Exploring Life & Business with Seño Nancy Davis of Spanishclass4peques,LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Seño Nancy Davis.

Hi Seño Nancy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I was in elementary school, I have always dreamed of becoming a teacher. My role model was my elementary teacher, Seño Blanca—a tall, elegant woman who dressed beautifully and taught with such warmth and care. I adored her. I remember studying the way she carried herself and the way she made us feel. I always looked forward to going to school to be around her, and even then, I knew I wanted to inspire others the way she inspired me.
I was also the kind of child who naturally connected with others. I had a special bond with kids and classmates that felt like I was a magnet for people, radiating positivity. Yet, despite my passion for teaching, there was another strong influence in my life: my grandmother. She was a school principal, and every time I visited her, she would ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer was always the same: a teacher. But she would caution me against it. She warned me about the long hours, the lack of appreciation, the challenges with students, and the modest pay compared to the effort required. Out of respect for her wisdom—and listening to my parents’ advice to value the words of our elders—I decided to take another path when I moved to the U.S.
In college, I realized how tough it was to live on my own. I turned to a subject I had always been strong in—math—and pursued what seemed like a safe and secure career. I earned a degree in Accounting and Finance from the Business School at the University of Maryland, College Park, and worked in the business field for about 10 years. But deep down, something always felt missing.
Everything changed when I became a mother. With the birth of my first daughter in 2015, I became her teacher. I poured my love of language and creativity into teaching her Spanish. I would design fun activities, create materials during her nap times, and turn our days into joyful learning experiences. When my second daughter was born a year later, I continued this journey with her as well. People began to notice—when we were out, others were amazed at how well my little girls spoke Spanish at such a young age. Families started asking if I would teach their children, too. That was the beginning of Spanishclass4peques, LLC, which I officially launched in 2016.
At first, I taught from my home, and as my daughters grew, I also volunteered at their school. I wanted to learn more about how teachers here approach each grade level, since Spanish schools are structured a bit differently and often more rigorously. This led me to become a teacher assistant, then a substitute teacher, and eventually a certified teacher with the State of California—all while growing my own business.
What started with just 5 students has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined. Today, my program operates as an enrichment course in nine schools, serving 250–300 students annually. Each summer, I return to Spain with my daughters, where I carefully select learning materials and design my own workbooks that blend the Spanish curriculum with U.S. standards. My goal has always been to give my students the best of both worlds.
Now, I’m proud to say I run my own small business full-time. I no longer juggle multiple teaching jobs—my focus is 100% on Spanishclass4peques. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the trust and support of so many families. Seeing their children thrive, grow, and embrace a new language reminds me why I followed my passion, even if it took me a little while to get here.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all—the road has definitely not been easy. People often assume I’m very outgoing, but the truth is, I get shy when speaking with adults my age or older. Networking and marketing were never my strengths, and in the beginning, that made things really hard. My personality has always clicked naturally with young people—from babies all the way through college students—but starting a conversation with adults felt overwhelming. I never know how to start a conversation. After I get to know people, I can be very natural and fun around them, but that takes some time for me to become more comfortable.
When I first started Spanishclass4peques in 2016, I only had three students. Thankfully, their parents began talking about me within their circles, and little by little, word of mouth helped me grow. At the time, language learning wasn’t as widely appreciated as it is today, so it was even harder to get people’s attention. I struggled to market myself, to figure out how to create flyers, and to find ways to get my business heard. Although my husband supported me and I didn’t have to work, I was raised with the value of independence. Not making my own money and then seeing my business bring in almost nothing in the first years was discouraging. Still, I held onto my dream of becoming both a teacher and a business owner.
Just as things began to improve and I grew to around 20–25 students, the pandemic hit. Like so many teachers, I had to completely reimagine how I taught. My classes had always been hands-on and interactive, so figuring out how to keep students engaged online was a huge challenge. Families wanted more one-on-one lessons instead of group sessions, and I had to design activities that would still bring fun and learning through a screen. It was tough, but I refused to give up.
On top of that, space was always an issue. I started teaching in my garage, but it didn’t look great for photos or social media marketing. I tried moving to the backyard, but the weather made it unpredictable. Eventually, I turned our guest bedroom into a small classroom that fits 11 students. Over time, I’ve realized stress over space only distracted me from what mattered most: teaching with love and creativity.
