At Aventuras we are true believers...

We believe that all children should have fun, be inspired and engaged while learning.

We believe that all children should be treated with respect, be given opportunities to play, explore and experiment, make mistakes and learn from them, and discover who they are and what they’re capable of, without being judged.

We believe that all children deserve access to spaces where they can develop healthy, creative, confident, and kind minds and bodies, so that they can reach their full potential, succeed and be happy.

We believe that parents and teachers need to be partners, working together towards the common goal of providing children with unconditional guidance, love and care.

We believe that learning a second language, and the culture associated with it, gives children a competitive advantage and helps them grow into more tolerant and respectful global citizens.

We believe that all of us have the responsibility to take care of our planet, and teach others to take care of it as well.

We believe in the power of strong, inclusive and supportive communities.

-- Si, yo también lo creo!

The Team

Our Team

Our team of educators is comprised of a diverse group of bilingual professionals, with different backgrounds and a shared passion for early childhood education, experiential learning, and creative expression.

Among the ranks we have visual and performing arts professionals, musicians, engineers, physical educators, designers, writers, therapists, and much more!

Monica Escudero
Bilingual Teacher/Writer

Monica is a proud Colombian with a degree in Political Science. She began her career as a middle school teacher through Teach for Colombia, part of Teach For All, a global network working to ensure all children can reach their full potential. She later worked at the Colombian Ministry of Education, leading initiatives to strengthen educational quality in schools across the country.

Passionate about the arts, she believes creativity is essential to child development. Since joining Aventuras over three years ago, Monica has cherished the opportunity to see her students grow and feels deeply grateful for the people she has met along the way including students, fellow teachers, and families, who make this community so special.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching historical series, and traveling.

Jonathan Segura

Bilingual Teacher/Skater

Jonathan is a passionate sports instructor with a warm and energetic approach to teaching. With years of experience working with children and youth, he has led activities such as skating, skateboarding, and physical education—always bringing a big smile and positive energy to every session. His goal is to create a safe and engaging environment where every child or teen feels inspired to learn, grow, and have fun while staying active.

He has strong knowledge in early childhood pedagogy and sports training, as well as expertise in planning activities and adapting techniques to each stage of development. Jonathan blends games, coordination exercises, and creative challenges to boost confidence, teamwork, and healthy habits. For him, every class is more than just practice—it’s an adventure kids will carry with them and remember with excitement.

Certified holistic therapist in emotional intelligence and positive psychology, Janneth has experience working with children of different ages. Her approach combines care and education with tools that strengthen self-esteem, empathy, and emotional management from early childhood.

With a holistic vision, she creates purposeful learning experiences where, through playful and mindful activities, she fosters creativity, cooperation, and connection with oneself and others, inspiring each child to grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy.

Janneth Guarin

Bilingual Teacher/Holistic Therapist

Gerardo González

Bilingual Teacher/Social Worker

Gerardo is passionate about creating welcoming, positive spaces where children can explore, learn, and grow through fun and inclusive activities. He has extensive experience working with children, including those with disabilities, ensuring that every child feels valued and supported.

With a strong belief that the early stages of childhood are foundational in shaping well-being and worldview, Gerardo is committed to fostering meaningful Spanish-immersive learning experiences. He possesses an Early Childhood Educator certificate and holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Gerardo values building a sense of community and enjoys sharing his Mexican heritage while also learning from diverse cultural perspectives around the world.

Karen Muñoz
Bilingual Teacher/Mother

Karen is originally from Chile, and has lived in the country for 20 years. She finished high school, earned an associate's degree from City College, and a bachelor's degree from SFSU. After graduating, Karen began working in preschools, where she gained six years of experience. In 2022, she became a mother for the first time; her little one is now 3 years old. After two and a half years of being a full-time mom, she's returned to the workforce, starting over at Aventuras. And it's been quite an adventure!

"A new experience for me, working with school-aged children in such an enriching and creative program. I love it! It's also been a great pleasure to be with the little ones again, ages 2 and 3, and to be able to contribute my experience. I also feel fortunate to continue growing professionally in a program full of culture and diversity, and above all, to be able to share my love and support with the children."

Leadership Team

Carolina Ramírez

Founder/Executive Director

Carolina is a native and proud Colombian who moved to San Francisco 24+ years ago looking for new adventures and opportunities. She has a bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, and 20+ years of experience in Product Design, Graphics, Marketing + Communications, and Strategy.

In 2016, as she was contemplating a shift in her career, she found herself looking for high quality, creative and comprehensive Spanish-Immersion after school programs for her school-age son, and couldn't find any. This motivated her to shift her focus to the education sector, and after studying Early Childhood Education, Yoga and Mindfulness for kids, and Business Administration for a couple of years, she founded Aventuras in 2019.

She is immensely grateful for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful project and community, along with so many families, teachers, friends, and allies.

Marcela Certuche

Partner/Programs Director

Marcela has a bachelor's degree in Visual Arts with emphasis in painting and sculpture. She deepened her knowledge in sculpture in Brazil and then she relocated to Paris to closely study masterpieces in museums and art history. She also studied theater. Marcela is a native Spanish speaker who comes from Colombia.

Marcela has taught art for more than ten years. She believes in the power of art and languages to foster creativity and autonomy, and to inspire transformative ideas to create together a better world.

She enjoys chocolate ice cream, hikes, and likes to dance salsa.

Cristina Barroso

Operations Director

Cristina is passionate about creating environments where children feel supported, empowered, and excited to learn.

Growing up in Southern California, she developed a deep connection to her community and a strong desire to make a positive impact on young learners. Throughout her journey, she has remained committed to fostering holistic child development.

As the Programs and Operations Director at Aventuras, Cristina is dedicated to providing enriching experiences where children can grow, explore, and thrive while having fun. She is excited to continue building a nurturing and engaging space that helps every child reach their full potential.