Our Founder’s Journey
Welcome Spanish! is led by Sandra Delgado. Sandra Delgado’s journey in education began long before she founded Welcome Spanish! As a young professional in Lima, Peru, she earned her psychology degree from Ricardo Palma University and graduated in 1994 with a deep desire to help others. She went on to work as a psychologist in a hospital serving low-income families and later taught psychology at the high-school level—experiences that shaped her compassionate, student-centered approach to teaching. In 1997, she immigrated to the United States, carrying with her a strong commitment to education and community.
Her involvement in U.S. schools began when her daughters entered elementary school. Wanting to support them and their classmates, Sandra joined LAUSD in 2007 as an instructional assistant and quickly discovered a deep passion for working directly with young children. After moving to Manhattan Beach in 2012, she expanded her teaching experience by serving as a Spanish teacher at Riviera Hall Lutheran and as a teacher at the Montessori School of Manhattan Beach. In 2015, she further developed her expertise by creating and teaching a Pre-K Spanish curriculum for the Montessori School’s Bell & Peck campuses. She also continued working as an instructional aide in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, and has now been part of RBUSD for more than 15 years. Along the way, she learned from many inspiring educators, including mentor Angelique Nitsiotis at Tulita Elementary, who greatly influenced her hands-on, warm, and interactive teaching style.
These experiences—combined with her background in psychology and her love for sharing her culture—inspired Sandra to create Welcome Spanish! Her after-school program reflects everything she has learned throughout her journey: connection, cultural pride, joyful learning, and the belief that language opens hearts and opportunities. Today, she offers interactive Spanish classes supported by RBUSD staff, where students build vocabulary, celebrate traditions, and grow confident as bilingual communicators.
Other Welcome Spanish! instructors are similarly qualified.
