26-Year Certified Teacher: ELA 7-12 and Spanish K-12

Mariaelena A.

I graduated with a degree in English and Spanish from Loyola University and worked as an English teacher in Bolivia for a year prior to earning my Master's Degree in Education from the University of Notre Dame. I proceeded to teach a combination of high school English and Spanish in private and public schools in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and southwestern Pennsylvania for 15 years. I have also taught middle school Spanish in southwestern Pennsylvania for the past ten years. I am certified to teach English 7-12 and Spanish K-12.

In regards to my English experience, I have taught the following classes: English survey classes for freshmen and sophomores, American Literature classes for juniors, and World Literature classes for seniors. I also helped students to prepare for the SAT and advised them with their personal essays for college. While some of the books I taught in classes were required by the school's curriculum, I designed and implemented my own lessons at each school. I continue to avidly read and to stay apprised of English language teaching best practices.

My Spanish teaching began in Los Angeles. I taught a freshman course for Spanish prior to teaching Spanish I and II in Atlanta and Spanish I, II, and III in Pennsylvania. I also assisted a student who required Spanish IV for university acceptance to complete her coursework because our school didn't offer any additional levels of Spanish at that time. I designed all of my Spanish lessons with a focus on practical conversation. I enjoy adding music, cultural awareness, and current events to what I teach to help make learning more dynamic. I have designed all of my lessons based on best practices in Spanish and ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) standards.