Señora West
This is my 25th year teaching Spanish in Westfield. I grew up in Westby, WI attended UW-Whitewater with a double major in Education and Spanish and a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. While working on my undergraduate, I spent one summer taking classes in Guadalajara, Mexico, one semester studying in Monterrey, Mexico, and another summer taking courses in Querétaro, Mexico. Five years later I completed a Master's degree in Spanish Language and Literature through the University of Saint Louis. Each summer for four consecutive years, my courses were taught in Madrid, Spain. Besides the Spanish language, I have a passion for experiencing the cultures of various people groups. Therefore, I also enjoy traveling. My students will be able gain knowledge about many of the places that I have seen through personal stories rather than just reading what the book has to say about it. To date, I have traveled to or lived the following Spanish speaking countries: Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Peru. Each one of my experiences has taught me so much about myself and challenged my assumptions about what other countries are like. It is for that reason that I feel so strongly about encouraging students to study abroad either for a short summer experience like we offer every other summer or for a semester in college.
Away from school, I am happily married and have two children. My son is a freshman in high school and my daughter is an 8th grader. Besides traveling, I enjoy reading, playing card games, fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, nature, anything related to the arts (singing, dancing, listening and playing various styles of music, creative projects, going to see shows etc.), kettlebell training, practicing Zumba and spending quality time with my family.
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