Parent Resource Specialists

CCSD All Star - Denisse Romero

Congratulations to Denisse Romero from Campbell High for her great work and dedication to her students. Thanks to Dr. Walker, principal, at Campbell HS.

Parent Resource Specialist School Assignment

Parent Resource Specialist	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Vani Arcuragi	Wheeler HS	East Cobb MS	Wheeler HS	Brumby ES	Wheeler HS
Carlos Berrera	Sprayberry HS	Sprayberry HS	Palmer MS	Daniell MS / Simpson MS	Sprayberry HS
Lourdes Garcia	Allatoona HS	Picketts Mill ES	Allatoona HS	McClure MS	Allatoona HS
Martha D'Arcy	North Cobb HS / Awtrey MS	McCall Primary	North Cobb HS / Awtrey MS	Acworth Intermediate	North Cobb HS / Awtrey MS
Monica Delancy
Valerie Edwards	Smitha MS	Smitha MS	Smitha MS	Smitha MS	Smitha MS
Alfredo Mieles	Harmony Leland ES	South Cobb HS	South Cobb HS	Garrett MS	South Cobb HS
Denisse Romero	Campbell HS	Campbell HS	Campbell HS	Campbell HS	Belmont Hills ES
Mercedes Reilly	Pebblebrook HS	Pebblebrook HS	Pebblebrook HS	Clay ES	Pebblebrook HS
Elizabeth de la Peña	Osborne HS	Rotates	Rotates	Rotates	Rotates
Sandra Weston	Mableton ES	Pebblebrook HS	Floyd MS	Pebblebrook HS	Floyd MS

Procedures and Expectations

*Housed at different schools during the week.
*Organize paperwork, promote and advertise activities, recruit parents/students.
*Designate a point of contact with the Lead ESOL teacher at all schools.
*Maintain a daily log of services for teachers, parents and students (translations, interpretations, phone calls, workshops, tutoring, etc.)
*Coordinate English classes with the Plaza Comunitaria and disseminate ESOL class information to parents.

Meet our Parent Resource Specialists

Vani Arcuragi was born in São Paulo, Brazil, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine and her Master’s degree in Clinical Analysis. When she came to the United States in 1996 to visit her brother, who studied music at Berklee College of Music, she met her husband, originally from Ohio, and they got married in 1998.

She worked at Emory University as a Research Specialist at the Neuropsychopharmacology department for 6 years, but after her son reached school age, she decided to work at schools, so she could have the same schedule as he had. She was still able to work, but also be at home for her son. She has also worked as a Project Manager at a Designing company and as a Clinical Partner at Piedmont Hospital.

She has worked at CCSD for 6 years, first as a Special Education Paraprofessional and now as a Parent Resource Specialist. She is the proud mother of a son.

Vani.Arcuragi@cobbk12.org

Carlos Barrera, an immigrant born in Peru of Colombian and Venezuelan parents, was raised in New York and Miami. He is a National Board Certified Teacher in English Language Arts and ESOL, having taught for 28 years in Miami, Seattle, Korea, Colombia and Cobb County, Georgia.

Currently he is a Title III Parent Facilitator Certified, a Cobb Virtual AP Literature teacher, and a table leader at the College Board AP Language reading. He is the father of two sons and his wife is an English teacher at Kennesaw Mountain High School.

Carlos.Barrera@cobbk12.org

My name is Martha D'Arcy and I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and I attended the University of Guanajuato.

I was married in Mexico to my husband, who is American, and moved to Atlanta 24 years ago. I am the mother of two wonderful boys and one beautiful girl. My oldest graduated from college and lives in Miami, my next is going to college at KSU, and my youngest is now a senior.

I enjoy the outdoors, music, and dancing. I love seeing my students succeed and motivating them to strive.

Martha.D'Arcy@cobbk12.org

Valerie Edwards is from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico where she completed her BA in Elementary Education with a focus on Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of the Sacred Heart in San Juan, PR. Valerie also has her Teaching Certificate from Georgia with an ESOL Endorsement.

She has worked as an English teacher and mentor in various schools and institutions in Puerto Rico. This is Valerie’s 5th year with Cobb. She spent one year at East Cobb Middle and four at Smitha Middle. Valerie is married and lives in Marietta.

In her free time she enjoys traveling to tropical destinations.

Valerie.Edwards@cobbk12.org

I was born in Colombia but my family and I moved to Georgia 16 years ago. I grew up in Barranquilla, went to school and got my Bachelor’s Degree in engineering there. Then, I got married and had a son.

After that, we moved to the US and we had our second child. Since then, I went to grad school here at GSU where I got my Master’s Degree in Spanish with concentration in Linguistics and Translation. I’ve been working for the Cobb County School District for 14 years teaching Spanish, ESOL and in the last few years, doing Family and Community engagement work as a parent Facilitator for the International Welcome Center.

I enjoy traveling, the cinema and reading a good book. I’m very pleased to continue here, and I’m trying my best in assisting students and families in order to achieve success.

Alfredo.mieles@cobbk12.org

Mercedes Reilly works at Pebblebrook High School and Clay Elementary.

She likes to travel, spend time with her family and friends, dance, and swim in the ocean. During her relaxing time she likes watching a good movie or reading a nice love story. She also tries to go to the gym three times a week.

Ms. Reilly's Blog

Phone 770-819-2521 ext 246

Mercedes.Reilly@Cobbk12.org

Denisse Romero is originally from Mexico City. She earned a Bachelor degree in International Relations from the Intercontinental University, a CDA credential from the National Early Childhood Association, and a Pastoral Theology Certificate from Dallas University.

Ms. Romero has worked as an advocate of the Hispanic Community in different capacities by providing a variety of services such as health, finances, self-esteem, job search workshops and seminars.

She loves to travel and learn the culture of different countries.

Denisse.Romero@cobbk12.org

I was born in Ensenada Baja California, Mexico and lived in Leon Guanajuato Mexico. I attended Universidad Iberoamericana in Leon, Mexico. I also graduated from law school with a degree in environmental law.

I’ve worked as an advocate in nonprofit organizations in Mexico dedicated to defend human rights and social problems in the community. I’ve also worked as a Migrant Advocate in Cobb County Schools. I’m married and I have one son and one daughter from whom I learn new things every day. I love all kinds of sports and outdoor activities. I enjoy food, books, travel, friends and nature.

I’m delighted to work with our Cobb County Families, assist them and provide accurate resources for their needs. It's an everyday challenge that I like and work for.

Lourdes.GarciaPadilla@cobbk12.org

Sandra Weston was born in Mexico City from European parents and came to the United States to finish her BBA at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.

She then moved to New York and later to CT. where she worked as a school secretary and then as a substitute. She also taught summer courses at SUNY Purchase College. She moved to Atlanta twelve years ago, received her master’s degree from Salamanca University has taught Spanish for over ten years; teaching all levels from pre-school to College at KSU.
Sandra has four kids which are all bilingual and has been married for over 23 years. She loves to travel.

Sandra.Weston@cobbk12.org

ACCESS information for parents

ACCESS Parent night - English

ACCESS Parent night - Chinese

ACCESS Parent night - Korean

ACCESS Parent night - Spanish

ACCESS Parent night - Portuguese