Our Bees Team
Meet Our Team
Kerlin Sabogal
Ms. Kerlin Sabogal is a Colombian Author, Journalist and Bilingual educator. To date, Ms. Sabogal speaks fluent English, Spanish.
Kerlin Sabogal holds a bachelor's degree of arts from Sergio Arboleda University private university in Colombia where she obtained a full scholarship for 5 years. There she studied Journalism and Mass Communication. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in Bilingual Education from Houston Baptist University.
Kerlin Sabogal is an avid traveler and she has visited and worked with different type’s school around the world. She has visited a total of 15 countries and 35 cities and small villages (Europe, Asia, and South and North America) on this journey she has discovered new cultures that have made her an International educator and a constant advocate for At Risk Youth in impoverished cities.
Before, she started her career in education, Ms. Sabogal worked In Colombia National Radio, wrote for a few magazines, and coordinated the communications department of an European Nonprofit organization with projects based in Latin America and Africa.
Currently, Ms. Sabogal is the Department Chair of Foreign Languages and Bilingual educator for Aldine ISD and the Founder of The Courage to Bee, Inc, an organization that focuses on at-risk youth in impoverished countries. This program helps to educate new generations through educational workshops that help them to understand not only the importance of education but also help them find their purpose regardless of their circumstances. The program also provides supplies to help them to go back to school with everything they need to succeed.
In September 2020 Ms. Sabogal published her first Collaboration book called “ The Girls who refused to quit” where she shared her journey of courage to be where she is today. The book is an international collaboration between women around the world.
During her career in education and advocating for at-risk youth, she has been inducted into the International Honor Society of Education for her outstanding contribution to Houston education. Also, in 2014 received the Red Apple Bilingual Education Award. This award recognizes the outstanding contribution to educate and mentor students at risk in the low-income communities in Houston by Lone Star College. 2019 bilingual educator of the year Aldine ISD.
She is a Board member and volunteer of a couple organizations that promote the advancement of youth and women's education. She is the President and Founder of the Courage to bee Inc., Mentor of Project GRAD Houston, and member of the Livestock Rodeo Go Tejano Committee Leadership Team and Show.
In her free time, she enjoys playing her clarinet, traveling the world, running, and spending time with her 7-year-old son.
John Sabogal
John Sabogal is a Colombian IT Engineer with a background in Marketing & Project Management originally from San Andres Island, Colombia, and a Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Universidad Sergio Arboleda alumni. He has been living in the United States since 2014 and working in the US Public Education System since 2016. John currently serves as an HR Specialist for Fort Bend ISD supporting the HR department to hire the most talented professionals from the Houston area.
Also, John has been a great and proud supporter of good causes, minorities and charity programs. He supported the LGBTQ pride parade for a long time in Colombia and has volunteered in the Human Rights Campaign in Houston, TX. He is a proud Hispanic immigrant who advocates for the immigration and equality rights.
Finally, he is passionate about music, international cultures, food and dance. John is a professional dancer who has been dancing since he was in College as a part of the Folklore Dance groups. He teaches individual dance classes, Zumba sessions and rhythms to all age individuals. He loves socializing and makes people's lives happier through dance.
In his free time, John enjoys watching movies, eating out in an international restaurant, traveling, painting, playing musical instruments or spending time with his family.
Marleny Teters
Mrs. Marleny Teters is a Dominican Bilingual Entrepreneur/Translator for Health Care. Marleny Teters holds an Associate of Arts degree in Healthcare Administration from University of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree of Arts from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. There she studied Bilingual Health Care Studies with a Minor in Spanish. She is a current Member of The National Health Education Honorary Eta Sigma Gamma and The National Spanish Honor Society Sigma Delta Pi for her outstanding performance and dedication.
Marleny Teters is a Navy wife, mother of two beautiful children Melanie 19, and Dylan 8. Due to being a Navy wife has lived in many states such as Virginia, Mississippi, Arizona, NY, NJ among others. She is the oldest of three siblings, born and raised in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.
Marleny Teters immigrated to the United States in 2009. From a very young age she always has been inclined towards helping others, that’s the reason why since she immigrated to the United States has always helped the community where she grew up; sending boxes regularly with provisions of food, clothing, and personal care to the neediest people in that community in the Dominican Republic.
