The School District of Palm Beach County recently announced that 15 teachers from Spain are in schools around Palm Beach County joining local dual-language program teachers who provide instruction in Spanish and English.
The Department of Multicultural Education’s Sandra Medrano-Arroyo said the teachers typically teach in the county for about years.
“That’s about the time frame of their visas, but while they’re here, they enhance our students’ learning experiences by incorporating their culture, traditions and history into everyday lessons,” she said.
The two men and 13 women are teaching a cross section of subjects across a variety of grade levels at Berkshire, Greenacres, New Horizons, North Grade and Hagen Road elementary schools; Lake Worth and Okeeheelee middle schools; and John I. Leonard High School.
The International Spanish Academy is part of the dual-language program. The academy, which is certified by the Ministry of Education of Spain, is composed of New Horizons, Berkshire and Greenacres elementary schools, Okeeheelee Middle School, and John I. Leonard High School.
Okeeheelee Middle School Principal Dr. David Samore said his faculty represents 17 different countries.
“Our school values a global perspective and this is best accomplished by having a global faculty,” he said. “Our visiting teachers from Spain are excellent, experienced educators who add a great deal to our school and are undeniably assets.”
There are a total of 23 district elementary, middle and high schools that offer the dual-language program.
Some district teachers have visited Spain to participate in the Ministry of Education of Spain’s master’s degree programs. The fee-based programs are held during the summer months and take two years to complete.
