Education, much like life itself, is about connection and support—not competition. As someone shaped by a multicultural background and a lifelong love of language, I view teaching as a collaborative, liberating journey that extends far beyond the classroom. My goal is to create spaces where students are not only encouraged to think critically but are also empowered to ask hard questions about the world around them and their role within it. For me, teaching is about more than imparting knowledge; it’s about fostering curiosity, mutual respect, and the courage to challenge systems of oppression.
This perspective didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the product of my personal journey. I was born and raised in Colombia, the son of parents who never had the opportunity to attend college. As a first-generation student, I know what it feels like to navigate education as an outsider—both full of possibility and fraught with uncertainty. These experiences taught me that education is never just about academics; it’s about resilience, mentorship, and learning to see yourself as capable of more than you imagined.
That’s the mindset I bring to my teaching: to meet students where they are, recognize their unique strengths, and create an environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued. Inspired by Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, I approach the classroom as a space where we can work together to unpack the social forces that shape us—power, language, culture—and imagine ways to push back against injustice. I don’t want to tell my students what to think; I want to guide them in asking better questions and seeing the world through fresh eyes.
My multicultural experiences—traveling to over 35 countries, engaging with diverse communities, and working across cultural and linguistic boundaries—have deeply influenced how I see the world and my place in it. These experiences taught me that diversity isn’t something to be feared or merely tolerated; it’s something to be celebrated. Every culture, language, and perspective holds a unique kind of wisdom, and I aim to bring that philosophy into my classroom. Whether it’s through exploring the harmonious way of living reflected in “Sumak kawsay” or discussing the resilience of Afro-Latinx and Indigenous communities in Latin America, I try to remind my students that difference is a strength, not a division.
Teaching also means sharing who I am, not just as a scholar but as a person. My research—on topics like Spanish in the US, linguistic landscapes, and Latin American identity—feeds directly into my teaching. Whether I’m leading a course on Latin American societies through literature and film or facilitating a discussion about sociolinguistic justice, I try to connect the classroom to the real world. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is watching students begin to recognize their own capacity to contribute to those larger conversations.
But teaching isn’t just about content; it’s also about relationships. I know what it’s like to juggle school while working, navigating financial hardship, or struggling to find your place in academia. My students bring their own stories into the classroom—some of them are immigrants, first-generation students, or parents balancing work and school. I want my classroom to be a space where those stories matter, where students know they’re not alone and that their efforts are worth it. Inspired by Vygotsky’s ideas of social learning, I make room for students to share their voices and learn from one another.
Finally, I see teaching as an opportunity to address the bigger picture. I’m committed to highlighting the lived experiences of marginalized communities—Indigenous peoples, Afro-Latinx groups, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals—whose voices are often erased or overlooked. These aren’t abstract issues; they’re deeply human ones. By centering these perspectives, I hope to give my students tools to better understand themselves and others, helping them become more empathetic, critical thinkers ready to advocate for equity and inclusion in whatever paths they pursue.
At its core, my teaching philosophy is about connection: connecting students with knowledge, with one another, and with their own potential. It’s about creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, where questions are valued, and where education feels like something alive, something deeply personal. Above all, I want my students to leave my classroom not just smarter, but braver—more willing to question, more willing to connect, and more ready to engage with the complexity of the world around them.