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About Maria

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WHY 'DOS MARIA'?

Since 2007, I've operated my Spanish instruction and translation business, named for the two Marias in my family... myself and my daughter (dos is Spanish for "two"). I am passionate about teaching the Spanish language and culture! In addition to spending time with my husband and grown children, I enjoy biking, hiking, yoga, weightlifting, swimming, and of course, travel—which we can do more easily now that my husband has retired from the military and is working as a part-time corporate pilot.

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LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE?
I'VE BEEN THERE.

As a native of Spain, I once learned your language just as you are now learning mine! To gain the English proficiency level required to complete undergraduate and graduate studies in college, I went through a similar experience to that of my own students—I can empathize and understand the challenges with learning a second language!

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I am an energetic and caring teacher who continually seeks self-improvement who understands a student’s perspective. In addition to English, I have studied French and completed an immersion program in Montpellier, France, while living with a host family. These studies have reminded me of the many challenges that a student faces when learning a world language.

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TEACHING BACKGROUND

  • Tutoring & Writing Lessons: My experience tutoring students has giving me the opportunity to author personal lessons plans for over 150 elementary and college level students. I have also provided teaching services for a variety of companies in the Tidewater Virginia area. I implemented many activities in the classroom

  • Adjunct Faculty: I have taught Spanish classes to Tidewater Community College as adjunct faculty, which gave me experience with curriculum, administration and mentorship experience with college students.

  • Teaching Navy SEALS: I taught fast-paced Spanish courses to US Navy SEAL teams in preparation to their immersion training in Costa Rica. This inspiring experience has emphasized the need to be flexible to teach non-traditional student in non-traditional settings.

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TRAVEL & CULTURAL AWARENESS

While living in Japan, I taught and prepared Japanese students for their travels and their professional development. Additionally, I was involved with “One Day Home Stay” immersion program, which emphasizes cross-cultural awareness and building language proficiency. In this program, a Japanese student stayed in my home to share language and culture experiences. This is just one of many ways I've experienced firsthand how important it is to teach not only the words of a language, but the culture that comes with it.

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Moreover, my travels (and living abroad) to Portugal,  France, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Panama, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Saipan, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala have broadened my cultural awareness and ability to embrace the richness of other countries and bring these experiences to the classroom or virtual environments.   

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FORMAL EDUCATION

  • Cross-cultural Intelligence for the Classroom, 2020-2021, Virginia Beach, VA

  • Teaching Strategies supported by Neuroscience, 2019-2020, Virginia Beach, VA

  • French immersion program, at Montpellier LSF Learn French in South France Institute, June 2019 and June 2022

  • Masters studies from (UNED) Madrid Spain, December 2017

  • Completed workshop ofTPRS (Teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling) Charleston SC, April 2018

  • Seminar Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) Method, November 2017

  • Formal French studies for over 7 years

  • 40 Hrs Training The Community Interpreter®, Maryland November 2014

  • Interpreter Professional Development Workshop, Washington DC, April 2014

  • Attended Seminar Conference for Women, Virginia Beach, May 2014

  • Command Spanish® certified, December 2007

  • Completed Commanding Officer’s Spouse Leadership Course, Rhode Island, August 2005

  • Master of Arts in Humanities from ODU, Magna Cum Laude, May 1999

  • Baccalaureate of Arts with Minor in Education from ODU, Magna Cum Laude, May 1994

  • Associate Degree of Liberal Arts from Tidewater Community College, August 1992

  • Elementary through secondary education completed in Spain

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WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Cape Henry Collegiate. Taught and developed Spanish curriculum, 2016-2021

  • Tidewater Community College.  Adjunct faculty teacher for Spanish,  2000-2003 and 2008-2016

  • Infant Toddler Connection of Virginia Beach. Provide translation services to family, Coordinators, Therapists 2008-2017. Provided interpretation services for Virginia Beach Department of Human Services.

  • Taught Spanish and developed curriculum for Japanese students. Involved with the One Day Home Stay Immersion Program for Japanese students from 2003 to 2005

  • Foreign Language Services.  Taught and developed curriculum for entry and advanced Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) Students from 1997 to 2000

  • Great Bridge Middle School.  Taught Spanish I and II to 157 students from 1994 to 1996

  • Student Teaching.  Taught Spanish I and IV at Cox HS and Spanish I, II at Great Bridge Middle School 1994

  • Practicum Experience.  Green Run Middle School, Spanish I, II, III in 1993

  • Spanish Tutor/Translator.  1991 to present, authored personal lessons plans for over 100 elementary and College level students. Provide teaching services for a variety of business companies in the Tidewater area.  

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