Our Teachers
Meet the passionate instructors who make our classes possible.
Mondays at 5:30pm EST at the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch and Saturdays at 9:30am EST at the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch — class openings available.
Mike Schena
English Teacher
Mike failed Spanish and German class in middle school so he decided to take French class. He never learned much French. But, he never lost his desire to learn a second language. His wife Sarah encouraged him to try again with modern methods and all the new technology. After 5 years of studying Spanish, Mike is proud to say he’s “pretty ok” at Spanish. He loves to share his passion for languages with students learning English.
Mondays at 5:30pm EST @ Dayton Metro Library Main Branch and Saturdays at 9:30am EST @ Dayton Metro Library Main Branch — class openings available.
Leidi Baragan
Spanish Instructor / Instructora de Español
I was born in Colombia and five years ago I came to Dayton, Ohio, with a dream: to build a better future for my son and myself. I am a mother, entrepreneur, and my own boss. I believe education is one of the most powerful tools to transform lives, which is why I earned my GED and have continued preparing myself in leadership, entrepreneurship, healthy organizations, and personal development. Today I have the privilege of teaching Spanish, a passion that allows me to connect people and cultures and open new opportunities. Every step I take is the result of perseverance, discipline, and resilience. My greatest motivation is my 11-year-old son. I want him to see in me the example that dreams are built with effort, courage, and consistency. My story is not defined by the obstacles I have faced, but by the decision to never give up and to keep growing every day.
Tuesdays at 5:30pm EST Online and Thursdays at 5:30pm EST Online and Saturdays at 5:30pm EST Online — class openings available.
Shari Hicks
English Instructor / Instructora de Inglés
I enjoy teaching a foreign language in my spare time. I am a teacher that wants to make sure that students understand what they are learning. I love to sit down with students and make sure that they can fluently, learn and practice their English language. And finally, I am somebody that likes to enlighten a student's day and I love getting commented on how well I teach. Shari teaches English on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays online at 5:30pm.
Tuesdays at 10am EST Online and Wednesdays at 5:30pm EST Online — class openings available.
Amarea Swanson
English Instructor / Instructora de Inglés
Amarea is a passionate educator and lifelong learner who believes language has the power to connect people, cultures, and communities. As a Spanish language learner herself, she understands the courage and patience it takes to learn a new language and brings that same encouragement, energy, and compassion into her English classes. She strives to create a welcoming environment where students feel confident learning, practicing, and growing. She offers classes on Tuesday mornings at 10am online.
Tuesdays at 5:30pm EST and Fridays at 5:30pm EST — class openings available.
Johan Hincapie
Spanish Instructor / Instructora de Español
Experienced HSEQ professional with over 8 years of progressive experience in Occupational Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality management across industrial and events sectors. Proven expertise in leading HSEQ departments, coordinating high-risk operations, and implementing integrated management systems in compliance with international standards. Skilled in conducting safety training, inspections, audits, and incident investigations, with a strong focus on risk mitigation and continuous improvement. Adept at fostering a culture of safety, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering actionable insights through comprehensive reporting and stakeholder engagement.
Thursdays at 5:30pm EST and Saturdays at 5:30pm EST — class openings available.
Natalia Tarquino
Spanish Instructor / Instructora de Español
Natalia teaches Spanish, guitar, and music theory. She has performed around the world.
Sundays — class openings available.
Veronika Cabrejo
Spanish Instructor / Instructora de Español
Bilingual Spanish-English legal and administrative professional with nearly 18 years of experience in Peru's family court system, including more than 13 years as a Family Court Prosecutor and 4+ years as a Legal Specialist in the Judicial Branch. Additional U.S. experience in education, customer service, and insurance. Experienced in case management, documentation, public service, team leadership, client communication, and cross-cultural programs. Holds a Ph.D. in Law and Political Science, a Master's in Civil and Commercial Law, and a WES-evaluated bachelor's-equivalent law degree. Seeking opportunities in higher education, administration, HR/recruiting, legal support, student services, and bilingual community programs.
