Why did you choose to learn the language spanish?

Ms. Keller: I took Spanish in high school which then gave me interest in music and culture. As the years went on, I decided to dive into understanding what the music meant, learning more about other cultures and traditions. I soon realized how many opportunities and experiences open up after learning another language. 

How did you first get your position at the highschool? 

Ms. Keller: I started as a substitute teacher while Ms. Politsky was on maternity leave. I originally believed I would only be teaching here for a couple of months, but the position opened up. I went through the interview process at the end of last spring and was given the opportunity to work here. 

How is this year different from last year for you? 

Ms. Keller: Life is a continual learning experience, regardless of age, career, location, etc. As time goes on, I am learning alongside my students and trying new methods to improve the learning experience in the classroom. 

Do you prefer teaching upper or lower level Spanish classes?

Ms. Keller: I believe each level has its own beauty. With lower levels, I get to introduce students to the language and hopefully motivate them to continue the process, because it is worth every second (even for those who may not see that right now, later in life it leads to many new moments). With upper levels, we get to explore more of the culture, see their language grow, and see the progression that each student has made throughout the years. The excitement kicks in when students start seeing all of their effort pay off. 

What are some challenges you face as a Spanish teacher?

Ms. Keller: One of the largest challenges is trying to help students see the long term outcome and benefits of learning a language. When something doesn’t give instant gratification, it can be harder to keep motivation up.  I cannot count the number of times that I hear adults saying they wish they learned another language or kept up with their classes from high school. 

Friendly reminder: You do not have to be completely fluent or without errors to speak in a language. Language is to communicate and this is possible without knowing every single aspect of a language. Be patient with yourself and grow your knowledge.

Since you’re in charge of the Spanish club, how can students join?

Ms. Keller: Send me an email! There is a $5 fee. I will be looking forward to seeing everyone who joins next year! 

Do you plan on staying at the high school for a while or finding another job?

Ms. Keller: Struthers is a great school district; I hope to continue teaching here. 

What’s one thing you’ve learned since you became a teacher? 

Ms.Keller: There is always a way to improve what you do, even when you think you are well prepared or experienced. This does not mean failure, but simply that we are human, we make mistakes. As long as we are willing to admit we are not perfect and search for ways to improve, we’ll get better. This is applicable to everything in life; it’s just important to keep in mind when situations get stressful.

What advice would you give to students who want to take Spanish class?

Ms.Keller: Be patient and kind with yourself. Everything is a process. We cannot expect ourselves to understand everything right away. Practice and asking questions is key. Exposing yourself to Spanish outside of the classroom will help you a ton! Watch movies, find music you like, try to speak in Spanish whenever you can. The most important thing is to have fun with it and use it, not lose it!