This school year marks Elena Tello Portoles 18th year at UPrep. As a member of the Upper School Spanish Department, she teaches an array of language and culture classes to students. This year, she is also the 12th grade class dean.

Why did you become an educator?

When I first arrived in the U.S. from Lleida, Spain, in 2004, I taught Spanish and French at the Seattle International Academy of Languages. Through former Fine Arts Teacher Peggy Dow, I heard that UPrep was looking for someone to teach Latin and Spanish and French. I thought, ‘well, that’s me.’ I started teaching at UPrep in 2005, and I’ve grown as a teacher while working here. Helping students become good human beings—I think that is in my nature. I’ve always liked to bring out the best in people and help people work together. 

What do you love about teaching Spanish?

I love teaching Spanish because the history and the cultures of Spanish-speaking communities are so rich. I also like to debunk stereotypes. I have this relationship with the language that makes me see the different sides of it and I love to elevate and highlight communities that historically were not considered as important. I also bring my heritage and my culture to the classroom. Students need to be aware of the Spanish speaking world. The U.S. is also part of the Spanish speaking world. The more you know about the language and Spanish-speaking cultures, the better you understand society and the world. 

What do you love about working with Upper School students?

In Upper School, they are almost adults, but they still have the playfulness and excitement of younger people. In Upper School, students are closer to being our leaders of tomorrow. I love the opportunity to plant my little seeds and pass on the knowledge I have accumulated throughout the years about culture and history and being a good human being. Later, our students will be making important, difficult decisions for the rest of us. I want them to be well-informed.  

This year you are the 12th grade dean. Tell me about that role.

As a dean, I’m so lucky to work with the class of 2023. They are kind and they listen to each other. They have a willingness to grow and change. They also love to have fun and participate. It makes me so happy that we are restoring some of what we lost during the pandemic. I love being able to be there for them, to listen and provide them with advice on how to maximize their strengths. Being a dean gives me a chance to see them in different roles and talk with them about the skills they will need for adulthood.  

What do you love about the UPrep community?

The UPrep community is my second home; it’s my family. I love the kindness and the willingness of people to hear and listen to you and to adjust their thinking. Are we perfect? Absolutely not, but are we willing to improve ourselves. I would say kindness and our willingness to grow is what I really love about UPrep. Maybe I came here by chance, but I stay here because of how everybody has embraced me and has allowed me to be me.

What do you think prospective families should know about UPrep?

We are a community of humans that want the best for your child. We don’t just teach a subject; we really want to support and allow our students to blossom for who they are. If I were a parent, I would want to know my child is not only taught the subject matter, but is accepted and supported as a whole person.

What do you do to unwind?

If I had to summarize it in two words: art and dogs. My dog Eiffel is a service puppy. I raised dogs for Dogs for Better Lives, and he became my dog after he failed the program. I am chair for the Dogs for Better Lives Advisory Board, and I am often in the woods with my dog walking and playing fetch. Art has become such an important part of my self-expression and I can’t wait to see where that takes me. I dance flamenco, I am teaching myself to draw and paint, and I play drums. I think to be thriving adults, we need to stay close to the kid we used to be. What excited you when you were a kid? Bring that back into your life! 

What might people be surprised to learn about you?

I used to be extremely shy. I am still very shy at heart, but now I love to talk and laugh and chat with people, too.  

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