Instructor Bios
MARIA ELENA OROZCO
María Elena, MA English as a Second Language, Spanish, Classical and Modern Languages and Language Arts, University of New Mexico, 2004 National Board Certification in ESL, 2021 MA in Lengua y Cultura, La Universidad de Granada, España, 2022. María Elena was born in New Mexico, en el barrio de Los Padillas, near Albuquerque. Her family roots are deep, her ancestors arrived here in the 1600s. María Elena identifies as a hispanohablante de herencia mexicana. She has twenty years teaching experience and has taught both Spanish and English as a second language, and Spanish for heritage speakers. She is married and has two children.
"Teaching Spanish as a Heritage Language is a celebration of who we are as Nuevo Mexicanos, a voice that has thrived amidst chaos, change and hardship throughout history, because the hearts of those who cherish this language are strong. Through the integration of language and culture in the classroom we empower the voices of heritage speakers to uncover their roots and flourish in their linguistic identity."
María Elena, MA English as a Second Language, Spanish, Classical and Modern Languages and Language Arts, University of New Mexico, 2004 National Board Certification in ESL, 2021 MA in Lengua y Cultura, La Universidad de Granada, España, 2022. María Elena was born in New Mexico, en el barrio de Los Padillas, near Albuquerque. Her family roots are deep, her ancestors arrived here in the 1600s. María Elena identifies as a hispanohablante de herencia mexicana. She has twenty years teaching experience and has taught both Spanish and English as a second language, and Spanish for heritage speakers. She is married and has two children.
"Teaching Spanish as a Heritage Language is a celebration of who we are as Nuevo Mexicanos, a voice that has thrived amidst chaos, change and hardship throughout history, because the hearts of those who cherish this language are strong. Through the integration of language and culture in the classroom we empower the voices of heritage speakers to uncover their roots and flourish in their linguistic identity."
LAURA ARAUJO
Laura Araujo S. comes from the beautiful state of Guanajuato, México. She grew up in California where she received her BA in Spanish and Ethnic Studies from UC Riverside before relocating to New Mexico. At UNM she completed her Master’s degree in Spanish and taught community college for several years. Later she received a MA in Education from UC Santa Cruz and taught classes at the secondary level for twenty years. Laura is a multidisciplinary Chicana artist who collaborates with colleagues to produce visual art, poetry, and creative narratives for the stage. Her love of language has led Laura to study and immerse herself in various U.S. and Mexican indigenous languages, that, in reciprocity, she loves to share with others.
Laura Araujo S. comes from the beautiful state of Guanajuato, México. She grew up in California where she received her BA in Spanish and Ethnic Studies from UC Riverside before relocating to New Mexico. At UNM she completed her Master’s degree in Spanish and taught community college for several years. Later she received a MA in Education from UC Santa Cruz and taught classes at the secondary level for twenty years. Laura is a multidisciplinary Chicana artist who collaborates with colleagues to produce visual art, poetry, and creative narratives for the stage. Her love of language has led Laura to study and immerse herself in various U.S. and Mexican indigenous languages, that, in reciprocity, she loves to share with others.
JAVIER RIOS
Javier Ríos was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a bilingual New Mexican of diverse Irish, Mexican and LGBTQ background. Javier joined the University of New Mexico, Community Health Worker Initiatives team as a Sr. Program Manager in January 2022. Javier brings 16+ years of non-profit and government experience concentrated in health equity, HIV/AIDS, harm reduction, immigrant health, LGBTQ+ health and cultural humility. He has worked throughout the state of New Mexico focusing in program management, community organizing, outreach and education.
In 2021, 2017 and 2013 Javier participated in the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission program Lideres a través de las Fronteras/Leaders across Borders addressing binational and border health. His community recognitions include the 2019 Stonewall Achievement Award, 2017 Manzano High School Educator/Teacher of the Month, 2013 Pride and Equality Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope Award, the 2012 NMCPAG Kahlo Benávidez Leadership Award, and the 2012 HIV/AIDS Embajador/Ambassador for the National Latino AIDS Action Network.
Javier’s education includes: Diplomado Líderes en Salud Pública de la Frontera México-Estados Unidos/Certificate of Public Health Leaders in the Mexico-United States Border Region—Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey/Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education 2013. A Masters degree in Spanish, University of New Mexico, 2005 and B.A. Creighton University, 2001.
“I believe in the saying “la cultura cura” (culture heals). From cuentos, to música and teaching diverse gente I fall in love with language every time I teach. Because languages are constantly evolving there are always new and exciting things to learn. If you love language, you will definitely love the Bilingual Strategies experience in our beloved Nuevo México!”
Javier Ríos was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a bilingual New Mexican of diverse Irish, Mexican and LGBTQ background. Javier joined the University of New Mexico, Community Health Worker Initiatives team as a Sr. Program Manager in January 2022. Javier brings 16+ years of non-profit and government experience concentrated in health equity, HIV/AIDS, harm reduction, immigrant health, LGBTQ+ health and cultural humility. He has worked throughout the state of New Mexico focusing in program management, community organizing, outreach and education.
In 2021, 2017 and 2013 Javier participated in the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission program Lideres a través de las Fronteras/Leaders across Borders addressing binational and border health. His community recognitions include the 2019 Stonewall Achievement Award, 2017 Manzano High School Educator/Teacher of the Month, 2013 Pride and Equality Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope Award, the 2012 NMCPAG Kahlo Benávidez Leadership Award, and the 2012 HIV/AIDS Embajador/Ambassador for the National Latino AIDS Action Network.
Javier’s education includes: Diplomado Líderes en Salud Pública de la Frontera México-Estados Unidos/Certificate of Public Health Leaders in the Mexico-United States Border Region—Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey/Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education 2013. A Masters degree in Spanish, University of New Mexico, 2005 and B.A. Creighton University, 2001.
“I believe in the saying “la cultura cura” (culture heals). From cuentos, to música and teaching diverse gente I fall in love with language every time I teach. Because languages are constantly evolving there are always new and exciting things to learn. If you love language, you will definitely love the Bilingual Strategies experience in our beloved Nuevo México!”