TEC Student of the Month Award

Driven in his quest towards fluency in Spanish, Mark’s dedication and inspiring community work make him a true asset to the Tierra community. An attorney who focuses his practice on protecting workers and consumers from fraud, discrimination, and illegal employment practices, he has positively impacted the lives of many in the region in his tireless fight for justice. He takes advantage of his language skills to communicate with his Spanish-speaking clients, as well as with his multi-cultural family. Endowed with a great sense of humor and fascinated by the diverse cultures of Latin America, Mark’s warmth and curiosity enrich Spanish class  for everyone.

Excited about learning and eager to advance, Gretchen has thrown herself into studying Spanish wholeheartedly and her extraordinary effort has paid off as she’s made impressive progress in her time at Tierra.  A teacher who helps at-risk youth to become engaged in their education and finish high school, she is motivated to study Spanish by her commitment to serve her students and communicate more effectively with their families. “Over the years I've observed how Hispanic/Latino families can be underserved by the traditional school system, and I'm constantly trying to support them in better ways.  For me, learning Spanish is part of that process,” she relates. We at Tierra salute Gretchen and her colleagues in the education field who go beyond what’s required of them in their quest to connect with their students and guide them to success.

With an unfailingly positive attitude and steadfast determination, Dick - or “Ricardo” as his classmates know him by - is truly dedicated to learning Spanish. A pediatrician, he has observed how important proficiency in Spanish is for healthcare providers and has been  assiduously working to acquire the communication skills needed to treat patients. Dick’s fortunate blend of focus and a quick, yet subtle sense of humor render his contributions to classes helpful and entertaining at once. A parent who has offered his children a bilingual education, we at Tierra commend the value he places on language and intercultural understanding for himself and his family.