¡Vaya Pavos!
!Conozca a nuestras maestras de español del Campus Norte, la Sra. Robison y la Sra. Stewart! (If you aren't proficient in Spanish, your daughter may be able to help you translate!)
Girls enrolled in St. Mary’s Place through 5th grades take Spanish classes at least once per week. Vocabulary and grammar are presented kinesthetically, aurally, verbally, visually, and literally to reinforce words and phrases.
Beginning Sept.15, institutions nationwide will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, including St. Mary’s. Schools and organizations will celebrate Hispanic histories, cultures, and contributions during this time.
To kick it off, North Campus Spanish Teachers Kim Robison (Early Childhood) and Amber Stewart (Lower School), share the benefits of learning Spanish, what excites them about teaching a foreign language, and tips for helping your daughter reinforce her Spanish grammar and vocabulary.
What inspired you to teach a foreign language?
Sra. Robison: I was inspired to teach knowing I could show students that another language can be fun, not scary! I wanted to give back what I have benefited from and hopefully make a difference in their futures. When they are laughing, they are learning!
Sra. Stewart: My life was changed after spending time in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Immersion in the culture and language exposed me to different foods, customs, beliefs, and perspectives. I hope to bring a glimpse of that to the classroom. Girls with language and an understanding of how others live can connect to and contribute more to their communities and the global community.
What excites you about teaching Spanish?
Sra. Robison: Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and proficiency in it can enhance communication and understanding across cultures! Seeing students grow, develop their language skills, and achieve confidence with Spanish before 1st grade is hugely fulfilling.
Sra. Stewart: Spanish is what I like to call our neighbor’s language. Girls do not have to travel far beyond the classroom to experience Spanish and Spanish speakers. Along with its proximity and history in the United States, Spanish is a vibrant, beautiful language full of personality.
What are some tips for girls to become more confident in their Spanish translation and conversation?
Sra. Robison: Repetition is the name of the game! A word or phrase must be repeated almost 10,000 times to embed in one’s memory. Therefore, we repeat and encourage them to use their Spanish during the day…either in class, on the playground, or in the cafeteria.
Sra. Stewart: The biggest tip I can give language learners is never to be afraid to make mistakes. When you think about a toddler learning their native language, they have listened to hours and hours of their parents’ language, and no one judges them for broken sentences or mispronounced words. Anyone and everyone can become proficient, no matter their age!
- Early Childhood
- Lower School
