Feature Friday:
Raquel Rodríguez

CAMPUS: Grand Rapids Christian High School
ROLE: Spanish Immersion Coordinator/Spanish Teacher

How long have you been working at GRCS?
I worked for four years at the middle school, and this is my second year at the high school.

Give a brief overview of your family life, educational and/or career history.
I am married to my high school sweetheart, Ron, and we have two daughters, Aurora (4) and Lyla (2). I am originally from Puerto Rico and have lived in the U.S. since I was 12. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at Western Michigan University, where I also had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Burgos, Spain. This is my seventh year of teaching.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is sharing cultural topics with my students and seeing them grow in their use of the Spanish language. It's also a huge bonus that I get to speak Spanish with my coworkers and have Spanish be part of my daily life.

Of all your time at GRCS, what special projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?
During my time at the high school, I am most proud of adding Puerto Rican culture to the Spanish 3 curriculum. There is a unit about Christmas in Spanish 3, and it was not until last year that students got to learn about Puerto Rican Christmas traditions like "la parranda," which is a much louder and livelier equivalent of Christmas caroling.

What is something you learned about yourself or about teaching and learning during the pandemic and/or Off-Campus Learning?
I learned that I truly crave in-person connections with students. Teaching a language comes to life when it is done in person. I am also much more effective when I am in a designated workspace outside of my house. :)

Are there any extracurricular activities you lead or assist with?
I do not lead any extracurricular activities yet, but I would love to start a Spanish conversation group for students in the future.

Anything silly or interesting you would like to share?
One of my goals in life is to travel to all 21 Spanish-speaking countries. I have only checked three off the list, so I have a lot of traveling left to do!

Share your thoughts on this year's school theme: "All Things. Hold Together."
I think that our theme really encourages us to be in community. During a time where we really can't be together in the usual ways, we need to come up with new ways to support each other and remember that we have the most important thing in common, and that is our hope in Christ.

Which Portrait of a Graduate characteristic do you relate to most within your role, and why? Or, which character trait do you try and exemplify most, and why? 
I identify most with the "communicators and collaborators" characteristic. My hope for each of my students is that as they learn a new language, they would create new connections with people from different places and walks of life and learn the value of working alongside people who are different than what they're used to.

BONUS!

Watch this video to learn more about Sra. Rodriguez.