Spanish Immersion Storytelling, Singing, & Speaking for Young Learners

Hello! ¡Hola! Ciao!👋🌎

Welcome to Language First Academy!

At Language First Academy, we believe language learning is more than just vocabulary and grammar—it's an immersive journey to build confidence, communication skills, and cultural connections. 🌐✨

Why Choose Us?
Our certified, highly experienced educators bring a wealth of international and U.S.or Canada teaching experience. 🧑‍🏫🌍 They know that every child learns differently, so we use a dynamic, personalized approach to ensure every student is engaged and successful.

Personalized Learning Just for Your Child (1:1 Tutoring) 🎒📚
Each child is unique. That’s why we begin with a comprehensive assessment to understand your child's strengths and goals. Then, we create a custom learning plan tailored to their needs, ensuring a rewarding and impactful experience. 🌱✨

Engaging and Fun Group Classes 💪🌟
Our dynamic group classes bring language to life through interactive lessons that foster real connections. Guided by our certified, internationally experienced teachers, students engage in lively discussions, group activities, and team projects that help them practice and reinforce their skills while making friends. 🧑‍🏫🌍

Learning Support 📝
To make sure your child’s learning extends beyond the classroom, we provide:

📖 Lesson materials (1:1 and group classes)
✏️ An optional printable workbook (group courses)
🎶 A fun booklet with online games, songs, and flashcards (group classes)
(Homework assignments are available upon request!)

Whether you’re looking for tutoring or a full language program, rest assured that Language First Academy has the resources and expertise to guide your child to success! 💪🌟

Welcome to Our Community!

Meet Our Educators 👩‍🏫✨

Our teachers are:
- Experienced K-12 Educators 📚 with two or more years of classroom and online experience
- Credentialed with Bachelor’s degrees or higher 🎓
- Globally Experienced 🌍 from teaching in the U.S. and internationally
- Inclusive & Supportive 🌈 creating welcoming classrooms for all students

Caitlin Townsley-Olvera 🍎
Cait is a dedicated educator with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education, specializing in Spanish and English Linguistics & Literature. She’s TESOL, AMET, and EBE certified and has 13 years of teaching experience in the U.S., Spain, Thailand, Guatemala, and Mexico. She also offers beginner Italian and study skills courses for online learners. ✨🌎

Mary Carper 🌟
With a bachelor’s degree in Biology 🧬 and Spanish, Mary combines her TESOL certification and five years of teaching experience in the U.S., Spain, and Colombia. Her global perspective and passion make her classes engaging and impactful! 💼📚

Ashley Haley 🏫
Ashley holds a bachelor’s in Social Work and Spanish, a master’s in Education specializing in English Language Learners, and an Ed.S. in School Leadership. With 11 years of experience and an international teaching background in the U.S., Guatemala, and Colombia, Ashley brings equity and inclusion to every classroom. 🌈

Kristen Paulson 📖
Kristen’s passion for teaching began early, and she brings seven years of experience in Tennessee, teaching grades 1, 3, and 6, as well as English Language Learners. With a bachelor’s in Social Sciences and a master’s in Elementary Education, Kristen’s commitment to fostering a love for learning shines in every lesson. 🌟✨

Allison Caracciolo 🌱
Allison specializes in early childhood education, holding a bachelor’s degree from Penn State and a master’s in Curriculum Instruction from Wilkes University. Her five years of experience make her a compassionate, trusted guide for young learners. 🧒📚

Samantha Spann 🌈
Ms. Sam, a certified teacher with six years of experience, combines her role as a mental health intern with teaching, focusing on both academic and emotional growth. She meets students where they are, emphasizing their strengths and helping them flourish. 💖🌟

Alex Pantazi 🎶
Alex is a certified music educator with degrees in Music Education and Performance from Illinois State University. After teaching high school music in the U.S., he spent four years teaching English in Spain, where he also improved his Spanish. His goal is to help students gain genuine confidence in their skills. 🎸📚

Marissa Cheney 📚
With a 14-year teaching career, Marissa specializes in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading. Certified to teach K-6, she currently teaches Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, bringing energy and expertise to each lesson. ✨🌟

Angie Drerup 🌎
With 30 years of experience teaching Spanish, Angie holds a bachelor’s in Spanish Secondary Education and a master’s in Classroom Guidance, along with extensive Spanish coursework. She’s led student trips to Spain, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands, creating truly memorable language experiences. 🧳🌴

Moira Gilmore 📚 
Meet Moira, a certified elementary school teacher from Connecticut! ✏️ With experience in 2nd, 4th, and most recently 5th grade ELA for the past 4 years, her passion for reading and writing inspires students to grow and build on their skills. 🌟✨

Carolina Martinez🌟
Carolina holds a degree in Social Communication and brings over 7 years of experience teaching Spanish to middle and high school students in Argentina. 🇦🇷 After completing her Master’s in Spanish as a Foreign Language in Mexico, 🇲🇽 she deepened her understanding of how to teach teens effectively. Her teaching style is dynamic, fun, and student-centered—making language learning an enjoyable journey for every learner! 🎉