Four Questions: WVHS Spanish teacher Jennifer Nelson

West Valley High School Spanish teacher Jennifer Nelson is an experienced instructor who believes in the importance of seeing the world through a different lens through different languages.

Nelson teaches levels 2 and 3 of Spanish. She also instructs the more advanced College in the High School classes of Spanish 4 and 5 for students who are planning to take the STAMP (Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency) Seal of Biliteracy test, which is used to recognize high schoolers who have attained proficiency in two or more languages. Through engaging activities and rigorous lesson plans, she helps students connect with different cultures and learn more about themselves as well as others.

Here are four questions with the WVHS Spanish teacher:

What is your own past Spanish-speaking experience?

I was in junior high, ninth grade Spanish, and I continued all the way through high school. So, four years of Spanish, and I just really loved the language. Then in college I decided to study Spanish education. I have a major in Spanish, and then I also have additional hours in education. As a part of that degree, I studied abroad in Costa Rica and part of that was going to Nicaragua and to Guatemala.

Then, when I graduated from college and became a teacher, I decided to get a master's degree right away in Spanish. I did a semester of my program back in Costa Rica in Guatemala, then I did a semester in Peru and then I finished with a semester in Mexico before I graduated.

What is your favorite level of Spanish to teach and why?

I actually love things about teaching every level. But, I think College in the High School is just my favorite class because the students truly want to be there. They're really growing in upper level skills. It's exciting to see the STAMP test in the spring and see so many students show off what they've learned to do.

What is the biggest challenge you face about being a teacher?

I think the biggest challenge is trying to balance all the needs and requests that are on our plates, like things I have right now. For example, I have some things to do for Central (Washington University). I have some things for my department to do. I have students who need help before and after school. Plus I teach all day, so trying to find time to do all of that. Plus, the planning and grading on top of it.

 What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching?

Outside of teaching, I really love spending time with my family. I have my husband and I have two little girls who are 8 and 10, so they keep us really busy with their sports and activities. We love spending time as a family, playing games, going for walks and bike rides, camping in the summer. We like traveling together and just enjoying life.

• Maia Pham is a sophomore at West Valley High School.