Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariadeliz Ralat.
Hi Mariadeliz, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always known I wanted to use my psychology background to help individuals with disabilities. After working as a Therapeutic Staff Support (now known as a Behavioral Therapist) supporting a child with autism and later as a Program Specialist at Ephrata Area Rehabilitation Services (EARS), where I worked with adults with disabilities, I realized my heart was really with children and their families. That led me to earn my Master’s degree in School Psychology from Millersville University and begin my career as a school psychologist.
Over the next five years, I had the opportunity to work in rural, suburban, and urban school districts. While every experience shaped me, my work in urban schools especially has my heart. Many of the students I evaluated came from Spanish-speaking homes, and being able to communicate directly with students and their families in their native language reminded me how powerful it is to feel understood. It also opened my eyes to the need for more bilingual school psychologists and culturally responsive evaluations.
When I became a mom, I knew I wanted to find a way to continue doing the work I loved while also being present for my family. Taking the leap into independent contracting was both exciting and scary, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. A couple of years later, I officially launched Bilingual Roots Educational Services, LLC.
The name Bilingual Roots reflects so much of who I am. I was born and raised by Puerto Rican parents, speaking both Spanish and English for most of my life, and I wanted my business to honor those roots while serving students and families who share a similar story. Today, I partner with school districts to provide bilingual psychoeducational evaluations that honor each student’s language, culture, strengths, and abilities. Watching the business grow from two school districts to six has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m grateful that I get to do work that makes such a meaningful difference.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely wasn’t a completely smooth road. Deciding to take the leap into entrepreneurship was exciting, but it was also anxiety-inducing. I knew that if I was going to build a business, I wanted to do it the right way, so I invested in a course to learn everything I could about becoming an entrepreneur. At the same time, I was navigating life as a new mom with two little ones under two, which often left me wondering how I was going to find the time to build a business while still being the mom I wanted to be.
Thankfully, I never had to do it alone. My husband made sure I had dedicated time to work on my business, whether that meant taking over with the kids or encouraging me when things felt overwhelming. I also leaned on family, friends, and my support system along the way. Their encouragement reminded me that asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s often what makes growth possible.
Looking back, the challenges didn’t disappear, but they became more manageable with each step forward. Launching Bilingual Roots Educational Services taught me that building a business doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s okay to grow at your own pace. Every obstacle made me more confident, and seeing Bilingual Roots become a reality made every late night and every moment of uncertainty worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bilingual Roots Educational Services, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bilingual Roots Educational Services, LLC partners with school districts to provide bilingual psychoeducational evaluations for multilingual learners, primarily Spanish-speaking students. My goal is to help schools determine whether a student’s learning differences are the result of a disability or influenced by language acquisition, culture, or both. Every evaluation is completed with a culturally and linguistically responsive approach because I believe every child deserves an evaluation that truly reflects their strengths, abilities, language, and culture.
What sets Bilingual Roots apart is that I’m not just bilingual—I’m also deeply committed to building relationships with families and school teams. I understand how overwhelming the special education process can feel, especially for families who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish. Being able to speak directly with parents in their native language helps build trust, reduces misunderstandings, and allows families to actively participate in decisions about their child’s education.
I’m also passionate about helping school districts meet a growing need. Finding qualified bilingual school psychologists can be challenging, and I’m grateful to partner with districts to ensure multilingual learners have access to high-quality, culturally responsive evaluations.
What I’m most proud of is that Bilingual Roots was built on both my professional experience and my personal identity. As someone who was born and raised by Puerto Rican parents and has spoken both Spanish and English for most of my life, this work is deeply personal to me. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my bilingualism allows me to advocate for students and families while helping schools make informed decisions that can positively impact a child’s educational journey.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
When I think about success, I don’t immediately think about the number of school districts I partner with or how much my business grows. To me, success is when people understand the mission behind Bilingual Roots and believe in it enough to support it.
Success looks like a school district recognizing the value of a bilingual school psychologist and understanding why culturally and linguistically responsive evaluations matter. It looks like a parent feeling comfortable enough to ask questions and advocate for their child because they can communicate in their native language. And it looks like knowing that a student received an evaluation that truly reflects who they are—not just academically, but linguistically and culturally as well.
If my work helps even one child receive the support they need because they were accurately understood, then I consider that success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bilingualrootsedu.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bilingual.roots
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578299556401
