Carla Rodas-Piña

Carla migrated to the United States when she was ten due to the civil war in her home country of Guatemala. She believes that sharing trials and tribulations with students allows them to realize the similar experiences that all immigrants face. To overcome obstacles and achieve goals, you must find a support system to fully “shine your light.” In the 14 years she has been an educator, she has had at least one student from every Spanish-speaking country except one. She embraces classroom diversity, and her lessons encourage students to learn from each other. Carla has helped many students navigate life after high school by helping them with college applications, applying for scholarships, applying to a trade school or starting a business. Carla is a proud mother of two young men and embraces creating a home where her sons can learn about their Guatemalan and Dominican Republic heritage and cultures. As a Scholar, she is grateful to learn from others across the United States and Africa. She is looking forward to the exchange of ideas, experiences and learning.