BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
Maria Padua

It took several years after graduating from college for Maria Padua to answer her calling as a teacher. After working in positions in the escrow and legal industry, she entered the Los Angeles Unified School District Intern Program to receive her California Clear Multiple Subject Credentials – teaching in mainstream classes, with her favorite teaching special education classes.

When opportunity arose, Padua taught in extended learning programs that provided help to students who were struggling in Language Arts. She currently teaches English as a Second Language to adults. In her capacity as an ESL teacher, she also teaches in a Reading Lab where high school students sharpen their skills in Language Arts and in a Spanish GED Math class for adults.

In addition, Pauda has worked as an educational consultant for an online company – searching for educational websites that would help parents and children use technology as another tool for learning. She created lessons for teachers using websites she accessed.

In addition to her work as an ESL teacher, Padua is an effective and strong facilitator and team member of the Bright Start Family Literacy team which she enjoys as it not only provides her opportunities of working with parents but also helps to address the needs of teachers and administrators.