We’re passionate about helping students grow and making an impact.
The International Teachers Project is a new non-profit education organization based in the United States that offers a multi-faceted, internationally coordinated solution to recruit, train, and place teachers from Latin America in schools in the United States.
The ITP will contract and partner with schools to sponsor qualified teachers on an H1B(1). ITP will work with schools in the U.S. to successfully place the teachers in full-time teaching positions and provide a network of ongoing support during the time the teacher is working in the U.S. ITP will partner as needed with the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program to process all aspects of the J-1 Visa program.
Our goal is to create global citizens by enriching communities and student learning experiences by connecting them to a global perspective through the power of education and cultural exchanges.
Our Leadership
Victor F. Capellan
President & Founder
Victor is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working with communities to make a lasting impact via education reform, social justice advocacy, and coalition building. He is a strategic and innovative professional, skilled in PK-12 Education, Program and Fund Development, Nonprofit Organizations, Volunteer Management, and Inclusive Leadership.
Victor is the former Senior Advisor to the Rhode Island Education Commissioner where he led the Commissioner’s Strategic Action Team, and oversaw the work of the School Building Authority, Finance, and Human Resources.
Victor is also an adjunct professor at Providence College, where he serves as a Clinical Supervisor for Aspiring principals. He also served as a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Rhode Island College from 2015-2017.
Victor served as Superintendent of Schools in Central Falls, where he launched a district improvement effort focused on equity, including creating the first dual-language school in the city. He is the former Assistant Superintendent in Fall River, Massachusetts, and served as Principal of the EBC High School in Brooklyn, NY.
Dr. Julie Nora
Board Member
Dr. Julie Nora has been the Director of the International Charter School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, since 2003. The International Charter School (ICS) is a leader in bilingual education in Rhode Island. They are enrolling students in kindergarten through 5th grade and use a dual-language immersion model. As a result, students spend 50% of their time studying in English and 50% learning in either Spanish or Portuguese.
Dr. Nora has worked as a bilingual educator in several K-16 educational settings for the past 25 years. She received her B.A. in U.S. Intellectual History (U.C. Berkeley), her Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (San Francisco State University), and her Ph.D. in Education with a Specialization in Language, Literacy, and Culture (the University of Rhode Island/Rhode Island College). She worked with international students at an English institute at Bryant University, as a middle school English as a Second Language teacher in Providence Public Schools, and as an applied researcher at the Education Alliance at Brown University,
Dr. Nora's dissertation research was published in One Classroom, Many Learners: Best Practices for Today's Multilingual Learners, an International Reading Association (IRA) edited volume. She recently co-authored No More Low Expectations for English Learners (Heinemann) with Jana Echevarria. She is the co-author of "Seen from Within" with photographer Mary Beth Meehan in the edited volume Art as a Way of Talking (Routledge, 2018). She is seen as a resource to the state in the area of education generally and bilingual education specifically.
Dr. Nora is bilingual in English/Spanish and familiar with French and Portuguese. Julie serves on several state education groups and committees, including past President of the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools. She is also the President of the Board of the Rhode Island State Council for the Humanities and Secretary of the Latino Policy Institute Board.
Diana Capellan
Diana is an inspiring figure with a wide range of achievements and diverse educational background. She is a caring and compassionate leader who has dedicated her life to helping others. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island via the Talent Development Program with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, she worked as a Case Manager, where she dedicated 10 years to helping individuals recovering from mental health illnesses reintegrate into their communities post hospitalization.
In pursuit of her passion, Diana followed her dreams to obtain a degree in Pastry Arts from Johnson and Wales University. Then her entrepreneurial spirit led to creating and becoming owner and chef of D'Licious Dessert, a latin-infused cake and cupcake small business. She won Rhode Island Food Fights Best Cupcake award for 2 consecutive years. She then went on to host sold out Beer & Cupcake tastings alongside craft breweries plus Wine & cupcakes at local vineyards, prior to devoting herself full time towards motherhood.
Diana has devoted her time and commitment in service to her community and to helping others succeed. She currently serves as vice president of Rhode Island Latino Dollars for Scholars, where she chaired two major fundraising events –the Latino Food and Wine Festival and Annual Awards Banquet - to provide scholarships for college to Rhode Island's Latino students. Diana was part of the Winter Bash Board with Providence Preservation Society which produces an annual large-scale fundraiser each year.
Diana is the Director of Operations at The Capellan Group, an education consulting firm, where she is responsible for finance, human resources, and project management.
Diana is Rhode Island born and Rhode Island bred; she was born in Providence, RI of Colombian parents who immigrated to RI in the early 80’s. She is a product of the Providence Public Schools system. She is married to Victor Capellan and they have a four year old son, Luis Francisco.
