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At the BLC, Alma is the programs assistant and is currently recruiting for two programs— Padres Lideres (Parent Leaders) and LENA (Language Environment Analysis). Padres Lideres is intended to encourage parents to form their own groups and work together to prevent violence against children. LENA teaches parents how to communicate with their children between 2 and 34 months to promote brain development and help them reach milestones in speaking.
Alma is glad that through her work at the BLC she can continue to go above and beyond to help people. For fun Alma enjoys making pizza with her daughter Itzel—a creative and spunky eight-year-old who excels in performing arts—and their dog Jackie. We are so grateful and excited to have Alma on our team and are looking forward to getting to know her more.

“At first, it was really hard moving here because I didn’t know English,” Toni said. “I also didn’t really want to move to begin with.”
Backside Learning Center worked with his family as they were settling in, and helped him begin his journey at Newcomer Academy. He also began participating in the Backside Learning Center’s Front Runner’s program.
Toni graduated from Iroquois High School in 2021. Now, he gets to work with us where roots were laid years ago.
We are so excited to have Toni on our team! He offers unparalleled perspective with our families, and is an invaluable member of our community.








Michelle shares, "Working at the Backside Learning Center has been a joy. I'm thrilled to be part of this community and am passionate about the activities we do with the kids. Seeing them succeed with their homework while having fun is incredibly rewarding."
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys reading young-adult romance, sci-fi, and dystopian novels

Michelle shares, "Working at the Backside Learning Center has been a joy. I'm thrilled to be part of this community and am passionate about the activities we do with the kids. Seeing them succeed with their homework while having fun is incredibly rewarding."
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys reading young-adult romance, sci-fi, and dystopian novels

Taylor was born and raised in a neighborhood not far from Churchill Downs! From the moment Taylor was 5 years old, she wanted to be a teacher. To accomplish this lifelong goal, Taylor graduated from Campbellsville University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Spanish Education. She then got her Master’s degree from the University of Louisville in Spanish.
Attending study abroad trips to Costa Rica and Spain, Taylor fell in love with with the language and culture. She was most excited to work in a similar capacity, so began her career teaching 3rd grade at Cold Creek Elementary in Shelby County. There, a majority of the students at Clear Creek Elementary are Spanish-speaking.
Taylor volunteered with us seven years ago being at the Front Runners summer program. She was enthused to discover the BLC was looking for a Youth Programs Manager, as it would combine many passions of hers—working with children, teaching and the Spanish language!
In terms of working here, she most looks forward to creating and fostering long-term relationships with kids and families.
“One thing that was tough about teaching, you get to know the child and family. You get close to them, then they leave and go to the next grade,” said Taylor. “Here, there is an even flow, but there are some families that you can know for many years. I’m most excited about building relationships with people!”
We are so excited for Taylor to begin meeting our families here at the BLC!

For seven years, she worked as a CNA at different nursing homes and hosptals around town. She is also a certified medical interpreter.
In short, Veronica loves helping people, and is looking forward to be part of the BLC team.
“It is an honor to work for a community that I relate to. I know how hard the change is to move from another country, including language and other barriers," said Veronica.
Veronica is a loving mother of three sons, two of whom attend the University of Louisville Speed School! Her youngest is 5 years old. She also has experience volunteering as a Sunday School teacher.


Micaela was born in Veracruz State, Mexico. She and her family have lived in Louisville for the past 20 years with her husband and three children.
When Micaela first lived in Louisville, her first job was a hot walker on the Backside. Her English level was very limited. “It was difficult to find places to learn, or people that would help with reading documents and filling out paperwork.”
Then, Micaela met her husband at the backside, and he was an inspiration to her to keep studying. He was a student at Backside Learning Center, and found out The BLC could help her kids with homework after school. In 2017, Micaela studied very hard to get her GED. After three years, she finally passed!
We are so happy that Micaela has decided to join our “familia” as the Youth Engagement & Academic Success Coordinator. “I feel capable of helping the community on the Backside,” Micaela said. “I can identify with all of those people; I want to offer my sincere help.”
We are so honored that Micaela has chosen to work with us and the families of the back stretch!

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Her desire to serve the diverse community of Louisville led her to volunteer with Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Doors to Hope, and Change Today Change Tomorrow where she taught English, tutored for citizenship classes, and helped provide opportunities for the homeless. She worked for many years with youth facing hardship at the Clark County Youth Shelter of Jeffersonville, IN, and spent the last 3 years teaching Spanish at Portland Christian School. All of this has led her to the Backside Learning Center where she is so excited to be a part of the team. Alexina works as a volunteer coordinator as well as supporting operations.