TEC Student of the Month Award

Always with a smile on her face, Patti’s unending supply of enthusiasm and wry sense of humor render her a welcome addition to any class. Having started at Tierra in a Beginner 1 course, she’s shown incredible dedication to her studies and tenacity as she worked her way up through Tierra’s course levels (she’s now in Intermediate 6). Initially motivated to study Spanish in order to engage Spanish speakers in her work as a case manager, her genuine interest to expand her language skills and cultural knowledge led her to take solo trips to Argentina and Mexico. Patti possesses the humility that allows one to learn without fear of making mistakes, which invites others to also be willing to take risks and try new things in Spanish class. She is a fantastic collaborator with her classmates, contributing to creating a truly welcoming space where all are valued. We are delighted to have Patti as part of our community at Tierra and look forward to continuing to enjoy her company as she reaches for ever-higher goals.

With unfaltering determination, Susan has been wholly dedicated to her Spanish studies since first enrolling in classes at Tierra two years ago. A nature lover and avid hiker, she approaches learning Spanish like she might a hike: she is unafraid of challenges and holds a steady pace on the steep parts, knowing that eventually she’ll reach the peak and stroll down the mountain. Always asking questions to deepen her understanding, she’s recently worked daily Spanish study into her schedule and meets up with a classmate weekly for practice and review. One of her main motivations to learn Spanish is to communicate with those she works with in her business importing hand-hammered copper handicrafts from Michoacán, Mexico. Her burgeoning language skills have allowed her to communicate directly with the artisans. Over the years, she’s made many trips to the region and her authentic interest in expanding her cultural knowledge shines through in her classes. We’re honored to count Susan as part of our Tierra community and look forward to continuing to see her conquer ever higher summits.

Juan Pablo or Pablito, as he’s known in his Spanish classes, is wholly dedicated to his Spanish studies and to using his Spanish skills to be of service to the Spanish speaking community. An advanced learner, his immense curiosity and genuine interest in understanding the intricacies of the language and diverse cultural manifestations across the Spanish speaking world are inspiring. Having centered social justice in his professional life, he spent nearly two decades working with migrant workers and now advocates for renters in public housing, having the opportunity to use his Spanish skills to help Spanish speaking families to access the services they need. An attentive and empathetic classmate, he naturally contributes to building a sense of camaraderie in any group class that he joins. We are proud to count Juan Pablo as a valued student in our community at Tierra and look forward to continuing to accompany him on this learning journey!