I was born near Los Angeles, CA to Mexican parents. My love for the Spanish language has root in my family ties and relationships. My parents spoke Spanish and I heard the language spoken since birth. Conversations with aunts and grandparents are some of the dearest memories I hold.  Language has the power to overcome cultural and emotional barriers. 

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As a graduate student in Spanish Pedagogy, I studied the pedagogical strategies for teaching literature and empathy. As educators we can implement a wide variety of strategies to promote cultural understanding and empathy. 

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I have taught Spanish teaching methods courses at the university level and mentored Spanish and DLI pre-service teachers. I also taught Spanish to novice speakers at a local junior high school. I have also taught at the preschool and elementary school levels. I taught English Immersion in Taiwan for International Language Programs. I spent 8 years teaching Spanish Immersion at Orchard Elementary in Utah.  

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Currently, I work in BYU's Multicultural Student Services providing holistic advisement for students of diverse backgrounds. I participate in Outreach events among diverse communities to make them aware of SOAR, our college readiness camp and other opportunities in higher education. I am a doctoral candidate in the Education, Culture & Society program at the University of Utah. 

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