Jannine is a native Spanish-speaker from Colombia. She came to the United States after graduating from high school. Jannine’s intentions were to go to college right away, but she found that her English wasn’t advanced enough yet, so instead, she spent a few years focusing on becoming fluent in English first. After studying psychology in college, Jannine was involved in a research project at NYU, which placed her in kindergarten classrooms across NYC, observing how immigrant children who spoke a foreign language at home adapted in the classroom. This was her first experience in the classroom and it led to her interest in education.
Ten years ago, Jannine’s husband found an opportunity at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and so she agreed to leave New York to live in New Hampshire. Since coming to the area, she has run various children’s programs for the Etna Library, taught arts and crafts in kindergarten, taught Spanish in all elementary grades, and has been a substitute teacher in various schools. She has also explored teaching In Montessori and Waldorf settings.
When Jannine is not teaching, she enjoys gardening, being with her children, talking with her husband, volunteering, taking care of her ducks and chickens, reading good books, saving Monarch butterflies, learning new things, cooking, and visiting different states. Her goal is to eventually visit all fifty!
Jannine is so excited to have arrived at Crossroads Academy. She is looking forward to drawing on my varied experiences teaching in different settings, to bring a great experience in Spanish language and Hispanic culture to the students!
