Spanish Program Teaching Assistants 2020-2021
Adriana Rojas Castro
Hello everyone!
I am Adriana Rojas, and I am from Bogota, Colombia. Since I was 14 years old, I started volunteering in my country and some cities in Ecuador. I enjoyed supporting others, and for that reason, I decided to become a teacher. Years later, I got a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Languages at Libre University located in Bogota as well.
Thanks to the fact I learned and improved two languages, English and French, it made me think about the multiple opportunities I could get not only teaching but also traveling, and therefore knowing different cultures. Until now, I would say that my native language is Spanish.
In 2016, I traveled for the first time in the United States. I lived for one year in San Francisco, CA. Since I was in an Exchange program, besides traveling, meeting new people, and knowing the culture, I found out great opportunity to share my culture through teaching Spanish language in some schools in the bay area.
In the fall of 2019, I started a master’s degree in Spanish and Literature at Minnesota State University, Mankato. As a student and Spanish Instructor, I’ve been able to experience and learn about college life in the USA, sharing and enjoying time with students, colleagues, and professors. I love my profession, and after my masters, I would like to continue teaching and researching, pursuing a Ph.D. in Hispanic literature.
Finally, I enjoy my free time reading, walking or just watching movies based of real events. Also, I consider myself an adventurer, and it’s for that reason I enjoy traveling as well.
Andrés Espejel Fuentes
andres.espejelfuentes@mnsu.edu
My name is Andrés Espejel, and I’m from Bogotá, Colombia.
I’m a big fan of learning new languages and getting to know new and ancient cultures. I enjoy reading, camping, canoeing, practicing martial arts, and dancing Latin-American music – Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. Getting to know most of the world’s cultures and languages is my most treasured dream.
While studying my undergraduate program in La Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia, I worked as an Elementary/Secondary/High School English teacher.
I came to the United State on 2018 as a Spanish Intern at La Ola del Lago – Spanish Immersion School where I worked with kindergarten kids — the greatest and most enjoyable challenge I have ever had as a teacher — and third graders.
On 2019, I started my M.S. Spanish at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Since then, I have been working for one year as a Graduate Teaching Assistant – Spanish Instructor.
All these experiences have taught me a great deal about the meaning of teaching and the teacher’s role in education, which has helped me become a better person and a better professional.
After finishing the master’s program, I intend to study a Ph.D. program in Spanish Literature and/or Linguistics and, once I have finished the Ph.D., I would love to travel to another country, get to know their culture, and learn their language.
Daniel Tames Garza
My name is Daniel Tamez. I am 32 years old and from Matamoros, Mexico. I have a degree in Theology and another one in Spanish from the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas. I am currently working on a MS in Spanish and I plan to continue to a Ph.D. in Spanish or Education later on. Before coming to Minnesota State Mankato, I spent five years as a pastor and an English course coordinator in Recife, Brazil. I speak Spanish, English and Portuguese. I enjoy football (soccer) and watching Netflix with my wife.
Deisy Cañón Lovera
My name is Deisy Cañón. I am from Bogotá, Colombia. I got my Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Language Instruction at National Pedagogical University in Bogotá. In 2014, I got a Master’s degree in Spanish. In Spring 2020, I completed my Master’s degree in Gender and Women Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Currently, I am studying in the Graduate Teaching Licensure Program to get my license and become a Spanish Teacher in High School level. I speak Spanish, English and French. I have lived in the USA for almost 7 years. Being able to experience other cultures has allowed me to expand my view of the world and become more competitive in the global economy.
In my free time, I love reading, spending time with my family and friends, and watching series or documentaries. Upon completing my studies, I would like to work teaching Spanish in Middle and Elementary Schools. I would also like to work with immigrant populations in the U.S. who struggle every day to have access to basic needs. One of my long-term professional goals is to work with the United Nations and be able to help people from different countries.
