Nelida Thomatis

Nelida Thomatis (also referred to as Nelly) is an educator and Instructional Technology Facilitator with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Nelida Thomatis was born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and moved to California when she was four years old. She grew up in Reseda and attended schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, including  John F. Kennedy Architecture Magnet High School. She initially began her studies in architecture at UC Berkeley, but ultimately followed her passion for teaching. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

Professionally, Nelida began her career in education as a teacher's assistant in 2009. She subsequently became a classroom teacher in 2015, teaching kindergarten, 1st grade, and 5th grade. Since January 2021, she has served as an Instructional Technology Facilitator. In this current capacity, she supports 30 schools, ranging from UTK through 12th grade. In this role, Nelida works with educators and students to integrate several key areas into teaching and learning, including: 

• Educational technology

• Computer science

• Digital citizenship

• Esports

Additionally, she is responsible for designing and facilitating professional development.

Nelida became interested in education after people frequently told her she had a natural talent for explaining things clearly. That encouragement, along with her experiences as a teacher’s assistant, inspired her to pursue teaching as a career. As a classroom teacher, she worked with students across multiple elementary grade levels, and in her current role as an Instructional Technology Facilitator, she supports a wide range of subjects from UTK through 12th grade.

Her philosophy of education centers on the belief that every student deserves meaningful learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. She emphasizes the integration of digital citizenship and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into all subject areas, helping students cultivate the skills, curiosity, and sense of responsibility needed to become active global citizens.

Outside of work, Nelida loves being active and creative. She enjoys various activities, including rollerblading, biking, snowboarding, traveling, and going to concerts. These pursuits allow her to explore new places, experience different cultures, and stay energized for both life and learning.