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I was born and raised in a small-town called Corozal, in the mountains of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. My first language is Spanish, however, from my first years of school, I remember always taking English classes and the teachers instilling the importance of learning a second language. While living in Puerto Rico, I spend countless summers visiting my family in New York. It was enthralling to see my Tias (aunties) continue to speak their home language and carry on with our culture's traditions and celebrations in a place so far from "home".

I've been teaching Spanish for the past two years at SMMS, Camden County Georgia. I'm pursuing a master's of interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in World Language Education @ GSU. As a Hispanic teacher, I am responsible for creating access to other cultures while helping students break down barriers, stereotypes, and misconceptions about Hispanic countries.

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Digital Teaching Portfolio: Lisandra Zarate

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Buenas dias! My name is Pamela Hutchinson. Welcome to my Digital Dossier! I have been an educator for 15 years. I have taught nearly every age group, from pre-K through 8th grade, and even adults.

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My name is Andrea Llerena. I was born and raised in Peru and moved to the United States in 2002. I graduated from San Martin de Porres University with my bachelor degree in Computer Science and I am currently working on my master of Interdisciplinary Studies in World Languages Education at Georgia State University. I have been working at International Charter School of Atlanta since it opened and I feel blessed to be a part of it. I have enjoyed teaching the students as well as learning from them. I believe every day is a new opportunity to learn and my main goal is to prepare our students to be successful in the rest of their school years and to be life-long learners.

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My name is Andrea Llerena. I was born and raised in Peru and moved to the United States in 2002.

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I am a Spanish native speaker originally from Venezuela. I have been married for 21 years to Alfonso, also from Venezuela. We are the proud parents of our 20-year-old son who is a sophomore at Georgia Tech. My bachelor's degree is in Electronic Engineering, but I have changed career because I felt in love on what teacher do and have been teaching Spanish for the past five years as I complete my master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in World Languages.

In my free time, I enjoy tasting a variety of foods from different countries, attending concerts, and going to cultural festivals. My hope for all students is to leave with a new perspective of other cultures with different customs and traditions while attaining Spanish proficiency along the way. Other hobbies I love cooking and entertaining my family and friends.

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My name is Laura Sanchez. I was born in Venezuela, and moved to United States of America in 2006. I am currently completing my Teaching Certificates and my Master in Interdisciplinary Study (MIS) at Georgia State University. I have been teaching Spanish at Centennial High School since 2021.

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My name is Pamela Poma, and my students know me as Sra. Poma. I fell in love with teaching Spanish when I changed my career and started teaching and tutoring Spanish in a small private school in Kennesaw, GA. My main goal as a teacher is to bring the culture and Spanish language to my students so

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I was born in a family of educators. My dad was an university dean in Marseille, my older brother and sister are university professors. I was born and raised in Marseille France, hence I spoke French since my childhood.

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Get To Know Me

Spanish Language and Culture

My name is Osiris Yamileht Zelaya. I was born May 31, 2002, in College Park, Georgia. I am a 21-year-old multiethnic woman from a low-income family with diverse ethnicities, cultures, and religions. Also open-minded, hardworking, and adaptable. My father is Honduran, and my mother is Mexican, making me half-Honduran and half-Mexican with United States citizenship. As a proud child of immigrant parents, I was raised to take responsibility for my family and myself at a very young age. Spanish is my native language, but I had to learn English when it was time for school. Though my parents knew some English, they struggled to teach me, so I had to be my own teacher while being a family translator. As a child, I always thought, "Why me?" or "Why do I have to be the one to talk?". That was because I never understood the complexity of a person coming to a country and not knowing the language at all. The more involved I was as an early translator and self-taught, the further I understood what and where I chose to be in the future.

"Never lose faith in yourself nor in others, and keep working hard to accomplish your goals and dreams."

