Director and Curriculum Coach

Sra. Loomis was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and moved to Asheville in 2013. She completed her bachelor degree at the University of Cuenca, Ecuador and received her master’s degree in teaching Spanish as a Second Language from the University of Barcelona, Spain. She worked for Buncombe County Schools at Glen Arden Elementary School as Spanish Immersion Elementary Teacher K-4 from 2013 until 2021, leaving to start the Spanish Academy of Asheville.

While at Glen Arden, Sra. Loomis was a member of the Dual Language Leadership Team, ELA Leadership Team and Math Leadership Team. She also holds the North Carolina Global Education Badge, the Seesaw Ambassador Badge, and the Apple Teacher Badge.

She and her husband Taylor have two daughters and love hiking and spending time together as a family.

Vice Director and Bookkeeper

Taylor Loomis was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. He completed his bachelor degree at UNC Chapel Hill before moving to the Pacific Northwest to work for a major construction company, and then to Colorado to work for a digital solutions company. He moved back to WNC to get his Masters of Business Administration at Appalachian State University, and has been working and living in Asheville since 2013.

He loves the outdoors and all sorts of sports that allow he and his family to enjoy nature together.

From Venezuela

Señorita Indira was born and raised in Vargas, Venezuela. She moved to Asheville to reunite with her parents and her older brother back in May 2021.

She graduated in International Studies and she had the opportunity to live in Panama for 8 years, where she was prepared and educated into the world of logistics, being a manager of an air and sea freight company for more than 5 years. She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

Señorita Indira looks forward to helping young students begin their bilingual career.

From México

Srta. Ingrid was born in Asheville NC, her parents immigrated from Mexico many years ago. She only spoke Spanish at home, therefore Spanish is her first language.

She really enjoys working with children, therefore, she looks forward to provide support while continuing her education in the field of Early Childhood.

She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

From El Salvador

Sra. Elda was born in El Salvador. She completed her education and graduated as a Primary Teacher at the University of El Salvador. She has worked with elementary school children of different ages where she grew up as an educator and really enjoyed learning together with them.  As working with children is her passion, she has completed several Early Childhood Art Education courses, where children learn and show their creativity and imagination through their pieces of art. She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

She is thrilled to teach her mother language "Spanish" as she did at her hometown. She loves children and seeing how they grow in all developing areas - physically, emotionally and socially. 

From Venezuela

Srta. Gratzia was born in San Cristóbal, Venezuela. She holds a bachelor's degree in Nursing and Pharmacy Assistant. She worked in her home town, La Guaira, Venezuela as an assistant in Pharmacy where she had the opportunity to serve younger and older people.

She is a proactive person, excellent teammate and responsible. She loves working with younger and older people.

She really enjoys learning new things, so her goal is a challenging and dynamic position where she can share her experience and at the same time add new knowledge. She loves to listen and be heard in order to have excellent communication.

She moved to Asheville, NC a year ago. She is thrilled to be starting at Spanish Academy of Asheville as a teacher assistant to increase her knowledge in caring for children.

She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

From Cuba/Spain

Sra. Loretta was born in Cuba. During the Fidel Castro regime, Sra. Loretta and her family emigrated to Spain.

She grew up in Spain and received her secondary education in Madrid, Spain.

Sra. Loretta moved and worked in Mexico City for a few years. Then, she moved to North Carolina where she received her two bachelor's degrees: Business Administration, and Spanish Language and Literature at the University of North Carolina. She has also received her NC teaching license. She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

Sra. Loretta has taught Spanish in 5 elementary schools in Asheville City Schools as well as Asheville High School.

Children’s education and teaching Spanish are her life passions!

From El Salvador

Srta. Denis was born in El Salvador. She moved to the United States when she was a little girl and ever since, she visits her family in El Salvador every year.

She started her Early Childhood career with her Early Childhood internship at AC Reynolds High School. She also was part of the Summer Camp ages 3 to 12 at Black Mountain Primary. She loves supporting and developing the most of every child, she loves teaching little ones! She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

She is very excited to be starting at Spanish Academy of Asheville as well as having the opportunity to help the new upcoming future generation to learn a second language, Spanish, as it is her mother language.

From Colombia

Sra. Diana was born in Bogota, Colombia where she completed her accounting degree. In her home town, Bogota Colombia, she worked as an event promoter in many schools and universities.

She loves working with children, therefore she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Spanish Academy of Asheville team. We are excited to have her as one of our teacher assistants. She looks forward to continue her learning in this amazing field of the Early Childhood Education.

She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

From the USA

Srta. Hicela was born in Asheville NC. Srta. Hicela's parents are from El Salvador and immigrated to North Carolina, 20 years ago. She decided to take an Early Childhood Education program while being at school. She was grateful enough to take that opportunity as she wants to become an Early Childhood Educator in the near future!

She holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

From Mexico

Srta. Samantha Avila-Miranda was born in Asheville, North Carolina. Her parents are from Mexico, they moved to the United States more than 25 years ago.

Srta. Samantha will be graduating from A.C Reynolds High School in 2025. During her first year of high school, Srta. Samantha was encouraged to take her child development class to take precautions in taking care little children.

She really enjoyed her child development class, hence she decided to take the Early Childhood Education class during her second year of high school. While taking the class she had the opportunity to start her internship hours at the A.C Reynolds High school Day Care.

During her internship hours she accomplished all Early Childhood trainings and she will be earning her NC Early Childhood Credentials in a couple of months.

Srta. Samantha will be taking her internship hours at Spanish Academy of Asheville, where she will have the opportunity to learn more about this amazing field!