We wanted to get to know Señora better, so we had her answer a few questions:
1. How many years have you been teaching at Glenville School?
This is my third year teaching at Glenville.
2. What other schools besides Glenville do you currently teach at?
I currently teach 7th grade Native/Heritage Spanish at Central Middle School.
3. Why did you decide to become a Spanish teacher?
I decided to become a Spanish teacher because I wanted to share my love for languages with students who were given the opportunity to learn another language.
4. What is the hardest challenge of teaching a language?
The most challenging aspect of teaching a foreign language is to maintain that language throughout the class and to provide students with multiple experiences or strategies to learn the content of what I am teaching. Students may get easily frustrated when they do not see the whole picture of what they are learning so I try to alleviate the levels of frustration by explaining in their first language (English) what we are learning and why. Once they feel more comfortable with the content, I provide music, movement, games, readings and authentic experiences to learn and maintain what is being taught.
5. What is your favorite part about teaching a language?
My favorite part about teaching the language is when students get to use, on their own, what they are learning. I get super excited when I see them taking a deep breath before answering a question in Spanish, then they take the risk and answer it the best way possible, and they get a BIG cheer from their classmates as they break through the threshold.
6. Is there anything about yourself that students may not know?
I was born in Honduras and came to the United States without knowing a word of English. I learned it very fast because I loved it and I had a strong foundation in my first language Spanish which facilitated new knowledge and connections. After finishing my masters degree in Multicultural/Bilingual education, I moved to Greece, worked at an International School and married my college sweetheart. Although I was going there for one year, I stayed for six! My first year there was very frustrating because I could not communicate with the outside world. I took the challenge very seriously and managed to learn Greek. The benefits were immense for me and for my two boys who were also born in Greece.
I am strong believer that learning another language opens the door to meet new people, understand cultures, travel the world. All we need is to get out of our comfort zone, take the world in, and become global citizens.
Thank you, Señora Murillo, for being in our Faculty Spotlight!
