Teaching Philosophy
As a native of the borderlands between Cd. Juárez, Chih. Mexico and El Paso, Texas, I have lived at the intersection of two cultures and languages, experiencing both their fusion and friction. This upbringing shaped my understanding of language as more than a tool for communication—it is a force for building identity, cultivating belonging, and fostering resilience. Understanding the challenges my students may encounter as they navigate linguistic and cultural boundaries, I am motivated to guide them in their journey as they discover the potential of language and their own voices. Building on this understanding, I strive to create a classroom where students not only develop Spanish language skills but also use language as a bridge across cultural divides.
In my classroom, I strive to create a space where students not only develop Spanish language skills but also use language as a bridge across cultural divides. Guided by principles of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), I incorporate technology, creative tools, and communicative methods to foster meaningful language use and enrich students’ learning journey. Through digital media projects, interactive language apps, online cultural exchanges, and role- playing exercises, students engage with language in innovative ways, gaining experience in various digital and creative formats.
Additionally, collaborative projects and discussions on culturally significant topics—from the richness of Latino art and music to contemporary issues like immigration—allow students to negotiate meaning and build fluency through real-world applications. By selecting and creating materials that reflect social impact and personal resonance, I help students see language as both a practical skill and a means of self-expression, empowering them to connect with their identities, reach out to the global community, and engage with the world through multiple modes of communication. This focus on relevance and resonance extends to my emphasis on authenticity, which lies at the heart of my teaching approach.
Authenticity is at the heart of my approach.
I connect students with literature, media, and immersive experiences that reflect the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. By including voices from various Hispanic communities, I aim to dismantle stereotypes and promote a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. This method supports my goal of shaping students who are not only proficient language users but also perceptive, culturally informed individuals who can engage thoughtfully across contexts. To further support this goal, my teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in existentialist thought, which informs how I encourage students to explore and define their own paths.
My philosophy is grounded in existentialist thought, rooted in the idea that education should liberate students to explore and define their own paths. I want my students to recognize that learning Spanish is part of a broader journey to discover who they are and how they wish to connect with the world. To support this, I incorporate reflective journaling in Spanish, where students write about their personal experiences, goals, and aspirations. This activity fosters self-awareness and encourages them to connect language learning with their sense of identity and purpose.
Additionally, I guide students through the creation of personal narratives in Spanish, where they recount meaningful life events and explore how these moments have shaped their values and perspectives. These narratives can be presented creatively as podcasts, videos, or short plays, allowing students to engage with the language in deeply personal and innovative ways. As they acquire language skills, I hope they develop a strong sense of agency over their own learning and lives. Ultimately, I envision my role as a facilitator who helps students become open-minded, creative thinkers who can engage meaningfully with our multicultural world.
By blending SLA principles with a commitment to cultural awareness, technology, creativity, and personal growth, I seek to offer an education that feels relevant, transformative, and attuned to the unique needs of each student. Teaching Spanish is not just my profession; it is my contribution to fostering understanding, creativity, and interconnectedness in an ever- evolving world.