El equipo Rojas
The Rojas Way
At Rojas Spanish you won’t simply learn words and structures to articulate cold and boring communication. We believe it is important to learn the perspective from which Hispanics see and interact with the world. For this reason, all of our tutors are native Spanish speakers.
Luis Rojas
OWNER/CEO/TUTOR
West Saint Paul, Minnesota
Luis began teaching classes in Minnesota in 2004 and founded Rojas Spanish in 2007. He is the Program Director and teaches all class levels, individual tutoring, workshops and leads our children’s program.
His career began in Lima, Peru when he graduated as a Clinical Psychologist from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal. However, as is typical of a Latin Americans, he has worked and trained in multiple capacities, including; Air Traffic Controller, Pilot and Spanish Professor.
While still at the university, Luis began teaching Spanish to American Expat Missionaries. It did not take long for Luis to find a passion and talent for teaching Spanish. With his guidance and unique teaching approach, his students were able to pick up the language very quickly. The success and excitement of his student led him to decide to take on teaching full-time. Luis’s success as a Spanish teacher extends beyond Rojas Spanish. He has worked with executive companies all over the world, assisting in the growth of these organization’s employees and customer reach.
To date, Luis has more than 35 years of experience teaching Spanish. He uses his academic and clinical experience as a Psychologist to tailor his teaching style to meet the needs of each individual student. Furthermore, he has been able to train other tutors in this same approach. We refer to this approach as “The Rojas Way”.
“The Rojas Way” has become a respected and recognized method of teaching Spanish. With this approach, you learn Spanish in the same way you learned your native language. You learn to understand grammar and expression as sound, as music. This is the pillar of the Rojas Way. We see language as natural, and not academic. We do not use flashcards or grammar worksheets. Luis teaches you to feel the language and integrate it into your life, allowing you to fully express yourself.
Joan Rojas
CO-OWNER & STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
West Saint Paul, Minnesota
Joan is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Minnesota. She has been practicing in the field for more than 35 years. After many failed attempts to learn Spanish, Joan began studying with Luis and knew during her first class she would have success. In less than one year Joan was using her Spanish with clients and collogues. She has met the CEU requirements to keep her psychology license current by studying and doing practicum work in Spain and Argentina, and for the last 5 years has worked exclusively with clients who are monolingual Spanish speakers at La Familia Guidance Center in St. Paul. Joan works alongside Luis and offers the all important ‘student perspective’ so the balance between what is taught and what is learned is always optimized.
Laura Caral
PROGRAM MANGER & TUTOR
Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Laura oversees the day to day logistics of Rojas Spanish. This includes class schedules, tutor coordination and collaboration. In addition to her management role, Laura teaches several group classes, Starter, B1 and B2. She also leads several individual tutoring classes. Laura plays a major role in assisting students to break down the barriers of language learning and reach their full potential.
In her freetime, Laura enjoys spending time with her daughter and making natural cosmetics from her home.
Laura’s recommendation for anyone interested in learning Spanish, “Immerse yourself in the language as much as possible; listen to music, watch series, dare to talk with other Spanish speakers and above all, don’t be afraid to explore the language!”
Josephine McNamara-Connor
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Josephine is currently a student at the University of Eau Claire, Wisconsin where she is studying to become a dual educator in general and special education. At Rojas Spanish, Josephine has become an invaluable help to Luis managing timely different tasks like communicating with students, finances and more. She is an avid runner, hiker and traveler, having visited seven countries and several states in the last year alone. She enjoys spending free time reading and hanging out with family. Josephine started at Rojas Spanish in 2022 and contributes as an administrative assistant. She has begun her journey of learning Spanish with us, as well.
TUTOR
Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Camila teaches B1 group classes and individual tutoring.
Camila holds a graduate degree in Social Anthropology from the Universidad de Buenos Aires where she teaches and researches in thematics about gender, body and popular arts. She is pursuing her doctorate. Camila is also an aerial circus artist and she loves teaching children and performing in the street.
Camila’s advice for Spanish language students – “I would recommend to be interested not only in the language but also in the diversity of the Latin American culture, incorporating a language means understanding a different point of view and cosmovision.” In addition to Spanish, Camila is fluent in English and knows a little French.
TUTOR
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Elizabett was born in Peru, and now lives in the Amsterdam, Netherlands. She teaches levels A2 and B1. While living in Texas, Elizabett met her husband, who is from the Netherlands. They love to travel together and learn about other cultures – including their own. They have a son who they have raised to be bilingual, he speaks Dutch and Spanish. Elizabett studied Systems Engineering and now enjoys teaching Spanish and piano. Elizabett loves music, including playing the piano herself, reading and spending time with her husband and son. Elizabett’s advice for Spanish language students – “I recommend listening to Spanish music with good lyrics, listening to children’s stories in Spanish, podcasts, news, and the best thing is to travel to Spanish speaking countries, and practice with the local people.” In addition to Spanish, Elizabett is fluent in English and Dutch.
TUTOR
Woodbury, Minnesota
Fernanda is one of our local tutors, currently living in Woodbury, MN. She teaches levels A2, B1, and assists Luis with our children’s lessons. Born and raised in northern Argentina, Fernanda moved to Los Angeles in her early 20’s and then to Minnesota. In addition to teaching with Rojas Spanish, Fernanda is an Executive Assistant for a domestic business brokerage and consulting firm. In her free time, she loves to travel and go on walks with her dogs, watch movies and soccer games. Fernanda loves the Spanish language and sees it as a vehicle for many people and cultures. Fernanda’s advice for Spanish language learners – “The best way to improve your Spanish is by practicing IMMERSION. Expose yourself to the Spanish culture, consume its content, interact with a native speaker and, most importantly, enjoy it!”
