Learning a new language can open up doors to new cultures, experiences, and connections. This August, students at Benet Academy welcomed a new Spanish teacher, one who strives to help students open all these doors and more. Meet Ms. Olivares, the new Spanish teacher in Benet’s world language department. I recently interviewed Ms. Olivares to learn more about her journey, interests, and what inspires her to teach Spanish.

Ms. Olivares grew up in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, where she lived until 2004. She then moved to Tennessee, where she soon became a teacher’s assistant. Ms. Olivares later earned her master’s degree and became a teacher in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Fun fact: The high school where she taught was the same high school Taylor Swift attended.

Ms. Olivares developed a love for teaching Spanish while working as a teacher’s assistant with elementary school children. She primarily worked with Spanish-speaking students and helped them learn subjects such as mathematics and social studies in Spanish to help them not fall behind. Ms. Olivares explained that she is very passionate about helping her community, which has strengthened her passion for both the Spanish language and her students. When asked what she believes is the biggest challenge of teaching a language, Ms. Olivares said that she thinks students do not believe they will need it in the future. She went on to explain that as a student you are not just learning a language, but also learning about different cultures and lifestyles, which can open new doors and help further an understanding of the world around us.

Ms. Oivares thinks Benet is a fantastic school and enjoys seeing how students take pride in learning and their education. She hopes her students will enjoy learning Spanish as much as she enjoys teaching it.