Ms. Elena Ballesta, K-1 Reading Specialist 

Ms. Elena Ballesta's family has a wide and varied footprint in the ASB community. She began her learning journey as a student at ASB in PK3 until she graduated in 2006. Her brother, Javier, also attended ASB from PK3 until graduation in 2003, together with fellow alumni and colleague, Ms. Ana Mercadal. Elena and Javier's cousins, Mari Juli and Genís were also students at ASB. Their mother, Ms. Trini Villalobos, worked at ASB for 47 years, beginning at age 17 as a secretary in the business office while attending university. Later after her graduation, she joined the teaching faculty at ASB and taught Spanish/Sociales until she retired in 2016. Ms. Trini’s twin sister, Ms. Mari Carmen, also worked at ASB as a PK3 assistant teacher in the ECC.

After graduation in 2006, Elena attended the University of Barcelona, where she studied Psychology. She continued her studies in Milan, at Bicocca University, obtaining a master's degree in Special Needs in 2014. Prior to her current role as a Reading Specialist in Kindergarten-First Grade, Elena was initially a teaching assistant in the Elementary School, moving into a Learning Support Teacher role and later a Student Support Services Coordinator in the Elementary School.

Today, as a faculty member at ASB, Ms. Elena has great respect for former teachers. She fondly recalls classes with Ms. Raquel Domingo and Mr. Miguel in Elementary School, Ms. Montse Rodrigo, Ms. Montse Pérez and Ms. Magda in Middle School, and Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Smith in High School.

When asked for a favorite memory from her student days, Ms. Elena responds, "I couldn't choose one. From senior graduation to planning Halloween costumes in High School to many trips with teachers and friends - camps/colonias, the trip to Delta del Ebro, ski trips to Andorra and Close Up in NYC and Washington DC. They were all amazing and unforgettable. I shall treasure the memories".

One word to describe ASB? "Home."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: September 2020