How did you end up where you are now? Where did you come from? What´s your story?
“Where did I come from? I came from here. I went to high school here.”

What were the experiences that lead you here?
“Went through the whole Spanish program. I was the first class to start in seventh grade, followed it all the way up and then I went to Grand Valley. At Grand Valley, I studied abroad in Bilbao for the academic year. That was 9 and a half months and then I teacher assisted at Union in Grand Haven. And then I came back here to student teach with Montroy. And then she retired and then I was like ‘hey I would like that job. And now I am here.”

How has Montroy impacted you as a teacher today?
“You have to start [with Montroy’s impact on me] all the way back to high school Spanish because I had her my second half of Spanish three all the way through five. Even in Spanish 3, she kept saying ‘you gotta go abroad, you gotta go abroad.’ She is the reason I went abroad and had that amazing experience and the influence she and all of the teachers I had at Grand Haven have had on me is the reason why I am a teacher. Then coming back to student teach for her and really push boundaries in the Spanish classes. To be crazy, have fun, and Danza Kuduro it up every Friday. She [Montroy] is definitely the reason why I am here and with energy and making relationships with students.”

What is it like to actually take over Montroy´s  position after being influenced by her so greatly?
“It’s some pretty darn big shoes to fill. Taking everything she taught me and how to be a student teacher and then making it my own and making sure that my own personality is in there is definitely a process.”

What is it like going straight from student teaching to a full time teaching position?
“I definitely would not have been able to do it if it wasn’t here. Specifically, one because the staff and the department around me are extremely supportive, I already know them, they are great people and they are going to help me out no matter what and I knew that coming in. Besides that the kids are amazing. If I didn’t have these kids it would have been very difficult. But with as easy as they make it, it´s not bad at all.¨

What are you most excited about in your future time here teaching?                                                                   

“I am excited because the Spanish department is moving forward with changing the curriculum in order to make sure that the kids are really getting an immersion type of experience. To be a part of making that more authentic and have kids leaving here that can actually speak Spanish, that is what I am most excited about, to be a part of that.”

Is there anything else you want the student body to know about you?                                                               

¨I snort when I laugh, get over it. I will always have food… come visit me. Russ’ is the best place ever. There soup and salad bar is legit. I would like the student body to know that I really love churros in chocolate. Hopefully, someone will take that to heart. And that they should join the swing dance club.”