Meet our Zinta Team Members!
Vendla Smith, M.Ed.
Director & Head of Instruction at Zinta Inspired Language
Vendla has developed a unique and innovative instructional model that transcends traditional concepts of “words” and “mechanics.” Her approach addresses both the visible and invisible barriers to effective communication, fostering genuine understanding and connection across cultures.
Driven by a vision to break down cultural barriers, Vendla strives to help individuals show mutual respect and appreciate the differences that make each person unique. Rather than focusing solely on the study of language with the hope of future use, her model enables learners to actively use the language as they acquire it—achieving fluency more naturally and efficiently than traditional methods allow.
As a Master Teacher, Vendla has created more than 30 language workbooks spanning five languages, each customized for different proficiency levels and professional industries. She has shared her expertise on a national stage, presenting for organizations such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Aging, and the National Association of School Nurses, among others. In addition, she has delivered over 150 industry-specific seminars across the country, providing tailored communication training for diverse professional fields.
Vendla earned her Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language, State Teaching License, and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Education.
Her extensive international travel and deep engagement with diverse cultures have provided her with a rich understanding of languages, traditions, and human experience. This global perspective shapes her mission to redefine how learners understand and engage with the world around them.
Founded by Vendla in 2000, Zinta Inspired Language connects learners across cultures through local classes, national classes and seminars, and international online programs reaching from Canada to Ecuador.
Kerry Smith
Zinta Operations Manager
Kerry’s been with the business since 2004. Kerry handles all the behind-the-scenes activities at Zinta to include computer technical and customer support. If you have a problem or need help then Kerry’s probably the person you’ll interact with. Kerry obviously enjoys working with technology, but he has a real passion for helping students reach their language learning goals.
Kerry enlisted in the Air Force in 1979 right out of High School. It’s hard to sum up two government careers but here are a few highlights.
From 1986 – 1989 he served as a primary crew member onboard the US Central Command Airborne Command Post Aircraft overseeing operations in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Yemen.
In 1989 he served in Operation JUST CAUSE In 1990, he was deployed as the maintenance superintendent during Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM for over 90 KC-135 aircraft based out of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh Saudi Arabia
In 1998 he was promoted to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and assumed the position of Aviation Maintenance Manager with the Defense Contract Management Agency at the Boeing Military Aircraft facility in Wichita working various highly sensitive programs to include the National Airborne Operations Center (E-4) fleet, E-3 Sentry AWACS, and the entire Presidential fleet of aircraft to include Air Force 1 and 2.
He retired from the Air Force in 2004. With his previous experience and security clearance he was immediately hired by the Special Programs Division of the Defense Contract Management as a Quality Assurance Specialist to oversee Presidential Fleet maintenance along with other classified programs in Wichita, KS, Greenville, TX and Waco, TX. In 2011, Kerry was promoted to the grade of GS-14 and became the Technical Group Lead for the Defense Contract Management Agency in Wichita overseeing Quality and Engineering services in the Kansas and South East Missouri region. Kerry retired from Civil Service in 2015. His list of decorations is too long to read but I have them here in his BIO if anyone is interested.
Fatima Araujo
Lead Instructor, Assistant Supervisor, and Social Media Manager
Fatima began her journey with Zinta in 2021, completing the rigorous training required to become a Certified Instructor while based in her home country of El Salvador. Driven by her passion for language and her enthusiasm for her students’ progress, she continued her instructional development and advanced through various levels to the role of Lead Instructor, becoming a part of the Zinta Leadership Team.
In addition to delivering top-quality language classes and industry-specific seminars online, Fatima assists in training new instructors, supports various supervisory and student quality-assurance tasks, and contributes to Zinta’s social media presence. She offers students the valuable opportunity to learn from a native speaker with exceptional knowledge of both Spanish and English—all from the comfort of their own homes or workplaces.
Known for her encouraging and engaging teaching style, Fatima fosters a positive learning environment that her students genuinely enjoy. Her favorite aspect of teaching at Zinta is witnessing her students’ growth and sharing in the joy of learning together.
Chelsea Day
Certified Zinta Instructor
Chelsea is an experienced ASL educator with a long-standing commitment to the Deaf community and sign language education. Her connection to American Sign Language began in high school and continued through college, where she earned her degree in ASL. Following graduation, she taught high school ASL for four years, fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments. She remains actively involved in the community by organizing and hosting local Deaf social events that promote language use and cultural connection.
