Professional Development

Tracey Jeager, Upper School Spanish Teacher

Puerto Rico is one of my favorite units of study in Spanish 3. We delve into the history and culture, read chapters of Sandra Cisnero’s, “Cuando era puertorriqueña,” and consider Puerto Rico’s past and present relationship with the United States. Given that the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese conference was in San Juan, Puerto Rico in July, I was especially grateful for the opportunity to attend. The theme this year was, “Valorando nuestras raíces y construyendo nuestro futuro.” (Appreciating our roots and building our future.)

I joined over 700 teachers of all levels and from all over the country to learn, collaborate, and choose from over 400 different sessions, workshops, and events. A few of the many workshops I selected included how to create a more proficiency-driven classroom, understanding the Universal Design Learning approach in order to reach all language learners, the exploration of art as an expression of social justice, and the role of identity in the Puerto Rican diaspora. After long days of learning, it was a special treat to sample traditional Puerto Rican dishes such as Mofongo, visit historic sites in Old San Juan, and enjoy other cultural aspects of “la isla del encanto. 

Thank you, Potomac, for this professional experience.