Osiris Zelaya

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Get To Know Me Spanish Language and Culture My name is Osiris Yamileht Zelaya. I was born May 31, 2002, in College Park, Georgia. I am a 21-year-old multiethnic woman from a low-income family with diverse ethnicities, cultures, and religions. Also open-minded, hardworking, and adaptable.

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I am a native Spanish speaker from the Dominican Republic, but raised in New York City. My love for my language and culture began with my mother when I was a child. I always knew that I wanted the opportunity to teach the Spanish language to young adults at some point in life. This is why I began teaching Spanish in High School four years ago. I am currently pursuing my Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies at Georgia State University and completing my teacher certification in Spanish World Language.

Although I have lived in the United States all my life, I have always been connected to my Dominican roots. Teaching a language goes far beyond language instruction, it involves exposing students to the rich culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries. I am proud to be part of a culture that is rich in music, dance, art, and history and I want to share that with my students. Through my teaching, I hope to help my students to develop a greater appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures and promote cross-cultural understanding.

It is essential for me to continue to learn and embrace my heritage and pass it down to future generations. Teaching my native language is not just a career for me, but a passion. I am dedicated to helping my students learn the language and discover the beauty of Spanish-speaking cultures.

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VcToryann Green aka 지 선생님

Hello, my name is VcToryann Green, and welcome to my digital dossier. Here is where you will find an accumulation of my studies over the years.

I first fell in love with Korean media after graduating from high school in 2013. After binge-watching for a few months, I realized I began picking up a few words and phrases. This prompted me to take my first Korean class at Georgia State University during my Undergrad as an English Major. After seeing how passionate I was in class, my professor suggested I study abroad. And with the support of my community, I studied abroad for a semester in South Korea in 2017 at Hanyang University in their intensive Korean language course, cementing my love for the culture & language.

After Undergrad, I changed my career trajectory to teaching and applied for grad school. I received the FLAS Fellowship and continued my education by earning my master's in Creative and Innovative Education. Wanting to teach Korean specifically, I began earning my World Language Certificate at GSU. I'm preparing to become a culturally competent teacher who teaches students about global citizenship, intercultural understanding, and world readiness skills through Korean.

In 2022 I enrolled in the GSU World Language Teaching program, where I earned a certificate in Korean K- 12. Through my student teaching at Parsons Elementary DLI program in Gwinnett County, my passion for teaching has increased tenfold. I started my teaching journey late compared to others. And though it has been a challenging time. I have loved it every step of the way. I have found immense joy in teaching and interacting with students and colleagues. In the digital dossier, research, lesson plans, and many other artifacts from my student's teaching experience.

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VcToryann Green aka 지 선생님 Hello, my name is VcToryann Green, and welcome to my digital dossier. Here is where you will find an accumulation of my studies over the years. I first fell in love with Korean media after graduating from high school in 2013.

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Tanya Paxton
Georgia State University
College of Education and Human Development
Program- World Language Certificate French, K-12

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As a teacher, I strive to engage, encourage, and activate the minds of all of my students. I want nothing more than for my students to feel successful and comfortable in my classroom. In fact, the most important thing in my classroom is making sure that all students feel heard, respected, and confident. I believe that my students should feel comfortable to be their true selves and I encourage them to learn to work with all different walks of life. We engage through conversation and activate our learning through reading, listening, writing, and speaking all in the target language of Spanish. My classroom is their classroom and we treat our classes as a community.

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My name is Jennica Dufresne; many know me as Madame Dufresne. My first name is Welsh which means gentle, beautiful, and smooth. As a young girl, I wanted to be a diplomat because of my passion for languages, cultures, and international affairs. I am multilingual and currently learning other languages.

In undergrad, I studied abroad in Morocco and Spain and interned at the World Affairs Council of Atlanta where I worked closely with Ambassador Charles Shapiro and his team to ensure Atlanta remains globally competitive.

After my graduation in 2017, I volunteered to read to immigrant students at Dekalb International Center school , the school I attended when I first came to the United States. Upon arrival, I immediately fell in love with teaching and realized I was gifted to teach and inspire others.

