This teacher’s determination to help her students improve in the Spanish language is evident each and everyday. Upper School Spanish Teacher Natasha Chity-Guevara heard about the new Spanish position open and joined Princeton Day School this past September as a new teacher in the Language Department.
From a young age, Ms. Guevara was always interested in learning new languages. She states how “[her] family came from a Latin American and Middle Eastern immigrant background.” This allowed her to work within “these communities doing bilingual work.” While she was in college, she was on the Pre-Medical track; however, she also used to volunteer as a teacher at various places. She mentions how she used to teach at “Philly public schools, Philly nonprofits, and Connecticut boarding schools.” This ultimately fueled her interest in becoming a teacher after getting her Masters in World Language Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
At PDS, Ms. Guevara was amazed by the “long standing community and commitment that the students make,” as many have been here for years. From that, she knew PDS would be a great institution to teach at. She also wanted to work with passionate students interested in advancing their knowledge in the language. She currently teaches Spanish III, Spanish IV, and Spanish V in the Upper School.
Additionally, Ms. Guevara believes that learning a new language will allow an individual “to build bridges in between yourself and other parts of the world.” This is truly important, as we can meet many people if one communicates in the same language. She continues, stating that it is “very eye opening,” as one is able to communicate with someone they might have been unable to speak to before. It also allows an individual to “gain a more global perspective and understanding.”
This mindset is similar to Ms. Guevara’s teaching style inside the classroom. In particular, she chooses “authentic text, literature, and films” for her students. She believes that this “is the best way to learn” and allows the students to experience the real Latin American traditions. Ms. Guevara believes that this is a great means of learning a new language. Similarly, students in Ms. Guevara’s class had an “Identity Project” at the beginning of the school year. They presented about “their families, communities, and what’s important to them.” This activity allowed her to get to know her students better and “to see how [her students] approach life.”
During her free time, Ms. Guevara likes to read, go to concerts, and hang out with friends. She hopes for her students “to develop their skills in the language” to use it in the real world. We can’t wait to see what Ms. Guevara will bring to campus, and welcome her to a great year ahead!
