Even as a small child, Elsa understood the importance of a good and equitable education. Her family emigrated from El Salvador in the late 1970s when the country was being ravaged by civil war. She was fortunate to be born as the first American citizen to parents who believed education was the key to life. Elsa grew up in North Hollywood, California, in a neighborhood predominantly inhabited by Latin American families whose incomes were below the federal poverty threshold. At school, Elsa remembers her father advocating not only for her and her siblings but also for children who were not his to have access to better opportunities. He understood that their parents were afraid or unable to speak up, so he stepped up on their behalf.
His actions had a profound impact on Elsa. In college, she aspired to pursue a career that would allow her to bring equity to education. She went onto earn a BA in English literature and a master’s degree in education.
As a teacher and a homeschooling mom, Elsa continues to aim to bring educational opportunities to families of all backgrounds and needs. Her home has become a center of innovative education for her own children, and she wants to share that with others.