Spanish

Mercedes Macedo serves as the Spanish educator and the Pedagogista for all of the Compass School of Texas. Mercedes has taught children for nearly twenty-five years. Most recently, she taught preschoolers at Temple Emanu-El ECEC in Dallas for five years and guided many teachers as the Pedagogista for the last two years. Prior to teaching in Dallas, Mercedes taught in early childhood education preschools in Austin, Berkeley (CA), and Alexandria (VA). In addition, Mercedes has presented the Reggio Emilia approach to the Education department in her home country, Peru. Mercedes holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from St. Agustin University in Arequipa, Peru.

Mercedes is committed and passionate about inquiry-based, emergent curriculum, and the Reggio Emilia approach. In her words, "These approaches promote and support an education where every child is the main character on 'stage' and having an essential role in their learning." As the Compass School of Texas Pedagogista, Mercedes assists with professional development and provides ongoing support around documenting projects and the learning process. Mercedes is excited to share her love for her native language and to bring the culture of other Spanish-speaking countries alive for her students.

Mercedes enjoys collecting materials outside school to spark children's wonder and inquiry. When Mercedes is home, you will find her snuggling her little dog Mocha Marie, enjoying good music, and cooking. Mercedes is married and, with her husband Eric, loves traveling and attending concerts.

Elizabeth Quezada serves as a Spanish Educator for the Compass School of Texas. She worked as an early intervention teacher in Chile and Israel, and her most recent work experience was at Temple Emanuel as a 3-year-old teacher, where she incorporated more than one language into her pedagogical routines. Before joining Temple Emanuel, Elizabeth worked for five years with autistic children in Israel. She also trained as a Learning Recovery Teacher, acquiring skills and strategies to develop playful and thoughtful group activities. Elizabeth holds a bachelor's degree in Education from her native country, Chile, a university degree in Early Childhood Education, and a postgraduate degree in Learning Difficulties. She is proficient in Spanish and Hebrew and is working on improving her English. Elizabeth is married and she has three boys. Her family strives to maintain and care for the three languages ​​that her children know, even though it is challenging in daily life. Elizabeth is also an animal and plant lover, with a cat, a dog, and an adopted and rescued Axolotl in her home. 
 

María Tolnay joins The Compass School of Texas as an Associate Spanish Educator, bringing warmth, creativity, and a deep appreciation for childhood development. Originally from Argentina, María is a native Spanish speaker with a strong cultural foundation and a passion for supporting children as they grow, explore, and express themselves. She studied Social Work at the University of Buenos Aires, where her interest in nurturing and empowering others began to take shape. During that time, she discovered the healing power of yoga and eventually shifted paths to become a certified yoga teacher. In 2024, María completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at the Dallas Yoga Center. Since then, she has taught yoga to adults across Dallas and in outdoor community settings, creating inclusive spaces rooted in mindfulness, breath, and self-awareness. María’s experience as a babysitter and joyful party performer (yes, even as a clown!) reflects her natural ability to connect with children through play, imagination, and care. Outside of school, María enjoys dancing, spending time with her family, playing with her puppy, practicing yoga, and exploring the beauty of nature.