I’ve been an avid student of Spanish for over a
decade. Becoming fluent first became an obsession when I traveled to Spain on a
high school trip. I had thought I was quite the Spanish scholar until I was
actually put to the test on the streets of Spain. The ante was upped. It wasn’t
about grades anymore: it was survival. That stuff we’d learned was actually
useful and important! It was like a light bulb went off. Actually a light bulb
had broken, in my hotel room in Seville, and I successfully told the concierge
about it. That was my first difficult exchange with a native speaker and I was
elated when he understood me. That April of 2001 I fell in love with Spain,
with travel, and with the Spanish language.
My passion for teaching, however, came along
later. I was a well-rounded student, which is really a liability when it comes
to making career decisions. I had no career orientation until graduation
neared, suffering from the common misconception that summa cum laude meant
“hire her ASAP.” The summer after my junior year in Madrid, I was waitressing
and I worked with a man that was practically illiterate. He had dropped out
when he was 16. I had never met anyone like that. It blew my mind, and made me
realize how much I took education for granted. That September at BU I signed up
to volunteer at an adult education program. I ended up getting assigned to an ESL
classroom. Before that I knew nothing about ESL. Somehow it never occurred to
me how many people in our country speak English as a second language, or don’t
speak it at all. Chalk it up to being from a small town, but it opened my eyes.
I got to be back in a multicultural environment, which was thrilling for me,
and since I’d been working hard to learn a second language, I could really appreciate
my students’ efforts.
I decided to keep teaching ESL after college.
It was minimal training, and the perfect excuse to travel more. I loved the
work, and even more, I loved being immersed in the language I had worked so
hard to become fluent in. I spent a year in Barcelona and a year and a half in
Queretaro, Mexico. I arrived back home thinking I knew every nuance of Spanish,
and considering myself a seasoned teacher. An opportunity to cover a maternity
leave in the Spanish department at my old high school fell into my lap, and I
thought it would just the opportunity to see if I’d like teaching Spanish.
I didn’t, but I was in over my head too much to
even realize how miserable I was. Going from working with motivated adults to eye-rolling,
combative high schoolers was like being thrown to the wolves. I worked long
hours, staying long after the custodians had come and gone, and still couldn’t
cut it. Looking back, I don’t know why I kept going. My students were
obnoxious, my classroom management was atrocious, and I was exhausted, but
something in me wouldn’t quit. My parents and colleagues encouraged me that I
was up to the challenge. I had already gone through all the work to get
certified, and I thought I’d give it one more shot.
I was hired to teach Spanish I to 7th
graders in Hopedale, MA. Hopedale! It sounded utopian. Maybe my luck would
change. Thankfully, it did. To my surprise, middle school turned out to be my
element. It all clicked, and I could genuinely look forward to work. I have a
natural compassion for that age group, remembering how awkward and
self-conscious I was at that age. Soon I realized my students looked up to me
and cared about me. I cared about them, too, and liked having the
responsibility of being a role model. The job was still long hours, and lots of
work, and there were trials and disappointments, but you get stronger, more
confident, and keep fighting the good fight. You
laugh really hard as a middle school teacher. There is never a dull moment. You
also get to bond with your students. I was the teacher that the marginalized
students liked. I’m not sure why, but the socially awkward and troubled kids
were the ones that tended to pop in after school and tell me about their day. I
guess they knew they were accepted and welcomed.
I think I’m a strong candidate for the MAT
program for several reasons. First, I take academics seriously, and eagerly delve
into the material. Second, I have about six years experience teaching. I’ve had
breakthroughs and flops, but in any case, I’ve learned a lot. Third, my Spanish
is strong. Spanish was never my easiest subject, and I don’t consider myself
gifted in languages. What I know in Spanish is due to years of diligence, and I’m
proud of that accomplishment. Teaching a subject I struggled in is rewarding. Additionally,
I use Spanish authentically every day. My husband is from Mexico and we speak
Spanish at home. When and if we have children, they will learn Spanish as their first language. I am confident and capable in Spanish whether it’s analyzing
literature, or Skyping with my compadres. I still make mistakes, but I’m not
giving up.
I’ve been out of the classroom for about a year
and I can’t tell you how much I miss hearing “Hola Senorita.” Teaching Spanish
is something I love, and I do well. It combines my passions of Spanish,
culture, and children. It takes skill, planning, responsibility, creativity,
authority, gentleness, flexibility, and perseverance. You have to be an
academic, a counselor, a policeman, and a cheerleader. It’s not an easy job,
and I’m not perfect at it, but I hope to perfect the craft as I continue to
learn and grow.
