Karla Elias is the youngest of four children in her family and a native of El Salvador. Karla and her family immigrated to the United States when she was a child and she grew up primarily in Southeast Portland. Karla has twenty years of experience in child development and over a decade of experience as a successful business owner. Karla received her B.A in Child and Family Studies, with a minor in Early Childhood Education.

 

Karla believes that children are unique individuals who deserve a loving and secure environment. She values an inclusive environment that respects the unique qualities, abilities, and learning styles of each child. She focuses her energy in parent involvement, and community awareness.

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Karla Elias first opened the Sellwood location in 2008, with just four children enrolled. Within nine months, enrollment increased to fill 2 preschool classrooms and later expanded to accommodate toddlers. The Academy in Sellwood continues to grow and thrive, and now serves children ages 6 months to 5 years. In 2016 Uno Dos Tres Academy expanded, opening the doors to a new location in the Portsmouth neighborhood of North Portland. This new branch of Uno Dos Tres Academy serves children ages 12 months to 5 years, with capacity to serve up to fifty children.  

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Uno Dos Tres Academy is a Spanish-immersion child development center. It is committed to the goal of providing a safe and nurturing environment for all children. The Academy not only provides high quality care, it offers a thematic curriculum, which adjusts themes based on student’s interests and skills. All teachers are fluent in English and Spanish with most activities for children being led in Spanish. Karla and her staff believe in the unlimited potential of every child and know that children at Uno Dos Tres Academy have an academic jump start to future school experiences.

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Karla lives in the Lents neighborhood with her husband and two daughters.