Judith Pasternac, L.C.S.W.
Owner & Director
Judi’s passion for children, led her to create Camp Mis Amigos several years ago. Through the use of art, music and play children quickly learned Spanish. Since then, her quest for a program that departed from a traditional curriculum to offer a natural and easy way for children to learn a second language while enjoying themselves at the same time, led to the creation of Mis Amigos Languages. As a parent, Judi has full understanding of the pressures that children and parents share. A personal objective for Judi was to develop a stress- free, play, art and music-based educational program in which children could thrive and learn. Judi holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work from Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla. Her professional experience of over 20 years includes working with children in the mental health arena,business development and fund raising.
Sandra P. Corella
Spanish Teacher
Sandra’s knowledge and vocation for working with children attracted her to Mis Amigos Languages. Sandra brings over 20 years of experience in the preschool setting. She has passion for the creative learning methodologies and how they can be applied to language education through means of music, theater and art. In the University of Costa Rica she obtained a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degree in Science and Education and with emphasis on preschool education. Her vast experience also includes being a faculty member at Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica. Together, her practical and theoretical backgrounds enable Sandra to execute Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences at Mis Amigos Languages.
Rita Ruesga
Music and Spanish Teacher
Rita Ruesga, very passionate about music and the power it has in the lives of young children. As the music teacher for the “Buenos Dias Mis Amigos” music program, she will enthusiastically work with the young “amiguitos” to instill in them the love of language through music. Ms. Ruesga enjoys a vast experience as a Spanish and music teacher as well as an author and musician. To her credit, she is a two time Latin Grammy Nominee in the Children’s Music Category. Recently, she published a children’s book, “Cantaba la Rana”/”Sang the Frog” for Scholastic. She is the Director for Giraldilla Group INC. She holds a license for Kindermusik International. Additionally, she enjoys teaching music and Spanish at various school programs throughout Miami-Dade County.
Ms. Ruesga received a Music Education Associate degree from Miami Dade Community College and is a graduate of the National School of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba. She has received numerous awards in the field of music.
Lourdes Segrera
Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Segrera is thrilled to put into practice her many years of teaching Spanish to young children. She firmly believes in the power of “the window of opportunity”. Her teaching style is hands on. She is passionate about working with young children and getting down at their level. As an early childhood educator, Mrs. Segera brings to Mis Amigos Languages over 20 years of experience teaching young children from grade levels 1-5. In addition to ESOL and gifted endorsement, she is a National Board certified teacher in language arts. She has served as a consultant to the University of Miami and to multiple local academic institutions in the development of their language and literature programs. Mrs. Segera, holds a Bachelors of science in elementary education received from Florida International University. From Nova University she holds a Master’s Degree in Science in Gifted education.
OUR PARENTS
Thank you for sharing our passion and desire to have your child learn a new language by enrolling them in Mis Amigos Languages. Your child will thank you one day.
As parents, you are the most important people in a child’s life and the power that integrates learning. There are many things you can do to support your child as he/she learns a foreign language.
Below and throughout this site and in our newsletters we will also be providing useful resources and tools to support your efforts.
Fostering Second Language Development in Young Children
Encouraging Children's Language Development
MEMBERSHIPS
National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL)
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
