Our Story

Patricia ~ In the Spring of 2002 I moved to Eugene, Oregon with my 5-year-old daughter, leaving behind my country of Peru, family, and friends.  Leaving behind everything I knew that made me feel comfortable, protected, and safe. I was looking for financial security, something that was becoming difficult for the working middle class in the city of Lima, a city I loved.  My story of change is the story of many immigrants who seek opportunities for themselves and their children. 

With a bachelor degree in Architecture, earned in my first language of Spanish at the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, I made the decision to move to the United States with my daughter. I moved knowing my education, skills, and abilities would not automatically transfer to work opportunities I may want due to not yet mastering English. That did not stop me. 

The immense change in our lives meant learning a language we barely understood, my daughter learning faster than myself!  As the mother of a child starting kindergarten, I relied on translations and interpreters to connect with those educating my child.  I wanted to fully support my child and be engaged in her educational experience and growth.  At the time, I needed additional support to do that.   As with most second language learners, I began to understand more than I felt comfortable expressing in English.  An experience many Spanish speaking parents have shared with me.

Earning my dual citizenship, and being a Peruvian American, has led me to understand as an interpreter you must take into account the various cultures of those in the meeting or presentation, and know how to deal with difficult, emotional, and sensitive situations and conversations.  I am proud to share that I recently achieved my National Certificate from NAETISL, a credential that reflects my commitment to excellence and professional standards in educational interpretation and translation. Beyond my daily work with families, I have the honor of shaping the future of our field as a member of the NAETISL Certification Test Advisory Committee.  It takes building relationships to best meet the needs of those we are serving.



Heather  ~ I experienced the transitory nature of growing up with a military parent.  Having experienced multiple moves during my K-12 experience, I understand what new students and families face each time they must start again in a new location, new school, and new community.  With school experiences in Virginia, Nevada, Hawaii, New Mexico, Alabama, and Texas - where I moved in with a teacher's family to complete my senior year - I recall the feeling of being disconnected from those around me.  It was the outreach from teachers and administrators that made a difference in my success. 

With each move, I brought with me a multitude of experiences and knowledge that I could share.  So do second language students and our second language families.  Through the right plan of reaching out, in their home language, those students can share what they know and those parents and families can become integral partners in their child's education. 

I suppose it is not surprising that I became a middle school teacher, a move that launched a full career in education. I worked to build a sense of community in my classrooms, the schools in which I was principal, and ultimately the district in which I retired as the director of human resources.  I completed my PhD in Education and Leadership and MBA at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, and my Masters of Arts in Teaching at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.  My experience and skills have led me to work with Patricia on our dream of connecting schools, programs, and businesses with the students, families, and parents they serve. 

I know connections matter.  They matter to the students, families, and staff in schools.  They matter to community programs looking to connect with those they can serve.  They matter to small businesses who look to grow and serve their community.  We are ready to help you make those connections.