Claire: Tell us about yourself

Sra. Roach: Taught 27 years, this is my 27th year to teach. I served for the World Languages Curriculum Coordinator for Oklahoma City Public Schools. I have been a National Board Certified Teacher since 2006 and was named Deer Creek High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2009

Claire: Why do you like to teach?

Sra. Roach: I’m just wired to teach. It’s cool for me to see how my students go forward with the Spanish I’ve taught them. Because of what we’ve done in class they’re able to communicate with other people. Plus high school students are hilarious.

Claire: Tell us about the award you received.

Sra. Roach: Oklahoma Foreign Language teachers association teacher of the year. I was nominated by a teacher from Edmond. The award recognizes a teacher in our state who teaches a foreign language and who is an advocate for learning another language.

Claire: Why do you think you received this award?

Sra. Roach: I don’t know. The board selected me, so it was based on the nominations, which I never read. I served on the board of OFLTA, I’ve presented at their conferences and so I’ve been involved at a state level in helping other teachers grow as teachers.

Claire: Do you feel more confident after receiving this award?

Sra. Roach: No. It’s awkward. I’m honored but not more confident.

Claire: If you were to give one piece of advice to a new Spanish teacher, what would it be?

Sra. Roach: It’s all about relationships and connections with the students. Knowing who your students are makes all the difference.

Claire: What is the best part of your day?

Sra. Roach: Every day is different, so I can’t say there’s a best part. The best part is when a student has an a-ha moment or tries to speak in Spanish when they don’t have to, or engage with me in Spanish without being required to.

Claire: How do you hope your students feel after a class with you?

Sra. Roach: I hope they feel like they can do it. That they feel like learning a language isn’t something only for the intellectually elite people. I hope they feel cared for, and that they matter to me.

Claire: Say something inspiring in Spanish

Sra. Roach: Not in Spanish, but, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” -Nelson Mandela.