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."
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!”
Francisco J. Ronquillo
Francisco J. Ronquillo was born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México. He immigrated to the US when he was six years old to El Paso, Texas. His family eventually settled in Anthony, New Mexico where he began his schooling as a pre-first student at Anthony Elementary School. He graduated from Gadsden High School. He earned his undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in Teaching from New Mexico State University; then, eventually earned a Bachelor of Science as a Physician Assistant from the University of New Mexico.
Francisco has been an educator for 27 years. He has been teaching all levels of Spanish from Beginning Spanish to Advanced, Community and Public Health courses in Spanish. He is rooted in the belief that a great education is foundational to life success.
He has worked in the public health sector, for more than 20 years and is dedicated to tackling the social determinants of health and the needs of disadvantaged/underserved populations. As a bilingual educator, he applies popular education approaches in his trainings and interventions with Latino, immigrant and border communities on various health and social issues.
Francisco J. Ronquillo was born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México. He immigrated to the US when he was six years old to El Paso, Texas. His family eventually settled in Anthony, New Mexico where he began his schooling as a pre-first student at Anthony Elementary School. He graduated from Gadsden High School. He earned his undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in Teaching from New Mexico State University; then, eventually earned a Bachelor of Science as a Physician Assistant from the University of New Mexico.
Francisco has been an educator for 27 years. He has been teaching all levels of Spanish from Beginning Spanish to Advanced, Community and Public Health courses in Spanish. He is rooted in the belief that a great education is foundational to life success.
He has worked in the public health sector, for more than 20 years and is dedicated to tackling the social determinants of health and the needs of disadvantaged/underserved populations. As a bilingual educator, he applies popular education approaches in his trainings and interventions with Latino, immigrant and border communities on various health and social issues.
Community Guest Speakers
Juanita J. Lavadie, born and raised in Taos, New Mexico will share her Graphics and Fiber Art expertise with the Spanish Immersion Retreat participants. Juanita will guide us through a 2-hour language-use activity in Spanish, designed for hands-on utilization of re-purposed materials for each participant to create a hand-bound, hard-cover scrapbook journal. The journals will be used to capture personal perspectives and thoughts during the week of full-Spanish immersion. Her most recent and future exhibits and grants include:
BORN OF MANY WORLDS, “Ciboleros y Comancheros: Persona of 4 Spanish Colonial Shirts, 516 ARTS
Albuquerque, NM. Feb – May 2022
4 ELEMENTOS, Water Exhibit. Millicent Rogers Museum
Taos, NM October 2022
PASEO PROJECT-PROJECTION, Qwik-Draw, Tradition-base Narrative Stories and Music
Taos Plaza, NM September 2022
AWARDS /GRANTS
2019 Gutierrez Hubbell House Permanent Display Purchase, MAPA, NUEVOMEXICO: COLCHA EMBROIDERY, Bernalillo County Parks & Open Space, Albuquerque, NM.
BORN OF MANY WORLDS, “Ciboleros y Comancheros: Persona of 4 Spanish Colonial Shirts, 516 ARTS
Albuquerque, NM. Feb – May 2022
4 ELEMENTOS, Water Exhibit. Millicent Rogers Museum
Taos, NM October 2022
PASEO PROJECT-PROJECTION, Qwik-Draw, Tradition-base Narrative Stories and Music
Taos Plaza, NM September 2022
AWARDS /GRANTS
2019 Gutierrez Hubbell House Permanent Display Purchase, MAPA, NUEVOMEXICO: COLCHA EMBROIDERY, Bernalillo County Parks & Open Space, Albuquerque, NM.