SPANISH TEACHERS
Sra. Gonzalez
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Spanish Language and Culture (CSUN in Northridge, California). TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Sra. Gonzalez has been teaching Spanish for 6 years, 3 of those have been here at Golden Valley. IF SHE WASN'T TEACHING SPANISH: If Sra. Gonzalez wasn't teaching Spanish, she would be spending as much time as she can with family. She enjoys going to Zumba and doesn't really enjoy watching TV. THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SRA. GONZALEZ: She didn't learn English until 9th grade when she moved here, she was the fist member of her family to graduate from college, and it was her 10th grade English teacher that inspired her to become a teacher. IF SHE COULD BE FLUENT IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE...it would be French. |
Sr. Mandel
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Spanish and a Master's degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction (CSUN in Northridge, California). TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Sr. Mandel has been teaching Spanish for 14 years, 12 of those have been here at Golden Valley. IF HE WASN'T TEACHING SPANISH: Sr. Mandel has a love of music and songwriting which he currently does in his free time. He also loves to travel and be involved in his childrens' activities. THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SR. MANDEL: He used to live in Mexico, he has written and performed in radio and TV commercials, he was a professional musician, and he likes most Star Wars and Star Trek movies. IF HE COULD BE FLUENT IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE...it would be Italian or Portuguese. |
Sra. Mendieta
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Education (Universidad Rafael Landivar, Guatemala) and a Master's degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction (CSU Bakersfield). TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Sra. Mendieta has been teaching Spanish for 12 years and all 12 of those years have been here at Golden Valley. IF SHE WASN'T TEACHING SPANISH: If Sra. Mendieta wasn't teaching Spanish, she would love to have Rick Steves' job and get to travel all over the world. She would also be able to read and would allow her to swim in some of the most beautiful places on Earth. THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SRA. MENDIETA: Her favorite band is Queen, her favorite book is the Millennium series, and her favorite TV shows are Friends and House of Cards. IF SHE COULD BE FLUENT IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE...it would be Italian. |
Sra. Smay
EDUCATION: Bachelors degree from Cal Poly Pomona and a Spanish teaching credential in Spanish (LaVerne University) . TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Sra. Smay has been teaching Spanish for 3 years. IF SHE WASN'T TEACHING SPANISH: If Sra. Smay wasn't teaching Spanish, she would be spending time in her garden and going for nature walks. THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SRA. SMAY: She is a first generation American and has a love of travel. She once toured Europe and visited 11 countries in just 21 days. She loves to watch Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain and her favorite movie is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. IF SHE COULD BE FLUENT IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE...it would be French. |
Sr. Ruiz
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Chicano Studies as well as a Master's degree in Education (UC Santa Barbara). TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Sr. Ruiz has been teaching Spanish for 5 years. IF HE WASN'T TEACHING SPANISH: If Sr. Ruiz wasn't teaching Spanish, he would want to be a computer programmer or an astronaut. THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SR. RUIZ: In his free time he likes to run, listen to and play music, and loves to get together with friends and family. IF HE COULD BE FLUENT IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE...it would be Mayan or Nahuatl. or Sra. Straka
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Spanish (Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado) and a Master's degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction (Chapman University in Orange, California). TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Sra. Straka has been teaching Spanish for 19 years, 5 of those have been here at Golden Valley. IF SHE WASN'T TEACHING SPANISH: Sra. Straka has a love of seeing the world and experiencing other cultures. She works with veterans and supports veteran's causes. She also loves to stay at home and spend time with her husband, dogs, and chickens. THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SRA. STRAKA: She used to teach underwater photo and video on Catalina Island, she used to live in Spain (Basque Country), she loves the Raiders, the Dodgers, LAFC soccer team, and the Los Angeles Kings. IF SHE COULD BE FLUENT IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE...it would be Italian or French. |