I’ve faced many obstacles, slow growth, lack of space, and the challenges of COVID, but each one has made me stronger. I never expected this to be an easy journey. I’ve learned, researched, and kept pushing forward because I believe deeply in what I do. The families who trust me with their children’s education are my motivation—they are the fuel that keeps me going. One day, I dream of opening my own dedicated space and growing my team, but for now, I’m proud of how far this business has come.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is called Spanishclass4peques, LLC, and it’s truly a labor of love. It is based in the Valley, precisely in West Hills, California. I specialize in teaching Spanish to children and teenagers through fun, engaging, and student-centered lessons. What sets us apart is that I don’t just teach Spanish as a language—I teach it as a cultural experience. I also expose my students to both Castilian Spanish (from Spain) and Latin American Spanish, helping them understand the differences in vocabulary, expressions, and usage that naturally come up as we learn. This way, they grow up recognizing that Spanish is a rich, global language with diverse voices and traditions.
I started with just a handful of students, and today my program has grown into an enrichment offering in 9 schools, reaching about 250–300 students each year. I also design my own workbooks, pulling inspiration from Spanish curricula and adapting them to U.S. standards. Every lesson is carefully tailored to students’ ages and levels, making learning feel natural, accessible, and exciting.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is the trust families have placed in me. Parents regularly share how amazed they are to see their children speaking Spanish with confidence after just a few months. That kind of impact—helping kids open doors to new cultures, opportunities, and ways of thinking—is what makes Spanishclass4peques so special.
I want readers to know that Spanishclass4peques is more than just a language program. It’s a community built on love for language, culture, and connection. Whether a student is just beginning or advancing toward fluency, my mission is to create a welcoming and inspiring space where they can grow, explore, and thrive.

What were you like growing up?
I was a very active and happy child—always full of energy and curiosity. I was also extremely studious, especially when it came to math. I was the student who always had my hand raised to answer every question, and I’d get frustrated when the teacher wouldn’t call on me. Now that I’m a teacher myself, I understand why—they knew I had the answers and wanted to give other students the chance to try. Looking back, I realize I was already a perfectionist even as a child. I worked hard, set high standards for myself, and put a lot of pressure on everything I did. It’s a quality I now see reflected in my older daughter, who is just as detail-oriented and hard on herself as I was.
Another big part of who I am—and still am today—is my love for fashion. Even as a young girl, I loved dressing up for every occasion and putting thought into my style. My students often call me a “fashionista” or, more recently, told me “Seño is slay.” One of my dreams is to attend a fashion show in Milan someday.
Personality-wise, I was also the friend people came to with their secrets and stories. I was a good listener and never broke their trust, which sometimes made me feel like I was playing therapist to my friends. Outside of schoolwork and fashion, I also loved cars and scooters. I’d sit by the window watching them go by, memorizing their details and learning everything I could about them. I also loved to listen to music and dance. That was my way to unwind and relax.
Growing up in an all-girls Catholic school shaped me in unique ways. I often gravitated toward friendships with boys because I didn’t enjoy the drama and constant competition I sometimes felt among girls, who said what, who had the newest backpack, or who was showing off. I’ve always believed people should like you for who you truly are, not for who they want you to be. That mindset, along with my tendency to dress differently and seek out unique pieces, made me stand out. Unfortunately, it also led to bullying in middle school. Being bullied left its scars, and there were moments when it made me question myself or even my desire to keep pursuing education. Maybe this is one of the reasons I don’t teach enrichment to middle schoolers or high schoolers, even though I had many families asking me to do so. The older school environment brings back memories of being bullied, and I worry that if I step into that role, I might revisit those feelings. So I stay away from teaching at older schools, focusing instead on elementary schools as well as private tutoring for older students in AP or Spanish classes, tests, and homework.
But those experiences also shaped me into the person I am today. They taught me empathy, resilience, and the importance of raising and teaching children to value kindness, individuality, and authenticity. Once you’ve been bullied, you never forget how it feels—but I’ve used those lessons to become not only a stronger person but also a more compassionate teacher and mother.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spanishclass4peques.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spanishclass4peques/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spanishclass4peques
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spanishclass4peques457