People of MCAEL - Meet Claudia Ramos

July 21, 2022

It’s MCAEL’s 15 year anniversary, and we’re celebrating with a “People of MCAEL"

The "People of MCAEL" series features first person insights and photos from some of the wonderful people involved in English language learning in Montgomery County, MD. You’ll find stories here and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter; please share and use our hashtag #MCAEL15. We know this coalition thrives because of committed people like you; thank you!

Today we’re introducing our first profile: Claudia Ramos

“When I first came from El Salvador, I lived in Texas. Then my best friend from childhood invited me to visit her in Maryland. I came in February, and it was snowing; I loved it! She asked me to work at her childcare business and I moved here in 2008. I’ve been here ever since; now I have my own family.


Without English, you can’t express yourself here. I remember the early days when I would buy something that didn’t work or fit, but I didn’t know what to say at the return counter, so I’d have to keep it.


At first, I used to translate phrases from English to Spanish literally. For example, I thought ‘homesick’ was ‘being at home sick.’ The word we would use in Spanish is more like ‘nostalgia.’ My mother is a retired teacher in El Salvador; we connect over phone calls. I haven’t been able to visit since I left. The word ‘homesick’ describes how I feel about missing my family and childhood home.


My ESL teacher at the Ana Brito Foundation pushes us to do our best. I was about to give up because of my schedule—work, parenting and classes were a lot. She said that I was a good student, and she would help me. I like that she doesn’t go easy on us. She understands her students; she was an ESL student herself in

Claudia Ramos

2003 and attended Montgomery College—she’s a good example for us. I also take conversation classes at the Gilchrist Center.  Now I can review my daughter’s work and talk at the teacher’s conferences and doctor’s appointments.


My daughter is 7 years old. I didn’t want tech for her, I wanted books. When she was little, we would go to all the free story hours at the libraries near us—Damascus, Gaithersburg and Germantown. She likes stories about animals and is very caring; she wants to be a nurse or a veterinarian. She also loves dance; I practice my lessons in the car while she is in class.


When things feel hard, I remember that she is my purpose. I always wanted to be a successful woman—it’s important to take advantage of opportunities. Being a part of MCAEL’s learning panel was a truly great experience, and it was my ESL teacher who recommended me. Even though I'm always doubting myself, she is the one that encourages me to go further.


My daughter and I, we are both learning at the same time."



Claudia’s story is part of MCAEL’S 15th Anniversary celebration; every month we’ll highlight some of the wonderful people at the heart of our coalition. Learn more about MCAEL and its mission here: https://mcael.org/.



Learn more about MCAEL and our partner organizations here. 

Benjamin Arnstein Joins MCAEL’s Board of Directors

By MCAEL • September 29, 2025
MCAEL is excited to welcome Benjamin Arnstein to the Board of Directors. Ben brings a diverse background in leadership, entrepreneurship, and operations across technology, logistics, and private equity, with a passion for building organizations that create lasting impact. Currently serving as COO & CFO of Tiny Co. Holdings, Ben helps buy, build, and scale industry-leading SaaS companies, driving growth through operational excellence and strategic investments. He previously served on the executive leadership team at Veho, a last-mile logistics technology company, founded and led the venture-backed restaurant business Kaliflower, and held roles in private equity at Bain Capital and consulting at McKinsey & Company, focusing on strategy, M&A, and performance improvement for global enterprises. Ben holds an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Duke University. He is particularly inspired by MCAEL’s mission because both of his parents were first-generation Americans, and he has seen firsthand how language access can shape opportunities for families. “There are so many people in my life who have faced challenges navigating systems because of language barriers,” Ben shared. “I’m excited to help MCAEL strengthen its impact for families like my parents and others.” Ben lives in Bethesda, MD with his wife, their two-year-old son, and a second child on the way in January. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, traveling, Duke basketball, and spending time with his family and their dog, Phoebe. 

Raul Elias Ayala Joins MCAEL’s Board of Directors

By MCAEL • September 29, 2025
MCAEL is delighted to welcome Raul Elias Ayala (known as Elias Dinzey) to the Board of Directors. In addition to his professional work as Founder of Dondin Capital Partners, Elias volunteers weekly as a teacher’s assistant in a MCAEL coalition program in Rockville. Grateful to serve, he supports teachers and learners with a focus on community impact and helping adult English learners build the confidence to thrive at work, at home, and in the community. “I was raised to leave places better than I found them, and that generational mindset is why MCAEL’s mission, vision, and values resonate with me. When we support teachers and surround learners with belonging and high expectations, English becomes a bridge to dignity and economic mobility. I’m grateful to help MCAEL scale what works so every adult in our community has the language, confidence, and connection to thrive.” Through Dondin Capital Partners, Elias works with founders of companies to transition ownership or grow their company while keeping people and community at the center. He also builds AMR US and QSM national building care platforms that keep schools, restaurants, gyms, and offices clean. Earlier, he co-founded and sold Synergy Reach, a digital marketing agency. Outside of work, Elias enjoys traveling to experience new cultures and exploring great dining. He also prioritizes strength training and mentors emerging leaders. 

Alina Ramirez Joyner Joins MCAEL’s Board of Directors

By Kayla O'Neil • July 11, 2025
MCAEL is excited to welcome Alina Ramirez Joyner to the Board of Directors. Alina brings extensive experience as a consultant, advising senior leaders in government, private industry, and nonprofits on corporate social responsibility, community investment, and multicultural engagement strategies in both Mexico and the United States. She serves as Chair of Community and Inclusion in an educational setting, as a financial stewardship advisor, and as a civic community engagement coordinator in Bethesda, MD, where she leads initiatives to foster connection, transparency, and financial sustainability within local communities. Her professional path has included work with domestic and international organizations such as the Embassy of Mexico, the Washington, DC Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, CBS Radio, the Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transportation, Mexico’s Electoral Institute, and various civic and local organizations. She's also collaborated with clients like National Geographic and leading healthcare systems including MedStar Health, Inova, and Adventist HealthCare. “As an immigrant myself, I understand both the challenges and the possibilities of navigating new systems—a perspective that fuels my dedication to advancing language access, inclusion, and fairness as essential tools for community growth and individual success,” said Alina, who is originally from Mexico City. “I integrate global strategy, risk management, and sustainable operations to design systemic solutions that empower individuals and strengthen communities, minimizing resource inefficiencies and accelerating social progress. “Joining MCAEL’s Board is an exciting opportunity for me to help harness the transformative power of language to build connections, create a sense of belonging, and open doors for individuals and communities alike. I’m inspired by MCAEL’s mission and look forward to applying my experience in community engagement, fundraising, and cross-sector collaboration to help strengthen and sustain the organization’s impact.” Outside of work, Alina loves exploring art, history, and the outdoors, especially hiking with her family and their dog.