My senior year of college, I decided to leave the country for a summer abroad in Queretaro, Mexico. All summer I lived with a mexican family, took 4 classes at a private university and traveled all over the country of Mexico every weekend. It was an amazing way to study and learn about the culture of Mexico.
I graduated from the University of Nebraska with a BA in Middle Level Education and dual majors in Spanish and History in 1996. My first year of teaching I taught at Mickle Middle School in Lincoln, NE. I then moved back home to San Diego (seven years was enough in Nebraska) and taught at Farb Middle school for 6 years teaching Spanish, English, Social Studies and I was also the activities director. I earned my masters degree at National University in Curriculum and Instruction in 1998. We moved to Sacramento in 2001 and I taught in three different high schools in Natomas for the past 13 years. I have taught all levels of Spanish from preschool to Spanish 1, 2, 3 and community college. We relocated to Granite Bay in 2011 and this is my ninth year in the Eureka Unified School District. I love my job!
Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have a wonderful husband and we have three beautiful boys Scotty, Stephen and Jack and they keep me completely busy with their sports and school schedules.
Something my students always ask me... "Does Señor Stannard speak Spanish?" No, he does not. He is an engineer and loves science and math. We met in San Diego and relocated to Sacramento together. Another common question, "Do your kids know how to speak Spanish?" They do now but when they were younger I tried and tried to sing and read to them in Spanish but they always say "speak English!"
Scotty did not have the privilege of having me for a teacher, he took Spanish in high school but had to take it as well in college at UC DAVIS, but Stephen and Jack did! Stephen took Spanish 2, 3, 4 and AP at GBHS and passed the AP test and has his bi-literacy certificate and the seal will be added to his diploma this year. He did not have to take Spanish in college. Jack also started high school in Spanish 2 and finishe 2, 3, 4 and AP at GBHS and will not have to take it in college, unless he wants to :)
UC DAVIS FOOTBALL
Scotty's graduation form GBHS
Scotty, Stephen & Jack in Puerta Vallerta, Mexico
Senior night at GBHS with Nana