I have been teaching French at Rockdale County High School for the past th ree years , and I serve as the French PL Lead for the district. In December 2022, I earned a master's degree in i nterdisciplinary studies with a concentration in World Language Education at Georgia State University.

Welcome to my digital dossier!

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Digital Teaching Portfolio: Jennica Dufresne

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Hello! My name is Andrea James. I am a Spanish and French teacher who will be obtaining certification through Georgia State University's Teacher Certification Program in the field of Spanish (P-12). I am also a teacher candidate completing the requirements to obtain the Dual Language Immersion endorsement. I currently have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish language, literature, and culture as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in French language, literature, and culture from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. As of May 2022, I will also have a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in World Language Education as well as a Master of Arts in Spanish (tentative December 2022). I became interested in world language and second language acquisition after my initial experiences learning Spanish in high school. My teacher was very passionate about history and culture as well as language so through him, I was able to learn more about a culture and language that is in some ways similar but still very different from mine.

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Caroline Johnson Quintero Georgia State University Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies Concentration: World Language Education

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My name is Friederike Koenig, and I have been teaching German for 8 years. I am currently a student at Georgia State University where I am completing my Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Graduate Certificate for World Languages and Cultures.

I have been teaching at Chamblee Middle School since August of 2020 in the Dual Language Immersion and Magnet Program for German and Social Studies.

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela.

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I am a French teacher. I visited France for the first time as Georgia State University undergraduate student participating in the study abroad program in Tours. Here, I lived with a family and attended a language institute to improve my communication skills as well as learn about French culture in the Loire Valley. Since this exchange, I have spent a lot of time exploring other Francophone countries and cultures in places such as Switzerland and Québec. These travel experiences are something I bring into my classroom with the use of authentic and valuable resources from the target language and culture.

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I am a French teacher. I visited France for the first time as Georgia State University undergraduate student participating in the study abroad program in Tours. Here, I lived with a family and attended a language institute to improve my communication skills as well as learn about French culture in

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I've grown so much as a teacher. After being in the profession for at least 20 years, I am still evolving. I am continually looking to expand my knowledge base to become a master teacher.

I remember the trepidation and overwhelming fear during my first teaching experience at Purdue University. It was my first experience as a "professional" and I was terrified. As time went on I became more comfortable and with the help of fellow colleagues began to understand the beauty of teaching.

It is a source of amazement to watch my student's growth in language learning. It is even more rewarding to see them move forward with their language skills to the point where they find a profession utilizing it. That is what keeps me in the profession.

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I've grown so much as a teacher. After being in the profession for at least 20 years, I am still evolving. I am continually looking to expand my knowledge base to become a master teacher. I remember the trepidation and overwhelming fear during my first teaching experience at Purdue University.

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My name is Sarah Blanc. I started studying Spanish in the 7th grade, and the next year I had my first study abroad experience: traveling with my classmates to Mexico. I have been traveling to study Spanish ever since. Six years ago, I got the opportunity to teach middle school Spanish. I never

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My name is Ingrid Farfan, and I am a passionate educator with experience in teaching Spanish and a background in Tourism and Hospitality Management. I found the purpose for teaching while volunteering at a Christian School in 2011, and has since worked in various education settings, solidifying my passion for teaching the Spanish language.

Currently, I am a member of the Gwinnett County Public Schools' Dual Language Immersion Program, where I use innovative and engaging learning techniques to help students fully immerse themselves in the Spanish language and culture. My goal is to empower students to become bilingual and culturally competent individuals.

