We are a loving, family-run school. Our school evolved out of a passion for seeing students blossom and the joy of passing on a love of the Spanish language. See below for more on our teachers.

Phone: (425) 557-7829

E-mail: lagarllito@comcast.net

Just 10 minutes south of downtown Issaquah and I-90, we have a bright, beautiful home with an entire floor dedicated to our Spanish school.

Lagarllito's Garden
16613 Issaquah Hobart Rd SE
Issaquah, WA 98027

From I-90 Exit 17, turn right on Front Street S. Front Street S becomes Issaquah Hobart Rd SE. Continue on Issaquah Hobart Rd SE passing a 76 gas station on the right and then a "Mirrormont" sign on the left. The school is 2 miles further on the right hand side. The drive is adjacent to the mailbox with the house number 16613.

Please call to arrange an appointment to see the school.

Lagarllito's Garden staff members have the following:

• Washington STARS training
• Infant/Child CPR training
• HIV/AIDS training
• Background check

I moved to the United States in 1993 from Peru, South America. I still remember the days when I did not speak any English at all, but I worked hard to adapt to my new environment.

My inner drive to do better kept me going. I went to Clatsop Community College where I earned an Associate Degree in Business Management and later transferred to Linfield College for my Bachelor of Arts in International Business. After earning my degrees, I worked for a few years for various international companies.

I have always been interested in teaching. I have taught Spanish to children of different ages and at different levels since 1995. My goal as an educator has been simple: provide children with an environment where learning is fun and give a good foundation for the life-long process of learning.

I have a 10-year-old daughter, Alexandra, who is already fluent in three languages; Spanish, French and English. She is currently learning Mandarin.

My dream came true in September of 2005 when Lagarllito's Garden Bilingual Spanish School opened the door to group and private Saturday classes for 7-12 years old and adults. In October of 2005, Pre-K started giving me the opportunity to work with the wonderful children that are now attending the school.

People always ask me how did I come up with the name of the school. The story behind it is quite interesting. My husband thinks that I am like an alligator and a chick - both strong and very soft. "Lagarto" means alligator and "Pollito" means chick in Spanish. When you combine the two words together you end up with "Lagarllito."

Training:

• Course certificate of completion: "Building Blocks" (20 hours of training for Infant to Kindergarten)
• Workshop certificate of completion: "Loving and Learning with Baby Sing & Toddler Tunes"
• Workshop certificate of completion: "Parenting Counts - A Focus on Early Learning"
• Workshop certificate of completion: "Story Train Songs, Rhymes, and Finger Plays"
• Curriculum development for "Math & Science in Toddlerland"

Mrs. Norma Alves Milho worked for the Regional Hospital in Peru for 32 years. She greatly enjoys working with kids and is a loving grandmother with a wonderful nurturing nature.

Mrs. Milho heads the Nursery, or "Pollitos" (The Little Chicks), Toddlers Program.