TUTOR
Lima, Peru
Jorge was born and raised in Lima, Perú. He teaches writing classes in Spanish for students who wish to practice their grammar, vocabulary, and general style. Also, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Literature from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, located in Lima. In his free time, he loves consuming and overthinking media in the form of series and movies. Jorge’s advice for Spanish language students – “You should start consuming all the media you can in Spanish, especially if it mixes different dialects from different regions and socioeconomic sectors. In addition, you could practice routinely thinking in Spanish, as to avoid the temptation of translation”. Apart from Spanish, Jorge is also fluent in English and knows some basic French.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Lima, Peru
Kelly is a Peruvian translator and interpreter living in Lima. She teaches many group classes and individual tutoring. Language is a passion of Kelly’s, “I enjoy [teaching] greatly, not only because I have the opportunity to share what I know but I also have the opportunity to continue learning.” Kelly feels the Spanish language is a representation of herself as it is a very expressive language. She enjoys the variety and many nuances that Spanish offers. When Kelly is not busy with work, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, singing karaoke or playing board games. Kelly’s advice for Spanish language students – “Don’t be afraid of talking, we have the language skill, now we only need to connect with the Spanish.” In addition to Spanish, Kelly speaks fluent English, French and Italian.
TUTOR
Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Lorena was born in Bryan Texas, and was raised in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México – where she currently lives. She is an Architect from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) and has a master’s degree in Interior Design from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL). Lorena is married, has two daughters, and a dog. Lorena is an interior design teacher, and creates design projects of her own. Lorena also co-owns a low-carb food family business. She is one of our newest tutors and participates in different levels of group classes. She loves to spend time with her family, cooking and baking (when there’s time), listening to music or reading. Her advice for Spanish learners is – “Be patient, enjoy the process and the language will unfold right in front of you. Listen and get used to the sound of the language, try to think in Spanish, listen to music you like in Spanish, don’t be afraid to speak, relax and have fun”. In addition to Spanish, Lorena is fluent in English and knows advanced Italian and basic French.
TUTOR
Lima, Peru
Nadia is a Peruvian teacher, living in Lima. Her focus is Spanish language and Literature. For more than 20 years, she has taught children and teenagers at a variety of schools. In 2020 Nadia widened her experience to include teaching adults. Nadia describes this new adventure as, “challenging and fascinating, because I learn a new world while I teach”. When not teaching, Nadia likes reading science fiction novels. She has also published two short fictional stories, in Spanish, and has made contributions to the Peruvian Academy of Language (Academia Peruana de la Lengua). Nadia shared this advice for Spanish language learners – “Not only is the Spanish language a useful tool that will open doors to almost all Latin-American countries, it also has the expressiveness and intensity which will allow you to open your heart as never before”.
TUTOR
Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Paula is one of our most senior tutors and teaches B1 group classes and individual tutoring. She was born and raised in Lanús, Argentina (a city within Buenos Aires) – where she still lives today. Paula holds a graduate degree in physics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and works as a software developer. While all this work does keep her very busy, she still finds time to spend with her niece, watching YouTube videos and dancing! When asked what her favorite thing about the Spanish language was, Paula said “I love how expressive Spanish allows you to be and the rhythm it has to it. It’s such a rich language that I rediscover it in every class!” Paula’s advice for Spanish language students – “I would recommend to make spanish a part of your life in any way you can: listen to music in spanish, watch movies and series in spanish, read books in spanish, anything you can do to be closer to our language and culture will be useful. That’s how I really learned english, there’s just some things you can’t get from text book!” In addition to Spanish, Paula is fluent in English and knows a little French.
TUTOR
Lima, Peru
Daniel is currently working on his thesis while pursuing his master’s degree in Latin American and Argentine Theater and Film Studies, both from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina all while teaching at Rojas Spanish Language. His classes frequently feature a focus on literature, music and the culture of his home, Peru. He was born and raised in Lima, Peru and lives there to this day. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Literature from San Marcos National University, Peru, a specialization degree in Literary Translation (English) and is a certified Spanish teacher by the Tía Tula Spanish School, Spain. In his spare time, he loves to visit the ballet, listen to classical music and see live plays.
TUTOR
Lima, Peru
Rossana has 13 years of experience teaching young students ages 3-17 including International Baccalaureate diploma programs, performing arts and public speaking classes. She graduated from the Escuela Nacional Superior de Arte Dramático, majoring in Artistic Education with a Dramatic Art Specialty and Master in PsychoPedagogy and Tutoring degree. At Rojas Spanish, she currently teaches the advanced class, and in her spare time she teaches mathematics and manages volunteering campaigns to improve environment social programs.
TUTOR
St. Paul, Minnesota
Being a tutor for Rojas Spanish is a job Beatriz does for fun. In her day job, she is a bookkeeper for a law firm, with a background in chemical engineering. She currently lives in St. Paul, and she grew up in Cumana, Venezuela where she is certified to teach university math, chemistry and lab work. When she’s not busy working or teaching, she likes biking, hiking and running in the summer. She also loves ice skating and cooking during the winter months.
TUTOR
Eagan, Minnesota
Aside from being a certified health coach and doula, Cecilia is also an individual tutor here at Rojas Spanish Language. She was born and raised in Mexico City, then moved to Eagan, Minn. in 2017. She holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel management CESSA University and has a diploma in HighScope curriculum. In her free moments, she loves spending quality time with her family and friends either hiking, camping, biking or traveling.
TUTOR
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mónica is a semi-retired Spanish teacher, who has been teaching primary/elementary and high school children since 1980. She believes Spanish is a beautiful language, and listening to music and watching movies will enhance her students’ Spanish lessons as they become familiar with the language. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and her friends. She also likes baking, singing the blues and tango dancing.