Her passion for sign language has taken her abroad to France—the birthplace of ASL—where she visited the International Visual Theatre and observed Deaf students performing in LSF (Langue des Signes Française).
Chelsea is currently expanding her instructional expertise by pursuing certification as a scuba diving instructor, with the goal of providing accessible dive training to Deaf individuals. She also volunteers at aquariums during the summer, sharing her knowledge of marine life and further integrating her interests in education, science, and accessibility.
Elena Duran
Certified Zinta Instructor
Elena is a bilingual Mexican American language instructor based in Texas. She grew up learning both Spanish and English, developing her English skills through books and media while speaking Spanish at home.
Elena teaches both children and adults, helping students build proficiency in Spanish and English through engaging, personalized instruction. She is passionate about fostering language development and creating a supportive learning environment for all.
Outside of teaching, Elena has a deep love for creativity, including painting, reading, and exploring new coffee shops. She is also a devoted plant enthusiast, enjoying learning about different species and their care. One of her favorite ways to reconnect with her heritage is by visiting her grandparents’ home in Mexico and exploring the country’s rich culture and pueblos mágicos.
Elena is dedicated to guiding her students on their language-learning journeys and looks forward to helping them grow and succeed.
Gabriela Hernandez
Certified Zinta Instructor
Gabriela joined Zinta in 2023 and brings a rich multilingual background to her role, teaching English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Before becoming part of the Zinta team, she dedicated more than ten years to teaching children in her community in El Salvador, where she developed a strong passion for education and cross-cultural communication.
She loves connecting with people from all backgrounds, and her warm, friendly demeanor helps students feel at ease from the very first lesson. Gabriela is deeply committed to helping learners succeed, continually refining her instructional techniques and exploring new strategies to provide the best possible outcomes for her students’ language-learning goals. Her patience, encouragement, and genuine enthusiasm for teaching make her classes both effective and enjoyable.
Outside the classroom, Gabriela enjoys discovering cozy coffee spots, spending time with loved ones, and actively serving in her church community. She brings the same positivity and dedication to her personal pursuits as she does to her work, making her a valued member of the Zinta team.
Brittany Maloney
Certified Zinta Instructor
Brittany is a bilingual English and Spanish instructor based in Minnesota, with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Friends University in Kansas. She has been teaching for most of her life, with experience in a variety of educational settings, including a Spanish immersion daycare for preschool-aged children. Currently, she teaches adult Spanish and English classes at Zinta, where she creates engaging, supportive, and culturally enriching learning environments for her students.
Brittany is passionate about helping learners of all ages develop language skills, build confidence, and connect with new cultures. Her teaching approach emphasizes interactive learning, practical application, and personalized support tailored to each student’s goals.
Outside of teaching, Brittany enjoys reading, writing, dancing, singing, and spending quality time with friends and family. She is also actively pursuing her passion for poetry and performing at Open Mic nights, bringing the same creativity and dedication to her artistic endeavors as she does to her teaching.
Dawn Miner
Zinta Certified Instructor
Dawn joined the Zinta staff in 2021. Her passion for French began early, inspired by watching Sesame Street as a young girl. After earning her degree, she spent three years living in Vittel, France, where she achieved a high level of fluency and cultural understanding. Dawn is familiar with the challenges of learning a language in a foreign country and has many tips and tricks to share. What excites her most about working with the Zinta team is “tearing down the walls” to make language learning more accessible and engaging.
Hazel Martinez
Zinta Seminar Trainer
Meet Hazel! An exceptional Zinta trainer, Hazel leads some of our Industry-Specific seminars. Originally from El Salvador, she brings authentic native language experience to her students. Her warmth and patience quickly endear her to learners, who appreciate her caring approach. Hazel’s favorite part of her role is witnessing the excitement of students when they successfully use Spanish outside the classroom.
Sebastien Dousset
Translator
Seb lived in France his entire life before moving to the U.S. several years ago. With a passion for language and a keen eye for detail, he provides the high-quality translations that Zinta demands. Need a voice-over? Seb offers that as well! Multi-talented and a pleasure to work with, he delivers the top-notch French-to-English and English-to-French translations you need.
Eusmary Timaure
Translator
Eusmary has been a valued member of the Zinta team for many years. Based in Venezuela, she has provided exceptional English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English translations. Clients appreciate Eusmary for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to catch errors that others might miss. Her deep knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in both languages makes her an outstanding asset to our translation services.