At Aventuras we are true believers...
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We believe that all children should have fun, be inspired and engaged while learning.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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We believe in the power of strong, inclusive and supportive communities.
-- Si, yo también lo creo!
Our Team
Leadership Team
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.
Carolina Ramírez
Founder
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.
Teaching 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've had 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 four 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.