Spanish for Elementary Students at Culture Kids in Western New York

	Lisa Almeter is founder and director of CultureKids. She has studied in Madrid, Spain and Lima, Peru and has traveled to Quito, Ecuador and Acapulco, Mexico to learn the Spanish language and culture. She has a degree in Spanish/Psychology with an emphasis in Childhood Development from John Carroll University along with a love of the Spanish language and culture. She is a proud mother of four children.
	Lauren Almeter is working towards her degree in Education from Canisius College. She has spent many years studying Spanish and takes a unique approach in teaching the language to the students. She brings a lot of energy and excitement to the classroom and loves working with the students.
	Sarah Biddlecom studied Spanish at Fordham University where she completed her Bachelors of Arts Degree. She studied in Barcelona, Spain where she resided with a Spanish family. She has found her background in Spanish helpful in volunteering with organizations such as Harvest House in the city.
	Melissa Brophy was raised in a Spanish-speaking home, enriched by the many customs and traditions of her family’s Mexican heritage. She graduated from the University of Buffalo with degrees in Psychology and Spanish and received her Masters in Counselor Education through Canisius College. She loves the experiences she has had working with K-8 students in both individual and classroom settings. She has studied in Spain and regularly travels to Mexico with her husband and three sons.
	Judi Flegier has over 20 years of experience teaching Spanish in both public and private schools! She holds her degree from the University at Buffalo. Judi enjoys sharing her love of the language with the students. She enjoys playing games and using creative methods in the classroom to teach Spanish. She has two grown daughters who live out of town.
	Joan Foley holds her degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She worked for 10 years with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service where she frequently used her Spanish skills. Joan has traveled several times to Mexico and enjoys sharing her love of the Spanish language with the students.
	Karen Genovese is Co-Director of the Summer Cultural Camp. She is an elementary art school teacher with a degree in Graphic Design from Villa Maria College and a B.A. in Art Education from Buffalo State College. She has over ten years teaching experience. Karen uses a variety of teaching techniques and an interactive approach to getting the students excited about art and art history. She enjoys working with the Spanish Camp students in exploring the Spanish culture through art. Karen has three children.
	Katherine Giansante has been teaching Spanish for over 15 years! She holds her Master's Degree in Foreign and Secondary Education and has traveled extensively throughout Spain. She has also studied in Quito, Ecuador and traveled to Costa Rica and Colombia. With three young daughters, Katie loves working with children and sharing the Spanish language with them. She spends a lot of time organizing and planning activities for the FANA Summer Camp which focuses on the Colombian culture.
	Rebecca Howell holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching high school Spanish since 2002. Previous to that, she taught at the elementary level for three years. She has traveled twice to Costa Rica and looks forward to other trips in the future. Rebecca is a creative and caring teacher. She enjoys helping her students learn the Spanish language and culture as well as teaching her daughter the language.
	Julie Hund has a background in Spanish for Law Enforcement. She enjoys working with elementary aged students and spent a brief period of time teaching Spanish to second grade students at a local elementary school. She has been involved in Spanish clubs and International clubs. Julie is a mother of two young children and enjoys sharing her love of the Spanish language.
	Kelly Lovering is passionate about Spanish! She was awarded a scholarship grant from the Spanish Embassy to teach English to Spanish students in Spain. She studied in Oviedo, Spain and Morelia, Mexico. She has traveled to Portugal, Italy, England and Ireland. Kelly currently teaches Spanish at Cardinal O'Hara and enjoys sharing her love of the Spanish language and culture. Look for her on the football field because Kelly is also a member of the Buffalo Jills cheerleading team!
	Sharon (Osorio) Mentkowski grew up in a bilingual home, speaking both English and Spanish, and enjoying the cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries as well. She is the owner and president of Language Especially For You, LLC, a company that creates products to help young children learn Spanish. She is also a part-time instructor of public speaking at Buffalo State College and translates professionally. Sharon loves working with children and expanding their horizons, especially when it comes to helping them learn Spanish. Sharon brings excitement, enthusiasm and knowledge to the classroom. She is the mother of two young boys who are also learning Spanish.
	Lindsey Metzer has been teaching Spanish in the Frontier School District since 2006. She studied at La Universidad de Sevilla in Spain and has traveled with her students to Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. Lindsey holds a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish from State University of NY at Geneseo and a Master's of Education from the University at Buffalo.
	Angela Muff holds her degree in Speech Pathology from Buffalo State College. She is a Spanish tutor and taught in the Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program. She enjoys spending time with her baby daughter and coaches an all-star cheerleading team.
	Katie Newton holds her degree in Spanish from Niagara University. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Education with a Spanish concentration at the University of Buffalo. She has lived and studied in Argentina and has tutored students in Spanish. She has experience working with elementary-aged students through her work with the Hamburg Recreation Department and as a respite worker for a local community agency. She is excited to share her knowledge of Spanish with the students.
	Kelly Norman is currently pursuing her degree from the University at Buffalo with a major in Spanish and a minor in Education. She works as a mentor for a Spanish ESL student at a local school and has worked with adopted children from Guatemala sharing her love of the language. She recently returned from studing in Spain where she immersed herself completely in the Spanish culture!
	Marissa Pontello is pursuing her degree in Childhood Education from Canisius College. She successfully completed honors level Spanish and also works as a dance teacher for preschool - elementary aged students. She brings great energy and excitement to the classroom and has a warm and caring personality.
	Dana Powers holds her Master's Degree in Adolescent Education from D'Youville College and a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish. She studied abroad in Spain. Dana enjoys working with the elementary students and sharing her experiences abroad and her love of the language.
	Erin Reukauf taught Spanish in the Hamburg District. She studied in Guanajuato, Mexico and holds a Masters of Education degree from the University at Buffalo. Erin enjoys working with the elementary students and spent three years teaching Spanish at Fourteen Holy Helpers School. She also enjoys spending time with her baby!
	Maria Siepel is a world traveler! She is a native speaker from Spain and has been teaching Spanish at the elementary level for over 28 years. She currently teaches Spanish at Nardin Academy where she has taught since 1985. Maria is a member of the Western New York Foreign Language Educators Council. She has traveled throughout Europe, South America, Carribean, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, China and United Arab Emirates. She loves sharing her travel experiences with her students. If you are looking to join a group for international travel, Maria is often coordinating trips for students and parents.
	Davina Spell holds her permanent teaching certification and has been teaching Spanish since 2003. She is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Buffalo with a degree in Spanish Secondary Education and International Studies. Davina also spent time studying in Puerto Rico and enjoys bringing the Hispanic culture into the classroom and sharing it with her students.
	Siomara Stack was raised in a bilingual home in Texas. She has always worked in positions involving the use of Spanish. She has trained Spanish speakers, taught Spanish to ranchers in Texas and even taught English in Mexico. She loves Mariachi music and brings a diverse cultural element to the classroom.
	Kristina Wilkins studied in Madrid, Spain; Cuernavaca, Mexico and Lima, Peru. She is a graduate of Saint Mary's College of California with a degree in Spanish. Kristina currently teaches Spanish at St. Leo's School and is completing her Master's Degree in Adolescent Education from Canisius College. She brings enthusiasm to the classroom and enjoys working with the elementary students.
	Jennifer Wudyka is a Spanish and French teacher. Her degree is from the University at Buffalo with certification in French and a minor in Spanish. Jennifer currently teaches at St. Andrew's Country Day School. She loves working with the students and is also a synchronized swimming instructor and swim team coach. Jennifer brings great energy and excitement into the classroom.