Board Member
Emily Santelises Ramos
Emily has been an Instructional Leader in urban districts for over 15 years. She is an experienced educator in Curriculum and Instruction, Coaching, and Program Development focused on Educational Equity.
Emily is a former Teacher Leader in Multiple Pathway initiatives in Central Falls, RI. She also served as a Teacher Leader and Assistant Principal in the Providence Public School District, where she organized and facilitated professional development around Curriculum, Instruction, Data, and Assessments. She worked as an Instructional Consulting Teacher to Human Resources, where she supported teachers with Teaching and Learning.
Emily received her B.A. from Rhode Island College, her M.Ed. in Teaching & Learning from Johnson and Wales University, and her Administration Certification from the Center for Leadership & Educational Equity Principal Residency. She was a founding member of the Nowell Leadership Academy, a blended-learning school in Central Falls and Providence, RI, where she served as the Principal of Teaching and Learning for pregnant and parenting youth. She is also the former Principal of Veterans Elementary School in Central Falls, R.I.
Board Member
Dr. Jose Polanco
Dr. Polanco is currently the Chief of Primary Care at the Providence VA Medical Center. A graduate of Brown University, the State University of New York at Binghamton, and the State University of New York College of Medicine in Brooklyn, he completed his training in internal medicine at Rhode Island Hospital. He is board certified and serves as a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, where he has taught medical students and residents for over 20 years.
His expansive experience in transforming ambulatory care includes serving as medical director and attending physician for the ambulatory center at Memorial Hospital and chief medical officer of the Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, Inc., in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and for establishing Edgewood Medical, a large, successful solo primary care practice in Cranston. He also served as Medical Director of Adult Ambulatory Services at Rhode Island Hospital, a large academic medical center, before transitioning to Signature Healthcare as Chief of Internal Medicine where he was instrumental in establishing a new medicaid ACO with over 20,000 covered lives. His breadth of experience in the private sector is now transforming the delivery care model for Veterans in the state of Rhode Island into a more efficient and higher quality system.
Polanco served as treasurer of the Rhode Island Medical Society for 5 years, as well as a member of multiple boards and committees including- Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, The Champlin Foundation, and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.
He established an educational, call-in radio program for the Latino community on Poder 1110 where he discusses general health and medicine topics.
He and his wife are residents of Cranston, RI where they raised their two sons.
Board Member
Janet Granda Garcia
Janet is a passionate and experienced English-Spanish teacher who loves sharing her language and culture with students from all over the United Sates. Originally from Colombia, Janet completed her Bachelor´s degree in Education, from the Universidad de Antioquia. She also has a specialization in English Teaching as a Foreign Language and a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology in Education.
Janet has worked as Spanish and English teacher for the 25 past years in both private, and public institutions, tailoring her lessons to meet the unique needs and goals of each student.
Janet, as an adventurous spirit has been an exchange teacher during three periods. She has taught Spanish to students from Kindergarten to third grade in several states such as Minnesota, Montana, and Rhode Island. Her vibrant personality and ability to create a supportive and engaging learning environment have made her a sought-after instructor.
International Advisor
Jairo Torres
Jairo is an enthusiastic Physical Education teacher from Medellin, Colombia. He has developed a deep appreciation for both education and physical fitness from a young age. His desire to promote cross-cultural understanding led him to the United States where he found he true-calling as a Spanish preschool and fifth grade teacher.
Jairo´s goal as a Spanish Colombian teacher who has traveled to teach in the USA is to instill a lifelong love for Spanish language, Hispanic culture and creativity to his students.
International Advisor
Sara Melin
Teacher Mentor
Sara was born in Santiago, Chile where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. After teaching in Chile for a few years, she moved to Rhode Island to earn her Master’s Degree in ESL/Bilingual Education and Cross Cultural Studies at Brown University. Sara quickly found a teaching position in the Providence Public Schools working with Multilingual Language Learners. For 28 years, Sara taught in Bilingual and ESL classrooms across the public schools in Providence. Sara decided to retire two years ago but continues to work as a substitute teacher in a special program for recent US arrivals.
Sara’s role as the ITP Teacher Mentor is vital to our new international teachers. As a language learner, Sara has experienced the struggles of immigrating and surviving in a new country and culture. She wants to offer her experience and expertise by helping teachers better understand the language acquisition and acculturation journey of MLL students. Sara also offers her professional expertise on the US educational system and educational nuances that differ in Latin American countries. Sara’s unique position allows her to be in step with our international teachers to ensure a successful transition and joyous experience.