With the first few months of the new school year having passed and the first semester quickly coming to a close, an introduction to the new staff in the building is well past due. Among the new faces seen this year is Spanish teacher Nayeli Tamez-Garcia in room 238.
Q: What do you teach and/or what is your role? Please include sports and club sponsorships.
A: I teach Spanish I and Spanish II at Salem. My role is to help students build a strong foundation in the language and to introduce them to Hispanic cultures.
Q: Where were you previously, and what brought you to Salem?
A: Before coming to Salem, I worked at Ocean Lakes High School and Green Run High School in previous years. Now I am very happy to be part of Salem High School. I was drawn to Salem because of its strong sense of community and the opportunity to continue growing as a Spanish teacher while supporting students in their language learning.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: My favorite thing about Salem so far is the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The students and staff have been very friendly and supportive, which makes Salem feel like a true community. I especially enjoy getting to know my students and seeing their enthusiasm for learning Spanish.
Q: What inspired you to go into education (or work in a school)?
A: I was inspired to go into education because I have always loved working with young people and sharing my language and culture. Learning a second language opened many doors for me, and I wanted to help students have those same opportunities. I enjoy seeing my students grow in confidence as they discover they can communicate in Spanish and connect with other cultures.
Q: Share a fun fact about yourself (favorite music, hobbies, books).
A: A fun fact about me is that I love sharing my culture through music and food. In my free time, I enjoy listening to Latin music, spending time with my family, and trying new recipes. I also like reading and watching series in Spanish and English, and I encourage my students to do the same to practice the language in a fun way.
