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=**Hola todos! Bienvenidos a mi pagina de Wikispaces!**= = = __ Sra. Gaviria's: Ideas about teaching __  I never set out to be a teacher, but somewhere along my journey, something led me to it. I teach because I want to make a difference in the lives of students. I want to share my international experiences, with the hope that my students will receive encouragement and inspiration. I also want my students to understand the value of languages and cultures in today’s global society.

 My quest for learning how to teach, began with how I learned a second language. My father is from Guatemala, my mother is from South Carolina. I did not become interested in my Latino roots or the Spanish language until the end of middle school. I was fortunate enough to travel with my parents and have the opportunity to live with my father’s family in Guatemala for two summers in high school. I fell in love with everything Spanish. From that point forward, I continued my pursuit of becoming fluent in Spanish. By majoring in Spanish in college, studying abroad in Spain for a year, traveling to many other Spanish speaking countries, getting my master's in teaching Spanish and finally by marring a Colombian.

 Through my master’s program and specifically a course in action research, I was more aware of my professional goals. I completely redefined my idea of teaching. I tried to tie everything into an essential question; how does what we are studying apply to my life? My goal for my students is to be able to arrive at a level of conversation, where my students can discuss and think about topics in the target language. We as a community of learners arrive at deeper understandings through studying a concept and utilizing the language as a tool to further explore the concept, instead of the language being the topic of study.

I have since found in my opinion "the holy grail" of teaching methodology through Comprehensible Input or CI and utilizing TPRS strategies in conjunction with FVR Free and Voluntary Reading, MovieTalk, Reader's Theater and more. "TPRS® (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling, originated by Blaine Ray) is a powerful teaching methodology that is based on proven techniques and sound pedagogy. An input-based methodology, TPRS focuses on specific activities and techniques that expose the learner to an abundance of authentic language in a condensed period of time. It simulates a hybrid immersion experience by eliminating its flaws- **IN ** comprehensible input and excessive amounts of time- while maintaining the powerfully effective aspects of an immersion experience: context, comprehensible messages, natural and useful language and a great deal of repetition." TPRS Publishing. Inc. This methodology has transformed my teaching and made life as a teacher enjoyable and exciting!

 I hope to show my students through increasing their worldviews of another language and culture that they no longer see others as “the foreigner” but as something familiar. This open-mindedness allows them to breakdown stereotypes and encourages respect for all. I did not set out to be a teacher but I am glad that I became one.