TEC Student of the Month Award

With a sunny disposition and endless enthusiasm, Emily’s commitment to her Monday evening Spanish classes is extraordinary. She’s been steadfast, advancing through the levels with her favorite teacher Cecy, almost never missing a class, and has made gaining Spanish skills a high priority in her life. Her passion for learning has been kindled by love as she’s devoted to raising her son in a bilingual and bi-cultural home and connecting on a deeper level with her in-laws in Mexico. She also takes advantage of every opportunity to speak Spanish in her workplace where she's a clinic manager; her dedication to practicing her skills ensures she is always making progress. A kind and compassionate classmate, we are thrilled to have Emily as part of our community at Tierra and have no doubt that she will go far in her quest for fluency.

With a deep desire to understand other cultures, Mary’s natural curiosity has fueled her journey toward fluency in Spanish. A long-time student at Tierra, Mary began her studies back in 2013, seeking to bolster her ability to communicate with her Spanish-speaking patients and their families in her work as an emergency room nurse. She also is motivated to be able to speak with her husband’s family, from Mexico. Since then her skills have flourished and she’s acquired an advanced level, enjoying several cultural immersion courses along the way. A dedicated student and kind classmate, Mary’s thoughtful contributions in class are truly appreciated. It’s been thrilling to witness the progress that Mary has achieved and we look forward to continuing to see her meet and surpass her goals.

A tremendously dedicated student, Scott’s unshakably positive attitude and endless curiosity are an inspiration. A passionate activist for immigrants’ and refugees’ rights, he finds great use for his Spanish skills in his volunteer work and is a voice for justice for our local immigrant community. Having started taking classes at Tierra as a high beginning student last fall, he’s been wholly committed to his classes and has made impressive progress, now possessing high intermediate skills. Always arriving by bike with a wide smile and buoyant energy, the kindness and support he bestows upon his classmates enrich the learning atmosphere for everyone. We’re grateful to count Scott as part of our community at Tierra and are honored to indirectly impact the lives of many through his good works.