About Us
Rana·cultura
Ranacultura is a name rich in meaning, blending language, history, and personal connection.
"Rana" means frog in Spanish, and is a nod to Guanajuato’s nickname, "Place of the Frogs."
"Cultura" reflects the immersive experience of language, history, and traditions at the heart of the program.
It is also a tribute to Ranacalli, the Spanish language school where Maura first learned Spanish in Guanajuato in the early 1990s.
Meet Maura
Maura began her journey with Guanajuato at the age of 15, when her Spanish teacher and mentor Dana Catharine invited her and her classmates to visit the city to immerse in the Spanish language. That trip and the many subsequent ones inspired her whole life going forward, both personally and professionally. She went on to study Spanish and Anthropology at the University of Oregon, and began her own teaching career almost 30 years ago. She teaches High School Spanish and Culture, leads experiential and interdisciplinary trips in NYC, and works to support her local immigrant population. She is a Fellow of the National Endowment of the Humanities, studying Mesoamerican Culture and History in Oaxaca, México, and has spent some time with the Zapatista community in Chiapas, México. It is her mission both in and out of the classroom to provide opportunities for civic engagement, intellectual curiosity, and empathy.
Maura is a Mom of an 11 year old and enjoys gardening, photography, cooking, and just about anything related to México!