The Importance of Lifelong Learning for Teachers at Seven Peaks

INTERVIEW WITH PYP SPANISH INSTRUCTOR, FELICIA VILLALOBOS

Through workshops, training sessions, and collaborative learning opportunities, Seven Peaks teachers gain fresh perspectives and practical strategies that directly benefit their students. One of our very own passionate educators, Felicia Villalobos, PYP Spanish Instructor and lucky teacher of one section of 8th graders, recently attended an exceptional training at the International School of Portland. This experience deepened her understanding of inquiry-based learning and strengthened her approach to teaching.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at her inspiring experience and her biggest takeaways from the January workshop:

What Are You Most Excited About?

This training has truly inspired me to approach every interaction with curiosity, compassion, and intentionality, creating an environment where children feel heard, valued, and understood. If I had to choose my top five takeaways, they would be:

• Establecer relaciones personales
• Hablar menos, preguntar más
• Cultivar la curiosidad
• Fomentar el uso de evidencia
• Dar más tiempo para pensar

Tell Me More About the Spanish Immersion Benefit for You and All Native Spanish-Speaking Teachers

Attending this workshop surrounded by Hispanic people made the experience even more powerful. Communicating in my native language brought the culture to life—filled with humor, dichos, and a deep sense of comunidad. It was about more than learning techniques; it was about living the experience together, sharing stories, and celebrating our heritage.

That sense of authenticity and belonging infused the learning process with vibrancy. When learning feels this real and connected, it becomes much more impactful.

What Would You Like Our Parents to Know About the Training?

The training emphasized inquiry-based learning, reminding us that meaningful inquiry starts with strong, intentional relationships with our children. One quote that resonated deeply was:

"No se puede cuidar lo que no se ama y no se puede amar lo que no se conoce."
(You cannot care for what you do not love, and you cannot love what you do not know.)

To truly know someone, we must ask thoughtful questions. I encourage parents to be intentional with the questions they ask their children. Even a simple change, like replacing "¿Cómo estuvo tu día?" with "¿Cuál fue tu parte favorita del día en la escuela?" can create an opportunity for deeper connection.

Here are examples of close- and open-ended questions to inspire more meaningful conversations:

• Close-Ended Questions (Preguntas cerradas):
  Did you enjoy your lunch today? | ¿Te gustó el almuerzo hoy?
  Did you finish your homework? | ¿Terminaste tu tarea?
  Was it fun playing with your friends today? | ¿Te divertiste con tus amigos hoy?
  Did you learn something new in class? | ¿Aprendiste algo nuevo en clase?
• Open-Ended Questions (Preguntas abiertas):
  What was the most interesting thing you learned today? | ¿Qué fue lo más interesante que aprendiste hoy?
  If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be? | Si pudieras cambiar algo de tu día, ¿qué sería?
  Who made you smile today, and why? | ¿Quién te hizo sonreír hoy y por qué?
  What games did you play with your friends, and how did you feel about them? | ¿A qué juegos jugaste con tus amigos y cómo te sentiste?
  Can you tell me about a challenge you faced today and how you handled it? | ¿Puedes contarme sobre un desafío que enfrentaste hoy y cómo lo manejaste?

By incorporating open-ended questions, we help children share more deeply. This strengthens relationships and shows them that their thoughts and experiences are truly valued.

What Will You Bring Into the Classroom?

I’ll focus on building stronger personal connections with students by asking more open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking. I’ll foster curiosity by allowing students to explore their interests and ask their own questions. I’ll also encourage evidence-based thinking and give students time to process and reflect before responding. This will create a more engaging and thoughtful classroom environment.