Kindergarten  
    zuniga 2019 Señorita Marcie Zuniga has been an immersion teacher at Burnt Mills for 5 years and a teacher for 11 years. Señorita Zuniga is a proud MCPS graduate whose family is from El Salvador. She introduces the Spanish language to our little ones through songs, dances, pictures, & a lot of engagement and excitement. We are grateful to have her on our team.
    Grade 1  
       canales 2019

    Señora Gricia Canales is a native of El Salvador and has lived in the United States for over 30 years. She has been teaching for over 20 years, and about 10 years in Montgomery County. Her experience with the immersion team at Burnt Mills helps students experience a continuity in language as they move from Kindergarten through 1st grade.  Señora Canales loves working with children and helping them develop into creative, intelligent members of their community.

    Grade K and 1 Reading Initiative
      galan 2019 Señora Paola Galán is our Reading Initiative teacher.  She was born and raised in Montgomery County to Bolivian parents.  She attended Towson University and earned a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education. She is also certified in ESOL and uses those strategies often to teach in immersion.  Señora Galán has worked as a first and second grade teacher in Montgomery County for over 10 years.  As a true Marylander, she love crabs and Old Bay.  Her favorite pastimes are traveling, reading, and participating in Bible education work.
    Grade 2  
      bonilla 2019

    Señorita Vicky Bonilla has been our second grade immersion teacher for three years and with MCPS for 5 years.  She loves to spend time with her large family who is from El Salvador.  On her free time she enjoys cooking, baking, and dancing.  

     
     Grade 3  
    guzman 2019b Señora Maryann Guzman has been a teacher for 25 years, 15 of those in MCPS.  Her family is from Honduras and El Salvador.  She enjoys being with her family and sharing her culture with others.  She enjoys Central American food and music.
      Grade 4  
      santos 2019 Señora Orly Santos has been teaching in MCPS for 13 years.  She is originally from Puerto Rico. There are many things she enjoys about her culture but most importantly is the resilience of her people.  She also enjoys the music and food.  Señora Santos is instrumental in helping our students improve their language skills and vocabulary and preparing them for middle school.
    Grade 5
    Reading & Writing

    Señora Leticia Rodriguez has taught for over 20 years in her country of Panama and the U.S.  She has taught both primary and secondary education and enjoys sharing her culture with her students.  Her favorite part about her culture is the delicious food.
    Grade 5
    Math, Science, & Social Studies
     williams 2019 Señora Maria Williams was born in Managua, Nicaragua but grew up in Maryland and is a product of Montgomery County Public Schools.  She attended West Virginia State University where she studied Psychology and went on to receive her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction as well as English for Speakers of Other Languages.  She has been teaching for 9 years and in our immersion program for 6 years.   Some of her hobbies are reading, knitting, and baking as well as enjoying time with her 3 beautiful babies.
    Program Coordinator
      plawner 2019 Señora Gloria Plawner is from Quito, Ecuador but grew up outside of Boston. This mix of two cultures allowed her to grow up appreciating and loving traveling and languages. Any time she can learn about new cultures or countries, she jumps at the opportunity! Señora. Plawner has a background in International Development and Public Health. She has taught elementary and middle school for 12 years.  During her free time she enjoys exploring the area with her family and two wonderful children!