Born in El Salvador, Claudia graduated in Jurisprudence and Social Science with subsequent studies in Tributary Law, in 1992. She worked for the Department of Finances until 2000.
Moved to Richmond in 2000 and began to volunteer in Nystrom Elementary School until January 2001 when she became an Instructional Aide in the Dual Immersion Montessori School in Grant Elementary School.
With the opening of the Richmond College Prep Preschool, Portillo joined RES Inc and enrolled in Contra Costa College to obtain her Montessori Certification. She worked under the mentorship of Linda Franke and the supervision of Dr. Barbara Grillo. Upon completion of her Montessori studies she became the Head Teacher of the Richmond College Prep Preschool.
She is a firm believer of early intervention and the education of the human potential which is at the core of the Montessori Philosophy.
Her hobbies are listening to music and study current events.
She loves working with small children and learning about other countries.
She is attending De Anza College in San Jose pursuing her BA in Early childhood Education.