Alia Cuadros-Contreras

Biography

When I was a kid, school was my happy place. I remember actually feeling sad when summer break rolled around because I loved being in the classroom and learning. As I got older and academic pressure increased, some of that initial joy was lost. Now, as an adult, I’m committed to helping make school and academics a place of excitement and wonder for children and teenagers.

I’m currently a second-year clinical social work graduate student at Smith College and am completing the practicum portion of my degree at one of the Felton Institute’s early education centers in San Francisco. Last year, I completed my first-year internship at an elementary school in Brooklyn, which solidified my love of working with children and families. Through that experience, I discovered a genuine passion for helping students overcome social, emotional, behavioral, and environmental barriers to academic success. Having grown up in the Bay Area and attended the Palo Alto Unified School District, I understand firsthand how overwhelming the pressure to excel can be, and I’m committed to helping students feel supported and empowered throughout their educational journeys.

Across subject areas, my teaching approach centers on building strong relationships with students and bringing creativity, fun, and play into learning. With K–8 students, I’m excited to help develop the academic skills, confidence, and self-motivation they need to thrive both now and in the future. As someone who was raised bilingually by Latin American parents, I’m also particularly excited to share my heritage with students who are learning Spanish.

In addition to my work in education and social work, I’m a professional actor and studied musical theater at NYU Tisch. In New York, I worked as a teaching artist in public schools and as an actor in various new musicals, including Off-Broadway productions. After living in New York for almost a decade, I’m excited to be back in the Bay Area! When I’m not tutoring or at my internship, you can find me listening to music, singing, or reading fiction.