Meet Our Instructional Support Team

Email = First Initial + Last Name@wihi.org

Melissa Strates

Lead Instructional Support

I have a Special Education major from Eastern Michigan University.  I am currently working towards a masters in Reading at EMU.  I have lived in and worked in the Ypsilanti community for over 10 years and I love the small town/ big city feeling Ypsi offers. I also enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with my family.

Maritza Parrott

Spanish Department Instructional Support

I was born and raised in Colombia. I am Certified Expert in Spanish language and Hispanic Culture. I moved to the United States in 1998, and after raising my two children I decided I could better serve my community by teaching my native language and culture. I have over 5 years of experience working in an educational setting.
This is my second year at WIHI teaching the “Hispanic Culture” course and assisting the Spanish language teachers.  My main goal is to reinforce written and auditory comprehension, also to promote the student's verbal fluency through an authentic interaction with the language in a fun way. That’s why everyday I strive to make my classroom a total immersion environment under just one rule, “respect”.  I am very honored to teach at WIHI and to work with such wonderful and motivated students, and with the most incredible cooperative and supportive staff.

Elizabeth Ashford

Service Learning Support