About Me

Maris is a Lower School and Middle School Spanish teacher at an independent school in Washington, DC. Although she has taught almost all grades and levels of Spanish. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Art History in addition to her Master's in Teaching from the University of Virginia. Maris also loves adapting authentic resources to make them comprehensible to use in her class. In addition, she has presented on how to incorporate technology into a proficiency-based classroom at various conferences. She lives in Virginia with her family, and she enjoys exploring the area around DC.

Facilitating Feedback
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Facilitating Feedback

I have been judicious about planning what virtual learning that I take part in this summer.  It is so important that teachers make sure they take time to recharge especially after such a hectic spring and an unknown fall.  However, I did know that I wanted to set aside some time for the NFLC Virtual […]

Allowing retakes: how well is your parachute packed?
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Allowing retakes: how well is your parachute packed?

In my education program, my professor would tell us a great analogy about grades and retakes.  She said that as teachers we should allow students to retake assessments, so they can continue to practice and improve with the language.  We want students to practice so well that they can attain a proficiency with the language.  […]

Focus on adjustment
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Focus on adjustment

As teachers, we are constantly adjusting.  It seems like we adjust frequently with different trends that emerge- PBLs, no homework, IPAs, differentiation- you name it.  However, the best of each idea seems to stick as we work on the next idea emerging from education.  Also, as foreign language teachers, we are all adjusting our beliefs […]

Becoming a better language advocate
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Becoming a better language advocate

This year, I am taking on a big goal, and it is to become more of a language advocate.  First, I had to admit that I had not really been a language advocate.  In some ways, I thought that I was already doing so.  I taught a language, and I believed that if students enjoyed […]

Let your students lead the way
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Let your students lead the way

At this point of the year, I am able to let students take even more control in level 2.  They are starting to become more confident in their abilities, and they know what I expect of them when we complete activities.  Now, it is time for them to take the reins!  Some of my favorite […]