Certifications: 

-English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)  

-Spanish 

About me:

I’m Mrs. Ballén, a Spanish teacher at Chapin High School, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Philology and Languages from the National University of Colombia, a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Jaén in Spain, and I recently completed an Executive MBA to continue growing both personally and professionally.

My teaching journey has taken me across several countries and educational settings. Before joining Chapin, I taught English at the college level in Colombia and was honored to receive a Fulbright scholarship in 2012, serving as a Modern Language Fellow at Susquehanna University in the United States. In 2014, I further expanded my international experience as a Spanish Language Instructor at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago.

I am passionate about helping students see language learning as more than grammar and vocabulary. I intentionally design my classes and materials to reflect the real-world communication demands students will face in college, the workforce, and everyday life. Each unit and learning task emphasizes authentic language use, intercultural competence, and purposeful communication, which are skills that matter deeply in today’s global world.

I believe bilingualism is a powerful workforce asset. Employers are looking for individuals who can communicate effectively, build relationships, solve problems, and work across languages and cultures. Through Spanish, students develop these valuable skills while also growing in confidence, cultural understanding, and global awareness.

In my classroom, I strive to create an inclusive, engaging, and supportive environment where students feel encouraged to participate, take risks, and grow. I am excited to be part of the Chapin community and look forward to a fantastic year together.

Let’s go, Eagles!