As a Spanish teacher, I had the privilege to introduce students to not only a new language but also new cultures. For some high school students, learning a language seemed like an onerous task that required conjugating verbs and memorizing vocabulary. Yet, I wanted to expose them to more than that and help instill a life-long curiosity in them. Every year, I gave my students a survey at the beginning of the year where they indicated their interest in traveling to a non-English speaking culture. I gave them the survey again at the end of the year, and without fail, there was always an increase in the number of students who were interested in traveling. For me, it mattered how students would take what they learned in my class and then how they could use it throughout their lives.
-Katherine B.
Teachers are changemakers and nation builders. They leave an imprint on children and youth, families, communities and the world.
