Hi my name is Valerie Hecht. Welcome to Spanish! It is
my hope that you will enjoy learning this beautiful language. I also learned Spanish
as a foreign language and look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for it with you.
As an instructor, I attempt to use a variety of strategies and methods that are
designed to allow students to develop and enhance their listening, reading, speaking
and writing skills. We'll also learn about the many cultures of the Spanish-speaking
world. I look forward to meeting you!
Hi! My name is Kristen Ware, and this will be my first
year in the Spanish department's Master's Program. While I am originally from
Modesto, California, I am beginning to feel like a native Davisite because I also
completed my undergraduate studies here (once an Aggie, always an Aggie!). I fell
in love with Spanish when I was 12, and then fell in love with linguistics as
an undergraduate student; I am now working to combine these passions by conducting
research that centers around Spanish syntax and second language acquisition. Above
all, I love teaching, and I look forward to sharing my passion for Spanish with
my students this year.
Hello! My name is Angélica Galván, but everyone calls
me Angie. I'm from Fontana, California. I attended UCLA where I studied Psychology
and Spanish. After graduating, I moved with a friend to Madison, Wisconsin where
I worked as a medical assistant at Planned Parenthood. Now I am back in Cafifornia
with my beautful cat Boo and we are ready for school!
Hi my name is Gina Lee. I began learning Spanish on the
lap of my Mexican nanny, Catalina. I was three years old then and will always
carry in my heart the culture of Mexico that she transmitted to me through songs
such as "Cucurucucu Paloma." Currently, I am earning my doctorate in Spanish Linguistics
and hope to complete my dissertation by Fall, 2010. My thesis focuses on the orality
and syntax of the written language of notarial documents from 9th through 12th
century Spain, in view of current theories regarding the history of the Spanish
language. I will dedicate this thesis to Catalina, who inspired me in the first
place to study the Spanish language.
Hi! My name is Claudia Darrigrandi and I will be your
Spanish 1 teacher this quarter. I am from Santiago de Chile and came to Davis
in 2002. Currently, I am writing my Dissertation about Latin American cities and
urban figures and plan to be done in June of 2009. As you might guess, I love
cities and urban culture. Therefore, chatting at cafés, walking around the streets
going nowhere, people watching and dancing are some of my favorite activities.
Although Davis isn't a big city I really enjoy the Davis lifestyle. I hope you
will enjoy learning Spanish and will feel inspired to travel to Spanish-speaking
countries. ¡Bienvenidos!
