Our Founder & Staff
The Greenwich Spanish School was founded by Rosario Brooks, a native of Mexico who has lived in the United States and taught Spanish to children and adults in both public and private schools for over 40 years. The pre-K bilingual Spanish program for children ages 3-5 was co-founded by Gabriela Zorrilla, Mónica Calderón, and Beatriz Ruiz.
Rosario J. Brooks
Founder & Director
Rosario earned her degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and holds certifications in Early Childhood Administration and Early Childhood Education. She is fully qualified to serve as both director and head teacher for early childhood educational programs.
Ximena DuBoy
Teacher
Ximena DuBoy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Chile, where she worked for many years before relocating 30 years ago. For the past five years, she has been combining her technical expertise with her passion for language education at GSS.
As a mother of five, Ximena was unable to work full-time, so she dedicated 10 years to volunteering as an art assistant and Spanish teacher assistant at Riverside School. It was during this time that she discovered her true love for teaching young children.
After joining GSS, Ximena pursued her CDA in Early Childhood Education while continuing to work. She believes this was one of the best decisions she’s made, as it greatly enhanced her teaching methods and made her role more fulfilling.
Grace Mora
Art Teacher
Born in Baños, Ecuador, in 1961, Grace Mora is an accomplished artist and educator. She studied art at Colegio Hispano América and continued her studies at the Faculty of Arts of the Central University of Ecuador, where she completed a ceramic mural for Hotel Ambato as part of her degree thesis.
Grace has exhibited her work internationally, including in Ecuador, the United States, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Switzerland. Her artistic achievements include first place in the Greenwich Art Society 73rd Jury Exhibition (1990) and the Luis A. Martínez National Painting Salon (1986). She has also earned recognition at prestigious exhibitions, such as the International Painting Biennial in Cuenca, Ecuador (1989).
With over two decades of teaching experience, Grace has been an Artist in Residency and Summer Art Camp teacher for the Port Chester Art Council since 2003. She has also taught art and Spanish at various programs across New York and Connecticut. Grace has completed numerous mural commissions and continues to inspire young artists in her current role as an artist-in-residence for the Port Chester Council for the Arts.
Rossana Padilla
Music Teacher
Rosanna Padilla Lopez is a talented psychologist and dance educator from Mexico. With a rich background in teaching and performing across Latin America, she is the founder of the Psychomotor Development Technique known as Danza Lúdica (playful dance). This innovative approach fosters physiological and intellectual maturity in both typical children and those with special needs.
An expert in traditional songs and dances from Hispanic culture, Rosanna is thrilled to share her knowledge with GSS students through her Canta y Baila Conmigo® classes. Her warm and inviting presence, combined with her expertise in working with young children, shines through in her teaching. Additionally, Rosanna is a certified Music Together teacher.
Consulting Staff
David A. Cohen
Early Childhood Education
Director - Selma Maisal Nursery School, Temple Shalom
Greenwich, CT
Megan Sweeney, LCSW, RPT
Social Services
Vice President - Administration, Boys & Girls Club, Greenwich, CT
Mary B. Keller, R.N., M.P.H., Health
Greenwich Public Schools,
Nursing Supervisor, Riverside, CT
Stacy Zarakiotis, Dental
Pediactric Dental Practice
Greenwich, CT
Officers & Directors
Rosario J. Brooks - Founder & Director
Maria Orozco
Catherine Ladnier
Mickey Robinson