About us



In our class, there are 6 students; four males and two females. There are also four staff members. They are: Ms. Linda (classroom teacher,) Ms. Cala (para-educator,) Mr. Lopez (para-educator,) and Monica Giraldo (para-educator.) Please read below to learn more about us.

In our class, we provide students with communication access in multiple ways: sign language, picture symbols, augmentative communication devices, gestures, pictures and real objects. The students have access to state academic standards through the Unique Curriculum.; students also work on IEP goals and objectives, in addition to functional skills.

  • Ms. Linda- This is my third year at the Washington Center, although I am starting my 19th year of teaching! I spent most of my teaching career at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. I attended Converse College, where I majored in Deaf education. While at Converse, I also earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. I am currently enrolled in the Graduate Studies program at Furman University, where I am seeking a second Master's degree in Teaching English as a second language and plus 30 in the area of Literacy. I have one precious son, and he is eight years old. We live in Taylors, SC.
  • Ms. Cala- Cala is in her 8th year at the Washington Center. She has been married for 7 years and has two boys.
  • Mr. Lopez- Lopez has been at the Washington Center for 12 years, but has been an employee of the Greenville county school district for 20 years.
  • Ms. Monica- "Hola! My name is Monica Giraldo. I was born in Colombia, South America, grew up in Venezuela and moved to the United States 21 years ago. My 18-year-old son, (Victor, Jr.,) and my husband, (Victor, Sr.,) are both at North Greenville University. My son, who was born in Florida, is a freshman and my husband, who was born in Venezuela, is chair of the Language and Linguistics department. I studied special education in Venezuela, where I also worked as an elementary school teacher. I have had the beautiful blessing from God of being a part of the WC team for around 5 years now."