The Spanish Academy was founded in the year 2000 by a mom, Ms. Kimberly Houde, who sought to offer her own daughter a unique foreign language preschool education. The Spanish Academy is a private Spanish immersion language and culture organization for children ages 2 and up. Classes are taught 100% in Spanish. What makes the Spanish Academy programs so special has everything to do with our standards for high quality education; an academic and social experience that is life enriching and child nurturing. We offer a wide range of special activities and social events for our enrolled families.
Our Mission is to provide children a quality immersion Spanish education in a natural environment where elements of academia, nature, and respect for life merge to guide and nurture the creative and absorbent mind of the child.
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Founder & Chief Administrator
I hold a Master's Degree in Psychology with an emphasis on children and families from Antioch University, awarded 1998. My undergraduate work was completed at the Jackson School of International Studies from the University of Washington in 1986.
My passion for travel started when I was 17. Having several years of Spanish language education, I was granted the opportunity to become an exchange student to San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina in 1981. This experience, more than any, changed my life and my understanding of the world. Even before entering college, my mind was opened to a new realization; that we are all connected and incredibly diverse. I’ll never forget the Gauchos of Salta for their kind hospitality and amazing empanadas.
The next major journey I took was to Ireland, Egypt, Israel and South Africa in 1988. The best parts of this trip? Visiting Stonehenge, riding camel back from Cairo to Alexandria and scrambling/ducking in the tunnels of the Great Pyramids. In Israel some highlights include walking Via Dolorosa, seeing Masada, floating the Dead Sea literally caked in mud and photographing the war, “Children of the Stones” in the West Bank. In South Africa, I visited refugee camps, met women and children in Soweto, chased an ostrich and got chased by the same ostrich at the Cape of Good Hope and went on Safari...getting too close to a mother elephant.
One of my life goals was to work with Mother Teresa. After tremendous preparation, I backpacked through South East Asia exploring Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, India, Nepal and China in 1991. The most meaningful part of this trip was living in Calcutta, India where I worked with Mother Teresa. The most adventurous part was crossing the 2nd highest pass in the world and eventually climbing to the base camp of Mt. Everest.
Not ready to settle down for a career, in ’93 I made my way to Russia and Finland. I’ll never forget ballroom dancing in 15º weather on the stairs of the Bolshoi Theatre, drawing St. Basil’s in Red Square, meandering through the Hermitage of St. Petersburg and crossing the border to Finland in the middle of the night surrounded by overly protective guards with big guns.
Every passionate traveler must take the journey to the “center of the universe,” known as Cuzco, according to the Incas. So in 1996 that’s exactly what I did. Cuzco is culturally rich and vibrant, while the trail to Machu Picchu is equally so, seen in the many amazing Incan ruins.
After the birth of my daughter, backpacking took a back seat and world travel became more tame. One outstanding adventure was traversing the entire country of Costa Rica in a rented 4-wheel with 3 generations of family, including my daughter and mom, packed in with luggage and souvenirs! The 3 G's later went on to explore Mexico and Belize. I’ve been contracted to work as a translator in Panama and the best part of this trip? In the same day, beaching on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean!
I love children and have worked diligently to create a meaningful and stimulating experience for little minds. Inspired by my own daughter, I have spent the past 10 years improving the curriculum and enhancing the farm experience to be magical, safe, peaceful and full of child wonderment. The growth and expansion of the Spanish Academy is achieved by maintaining a very high level of quality in all our Spanish programs.
I make sure teachers are given intensive training and observation throughout the school year. Curriculum is reviewed and updated regularly, and I make sure to plan exciting social and community events for students, families and teachers. Now, with several satellite campuses, the integrity of the programs is consistent and enjoyed in several cities of Western Washington.
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Our Teachers
Teachers are chosen based on many things, including education, experience, personality, love of kids and commitment to delivering our unique Spanish curriculum.
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Luza Schlau, North Bend Farm Campus
I was born in Santiago, Chile and moved to the Seattle area about 15 years ago with my husband, Jay. I graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a BA in Business. For several years I worked in an office environment. My life changed a little when I had my first son (now 9), we moved from our Seattle condo to our first house in North Bend. Then, my little girl came (now 5), and I was fortunate enough to be able to take some time off to be a stay at home Mom. A year and a half later, my third child and second boy arrived (now 4), to complete my family of 5. Those years dedicated to my family really affected me and in a way, redirected my focus in life: I wanted my children to keep their Chilean inheritance alive, specifically the Spanish language. So I became involved in teaching Spanish to children at the Spanish Academy. I started at the Spanish Academy in March 2009 in Bellevue. It has been a great experience and extremely rewarding. I believe the Spanish immersion program is outstanding. Children benefit from the introduction of a second language early in life, when the learning process is a natural way of life fothem. I have seen many little ones grow and learn amazing amounts of Spanish. All three of my children have been students at the SA and have had great experiences. Children learn when they are in a nurturing and loving environment, and that is just what I want to provide for them. I love what I do; it is an honor to be able to be a small part of their learning experience! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, and going on adventures together. I love hiking, taking walks, having a good coffee, reading, and camping. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know your children as they learn with us.
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Carolina Liendo, North Bend Farm Campus
I was born and raised in Venezuela. I came to the US 10 years ago and I lived in South Florida my first seven years here. Three years ago we moved to the North West. I am a mother of 2 kids who are fully bilingual and Spanish is the primary language spoken at home. My daughter is 8 years old and my son is 5 years old. As a computer engineer graduate, teaching was not the original career I had in mind; however, an opportunity presented itself and I started teaching several years ago in Venezuela. A good friend of mine needed a substitute teacher for 3 weeks at an Institute (community college) where he taught and I offered to help him. I started as a substitute for a Data Structures course and after 3 weeks I was hired by the institute to teach 5 different courses. In addition to this experience, I gained considerable communication skills with kids during my part-time employment as a clown for kid's parties and as a substitute kindergarten teacher while in high school and college.
I lived in Guatemala for one year and I had the chance to learn about a new culture and people. I have traveled to beautiful places (Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Nicaragua), but my favorite country is Venezuela.....I love my relatives who live there, the food, the people and the beaches.
I started at the Spanish Academy in September 2010 in North Bend. It has been a great and exciting experience, I am amazed at the ease by which kids learn Spanish through all kinds of activities specially new songs and games. I love teaching kids because they are honest, funny and the day is always full of surprises.
I enjoy spending time with my husband and children. We like taking walks, hiking and traveling through the beautiful North West.
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Jasmin Pecci Saavedra, Bellevue Campus
My name is Jasmin Fernandez-Pelayo. I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and have over 15 years of experience teaching kids.. After completing 3 years of studies I received my Associate of Arts Degree in the field of pre-school education in my home country. In 1990 I started working as a teacher with students from ages 2 to 6. I attended the University of Salvador in Buenos Aires where I graduated in Psychopedagogy (that is considered comparable to the award of a Bachelor's degree in a similar field ). After my graduation besides working as a Psichopedagogist in a children's hospital helping kids to improve their learning process I keep working as a teacher. I moved to the U. S. in 2003 when my husband had an intercompany transfer to California. In 2005 we moved to Seattle also for a job transfer. In the U. S. I have worked in preschools in California and in Washington. I’m a mom of two beautiful and lovely girls. I enjoy playing with them and spending time with the family. I like to sing, read, go to the beach and enjoy summer time. And I love the rewarding experience of working with kids and see how they master in a second language.
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