I love spurring youth toward “A-ha!” moments. I facilitated many such moments during Technical Play Lab programs at Kohl Children’s Museum this summer, where children and families explored pottery wheels and sewing machines. I am committed to fostering learning milestones as I continue my career in bilingual, youth-centered education.Areas of Expertise:- Bilingual programming and curricular content- Communicating with stakeholders- Establishing professional bilingual connections- Youth advocacy- Quantitative and qualitative data analysis- Interviewing in English and Spanish- 10 years in childcare and performing artsWhen I started babysitting a decade ago, I couldn’t fathom that now, with a degree from McGill University in Montréal, Canada and a year of teaching experience, I would be moving ahead with my youth education career. Many life experiences have steered me towards working with young people in learning spaces; what I’ve realized recently is how important Spanish is to my work.In 2023-24, I was an English Teaching Assistant in an elementary school near Málaga, Spain. I taught 12 science classes in English, while interacting with students, educators, and families in Spanish. In this, my first formal teaching role, I grew my skills in classroom management and online tools. Beyond this pedagogical training, I learned from my students’ curiosity about Anglophone language and culture.Prior to Spain, I worked extensively in informal youth education: three summers as a performing arts camp counselor, two years tutoring school peers, and three internships in youth programming. These roles equipped me to nurture and challenge children’s learning.Most recently, as Play Facilitator at Kohl Children’s Museum, I managed the Butterfly Tent, Art Studio, and Technical Play Lab spaces, running weekly programs for children ages 0-8. In facilitating these play-based learning environments while incorporating nationwide benchmarks such as the Next Generation Science Standards, I developed curricular skills and adjusted programming to different ages and learning styles. I also interacted with children and families in Spanish, expanding our offerings to non-English speakers.I am immensely grateful that Spanish fluency has been a common thread throughout my education and career, from Two-Way Immersion elementary school to my college minor, from speaking Spanish at home to living abroad in my teens in Seville, Spain with my family. My bilingualism is the foundation of my professional aspirations, and it will continue to guide my work in youth education.