Kiana

Kiana majored in Spanish with a PK-12 Teaching Certificate and minored in Public Relations at Messiah University in Pennsylvania.

She will be teaching Spanish at the high school level this fall, having student taught at her former high school with her own Spanish teacher!

Some Fun Facts About Kiana

• Theme Song: Everywhere You Look (Full House theme song)
• Happy Place: Spain
• Favorite Word in Another Language: Pavo Real – Peacock
• Study Abroad: Granada, Spain
• Motto (in Spanish above): *Learning a language is having another window from which to observe the world.
  

What activities or experiences would you say have prepared you to enter the classroom or profession?

Studying abroad in Spain allowed me to engage with the language and culture in ways that were unattainable in the classroom. Interacting with locals, exploring historical sites, and taking classes every day in Spanish provided me with unforgettable experiences that will last a lifetime. Living in Granada, Spain made the language come to life, and my study abroad semester was the experience I had been dreaming about since high school.

In addition to my study abroad experience, my student teaching semester prepared me for the classroom/teaching aspect of my profession. It was rewarding to bring my experience abroad into the classroom and inspire my students similarly to how my Spanish teacher inspired me.

What makes an amazing language educator?

The most important qualities of an outstanding educator are a desire to connect with students and a passion for sharing their knowledge. When a student sees that a teacher cares for them as an individual, that trust and connection fosters higher motivation for learning.

My high school Spanish teacher has continuously supported me throughout the years, and I am eternally grateful for her constant support. When I was her student, not only did she support me in the classroom, but she also went the extra mile by attending my Chinese dance performances. I also had the privilege to student teach with her and continue learning from her in a different context, and her unending support has continued to impact my career and life.

When teachers have a true passion for what they teach, it is so noticeable. It is vital for a teacher to share the importance of their subject with students and emphasize how the material can be applicable to students' lives. Learning a language is transferable to many aspects of students' lives.

As a Spanish teacher, I aim to show students how learning a language has provided me with innumerable opportunities such as studying abroad and using Spanish in my summer job as a communications intern at Chick-fil-A in their human resources department. Throughout my lessons, I strive to constantly incorporate cultural backdrops with photos of the target language culture and photos of my own travels to inspire curiosity in students and show them the opportunities that language learning provides. Providing real-world applications for the language is important for a student's ability to see the importance of Spanish.

When students see the passion that I have for the language and the impact that language learning has had in my own life, I hope it will inspire them to see the benefits of Spanish in their lives too.

What has been the impact of the LCF Teacher Scholarship Program on your experience becoming a language teacher?

The LCF Teacher Scholarship Program has allowed me to further pursue a career as a Spanish teacher and has provided me with a supportive community. I am thankful to have the opportunity to inspire my own students similar to how my Spanish teacher impacted my own life.

You’re invited!

• Explore the Teacher Scholarship Program and refer aspiring teachers in your network.
• Hear reflections from Kiana and fellow graduates in a short video!
  
• Share your #LanguageDream on social media @LangConnectsFdn.