¡Hola!

 I'm Kim and I am an accidental senora.  Born and raised in New Jersey, I had no way of knowing that I would become a Spanish teacher nonetheless maintain the longevity of a 30 year career.  I was raised in an English speaking household with a mom who studied Latin for her nursing program and a father who to this day, is surprised that I speak the language that he affectionately thinks is "English with an o on the end".  My first memory of hearing Spanish came when I was in elementary school and Grover on Sesame Street was illustrating the words "abierto" and "cerrado" by opening and closing a door after he would run through it.  I can still hear his little monster growl as he said the words.  That was my official introduction into Spanish.  It would be many years later that I would study it in high school.  Senora Clark was my first teacher and all I can say is that I was hooked from the very first "Hola".  I loved everything about the class and couldn't wait to learn more everyday.  I took to it like a sponge and for a while I didn't have to study it.  It became a part of me unlike anything else other than singing.  I guess you would say that I had an ear for the language.  It made sense to me and no one was more surprised than me!  I would go home everyday and "teach" my mom what I had learned while she made dinner and I set the table. On one occasion, I taught her all of the place settings as I set the table.   I cherish those moments.  She never gained fluency but she was such a support system and an avid student.  I can't thank her enough.  ❤️ Little did I know that those moments in the kitchen and my classes with Senora Clark and Senora Breickner would lead to a long career sharing my knowledge and passion for my adopted language.