María is thrilled to have joined the St. Paul Academy’s community in 2013.
  Born in Cuba, Maria exiled with her parents to the USA in 1962. She and her parents settled in New York City where she learned English as a second language.  Her father’s job took the family to Puerto Rico for many years where she grew up in a bilingual environment rendering her fluent in English and Spanish.


Maria obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico and a Ph.D. in Genetics from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., having worked in this field for over 25 years at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C. and in the private sector.  As a second career Maria has taught Spanish (grades K-8) for the last 13 years since discovering her passion for teaching children! She has taught Spanish at Catholic Parochial schools and Private schools in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin before her husband’s job relocated the family to Kitsap County where she taught at two private schools in Bainbridge Island.  


Maria has two children, both currently living in New York City.  The oldest, Joe, has a degree in Film/Television from NYU and works for a production company in the city.  Nicole, the youngest, a graduate from Columbia University with a degree in Chemical Engineering is working with a consulting firm in NYC.


María and her family are avid snow skiers and spend their Christmas every year in Breckenridge, CO.  Relatively new to the Pacific Northwest, María and her husband Joe of 40 years relocated to this area due to her husband’s job and they hope to make the Bellingham area their home for many years.

A favorite saying: “The key to success is dedication and enthusiasm” ~ Maria’s Mom.