Recently, I had the opportunity to interview one of the newer teachers at Bethany,
Gabriela. She is the current teacher of Spanish classes one through four, as well as AP Spanish. She also leads the yoga activity group during the first half of the lunch period. The following article includes summaries and quotes from the conversation that I was able to have with Gabriela about her life and her time at Bethany so far.
Family
Gabriela is the mother of two boys that both attend Bethany, and runs a house of two cultures (with a husband from Michigan). Her family recently came to Indiana from Vermont to be close to her husband’s family and to have a greater faith life (in themselves and in their children). “I believe that your family shapes the person that you are.” She strongly believes that a child’s parents can’t be all that they are, so surrounding them with their extended family is extremely important.
Life
Gabriela has been the Director of the MCC Peace and Justice in Guatemala in El Salvador, the Community Outreach and education manager in 10,000 villages as a ministry. In Vermont, she was part of the fair trade new england board. Through these many positions, she helped victims of conflict have stability, hope, and a future.
What brought you to Bethany?
Years ago, Gabriela’s nephews attended Bethany and told her of their good experience with the school, especially with the community that was nurturing in relationships and challenging within the realm of academics.
Hobbies
- Designing jewelry “I don’t wear any, but I do like to design jewelry”
- Designing textiles
- Reading
- Cooking: “I don’t bake, I hate to measure things, but I like to create things.”
Bethany in COVID times
It has been very challenging. “I had to learn a whole set of rules and interactions and procedures in a very short time.” Gabriela usually prefers to have an active classroom of cooking, singing, and dancing, and a learning environment that involves large amounts of student interaction. Because of COVID restrictions, however, she has been required to change her teaching methodology.