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Digital Teaching Portfolio: Ingrid Farfan

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I am from Cuba. I graduated in 2015 from the University of Havana with the degree of Licentiate in Russian with English as a Second Language which is the equivalent of the U.S. degree of Bachelor of Science in Translation and Interpretation (Russian- Spanish- English- French). Then, I came to the

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I am prepared to teach children Spanish language proficiency, culture, and world-readiness skills. Spanish is my native language, so I have spoken this romance language since I was born! My family originates from Honduras, Central America, and I have traveled there plenty of times during my life which makes me embrace the Spanish culture, food, and traditions even more. I knew I wanted to share these experiences with others, and that's why I decided to get my Bachelor's degree in Spanish at the University of West Georgia. I currently teach Spanish at an Elementary school in Atlanta Public Schools Going on five years now and counting! I am graduating with my Master's degree (MIS) with an ESOL endorsement at Georgia State University.

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My name is Gahyeon Kim. My name, ‘beauty’ and ‘wisdom,’ align perfectly with my educational philosophy. I majored in Ethics Education and Education Studies in South Korea and spent ten years teaching ethics in secondary schools. This experience has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to help

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¡Hola! My name is Yelitza Ramirez, and my deep connection to the Spanish language and its rich culture has been a guiding force throughout my life. As a Mexican-American with roots deeply embedded in both Mexican and American heritage, I was fortunate to grow up in a bilingual household where

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Phedra Van Kirk - Intro and Teaching Resume

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Languages are not just what I teach or what I have studied. Languages are a way of life. They are who I am.

I was born in a bilingual family. My father was an American officer, my mother a Belgian Medical Interpreter. They both mastered at least four languages. Although I was born in the United States, I spent my youth in Belgium. We spoke primarily French and English at home. I lived in Belgium for about thirty years. I currently speak and write six languages at different levels of proficiency. I did all of my schooling in French. I graduated in 2001 from the École d'Interprètes Internationaux in Mons, Belgium. I fell in love with the Spanish language at university. Now, my husband is from Chile, and I continue to discover and learn more about the Hispanic culture every day. I did not study to be a teacher. I was a translator. I worked in a wide range of professional environments, and this is where my passion for authentic learning comes from. I think we have to teach students how to have conversations in the language, how to understand people from the target culture when they speak, and how to learn about their culture. Language is not supposed to be concentrated on a specific book. Foreign Languages are as wide and varied as life itself; let's not limit our students' horizons!

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Languages are not just what I teach or what I have studied. Languages are a way of life. They are who I am. I was born in a bilingual family. My father was an American officer, my mother a Belgian Medical Interpreter. They both mastered at least four languages.

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I am a student at GSU pursuing teacher certification in French through the MIS program with a focus in ESOL education. I will graduate May, 2026. I’m currently in my second year of teaching high school French (French 2, 3, 4, 5, and AP) at Lassiter High School in Cobb County. I have studied

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For the past ten years I have been learning Spanish and immersing myself into Hispanic culture. I’ve spent a year living abroad in El Salvador and three years living in Spain. Furthemore, I’ve devoted time to studying the language as part of my undergraduate and graduate studies. In addition, I’ve

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I am passionate about teaching languages, particularly Spanish (and eventually Japanese), drawing from my own linguistic proficiency, diverse global experiences, and intercultural understanding. Growing up in Japan, I was immersed in both Spanish and Japanese from a young age. My Peruvian

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Catherine Karaboiki - Intro and Teaching Resume

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Personal Statement: Language is the soul of a people. Behind every word lies a story; behind every story, a culture; behind every culture, a way of being in the world. I am a global citizen, shaped by life across four countries and three continents and enriched by journeys through 23 nations.

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My name is Ling Liang. I was born and raised in China, where I had the privilege of growing up in a multilingual environment. I am fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and the Hakka dialect, which has greatly shaped my passion for languages and cross-cultural communication. I earned my bachelor’s degree

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I’m a native Korean speaker, translator, and educator, passionate about connecting languages and cultures through meaningful learning experiences. With academic backgrounds in English and American literature and English Education, along with years of hands-on experience in English-Korean content

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I am a third-grade Mandarin teacher at The Globe Academy, where I have had the privilege of teaching for the past four years. Originally from China, I graduated from Liaoning Science & Technology University and moved to the United States 12 years ago. Teaching Mandarin has been a deeply fulfilling