Marita grew up in a home full of teachers. Her mother taught science, her grandmother taught philosophy, and her family opened a preschool where Marita discovered her own love of teaching. She attended university in Lima to be a preschool teacher and moved to the United States in 1983. She has always loved teaching young children, whether at a preschool at Diablo Valley College, where she earned her teaching credentials, or babysitting and then taking care of her own two children.

When Marita discovered the KSS program in 2007, she was thrilled to learn that she could combine her love of teaching preschool with her native language and culture. Marita served as Center Director at both Albany and Walnut Creek campuses before moving to the KSS administrative team and supporting all of the Center Directors. She is returning to serve as the interim Center Director at Albany – she is thrilled to be back with the families and especially the children in this school community!

Marita lives in the Bay Area and has a daughter and a son.