Erika Velez, Teacher

Erika is a bilingual learning specialist, teacher, and administrator. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Language Teaching from Universidad del Atlántico in Barranquilla, Colombia and her Specialization in Cognitive Disorders from Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia. She has also completed some courses for a Masters in International Education at Endicott College and for a Doctorate Degree in Neuroscience and Cognition at Universidad Maimonides in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is currently transferring to complete her masters in Dual Language Acquisition (English –Spanish) through Universidad Iberoamericana (Spain-Puerto Rico).

Erika has worked in many different international settings such as The Altamira International School (Advanced Ed), The British International College (IB and Cambridge), and Cuenta Cuentos (After School Bilingual Specialized  Reading and Intervention Center) in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her most recent position was with The Atlanta International School (Advanced Ed, CIS and IB) a highly ranked international school. Her multi faceted professional expertise allowed her to work in different roles: Spanish PYP teacher, bilingual learning specialist in both lower and upper grades, literacy coordinator, Spanish immersion teacher and program designer, Differentiated Instructional coach for Spanish teachers, Language Camp Coordinator (German, Chinese, French, Spanish and English), and voluntary Spanish teacher for the school community. She has had the opportunity to visit and learn from other international schools in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina, and the United States.

Erika describes herself as an inquirer by nature and an active learner. Erika’s educational expertise lies in the fields of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Special Needs, Curriculum Development and Design, Bilingualism, the Primary Years Program (IB), Language Acquisition, and Differentiated Instruction. She is passionate about proving herself to be flexible, adaptable, and sensitive to the needs of a learning community. Erika welcomes the opportunity to take on new challenges and apply best practices at The Magellan International School. She is very enthusiastic about international education and fully devoted to the goals of the IB organization, supporting the learning community in developing intellectual, personal, and social skills to live, learn, and work in a global and changing world.

Experiencing American culture in an international school has been splendid for Erika and her family. She has three children: Salomon (a rising senior at The Awty International School in Houston and great soccer player); Juan (a rising 9th grader and great soccer player); and Maria (a rising 8th grader, writer and painter). Salomon Sr., Erika's husband, is an architect. While living and sharing other diverse cultures, Erika’s family has  learned not only to value and respect other cultures, but to value their own even more. They are ambassadors of their country, promoting their language, traditions, cuisine and own cultural and national identity. This intercultural understanding and respect is an essential part of life in the 21st century. Erika will be working as a Lead Teacher at MIS. Her family is excited about moving to Austin and being part of the Magellan community.