Elia was born on the Army base at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, and raised on various military bases across the United States. The longest periods of her upbringing were spent at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She and her brother are the first members of her family to be born outside the Caribbean.

From a young age, Elia displayed a natural talent and passion for languages, dance, yoga, sports, and musical instruments. After graduating high school in South Carolina, she pursued a diverse educational path. Her studies include massage therapy school, an accounting certification program at her local community college, and coursework in Digital Photography and Film at The Art Institute of Charlotte. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in International Politics with a concentration in International Relations from Pennsylvania State University and is currently in her final year of graduate school at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, enrolled in the Dual SPED/Secondary Education program. 

Elia's teaching experience is equally diverse. She has taught ESL and Business English abroad in countries such as China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. During her travels, she also completed her yoga teacher certification in India. Since moving to Hawai‘i in 2021, she has been committed to building a meaningful life and career in education—one that allows her to give back to the community and make a lasting, positive impact on her students.

“I work at SEEQS because I love being part of a community that values collaboration and care. I see Earth as a beautiful gift passed down to us, and I feel strongly that it is our obligation to teach the next generation to be thoughtful and compassionate about how our choices affect our planet. If we don't guide them with intention and heart, who will?”