Governing Board

Meet David Sanchez
David is a community member representative on the board and was one of the first employees hired at Salida del Sol Academy when the school first opened in 2014. He has served as the chief financial officer of the school in addition to being the director prior to Mr. Ricky Bucher. David is a Colorado native, having been raised in the San Luis Valley and received a BS degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He enjoys spending his free time playing golf and spending time with family.

Meet Yolanda Mendoza
Soy madre de dos estudiantes que actualmente asisten a Salida del Sol Academy. Nací en Michoacán, México y me mudé a Colorado cuando tenía 13 años. Tuve el placer de ser parte de la Junta Directiva Fundadora de Salida del Sol Academy. Tengo un título universitario, una licenciatura y una maestría en Justicia Penal de la Universidad del Norte de Colorado (UNC). Mientras estuve en UNC, fue un honor recibir la beca de Stryker Institute for Leadership Development. Estoy orgullosa de ser investigadora de defensa penal en la Oficina del Defensor Público del Estado de Colorado. He impartido clases de inglés como segundo idioma y educación cívica a quienes solicitan el examen de ciudadanía estadounidense. En años pasados, he tenido el honor de ser miembro de Hispanic Women of Weld County. Actualmente, soy miembro de la Junta Directiva del Centro Comunitario de Duelo, donde también co-facilitó un Grupo de Apoyo para el Duelo en español.

Me encanta llevar a mis hijos a muchos, muchos lugares y disfruto capturar esos momentos con mi cámara para crear recuerdos para atesorar. Salida del Sol Academy es un sueño hecho realidad: una escuela que ofrece educación bilingüe y bicultural para nuestros niños, una maravillosa oportunidad para mantener viva nuestra hermosa lengua y lo mejor de nuestra cultura.

Meet John Valencia
A veteran of the navy, John served two tours of Viet Nam on river boats. Originally from Wyoming, John moved to Colorado at an early age. He graduated from College High school (now University Schools) and attended Aims Community College. In addition to various sales positions, John is the former owner and operator of the Great San Francisco Seafood Company, which had locations in Greeley, Fort Collins, and Boulder. Eventually he transitioned into real estate and has been a realtor for the last 34 years. He is currently the president of Sears Real Estate. Prior to joining the Salida del Sol Academy Board, John served on the school's Accountability Committee for three years. Other boards and commissions include past president of the Country Club West Association, board member of A Woman’s Place, and eight years on the Greeley Planning Commission.

Meet Nohemi Toscano
I was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I am a lawyer, and my master's degree is in social sciences and international relations, both from Universidad de Guadalajara. I have worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mexico (SRE), Guadalajara City Hall, in a Chilean transnational company, and most recently as an immigration attorney in Mexico. Currently here in Greeley, I am a bilingual interpreter for District 6, working for North Range Behavioral Health and AmeriCorps Member.

I really enjoy participating in projects to support the community where we live and my children's schools. In this way I not only have the opportunity to contribute but also to improve everyone's quality of life. That is why I am so proud to be part of the SDSA board.

Nací y crecí en Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Soy Abogado y tengo una Maestría en Ciencias Sociales y Relaciones Internacionales, ambas de la Universidad de Guadalajara. He trabajado para la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores en México (SRE), Municipalidad de Guadalajara, en una empresa transnacional chilena y más recientemente como Abogado de Inmigración en México. Actualmente aquí en Greeley, soy intérprete bilingüe para el Distrito 6 y trabajo para North Range Behavioral Health y miembro de AmeriCorps.

Disfruto mucho participar en proyectos para apoyar a la comunidad donde vivimos y a las escuelas de mis hijos. De esta manera no sólo tengo la oportunidad de contribuir sino también de mejorar la calidad de vida de todos. Por eso estoy tan orgulloso de ser parte de la Junta de SDSA.

Mary Alice Harris is a proud parent at Salida del Sol Academy as well as an active member of both the school and our community. Her child is in 2nd grade and has been at SDSA since kindergarten, and we deeply appreciate the school, its staff, and the curriculum it offers.

Within the school, she has served as a School District representative, as President of the School Accountability Committee (SAC), and has participated in Padres Unidos, contributing to the school’s programs and community engagement initiatives.

She works for the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce as the Latino Business Outreach & Accounts Coordinator and volunteers with the Gifts from the Heart Foundation. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado and brings over 13 years of experience in finance. She is bilingual and is passionate about supporting bilingual and multilingual education, celebrating student successes, and being a voice for SDSA parents while continuing to support the school’s efforts.

With over 25 years of experience in education, Alethea serves as the teacher librarian and technology coordinator at Salida del Sol Academy (SDSA). She is passionate about fostering a love of reading and learning in every student.

Alethea holds three degrees from the University of Northern Colorado: a B.A. in Social Sciences, an M.A. in Educational Media, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.

She is honored to fill the role of staff representative on the SDSA Board of Directors and is deeply committed to the school's mission of providing a supportive and challenging bilingual and multicultural education that empowers students to become successful leaders.