This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to Denair Unified in 2021-22.

School: Denair Middle School

Family: Husband, Juan; sons, Xavier, 13, and Sebastian, 11.

Subject taught: Dual Immersion (DI) Spanish, DI Social Science and English Language Arts.

Experience and education: Spanish Dual Immersion at DECA, Spanish at DHS and Spanish at Modesto

Junior College.

What attracted you to Denair? The students at Denair. The students are phenomenal, sweet and kind. The Denair community is friendly, family environment. The camaraderie and friendship is seen in

the schools and town.

What most inspires you about teaching? The students inspire me. I have seen the students want to learn something new and different. A challenge they are willing to face to achieve their goal of becoming proficient in another language.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? Taking the dual immersion students to the

next level will be a challenge that they are ready for.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Sharing. My favorite teaching method is the sharing of

life moments that reflect on what is being learned in the classroom.

What do you want your students to remember? Funny moments in class that made everyone laugh.

How can parents support what you do? Parents are welcome to participate in activities throughout the

year. I welcome communication with the parents.

What would surprise people about your job? I am in a constant bilingual mode: speaking Spanish and

English all day. My bilingual mind is thinking and speaking in both languages throughout the day.
What do you do for fun? I run, cycle and swim.