June 2013 - Mary Watkins

With a keen interest in language and a dry sense of humor, Mary approaches learning Spanish with creativity and determination. An early childhood educator who helps kids with special needs, Mary’s dedication to her work is the principal force that motivates her to become fluent in Spanish. Inquisitive and thorough, she investigates the nature of Spanish structure, asking pertinent questions that bring clarity to the topic at hand. In writing assignments, her focus and commitment shine through as she imaginatively employs the communicative tools she’s learned thus far. We congratulate Mary for the progress she’s made and for her goal of using her Spanish abilities to make school a more welcoming place for her young students and their families.

Name:  Mary Watkins
Occupation: Elementary Special Education Teacher
Time Studying at Tierra: 1 ½ years

1) Why are you studying Spanish? 

"I teach in a school with a large population of students whose home languages are something other than English.  Many of them are from Spanish-speaking homes.  My primary reason  for studying Spanish is to improve my communication with these students and their families. I want to be able to use Spanish in the classroom to help Spanish-speaking students learn more of the academic content that they are struggling with because they don't yet understand English. I'd also like to travel more in Latin America during future summer vacations".

2) What is your favorite part about your experience here at Tierra?

"The small class size.  In a small class there's more time to interact, ask questions, and practice conversations". 

3) Can you tell us of a time you have been able to use what you have learned studying here?

"I work with a few students with communication impairment who are from Spanish-speaking families. Learning Spanish has been very helpful to be able to understand their stories about their lives outside of school, as sometimes these students don't know the English words for home-related vocabulary".

¡Felicidades Mary!