Our Team Final – Spicy Spanish

Carla Diaz

Founder, CEO, and Lead Spanish Trainer

Carla Diaz, the visionary founder and CEO of Spicy Spanish, embodies the transformative power of embracing new challenges. Born in Venezuela with a background in petroleum engineering, Carla's journey took an unexpected turn when she moved to Colombia, leading her to discover her true passion: teaching Spanish.

Driven by determination and an innate talent for language instruction, Carla transformed herself into a self-taught expert in Spanish as a foreign language. What began as "Spanish with Carla" in 2016 has flourished into Spicy Spanish, a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to language education.

Career Milestones:

Founded Spanish with Carla in 2016, evolving it into Spicy Spanish in 2020
Personally instructed hundreds of students worldwide
Participated in the prestigious Wone Internship Placement in Barcelona, Spain (2019)
Taught introductory Spanish classes to international students from Hong Kong
Successfully scaled the business, bringing on additional talented instructors.

Carla’s unique approach combines linguistic expertise with cultural insights, creating an immersive and effective learning experience. Her journey from engineer to language education entrepreneur inspires both her team and students, embodying the adaptability and creativity she encourages in language learners.

As CEO, Carla continues to be actively involved in teaching, curriculum development, and ensuring that Spicy Spanish remains at the forefront of innovative language instruction. Her greatest joy remains witnessing her students’ progress and helping them achieve their language goals, one conversation at a time.

Melisa Arredondo Montoya

Senior Spanish Trainer

Hailing from Medellín, Colombia, Melisa Arredondo Montoya, fondly known as "la paisita," has been sharing her passion for Spanish language and culture since 2017. With a bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Antioquia and additional specialized training in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, Melisa brings both expertise and creativity to her lessons.

Educational Highlights:

Bachelor’s in Spanish, University of Antioquia
Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language Pedagogy, Caro y Cuervo Institute
Pursuing a Master’s in Reading and Writing, EAFIT University

Melisa’s innovative teaching approach makes complex grammar accessible through real-life examples and vivid imagery. Her ability to adapt to each student’s needs and interests ensures an engaging, personalized learning experience. What Sets Melisa Apart:

Creative methods that simplify complex language concepts
Strong academic background in Spanish language and pedagogy
Enthusiasm for cultural exchange and global perspectives
Ability to connect language learning with diverse topics like cinema and cultural issues

For Melisa, teaching Spanish is more than a profession—it’s a means to build bridges between cultures, one conversation at a time.

Stephanie Gil

Senior Spanish Trainer

Stephanie Gil, a Colombian native, has been enriching the lives of language learners since 2017. With a bachelor's degree in English-Spanish from the Pontificia Bolivariana University and a diverse background in media production, Stephanie brings a unique blend of cultural insight and linguistic expertise to her Spanish lessons.

Educational Highlights:

Bachelor’s in English-Spanish, Pontificia Bolivariana University
Diploma in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language
Planning to pursue a Master’s in Didactics of Spanish as a Second/Foreign Language

Stephanie’s career spans from TV and radio production to teaching in various settings, including public schools and community programs. Since 2019, she has focused on teaching Spanish as a foreign language, excelling in both online and face-to-face instruction.
What Sets Stephanie Apart:

Rich background in media, bringing creativity to language instruction
Experience teaching in diverse settings, from private schools to community programs
Passion for Colombian culture and heritage, enriching cultural aspects of language learning
Multilingual skills, including English, basic German, Latin, and Greek
Commitment to community service and using language as a tool for empowerment

Stephanie’s approach to teaching Spanish goes beyond grammar, infusing her lessons with elements of Colombian culture and drawing from her love of writing, reading, and community engagement.

Vanessa Chavez

Senior Spanish Trainer

Vanessa Chavez Mena, a dedicated language educator, has been nurturing Spanish learners since 2013. With a degree in Spanish from the prestigious University of Antioquia, Vanessa brings a wealth of experience and a passion for innovative teaching methods to Spicy Spanish.

Educational Background:

Degree in Spanish, University of Antioquia

Professional Journey: Vanessa’s teaching career spans diverse educational settings. She began as a private Spanish teacher at the Benkos Bioho pre-university and Preu PCN in 2013. From 2018 to 2020, she enriched her experience teaching Spanish to foreigners at Toucan Spanish School, before bringing her expertise to Spicy Spanish.

What Sets Vanessa Apart:

Diverse teaching experience in various educational environments
Creative use of multimedia resources in lessons, including songs, interviews, and books
Commitment to facilitating language exchanges with native speakers
Flexible scheduling to accommodate students’ needs
Dedication to continuous professional development and career advancement

Vanessa’s teaching philosophy centers on creating an engaging and immersive classroom experience. She expertly applies various methodologies, incorporating authentic materials and interactive activities to enhance language acquisition. Her approach not only focuses on language skills but also provides students with rich cultural insights.

Available for both weekday and weekend classes, Vanessa’s flexibility and student-centered approach ensure that each learner receives a tailored, effective Spanish learning experience.

Mauren Araya

Spanish Trainer

Mauren Araya, a vibrant Spanish tutor from Costa Rica, brings enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to Spicy Spanish. With a teaching approach that prioritizes enjoyment and dynamic learning, Mauren has been helping students navigate the Spanish language since 2021.

Professional Background:

Over two years of experience in Spanish language instruction
Joined Spicy Spanish in 2022, bringing Costa Rican flair to the team

What Sets Mauren Apart:

Focus on creating an enjoyable, dynamic, and safe learning environment
Self-motivated learner with a passion for continuous self-improvement
Adaptable teaching style that evolves with each student’s needs
Brings authentic Costa Rican cultural insights to her lessons

Mauren’s teaching philosophy centers on making language acquisition an engaging and comfortable experience for her students. Her self-taught nature and eagerness to learn translate into a flexible and evolving teaching approach, ensuring that her methods stay current and effective. As a relatively new addition to the Spicy Spanish team, Mauren brings fresh energy and a unique Central American perspective to her lessons. Her enthusiasm for helping students improve their Spanish is palpable, making her classes both productive and enjoyable.

Daniela Gaitán

Spanish Trainer

Daniela Gaitán, from Bogotá, Colombia, brings a unique blend of marketing insight and international experience to Spicy Spanish. Currently pursuing a Marketing and Business degree at the University of Palermo, Daniela has been sharing her language skills since 2022.

Educational Highlights:

Studying Marketing and Business, University of Palermo
Bilingual in Spanish and English, with plans to learn French

What Sets Daniela Apart:

Integrates business perspectives into language instruction
International experience from two years living in Canada
Passionate about cultural exchange and travel
Combines language teaching with insights from her marketing studies

Daniela’s marketing background adds unique value to her Spanish lessons, particularly for students interested in business Spanish. Her enthusiasm for cultural exchange, coupled with her firsthand experience as a language learner in Canada, enables her to create engaging, practical, and culturally rich learning experiences. them not just about language, but also about understanding the diverse Hispanic world.