We’d like to introduce you to our always-primed-to-help, wears-her-heart-on-her-sleeve, Gifted Encourager, Erika Alicea.⠀
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Erika is a former public school teacher turned homeschooling mama to one spunky young lady.  Born and raised in NYC, Erika helped her husband, Efrain, pastor an urban church in the Bronx for 15 years.  They are blessed with being a blended family, making Erika a “young” grandma to 2 sweet, little girls.  Erika also helped care for her elderly father with cancer while homeschooling for 6 years until his passing.

Sadly, in January of 2023, Erika’s husband went to be with the Lord.  His sudden departure left Erika and her family broken.  But God, in His infinite love and compassion, has been healing their hearts, covering them with His peace, provision, and protection.  God’s faithfulness, including the love of family and friends, has enabled Erika to continue honoring her husband’s wish to homeschool their daughter as she learns to navigate this new season as a single mom.

Unfortunately, Erika didn’t homeschool her daughter from the beginning and the transition from traditional school was a difficult one. However, when Erika was first introduced to Miss Mason’s educational philosophy through Simone and Mariana,  it was an answer to many of her prayers. ⠀
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Sharing the beauty a Charlotte Mason Education offers is pure joy for Erika and she loves the freedom Miss Mason’s methods allow in instructing her daughter, especially when it comes to celebrating their Latino heritage.⠀
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As a firm believer in a multicultural education for all children through the use of diverse, living books, Erika uses her website Charlotte Mason City Living as a resource to help parents diversify their instruction.  It is her prayer that it also serves as an encouragement to all families, especially for those who feel Miss Mason’s philosophy may not be inclusive enough or even possible for multicultural or urban families.⠀

Erika is also co-founder of  The Art of Color, which are carefully crafted and curated Charlotte Mason-inspired Art Appreciation resources that showcase artists of color.

On any given day, you can find Erika taking pictures of nature treasures nestled in the city that often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of urban life.