Community Helpers

Elena Castro began as a bilingual teacher in Calexico, Ca. After 19 years in the classroom she became the Coordinator of Curriculum, providing staff development on effective classroom instruction. Ms. Castro became a principal and 4 years later, Asst. Superintendent for the same district where she was responsible for all instructional programs. She joined the Imperial County Office of Education as Asst. Superintendent for Educational Services where she assisted districts on current issues concerning Literacy, EL’s, LCAP, ELD, Parent Involvement and CCSS. Ms. Castro is co-author of the Piñata and Mas Piñata Literacy Series, written for bilingual students.

Barbara M. Flores was born in Madera, California. She holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Arizona and is involved in many children’s literacy organizations including the International Reading Association and the California Association of Bilingual Educators. Barbara based this story on a trick she played on her younger sister when they were little. She lives in San Bernardino, California, with her daughter.

Eddie Hernández has been in education for the past 34 years. He was a bilingual kindergarten teacher for several years and also taught other grade levels during his teaching career. He is co-author of the "Pinata" and "Mas Pinata" authentic emergent literacy series. During the time of its inception he co-presented around the country on early literacy, with a focus on practical strategies teachers could use in the classroom. Eddie has been a principal in the elementary level, working with English language learners, and a director at the Imperial County Office of Education, where he provided support to the districts in the county. He is currently the principal at the Imperial Valley Center for Exceptional Children working with students diagnosed with severe disabilities, autism, and downs syndrome.

Michael Ramírez was born in El Centro, California. He studied graphic design and fine arts at San Diego State University and has worked as an illustrator, graphic designer and Art Director for over 30 years. Apart from designing graphics for various national and international companies, Michael’s biggest joy is illustrating books for children and to date has created artwork for more than 100 books for several major publishing companies. While he isn’t illustrating books, Michael also enjoys creating and recording music for children. He lives in San Diego, California with his wife Elaine, their son Rico, and their dog Neena.

Mary Ramírez-Greene was born and raised in Calexico, California. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Art from Imperial Valley College, a nursing degree from Maric College of Medical Careers in San Diego, and Bachelor’s of Science Degree in English Literature and a California Multi-Subject Elementary Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. She has been a teacher in Calexico for the past twenty years and teaches at Rockwood Elementary School, the same school she attended as a child, and in the very same classroom she herself was a kindergartener. She is teaching her kindergarteners how to be authors and illustrators themselves by writing, illustrating, and publishing their original work on their iPads. Mary is one of the illustrators in the Piñata and Mas Piñata literacy series. She lives in Calexico, California with her husband James, their son Sebastian, daughters Layla and Natalie, their dog Molly, their turtle, their two guinea pigs, and their gecko.