María Eugenia Zelaya was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to Gainesville, Fl in 1992. She has been teaching Spanish in the International Baccalaureate Program at Eastside High School for the past 7 years. She is also one of the CAS Coordinators (CAS-Creative Active Service, a requirement of the IB program). She had taught from sophomores to seniors both in the IB and regular High School program. María Eugenia has been the sponsor of several clubs and organizations at EHS: Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Children Beyond Our Borders (CBOB), Link Crew (High School Transition Program, Model UN, and Eastside Striders (Breast Cancer Awareness Organization). She has also been involved in different non-profit organizations in her community as the secretary of the Latina Women’s League and Survivor Chair of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk with American Cancer Society. She received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida in 2000, a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies in 2002 and a second Master’s degree in Political Science both from the University of Florida. María Eugenia is married and has a son (8) and a stepson (16). Her hobbies include practicing Karate and running.
Newspaper Articles:
Eastside teacher connects with Colombia schools
Sound Off
Students send message on social causes via postcards
TV20 Segment
International K-12 Teacher of the Year Award
Eastside teacher earns peace recognition
Peacemaking begins in the classroom
Peacebuilding Curriculum is Not Only for Social Studies Classes
Peace Teachers from MO, MT, FL Visit USIP to Reflect and Share
A Year in the Life of a Peace Teacher
“Using Lessons From Global Conflict, These Teachers Broker Peace in Their Communities,” Education Week’s coverage of “A Year in the Life of a Peace Teacher.”
Eastside, Ecuador get closer in mini-exchange program
County Teacher of the Year finalists named
Alachua County School District names Teacher of the Year nominees'