Katie Moras, Owner

Since launching El Bosque Encantado in 2013, founder and owner Katie Moras has guided EBE to become an acclaimed leader in Spanish Immersion education. Located in Prior Lake, Minnesota, EBE’s first student class is now enrolled in junior high with a solid foundation.

After almost a decade, her passion for broadening students’ and families’ world views via second language and cultural instruction is still her driving force.

She finds herself in awe of how quickly EBE students learn, and the adaptability of their brains. She is grateful for not only EBE's students, but for a great group of parents who are now considered friends. Watching how families and kids enjoy time together and join the community is a joy to see.

She has witnessed the local community's embrace of Spanish Immersion—from not understanding its value, to creating an elementary school for immersion that serves grades K-5.

Experience and education

In 2021, Katie started a PhD program at Hamline University, after completing her Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline in 2017. She earned a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Minnesota where she received the prestigious “Department of Spanish and Portuguese Student of Honor” designation in 2001 for her dissertation on “La Identidad Nacional Cultural de Guatemala.”

Her background as a licensed K-12 Spanish teacher includes teaching junior high school Spanish for six years.

Katie built her near-native proficiency in Spanish by spending time in a wide range of Spanish-speaking countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Mexico, Colombia and Puerto Rico.

When she’s not working, she spends time with her family and enjoys reading and gardening. She hopes to visit every Spanish-speaking country worldwide.

Recognition

In 2021, Katie was honored to be awarded the Amicus Curiae Award from the First Judicial District for her significant contribution in the administration of justice. This 'friend of the court' award is an annual recognition of persons who have provided exceptional service, leadership or other contributions to assist the courts in the First Judicial District discharge their constitutional responsibility for the administration of justice.

In 2016, she was recognized as the Savage Chamber of Commerce's Business Person of the Year.

Volunteerism

As President of Minnesota Bridge to Freedom, a non-profit focused on providing community for people in recovery, Katie spends time with many young women and their children. She volunteers to help them re-discover and rebuild their lives after substance abuse.

Experienced team

Katie is joined by Director Alejandra Rodriguez, Coordinator of Staff Development Mary Carmen Fragoso and more than 10 teachers at EBE — all have passed thorough background checks, are CPR certified, and are highly skilled in their field.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Phone: 952-226-2013.