TEC Student of the Month Award

Passionately committed to service work in Latin America, Tom’s enthusiasm for learning and sense of purpose infuses the classes he joins with positive, joyful energy. After experiencing volunteer trips with medical associations, he founded a non-profit NGO “Agua Pura Para El Pueblo”, dedicated to promoting simple, small-scale methods to help communities and families obtain safe, clean drinking water and improve sanitation. He and his wife Susan frequently travel to Mexico with the organization, where they can be found this month working on projects in Mexico City, Chiapas, and Oaxaca. Tom’s innate curiosity and natural optimism make him an exceptional student of Spanish and Latin American culture, always seeking to expand his ability to communicate with and understand the diverse communities south of our border.

Vivacious and friendly, Danielle's positive energy contributes to creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere in any class she joins. She is commendably determined to learn Spanish despite the demands of her academic career and is committed to her studies, often taking a private class when she's been forced to miss class. Having relished the opportunity to communicate with native speakers and explore the city-scapes and volcano-dotted countryside of Guatemala, her adventurous spirit and genuine desire to learn about Latin American culture fuel her dreams of further travels south. Always actively engaged in the class material and quick to ask questions, Danielle embodies the enthusiasm and drive that we at Tierra love to see.
 

Craig is driven to learn Spanish, and his steady and impressive improvement demonstrates that a commitment to study and practice truly yields results. In his two years studying at Tierra he has advanced through the levels; his analytical nature and organized approach boost his ability to process new information and expand his language skills. Joyful and kind, Craig brightens up the classroom and clearly enjoys the camaraderie built in group classes. His dedication to deepening his knowledge and genuine interest in Latin American culture are emblematic of what makes Tierra students so special.