Cyndi Loza

Four new first-year teachers joined the staff of Mariposa Academy of Language and Learning this fall.

Caitlin Sander, Alan Montesinos, Jackeline Chire and Linda Kayen kick-started their teaching career at the dual-language district charter school located at 3875 Glen St.

The four teachers said that they were attracted to the school because of its dual-language program that teaches English and Spanish speakers in both languages, with the goal of achieving bilingualism and biliteracy.

“I think it promotes the Spanish language, and it encourages students to be proud of the fact that they can speak two languages and not hide and just absorb into the English-speaking world,” said fifth-grade teacher Sander, 22. “In the United States, we’re a mixed culture, and this school really promotes that within the students, and it encourages them to be proud and be leaders in their community. And the fact that they are bilingual will help them enormously when they get out into the world.”

Chire, 36, a second-grade teacher, agreed.

“Being bilingual opens doors and not just here in the United States, (but) around the world,” Chire said. “They can go to any place and speak in both languages.”

Montesinos, 27, a second-grade teacher, said his goal as a teacher is to “make (students) feel happy and (be) successful in anything they do and try to involve the group in the two languages (so) they can enjoy what they’re learning … that they can be proud of their native language and their second language.”

At a glance

Jackeline Chire

• Age: 36
• Title: Second-grade teacher (bilingual class)
• Birthplace: Arequipa, Peru
• Experience: Master’s degree in elementary education

Caitlin Sander

• Age: 22
• Title: Fifth-grade teacher
• Birthplace: Silverton, Ore.
• Experience: Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
• Goals/Mission: Prepare students for middle school and beyond and prepare them for fifth-grade state exams.

Alan Montesinos

• Age: 27
• Title: Second-grade teacher
• Birthplace: Mexico City
• Experience: Bachelor’s degree in pedagogy from the National Autonomous University of Mexico
• Goals/Mission: To help children learn Spanish/English as a second language in a meaningful way through games; making them feel happy and successful.

Linda Kayen

• Title: First-grade teacher (English)
• Birthplace: Texas
• Education: Master’s degree in math/science education