Hello Smithfield Middle school's community. My name is Andres Mena. I come from Medellin, Colombia. I am going to be the new Spanish teacher for novice 6th grade, novice, intermediate, advanced 7th grade, and intermediate 8th grade groups. I am so happy and glad to start this new journey with you all; I am an ambassador teacher who is part of Participate Learning program. I have been an English teacher for 10 years in Colombian public high schools and universities; My latest job was in the secretary of education of Medellin. I have a bachelor's degree in English teaching and a Master's degree in Education, both studies done in Colombia. In addition, I am going to be the soccer coach for the following season; I was an amateur soccer player and soccer coach in my last high school for over 4 years. I wish to share my culture with my students through the course's contents. I consider one of the best ways to learn a foreign language is through cultural interaction and the possibility of using the language in specific communicative situations.

One aspect to take into account is that the contents to be covered this year will be retrieved from the school's curriculum map and in accordance to North Carolina world language essential standards.