Meet Our Team

Natalia (Nat) Hinojosa

Assistant & Student Support

Nat helps our students feel supported, informed, and connected throughout their Spanish-learning journey. As our assistant, she is especially involved with our immersion retreats: answering questions, helping students prepare for their trips, and taking care of the little details that keep everything running smoothly.

She loves sharing her culture and bringing together people from different backgrounds. For Nat, learning a language is a way to connect with others and experience the world from a new perspective. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, discovering new places, reading, and spending time by the ocean. She is also a big music lover, especially Latin rhythms. Whether you’re preparing for a retreat or exploring La Escala, Nat is always happy to help.

Sharon (Shani) Villalobos

Spanish Teacher & Community Team

Shani helps students put their Spanish into practice through our immersion retreats and La Escala community. She studied teaching Spanish as a second language in Guanajuato, a city she fell in love with and made her home. Her background gives her plenty of tools for helping learners make sense of the language.

On the Learn Spanish and Go podcast, she joined Jim to unpack the pretérito, imperfecto, and present perfect, using everyday examples to explain when and how to use each one. She enjoys sharing her love of Guanajuato with visitors and helping students navigate Spanish grammar. Beyond the classroom, Shani is a coffee lover and a Taylor Swift fan—two more things you can chat with her about in Spanish!

Flor Peraza

Spanish Teacher & Community Team

Flor is a Spanish teacher and biologist from Mérida, Yucatán, who brings her love of language, nature, and local culture to Spanish and Go. She joined our Mérida immersion retreats after meeting Jim during an online Spanish lesson and also contributes to our La Escala community.

Her background in biology adds a distinctive perspective to conversations in Spanish. In her guest episode of Learn Spanish and Go, she shared her graduate research on coyote distribution and explored Yucatán’s wildlife, from jaguars and flamingos to the region’s remarkable birds. Flor enjoys birdwatching and sharing the Yucatecan culture she grew up with. Whether the conversation turns to local expressions or the natural world, she offers students plenty of opportunities to learn and connect.

Laura – Assistant Teacher & Guide

Meet Laura, also known as “Lau”, the assistant teacher and tour guide for Spanish and Go. Born and raised in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Laura has a deep understanding and appreciation for Mexico’s culture and history. With a background in business and experience living in various cities in Mexico, France, and New Zealand, she brings a unique perspective to our Spanish immersion retreats.

As an experienced tour guide, Laura’s passion for outdoor activities, playing music, and connecting with people, make her the perfect addition to our team. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge and love of Guanajuato City with visitors. Join our retreats, and let Laura’s expertise and enthusiasm help you immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Mexico.