Mrs. Paola, the New HS Spanish 2 and 3 Teacher

By Palaksi Pagare

Mrs. Paola is the new high school Spanish 2 and Spanish 3 teacher at Stratford Preparatory. From a lawyer in Peru to now a Spanish teacher at SPB, she has a drive for learning and never giving up. 

1. How do you feel being part of the SPB community? - I’m grateful to be at Stratford Preparatory. I have great colleagues and students who have made me feel welcome. I appreciate the kindness, respectfulness and eagerness to learn that I’ve found in the students and leaders here.

2. What did you do before coming to SPB? - My journey is a bit different because my first career was not being an educator. I started out as a lawyer in Peru. Later, I found myself living in Sweden and I decided to pursue a career in education. After moving to the US, I did a masters degree in US Law targeted specifically at foreign lawyers, and then I started working as a teacher again. Before SPB, I was at the French American School of Silicon Valley.

3. Why did you decide to be a Spanish teacher? -

Since I was little I have had a love for teaching: teaching my neighbors, family members, and friends. When I lived in Sweden, I studied in the university there and learned about language teaching. My goal was both to teach Swedish as a second language and Spanish.

4. What are you the most excited for this year?There are several things I am excited for this year including watching my students learn and grow throughout the school year, and watching them be able to speak Spanish with confidence. 

5. At the end of the year, what do you want your students to take away from your class? - I want my students to be able to leave my classroom knowing how to express themselves in Spanish in real life situations, with a solid understanding of the language. Studying Spanish is not just about learning Spanish, it’s also about discovering that you can learn anything!