By Upper School Spanish Teacher Robin Begley
Our recent visit to Wyland Elementary School on Friday, November 7, with my Spanish 450 students was an incredibly meaningful and uplifting experience. Serving as teacher’s assistants, my students eagerly embraced leadership roles—helping facilitate lessons, mentoring younger learners, and fostering connections in both Spanish and English, depending on each classroom’s needs.
We were also joined by Carolyn Dalton, Middle and Upper School French Teacher, who accompanied the group and provided invaluable support with logistics and observations throughout the day.
What impressed me most was my students’ ability to navigate between languages so naturally, switching to Spanish when it enhanced communication and turning to English when it better supported understanding. Their awareness and respect for the students’ varying language abilities created an inclusive, comfortable learning space for everyone.
Throughout the visit, they interacted joyfully and purposefully with the elementary students while engaging with teachers in a thoughtful, professional manner. Watching my students transition from language learners to language leaders was incredibly rewarding. Their empathy, confidence, and passion were evident in every interaction, turning this outing into much more than an academic exercise—it became a shared moment of connection, influence, and personal growth.
Elizabeth Wickham ’27 said, “This experience was very enriching and a great opportunity to step out of ‘mi zona de confort’ as Señora Begley would say! At first, I was a little bit nervous about speaking Spanish in a new environment because I typically only use Spanish in the classroom. However, it was so amazing to be able to communicate with the kids in Spanish and help them with their schoolwork, as well as get to know them as people. Language is such a special thing, and I loved being able to apply what I have learned in Spanish class to a real-life scenario where I was able to help as well as foster meaningful connections.”
“It was cool to see how there were so many kids that spoke different languages and the diversity within the school,” said Lucy Pickett ’27. “It was also cool when students would come up to me and ask if I spoke Spanish, and to see that they were happy that I could speak it too. It was really fun working with the younger students because I was able to help them with math, reading, and writing. They also have a bookmobile, which is a library on a bus, and it was full of many different books. To see how excited they were to see the books was so cool. I also got to sit with them at lunch, and it was nice to be able to get to know them better. The field trip impacted my understanding of the Spanish language because it helped me understand just how much Spanish is involved in our community. It showed me the way Spanish impacts the people of not only the Wyland community but also the MICDS community.”
“It was an amazing opportunity to go back to Wyland this last week,” said Ava Cervera ’27. “I went with Señora Begley during Winter Term in January, and I was able to create an amazing bond with my second-grade class. I was so excited to see them all again last Friday when I volunteered in third grade, where they are now.
“My favorite part of the whole experience was when they had PE because I got to see all my little friends; we got to run around and have fun! Navigating between languages was easy for me, but I have had prior experience with my little cousins. Speaking Spanish to native speakers helped me create a closer bond with them because we had something in common. I feel that they felt more comfortable with me when they realized I spoke Spanish. With the non-Spanish speakers, it was a little easier to connect with them. Most of them were very open and affectionate.
“Let’s just say I received a lot of hugs! I had such a good experience with Wyland that I am hoping to visit them again this upcoming Winter Term!”
We wrapped up our day at Las Carretas, a local Mexican restaurant, where we gathered as una familia y comunidad to share a meal and reflect on our experience. After lunch, we enjoyed la sobremesa—the cherished tradition of lingering at the table, chatting, and savoring time together. It was a beautiful opportunity to connect more deeply, celebrate our shared experiences, and appreciate the joy of community.
Experiences like this bring the study of language to life. I couldn’t be prouder of my students for the way they represented themselves, our school, and the profound impact of bilingualism in building community.