She has been a volunteer for organizations like The Texas Children's Hospital in The Woodlands, The Ronald McDonald House in Houston, and Rodeo Houston as a Member of the Go Tejano Committee. She feels a great empathy for the needy people and the Latino community. During her internship as a Chiropractic Assistant / Entrepreneur she was able to help many people. She believes those experiences helped a lot to serve others and touched many people’s lives. Even though she studied Marketing back home and obtained her other degrees in the U.S., she also has a unique passion for makeup. She sees makeup as a positive vibe and tool to enhance that natural beauty that we all have. She is planning to use her knowledge and certifications to motivate, build self-esteem and body image through The Courage To Bee workshops and how these topics improve their lives and bring empowerment to all from the inside out!
Jhanne Hooker
Jhanne Hooker is an Afro-Colombian educator from San Andres Island, Colombia, and a Texas A&M University alumni. She currently serves as the Senior Manager for Houston ISD R.O.S.E.S Project. An internal mentorship initiative designed to assist young women in reaching their maximum potential at 32 different HISD schools. As the senior manager, she oversees five program managers and the implementation of high-level programming that services over 900 mentees in grades 3rd - 12th.
Supporting underrepresented youth is a major focal point of her career because she believes that every student can achieve the extraordinary with effective advocacy, education, and leadership. She has facilitated professional college access workshops to equip educators with skills and best practices for the work surrounding post-secondary education.
She hopes to continue to impact underrepresented communities in Houston through education and philanthropic opportunities.
Jhanne also finds it essential to give back and bring awareness to social issues in the Caribbean. She is especially passionate about serving youth in poverty-stricken countries such as her homeland Colombia and the Dominican Republic. She volunteers her time as a board member of The Courage To Bee, and a member of the Metroplex San Andres Archipelago People Non-Profit Organization. Organizations dedicated to empowering youth by helping them conquer educational barriers. She also served Houston youth and communities as a Board of Director for College, Community, Career.
In her spare time, Jhanne also enjoys traveling, reading, bicycling, cooking, and playing with her two dogs.
Elizabeth Montejo
Elizabeth Montejo is a bilingual Cuban entrepreneur and the owner of Ellibell Productions an event and logistic company in the Houston area. She has an associate degree in Computer sciences. Elizabeth is certified as an event planner, and Neuro Linguistic Programming (LNP) coach. she has worked with different organizations that support female entrepreneurship and community engagement events.
Her purpose is to inspiring new generations to create, connect and share their talents with the world.
She is passionate about traveling, reading, spending time with her family and her 6-year-old daughter, above all she enjoys connecting with people.
Katherine Sanabria
Katherine Sanabria is a Colombian entrepreneur with a bachelor’s degree in business administration of the Unified National Corporation of Higher Education CUN base in Colombia and also, she is certified in commercial management at the University of Michigan as Successful Negotiator.
With 13 years of experience in the commercial, marketing, operational and legal areas, she has worked in companies of different sectors: Manufacturing, Communications, Financial and State Managing and Normative Audit in State Institutions based in Colombia. The past 5 years she has been specializing as a wealth management consultant and financial planner. Katherine currently serves as General Manager at Elite Chiropractic & Therapy in Katy area.
Her interest on helping Non-Profits came from the deep desire to make a difference in the world one kid at time, giving back to people part of what she has achieved in her professional and personal path.
She is a certified rescue PADI Diver committed to the purpose of cleaned and preserve oceans environment, she enjoys sharing family time, traveling, and snorkeling with sharks.
Jesiel & Jaime Rodriguez
- JESIEL FILMS- Created by Light (Content creators - Marketing team)
Jesiel Films is an audiovisual and marketing company based out of La Vega, Dominican Republic.
Both Jesiel and his wife Jaime are passionate about education, helping others, and bringing a message of light. They see the power in using audiovisuals to shine light, inspire, and promote goodness and kindness in the world. Jesiel brings a perfect balance of professionalism and hospitality in his work. He is actively involved in community work through several non profits in the Dominican Republic. He believes that all should do their part in serving the next generation to build a better and brighter future.
Jaime is the Marketing Director and Choreographer for a Texas based dance company, and has mentored children in both Texas and the Dominican Republic. Teaching dance and serving kids and youth in need are her heart’s biggest desire, across all borders!
Together, Jesiel and Jaime offer strong marketing skills combined with giftings capable of catering to any client need.
Follow our Journey @thecouragetobee
