TEC Student of the Month Award

Enamored with the language and Latin American culture, Mindy surrounds herself with Spanish in every way she can - when she’s not planning her next  trip abroad she can be found paging through Spanish-language magazines or enjoying the beats of Latin music. Her travels have included several stints in Spanish immersion programs in which she had the opportunity to work on learning Spanish while exploring Central America and soaking up the cultural experience. A dedicated research nurse who conducts oncology studies, she’s also offered her nursing skills on volunteer trips to Guatemala, providing needed medical services in rural communities. We’re happy to recognize Mindy for her commitment to studying Spanish and determination to broaden her cultural awareness and make a positive impact.

Naturally cheerful and full of curiosity, Anni (“Anita”) brings laughter and warmth to the Spanish classroom. Spending four months in Mexico as a child ignited her interest in Spanish, and since then she’s enjoyed further travels in Spain and Latin America and discovered a passion for the language and culture. Truly committed to building community (Anni lives in a housing co-op and works in a food co-op!), she actively reaches out to local Spanish-speakers and is determined to use her Spanish skills to break down the barriers that separate people. With such enthusiasm and initiative, we’re sure Anni will go far in her pursuit of fluency in Spanish and are proud of her progress at Tierra!

Nancy is an exceptional student of Spanish, unceasingly dedicated to honing her communication skills and fascinated by all things Latin American. Her warmth and compassion lead to her take every opportunity to reach out to native-speakers, eager to form meaningful relationships and learn from others’ approaches to life. In her travels she’s chosen the less trodden path, seeking authentic experiences and immersing herself completely in Spanish while building lasting friendships with locals. Perhaps most notable in her language-learning trajectory is Nancy’s voracious appetite for reading in Spanish - armed with a dictionary, pen, and highlighter, Nancy revels in the challenge of understanding written Spanish and deepening her cultural knowledge through literature. With such zest and commitment, we feel lucky to count Nancy as part of the Tierra community.