Karim Otaegui - Hispanic Language and Cultural Liaison
Tudor Elementary
742-1050
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Karim Otaegui was only a 10th grader she left their home and family in Peru to start a new life in the United States.Though limited in English, Karim wasted no time pursuing her dream of going to college (she was awarded a two year scholarship to attend UAA just two years later) and earned an Interdisciplinary Bachelors Degree in Education and Language. Karim was a bilingual educator for ten years in the Anchorage School District prior to becoming an LCL for the AkPIRC program. In 2004 she and her sister, Denise, created “Somos Amigos”, a Spanish language academy in Anchorage. Karim has continued to be active within the Latino community and performs with the Peruvian Dance Group at many community events. Her 13 year old son, John Andre, is her joy and happiness.

As an LCL working with the AKPIRC program, Karim works with Spanish speaking families who have immigrated to Anchorage from all over the world. Karim writes, “I am creating a powerful plan to work very closely with my Latino families at Tudor Elementary School. Some Latino families find it difficult to guide their children through the American educational system, therefore, as an LCL, I hope to empower my families through informational workshops about the American school system, making them aware that they are their children’s first teacher, and giving them the confidence and trust they need to become more active in their children’s education.”