Fields of Interest
Biography
Since joining the University of Washington, I have taught a wide range of courses in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies, including language courses at the 100-, 200-, and 300-levels, as well as upper-division content courses. Teaching across the curriculum has given me the opportunity to work with students at different stages of their language development and has enriched my experience in a variety of instructional settings.
In addition to my classroom teaching, I serve as the University of Washington in the High School (UWHS) coordinator and liaison for Spanish. In this role, I mentor, train, and support high school teachers, helping them implement the department's teaching methodology and pedagogy. I also observe classes to ensure that UW Spanish courses taught in participating high schools maintain the same academic rigor, curriculum, and learning outcomes as those offered on the Seattle campus.
My passion for teaching is rooted in a lifelong love of learning. I strive to create engaging, student-centered learning environments where students develop not only their Spanish language skills but also a deeper understanding of Hispanic cultures. Listening to my students and adapting my teaching to their needs has been central to my growth as an educator. My goal is to help students become confident communicators, critical thinkers, and culturally informed global citizens who are prepared to contribute thoughtfully to an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
Digital Textbook for SPAN 360: Contemporary Spain
To better support student learning and create a more engaging classroom experience, I developed an interactive, media-rich digital textbook titled Política, cultura y Sociedad en la España Contemporánea. The textbook integrates current scholarship, multimedia resources, and primary sources to encourage active learning and critical thinking. Designed specifically for SPAN/JSIS 360, it provides students with an accessible, up-to-date resource that connects Spain's history, politics, society, and culture in meaningful and engaging ways.
The University of Washington Spanish and Portuguese Department’s goals “to create knowledgeable and compassionate citizens, and foster in them tolerance, respect for cultural diversity, a capacity for critical thinking, and a sense of themselves as responsible members of a global community” are the ones I constantly strive for in my own teaching.
In 2017 I was the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.