About Us

Hortensia Benítez

Hortensia (Tensy) Benítez is a native of Altamirano, Mexico. She studied Early Childhood Education in Mexico City and worked as a teacher in Mexico City and her hometown of Altamirano before coming to the United States. Here in Delaware, she worked in the Red Clay Consolidated School District for a number of years, teaching in English-only, Bilingual and Dual-Language programs. She subsequently worked at The Spanish Garden, in Wilmington, before forming ¡Sí, Español! in 2006. As a native speaker of Spanish, the enthusiasm she brings to the classroom is contagious, and students truly enjoy the experience of learning from her.

Hortensia believes that children learn best while having fun and incorporates that philosophy into her instructional methods. ¡Sí, Español! lets children learn Spanish through singing, storytelling, games and crafts. That is why the classes are so effective, and the reason that Tensy makes course development a never-ending process, constantly seeking out new themes, activities and songs to make the Spanish-learning experience a fun journey of discovery, exploration and adventure.

Tensy's daughter is completely bilingual, having grown up in a bilingual household.

Carmen Piña

Carmen is from Santiago, Chile and graduated from the University of Chile and worked as a teacher in her country. She moved to the United States in 1995 with her family and previously worked at the Spanish Garden in Wilmington. She is an enthusiastic and dynamic teacher.

Gabriela Rangel

Gabriela (Gaby) Rangel is from Chihuahua, Mexico. She moved to the United States in 2000. She is deeply interested in languages and is graduated from Widener University with a certification as a Spanish-English interpreter. She loves sharing her gift for languages with the children she teaches.