We made it! Finished another amazing season of Elevating la Cultura podcast! I’m so grateful for each guest, and everyone that has listened! At the end of last season we had 700 downloads, and now we are at over 1350 downloads. Like I’m so so agradecida for all the support, and feedback that keeps me going and sharing our stories.All of my guests this season have had such an immense amount of wisdom to share. I’ve had time to reflect on my own educational experiences, and I’ve gained a better understanding for how I can reconcile with my past in a way that can shift things for the next generation.It’s complex and takes work, but Whenever we have conversation, and listen to each other’s stories it’s easier for us to empathize and gain a different perspective on life.And I think that’s the goal. To cultivate spaces for conversations between generations to happen so we can have understanding for each other. but so many times we get caught up in the day to day don’t take the time to learn from each other. That’s why I’m so proud of this space. As parents, caregivers, and educators we all really just want to support our kids in who they are. To elevate and encourage them to be better than we are, so they can create a better future for the future generations. I mean how amazing is that to know that Latina’s are working hard against their own past experiences to make sure that it’s improved for the coming generations. I’m so proud to know each and every one of my guests this season. I have such hope for the future, in knowing that our youth are being supported socially, emotionally, as well as academically.  Let’s keep pouring into our schools, our teachers, and our children. Muchisimas gracias for another amazing season, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos pronto.Instagram: @elevatinglacultura

Hola! Oh my goodness, I’ve been excited to publish this episode since I recorded and wanted this episode to really send us out as we wrap up the season. NoNieqa is a Young Adult and children’s author and is helping educators, parents and youth connect with each other. She is disrupting ideas and narratives that many of us have grown up with and shifting the way we view ourselves and others.I could’ve chatted with her all day, and I hope to one day meet in person because she is an amazing person filled with so much wisdom and hope for the next generation. I feel so energized after speaking with Nonieqa and like I have a renewed passion to continue having these conversations, because like she said real change will happen as a community. Website: nonieqaramos.comInstagram: @nonieqa.ramosTwitter: @NoNieqaRamosResources:Las MusasSoaring 20sDiverse BooksLatinx in LitNCTETroupe 21Ok amigos, Thank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

Hey! This week I’m chatting with Marialuisa, a public high school teacher in Chicago with a big heart for her students. She knew she wanted to be a teacher since  7th grade! Her positivity and passion for walking alongside high school students is an encouragement. She shared some great wisdom for how we can better understand and connect with high school aged youth so we can help guide them through life. It’s so great to see people really loving and pouring into young adults. High school can be a tricky time as kids are navigating between their youth and adulthood, but I have such hope for the next generation, and I know they’re going to be amazing at continuing the positive shift in metal and emotional wellbeing. Instagram: @hellomissenglishThank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

Today’s episode with Brenda is filled with so much wisdom, it really got me excited to go through the week after we recorded. Brenda is a leader in the education space with her involvement with several major groups that are striving to make a difference and elevate Latinx educators across the country. She also a bilingual 2nd grade teacher and a Mom. You might hear her little one in the background missing her while she’s recording. #momlife. Anyway, our conversation is packed with lot of encouragement.I’m so proud to know her and all that she is doing to advocate for our next generation of leaders. I’m so thankful she took some time out of her weekend to talk with me. It’s amazing to learn more about all the things that are shifting in the education space.YouTube Channel: Maestra MendozaInstagram: @maestramendozaFacebook Page: Family Literacy Program & La Maestra MendozaTwitter: @maestra_mendozaThank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

We recorded this episode late at night a Wednesday, so I’m so appreciative that she could take the time out of a full teaching/mom life day to chat with me for the podcast. Vanessa is a certified bilingual and special education pre-k teacher. She pours everything she has into making everyday special for her students and the teachers around her. She shares great information on how to find community and resources for a child with an IEP.  Enjoy my chat with Vanessa. You can tell Vanessa has the biggest heart for her kids and inspires joy in everyone she’s around. Her excitement for life is truly contagious. So I hope you take some of that excitement and apply it to your week. And a little reminder to plan out some time for yourself to regroup so you can stay excited for life. Ok amigos, Thank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

