Meet the Team
Dedicated & Certified
Katie Kenlan
Interim Director
Katie Kenlan has a degree in Latin American Studies from UNC Chapel Hill. She has worked in Early Childhood Education for over 15 years with a background in Reggio Emilia based learning and emergent curriculums. She is a NC native who in 2019 moved to Argentina to study. She is passionate about Spanish and fostering supportive, creative learning environments for children. Katie joined Mi Escuelita in March 2023.
Marie Ann Del Valle Coppin
Assistant Director
Marie Ann has had the privilege to work with children both inside and outside of the classroom. She’s originally from Puerto Rico and is very proud of her heritage. Marie Ann joined Mi Escuelita in March 2023.
Blanca Santini
Teacher in Estrellitas
Blanca is originally from Puerto Rico. She has been with Mi Escuelita since 2021.
Martina SanElias
Teacher in Estrellitas
Martina has been at Mi Escuelita since 2012. She is from Guanajuato, Mexico.
Alejandrina Guevara
Teacher in Solecitos
Alejandrina joined Mi Escuelita in 2019. She is originally from Honduras.
Yesenia Morales
Teacher in Solecitos
Yesenia is originally from Chiapas, Mexico. She previously worked in Montessori Schools. Yesenia joined Mi Escuelita in 2022
Reina Leon
Teacher in Lunitas
Reina earned a nursing from El Salvador, her home country. She earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wake Tech Community College. Reina joined Mi Escuelita in 2016.
Blanca Maradiaga
Teacher in Lunitas
Blanca joined Mi Escuelita in 2007. She earned an Associate Degree as a Business Secretary in her home country Honduras.
Yajaira Caviedes
Teacher in Cometas
Yajaira joined Mi Escuelita in 2021. She is originally from Venezuela.
Katherine Albero
Teacher in Cometas
Katherine joined Mi Escuelita in 2023. She has a background in special education with 12+ years of experience in her home country of Venezuela.
Jisleni Hernandez
Teacher in Cometas
Jisleni is an assistant teacher for Cometas. She was born and raised in Chapel Hill with Hispanic parents from Guanajuato Mexico and is bilingual. She joined Mi Escuelita in 2023..
Alexis Besosa
Yoga Teacher
Alexis joined Mi Escuelita as the part-time Yoga Instructor in 2023, and is of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent. She received her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Carrboro Yoga Company, and her 95 hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training with Kidding Around Yoga