I am originally from Brazil – 2nd child of a family that adopted 2 other children and taught me that sharing is ok, and to respect mother nature and its environment because they can bring you happiness! Yes, my Mother loved children as well as animals and she was a person who rescued animals and loved the outdoors.  

I Graduated in Pedagogy as well as Marketing and Advertising. I Taught Kindergarten and 1st grade for 6 years in public and private schools in my home town Ubatuba (a beautiful city surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean) and also in the big city of Sao Paulo. Passionate for traveling and meeting new people my adventure came when I decided to go bodyboarding in Mexico, more precisely in Oaxaca – Mexico. Out there I learned how to speak Spanish and respect the ocean and its limitations (they have big waves out there). Fascinated with everything that I learned and discovered, I decided that was time to learn English. I came to Los Angeles, Ca in 1993 and was living for a while in Seal Beach, went to Cypress College to learn English as a second language for 6 months, and transferred to Santa Monica College. Finally, I went to Ucla Extensions to learn about Interior Design, another passion of mine. I Got a job at Beverly Wilshire Hotel doing interior design with flowers and I met my “Prince” Mike Wells, who, at the time, was also working at the hotel.

A native Studio City resident, he introduced me to the Valley and I felt as if I was home again. Valley Village is a community that reminds me my hometown in Brazil, where people say hello to you and stop by to talk with you when you are walking your dog. Well, the rest is history … the Valley turned into my permanent home, where we raised our twin boys and my heart fell in love with this cute school surrounded by trees and an area with few sheep. I said to my husband, “ I want our kids to go there”, and he agreed”. I started volunteering at the school and getting to know the teachers and principal and applied to work there. It has been 15 years and I am proud to say that I am a “Valley Girl” and I love this Community and the opportunity it gave me.
During these 15 years, I learned a lot and continue learning.

Besides working in the school and coordinating the science lab, I also created “The Colfax Summer and Winter Camp” which has been running for 10 years. An Enrichment Program where kids ages 4 1/2 to 12 years old can spend quality time learning and discovering leadership and sportsmanship in a safe and familiar environment, at our campus at Colfax, I also expanded the animals area bringing other kinds and making a place that the students and campers can learn and have fun the same time. Now, the neighborhood is growing, and so is our Colfax Charter Elementary.