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Influential Woman · Entertainment
Elsa Polanco
English Teacher, Hunter's Creek Tutoring Center
Orlando, FL 32837
1Article published
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I see all my difficulties as challenges to overcome and learning experiences. My advice to younger women: Don't give up.
Elsa Polanco · In Her Own Words
From How She Did It
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In Conversation
Elsa Polanco for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Elsa Polanco: Hi, my name is Elsa Polanco, and I think that an influential woman should not be afraid to take risks. They should have passion and dedication to their career and family.
What's one piece advice would you give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Elsa Polanco: Hi, my piece of advice for younger women is to have the best education possible, to be determined and persistent in pursuing their dreams and goals. Thank you.
Full transcript available
Her Story
About Elsa
Elsa Polanco is a seasoned author and screenwriter with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She has written an impressive collection of children’s books, adult novels, and screenplays, including Ithaca and the Golden Walnut, Angie, The Mirror, The Devil’s Door, and The Gypsy’s Handkerchief. Her creativity extends beyond books and films into television, as she develops The Adventures of Elsie the Piggy and Friends, an animated children’s series that blends music, storytelling, and life lessons to inspire young audiences.
In addition to her work as a writer, Elsa has a strong background in education, serving as an English teacher at Hunter’s Creek Tutoring Center while continuing her creative pursuits. She earned her Master of Arts in Playwriting and Screenwriting from Southern New Hampshire University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Studio Arts from Adelphi University. Passionate about storytelling in all forms, she recently expanded her creativity into fashion with the launch of The Elsa Polanco Collection, her own clothing line.
Fluent in multiple languages and deeply committed to sharing stories that connect with people of all ages, Elsa combines her talents as a writer, educator, and entrepreneur to leave a lasting impact on both the literary and entertainment worlds.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elsa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the encouragement I received after winning a writing contest at age eight, which inspired me to pursue storytelling seriously and ultimately led me to complete 20 screenplays and books while earning a Master’s in English and Creative Writing and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the entertainment industry is to respect others’ ideas, keep moving forward, and persist even when challenges arise.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is that networking and getting published or produced can be difficult without the right location or industry connections.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are family and honesty.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Elsa
A personal journey from ESL student to English educator and creative writer, showcasing determination, family support, and academic achievement. This inspiring story demonstrates how passion and perseverance can overcome educational barriers and lead to professional success.
The World Around us is Full of Challenges but with Strength and Encouragement One Can Do Anything In It.
From ESL Student to English Professor: A Journey of Passion and Perseverance in Writing and Teaching
My passions are to write stories and to teach the English language in universities. When I was in elementary school, I was placed with the Spanish-speaking students here in the USA, and I would only be learning Spanish. I did not like this because it would limit my future enormously. By the way, ESL is not a good choice for foreign language students. I also felt I would be falling behind with the English language. My parents and I fought hard with the system to put me in the regular English classes, and we won. I was placed in classes where they taught English only, and now here I am teaching the English language to high school and college students. I am an expert in British and American Literature as well as Creative Writing.
My passion for Creative Writing stems from winning an award in second grade for a children's book I wrote for the school's contest. My parents were so proud of me that they encouraged me to start writing at that age. I did, and now I have 20 stories in my repertoire, mostly in the horror/thriller genre, and I have also written children's books. I seek to get published and produced, and God willin,g I will. My mother taught me never to give up and to be a strong fighter with the willpower to thrive in challenging positions. I adore my mother greatly and owe all my knowledge and strength to her. My father is also a force of encouragement and tells me I can be whoever I want to be in this world as long as I work hard. They are both great, and my older sister as well. They are true examples of what it takes to make successful professionals in the USA.
I received my Certificate in Screenwriting for Film and Television from UCLA in California and my Bachelor's degree from Adelphi University in New York, Once I was done, I knew I wanted to continue with my education so I finished my Master's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University in New Hampshire state and I am a member since 2021 of Sigma Tau Delta which is the International English Honors Society.
I feel I have come a long way and continue to look forward to my spiritual and professional growth and to new endeavors in my life.
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