Ms. Alma Millán

Contact Me:

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Some Things About Me:

My name is Alma Carolina Millán Buenavista. Like many of you, I have a very long name. To make things simple, just call me Ms. Millán. I am so happy to have you in my ESL class this year! Another thing that I have in common with all of you is that I did not learn English as my first language and I also attended high school here in Wisconsin. My high school years were a very happy and exciting time in which I learned many things and made many discoveries, therefore, I thought that I would share some things about my life when I was in high school.

When I was in high school . . .

I went to a school in Glendale, Wisconsin called Nicolet High School.

I loved going to school and learning.

I lived with my father, mother, two sisters Toni and Marcelle, a brother Marc and a black cat named Noche. My family came from the Philippines.

My favorite classes were chorus and band. Music was a very big part of my life.

I played the piano. Sometimes I could practice five hours without stopping.

I was very good at math, but I was very bad at spelling.

When I started high school, I had already been in the USA for eight years. However, I made mistakes in English that Americans would never make.

I loved to listen to music. My favorite musical groups were the Police and the Rolling Stones. My favorite classical composers were Frederic Chopin, Isaac Albéniz and George Gershwin. I also loved to listen to Swing music. My favorites were Benny Goodman and Ella Fitzgerald.

I was very shy, but I was not afraid to talk if I felt I needed to say something important.

I enjoyed reading. My favorite play was Shakespeare's Macbeth. I also loved Greek Mythology, The Odyssey, Anna Karenina, The Count of Monte Cristo, To Kill a Mockingbird, and many others. Perhaps my all time favorite book is "The Little Prince," which I have continued to read every year for the last forty years. The metaphors are so rich that I find new interpretations and insight as I gain more life experience.

When I was in 9th grade, the movies Grease and Superman were very popular. I loved these two movies!

However, what I loved more was watching old movies with my dad. Some of our favorites were Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, and The Mark of Zorro.

My favorite movie stars were Meryl Streep, Rita Hayworth, Tyrone Power, and Sophia Loren.

I had two jobs outside of home. I babysat for my neighbors' small children and I worked at my Dad's clinic.

Here is a picture of me at 17. I was a senior in high school.

Experience

I have been teaching English as a Second Language for 16 years. Previously, I taught Spanish, French, and Computer Science. This is my 28th year as a teacher! I studied at various universities in Wisconsin including UW-Milwaukee and Marquette. I also did some graduate studies at the University of Seville in Spain. I have degrees in Spanish Literature, International Relations, Education, and a minor in French Literature. I have a master's degree in Educational Computing from Cardinal Stritch University.

I became a teacher because of circumstance. Previously, I had worked in the import/export department of an international firm in Barcelona, Spain. The international travels kept me from being the best parent I could be for my son, who was just a baby at the time, so I had to find another career that suited his schedule. Therefore, I became a foreign language instructor.

Some Things About My Life Now (Outside of Teaching)

I love spending time with family and friends. We enjoy planning meals and lively conversations.

I have one adult son Alex and a cat Max. How I love them!

I love to read books. I usually read about seven at a time! Similar to some of you, I can read in different languages. It is very difficult to keep up with all of them, but I try my best to find articles and books in these languages so I do not forget them.

I try to make time to do different exercises such as aerobics, weight-lifting, yoga and Zumba. Exercise relieves stress and gives me the energy that I need to work with lively teenagers.

I enjoy playing the piano, dancing, and painting. I try to find as many ways as possible to express myself without using words.

I also love to cook. For new taste experiences and to explore different cultures and countries, I like to try new recipes.

I try to keep a colorful and tidy garden in which friends, family, birds, and butterflies feel welcome.

I do not have time to watch much T.V. However, I will make time if there is an interesting historical T.V. series, such as Suleimán el gran sultán, (about Suleyman the Magnificent) El Tiempo entre costuras, (a spy series that takes place during the Spanish Civil War) or the Vikings.

Here are pictures of me and just a few of my awesome 2018 graduates.