TEC Student of the Month Award

Since starting in a Beginner 1 course over a year ago, Emmett has been extremely dedicated to his Spanish studies. A registered nurse who works down the street from Tierra at Providence Portland hospital, he comes to Spanish class after working a 12-hour shift, yet he eagerly participates and rarely misses a class. He has multiple motivations for learning Spanish, including his love of travel, dream to be bilingual, and desire to communicate with his Spanish-speaking patients. With a dry sense of humor and natural empathy, he is a kind and supportive classmate who clearly enjoys the camaraderie built in group classes. We are honored to count Emmett among our amazing student community at Tierra and look forward to continuing to see his skills blossom as he advances on in his learning journey.

Full of energy and enthusiasm, Astro’s passion for learning Spanish has only grown since starting at the Beginner 2 level in the fall of 2024. Originally motivated to study Spanish by his desire to travel and perhaps live in South America someday, he has discovered that interacting with Spanish speakers in their native language is a powerful way to connect with people and make them feel valued. An animated student who enjoys building friendships with his classmates, Astro contributes to maintaining a positive vibe and a notable sense of camaraderie in his cohort. Someone who dives into Spanish learning by immersing himself in music, Spanish language television, and conversations with strangers, he is a great example of how getting the most practice possible boosts the learning process. We are honored to count Astro among our inspiring student community and look forward to continuing to see him reach for his dreams and beyond.
 

Full of energy and brimming with enthusiasm, Barbara has taken on learning Spanish with inspiring dedication. One of those people who simply has a deep thirst for knowledge and learning, Barbara’s many passions include the Italian language, painting, yoga, and now, Spanish. A lovingly involved grandmother, she was pushed to study the language by the desire to speak in Spanish with her young granddaughter who is in a Spanish immersion daycare. A highly esteemed classmate, her infectiously positive attitude helps build camaraderie and her innate curiosity leads her to ask intriguing questions, always probe deeper, and bring in interesting cultural discoveries to share with the group. We are honored to count Barbara as part of our wonderful student community and we look forward to continuing to see her expand her skills and exceed her own expectations.