Lissie was born and raised in Mérida, Mexico, where she developed a deep love for family, community, and education. She holds a degree in Psychology from Universidad Modelo in Merida and is a licensed psychologist in Mexico. Before moving to the United States, she taught English as a Foreign Language to students in grades 7–12 at a private school from 2005 to 2010. In 2010,

Moving to the United States after meeting her husband, Michael, who had spent two years teaching in Mexico. Shortly after relocating, she became the interpreter for the Oak Ridge school system—a role she held for over a decade. During those years, she gained an exceptional understanding of the challenges faced by Spanish‑speaking families in the community.

She takes pride in helping families overcome barriers and navigate complex systems with dignity and confidence. While working full-time as an interpreter, Lissie earned her master’s degree in education from Lincoln Memorial University, specializing in Elementary and Special Education in K–5 instruction. She is now a licensed teacher and currently teaches 4th grade at Woodland Elementary School. Lissie, her husband, and their two children live in Oak Ridge.

Lissie cherishes time spent with them as well as her extended family in Mexico. When she’s not teaching or spending quality time with family, you can often find her at the CrossFit gym. A passionate advocate for the Latino community, Lissie is honored to serve as the President of Together Podemos. She is enthusiastic about continuing her work to support, empower, and uplift the Spanish‑speaking community of Oak Ridge and Tennessee.