Educator Spotlight
“Teaching a language means giving students the tools to connect with others, broaden their world, and discover more about themselves and the powers they hold within.”
I didn’t originally plan to enter the field of education. Initially, I wanted to be a biologist, and classroom teaching was not something I’d seriously considered.
I began studying education without a clear goal or direction, but everything changed when I started my practicum and had the opportunity to be in a real classroom. That experience helped me discover a genuine love for teaching and connection with students. I had the opportunity to start my career in Colombia in a bilingual classroom where I saw firsthand how language acquisition could empower students, open doors, and build confidence.
I had not had the chance to study a second language until college, and it was amazing to see young students with that opportunity. That experience completely transformed my perspective and made me realize that teaching was not just meaningful work. It was the work I wanted to dedicate my life to.
One of the most fulfilling moments of my teaching career was meeting a former student I taught in elementary school years later. We were able to have a natural conversation in Spanish, and she shared that she chose to continue studying Spanish because of her experience in my class. Being able to see how her language skills developed over time and knowing that my class played a role in that decision was affirming. Starting language learning early matters!
I joined ACTFL to be part of a professional community that values languages as much as I do. My favorite part is connecting with educators across the country who share ideas, strategies, and encouragement.
ACTFL reminds me that I am part of a larger movement advocating for the importance of language education, and that movement’s collective energy inspires me to grow.
Languages have shaped my identity and opened doors to experiences I never imagined. They allow me to connect deeply with family, travel with purpose, and form friendships across cultures.
I feel especially grateful to be able to share my own language and culture outside of the classroom—sharing stories of Colombia while also celebrating the diversity of Spanish-speaking countries.
Languages are my bridge to storytelling, music, and community, constantly reminding me of the beauty of human connection and cultural diversity.
Remember that teaching languages is about much more than vocabulary memorization and grammar rules. I believe that a language teacher’s ultimate goal should be building communication skills, cultural humility, and a deeper understanding of the world—sharing a variety of perspectives and ways of viewing things through multicolored lenses, which are infused with language diversity.
Focus on building relationships, creating meaningful interactions, and nurturing students’ confidence as speakers and global citizens, and give time and space for students to progress at their own pace. Encourage curiosity about other cultures while also recognizing that we ourselves are continuously learning. Celebrate small wins, both yours and your students’. Trust that your enthusiasm and care will make a lasting impact, even if you don’t always see it immediately. Lean on your colleagues, stay open and proactively collaborate with others, keep exploring new ideas, and never stop being a learner yourself.
My favorite phrase is “poco a poco,” which means “little by little” in Spanish.
I love it because it captures the essence of language acquisition and life itself—progress happens step by step, sometimes in tiny steps, sometimes even moving backwards for a moment, and most excitingly with giant leaps and bounds, those amazing breakthrough “aha” moments.
It reminds my students, and me, that growth is not instant but built over time with patience, persistence, and trust in one’s abilities where the natural urge to communicate and connect is what makes us uniquely human.
Get inspired by even more Educator Spotlight profiles in our growing archive of member testimonials! Then explore all the resources available via ACTFL membership.
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