Hola! Today’s conversation is so good, and I’ve wanted to get it out to the listeners since I recorded it! Veronica shares her story of how she opened the Little Scholars Club, a daycare and learning center dedicated to provide children with a safe and nurturing space where they can learn and develop the social, emotional, academic, and life skills needed for school preparedness.Veronica, pivoted from being a teacher, to open LSC with her sisters. She is working towards shifting the idea of daycare in her community to something that is positive and beneficial for kids. So, enjoy our conversation. Website: littlescholarsclub.comFacebook: Little Scholars ClubInstagram: @tlapaliartstudioVeronica is such an inspiration to me. Her heart and passion for education and pouring into kids with love, is beautiful.Thank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

Hola! Today I’m talking with Maggie Moreno co-founder of LatinXChange. Let me tell you, that the passion behind this organization is amazing. Community is so important in every career, and LatinXChange is a  community for Latinx educators to grow, have a voice and to be encouraged professionally and personally. Maggie’s story about how she came to launch LatinXChange is amazing, and the wisdom she shares is so amazing.Website: latinxchange.coPodcast: LatinXChange IG: @_latinxchange_TikTok: @latinxchangeFacebook: LatinXChangeLinked In: LatinXChangeTwitter: @maestra_maggie @_latinxchange_We definitely need this kind of representation and resource in the education space. I can’t wait to see how LatinXChange grows and Maggie and the team will continue to lead and inspire people all over the world.Thank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

Hola! I’m Karina host of Elevating la Cultura, and today I’m talking with Analily, a 5th grade teacher out in California.She was the first person to inspire me in shifting how I parent and I’m just so grateful we got to connect in person a few years ago, and also the fact that we’ve stayed in touch thanks to instagram.Analily truly speaks from the heart, and you can tell she is passionate about nurturing her classroom, and cultivating an environment of safety and respect.IG: @analily_mAfter hearing her episode, you'll wish that she could be a teacher to your kids. I’m so encouraged by the way she is empowering her classroom, and showing them safety and love. I’m so grateful she shared her own story with advocating for her son. It’s great to know that there are resources out there to help kids, and while it might take some effort to find them, hopefully after this episode you’re encouraged that there are people to help. Thank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

Hola! I’m Karina host of Elevating la Cultura, and today I’m talking with Lisset from Casita Montessori. I get so excited to hear stories of people pouring back into their community, which is exactly what Lisset is doing by opening this school. I loved learning about Montessori education and why it’s so important to her to bring this type of access to the southside of Chicago. She is working hard to open the doors to this school by fundraising through her business La Casa Calderon. If you can, support by purchasing products from her site. I can’t wait for the day that the doors are open, and the families are supported and loved through the community Lisset is building.Website: COMING SOONFacebook: Casita Montessori Chicago & La Casa Calderón Instagram: @casita.montessori & @lacasacalderonTikTok: @lacasacalderonOk amigos, Thank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week. 

I’m Karina host of Elevating la Cultura, and today I’m chatting with Vanessa Avalos, my friend who is opening up a bilingual and culturally relevant playroom called Luna y Cielo. You can definitely hear the passion behind what she is building. She shares so much information about the process of building something from the ground up, and the all of the emotions that go with it. She is seriously working so hard to bring this access to our community. This episode is PACKED with all of the things! I mean we talked about it all. I’m so thankful Vanessa was so open and honest with her journey as she builds a new space for the Latine community because it’s definitely not easy, but its going to be so worth it.Since our episode Vanessa has launched her crowdfunding campaign started her own TIKTOK account, and has learned a lot more about social media. I also filmed her promo video which I’ll include at the end of the YouTube video if you want to check it out there. Website: lunaycieloplay.comInstagram: @lunaycieloplayCrowd Funding VideoOk amigos, Thank you so much for listening. There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura.  Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week.