María Quijano (they/she)

Senior Early Learning Program Manager, MFS Ready, Set, Go!

María Quijano has over 10+ years experience in Early Childhood Education and is proud to be Latine, bicultural, and bilingual (Spanish & English). Originally from Southern California, María moved to Portland, OR in 2013 where she joined MFS as an AmeriCorps member working in the early learning program Ready, Set, Go! (RSG!). In 2014 María opened the first Ready, Set, Go! classroom in Multnomah County and is now the Senior Early Learning Program Manager. RSG! now has eight classrooms across Multnomah and Clackamas County and a home visiting service. They have shared their experience as an educator by presenting for CCR&R, at the Oregon Parent Educators Conference (OPEC), Oregon Migrant Education Program Conference, and most recently at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). They believe in the importance of being a culturally responsive, anti-bias, and anti-racist early learning program.

“Love builds brains and so building trusting and equitable relationships with our students, families, staff, and community can help us get to a place of love and empathy. Love and empathy can radically change the way we view and relate to one another. Wishing to move the needle forward one conversation and interaction at a time towards a more equitable society.”

María got their BA in Child, Youth, and Family Studies from Portland State University and has been part of Avanza’s Leadership Program for Latino Young Adults.

They enjoy listening to music, attending live performances, cuddling with their two senior dogs, and trying new yummy foods!