Our Team

Lissette Velasquez

Lissette is a native Spanish speaker born in Guatemala. Her formal education includes an elementary teaching degree and international business commerce. Lissette has over 15 years of experience teaching Spanish as a second language to adults, children, and teens in Red Deer and surrounding areas. She acquired a Settlement Practitioner Level 2 certificate and has been working with newcomers to Canada for the past 8 years.

Lissette’s business background, passion for education and her love of her culture has allowed her to fulfill her dream of creating a place where culture and language meet. Lissette founded Conversa Spanish Center in 2004 and has been serving the community of central Alberta since.

Some of her training includes:  

Tips for Teaching Adults, Multilevel I.L. Classroom, Reflective Teaching, Leadership Program -oriented to ESL and Second Language Schools, Foundations & Inspirations in Language Teaching, Heritage and Second Language Education, Literacy and Storytelling Program

Ruben Morales

Originally from Lima-Perú, Ruben is a father of one boy and two girls. Ruben has a degree in Business Management and Administration, Certificate in Natural Medicine, and Certificate in Entrepreneurial Accountancy. 

Ruben has been a part time Spanish instructor at Conversa Spanish Center in Red Deer since 2013. He has been working with groups and private one-on-one lessons teaching all levels of Spanish as well as preparation for International exams of Spanish such as the DELE.

Idalmis Perez silva

Originally from Cuba, Idalmis is a mother of one girl and boy. Idalmis graduated as a Doctor in Cuba and has been living in Red Deer for the past 3 years.

Idalmis has experience teaching French in Cuba. She is currently working as an Educational Assistant in the Spanish Bilingual School Vista Grande in Red Deer as well as a part time Spanish Instructor at Conversa Spanish Center.

Idalmis is passionate about teaching. She enjoys interacting with students all the time and is always willing to answer any questions in order to make them feel confident about learning a new language.

Perla Demirdjian

Originally from México, proud mother of 3 beautiful girls and grandmother of 5 wonderful boys, MY FANTASTIC FIVE.

A Spanish and English Certified Teacher with 25+ years of experience in teaching both languages as a second language to students 16 – 60 in México and in Canada. Perla has worked in Playa del Carmen teaching English and Spanish to staff and personnel in several hotels and recreational facilities. She has also taught high school and university students in Mexico.    

Perla is passionate in sharing her culture and language! She loves dancing, crocheting, knitting, sewing, cooking, and music.

Marisela Sapienza

Marisela was born in Venezuela and comes from an Italian background. She speaks 4 languages fluently: Spanish, Italian, English and a Sicilian dialect. 

Marisela enjoys being a mother of 2 boys and a little girl. With a degree in Psychology and a specialization in Business Management as well as a certificate in Human Resources, Marisela has a true passion for working with people. 

Her experience as a teacher started in Venezuela as a professor in the faculty of psychology at the University of Monseñor de Talavera Maracaibo.  She enjoys teaching languages and has an expertise in facilitating courses to groups keeping them motivated.

Sandra suazo

Sandra is originally from Chile and has completed 2 years of Psychology at Athabasca University.

Sandra has had a long career in human services. Presently working as the Manager of Adult Services at Family Services of Central Alberta and as a part-time teacher at Conversa Spanish teaching adults and homeschoolers. In the past Sandra has also worked as manager of the Intake and Settlement Department at the Immigrant Center in Red Deer.

She is passionate about teaching others not only her native language but crafts that includes rock painting, jewelry, and crochet.

Some of her training includes:  

Tips for Teaching Adults, Multilevel I.L. Classroom, Reflective Teaching, Leadership Program -oriented to ESL and Second Language Schools, Foundations & Inspirations in Language Teaching, Heritage and Second Language Education, and Literacy and Storytelling Program

Isabel Orozco

Originally from Mexico City, Isabel has developed her main career in Business Administration, between Mexico and Canada. With a certificate in Bilingual Business Administration from Mexico, and 15+ years of experience in that field, Isabel is currently the Administrative Assistant at an Employment Services Agency, where she directly participates in adult teaching in a regular basis.

Her passion and experience in teaching started in Mexico, working for a well-known English Language School, which allowed her to get familiar with adult/language teaching methods and techniques. In Canada, she has been involved, as a volunteer, with an organization that helps new comers improve their English Language Skills. As well, Isabel has been a part-time teacher for Conversa Spanish Centre in Red Deer for several years, now.  As a proud “Latina”, Isabel is eager to share her culture, passions and language with her students, as well as to learn from them.