**MARIA**
¡Hola! My name is María Menéndez. I was born and raised in Asturias, España. I teach Spanish to PreK-6th grade students. I have been teaching Spanish for 20 years all over the world - in Europe, Asia, North and South America - as well as online. I spent 11 of those years teaching in bilingual programs in the United States. I am a fully certified Spanish and Elementary School teacher. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Primary Education, Bilingual and ESL teaching endorsements, and a Master’s Degree in Innovation and Research in Education. I am also an accredited examiner from Instituto Cervantes, Google Certified, and Microsoft Innovative Educator.

I believe that the best way to learn a language is by having fun. That’s why I encourage my students to move, play, act, and get hands on! This allows them to experience a meaningful, creative, and engaging learning environment that relates to their own experiences and interests. My classes are designed to deliver creative and innovative lessons that get my students excited about learning Spanish. 

What got me into teaching was discovering that it was an opportunity to help others, make a difference in children's lives, and apply my creativity every day! I fell even more in love with teaching when I realized that this was a job that I could do from anywhere in the world!

When I am not teaching, I love to spend time on the beach, swimming, hiking the Asturian mountains, going to the movies, and spending time with friends and family. We’ll be a great fit if your goal for your child is to communicate fluently and with confidence in Spanish, and to become an open-minded citizen of the world while having a great time!