill 13 years ago. She earned her Early Childhood Education credential as well a Credential in Music and Dance at Durham Technical Community College. She joined the Mi Escuelita family in 2007.
Amber Daves
Office Administration
She was raised in Graham, NC. Amber earned her Early Childhood Credentials Diploma in 2009. Along with her early childhood background, she is well versed in Office Administration. She spent over six years in the classroom working with infants and toddlers. She felt the need to do more for her school family. She started her role as The Little School of Duke Office Manager in 2016. Not only did she get to know,help, love 160 families, but she also formed relationships with those she'll never forget. She joined Mi Escuelita in May 2020, she is proud to be part of the Mi Escuelita family.
Karen Leon
Assistant Teacher in Estrellitas.
She is originally from El Salvador and moved to Chapel Hill in 2001. She earned a degree in Nursing from El Salvador. She earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wake Tech Community College. Karen joined Mi Escuelita in 2016.
Martina San Elias
Lead Teacher in Estrellitas.
She is originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, and moved to Chapel Hill in 2012. She earned a certified nursing assistant from Mexico. She is working towards her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wake Tech Community College and earned as well Early Childhood Education credential at Durham Technical community College. Martina joined Mi Escuelita in 2012.
Mercedes Lester
Assistant Teacher in Solecitos.
She is originally from El Salvador Santa Tecla and moved to Chapel Hill in 2012. She earned a Nursing degree from El Salvador with an
emphasis in the operating room. She earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wake Tech Community College as well Early Childhood Education credential at Durham Technical community College. Mercedes joined Mi Escuelita in 2015.
Blanca Maradiaga
Assistant Teacher in Lunitas
She is originally from Honduras and move to Chapell Hill in 2004. She earned an Associate Degree as a Business Secretary in Honduras.
Her skills and love for working with children are natural, and genuine and we are proud to have her in our Mi Escuelita family for 12 years. Blanca joined Mi Escuelita in 2007.
Nidia Rojas
Lead Teacher in Solecitos.
She is originally from Colombia and moved to Chapel Hill in 2016. She earned her License as an Emergency Medical Technician (paramedic) in Colombia. Nidia earned her Early Childhood Education credential at Durham Technical community College and she is working on completing her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wake Tech Community College. Nidia joined Mi Escuelita in 2018.
Alexandra Rojas
Assistant Teacher in Cometas
She is originally from Colombia and moved to Chapel Hill in 2016. She earned a Bachelor degree in Early Child Education from the University Luis Amigo, Medellin, Colombia. Her love for art lead her to create a platform on social media about cardmaking, miniature figures and small landscapes. She became one of the inner-city artist in Carrboro/Chapel Hill. Alexandra is actively engaged with the Latino community and member of the Centro Hispano in Carroboro.