Page Text: About Me
¡Hola y bienvenidos!
I am Elizabeth L. Dentlinger. I am a public school Spanish teacher in Central Iowa and have been teaching a combination of middle school and high school students in levels 1-4 since August 2011.
This blog records my attempts to become a better Spanish teacher. I began humbly by adding authentic readings to my lessons (songs, infographics, etc.). After attending a Blaine Ray Workshop after seeing a promotional flyer, I utilized Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) which morphed into Comprehensible Input (CI) as I continued learning through fellow bloggers. After my metamorphosis, I learned about ACTFL’s IPA model and more about the proficiency levels through my Master’s coursework. I continue to teach using primarily CI methodologies, but I have a new interest in trying to figure out how I can fuse everything together.
I am originally from Muskegon, Michigan and received my B.S. from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan in May 2011. I am certified to teach Spanish and English/Language Arts in both Iowa and Michigan, and I am also certified for Speech in Michigan. I have also added a Talented and Gifted Teaching Endorsement through Morningside College . I finished my Master’s of Education in World Language Instruction at Concordia College in 2016 and routinely take various Spanish courses at the graduate level in order to be able to teach at the community college level.
I thoroughly enjoy traveling and wish I could be a professional traveler. I got married in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I have been to Mexico a handful of other times, once to France, and lived abroad in Spain for five months. I made friends with a Spanish family and have been back to visit them a few times since. My Spanish family has also come to visit me and I played tour guide to America. We saw the local West Michigan towns, as well as the Windy City and the Big Apple. It was a great experience helping my Spanish family discover my home country. Most of my most recent travels were to Guatemala, Belize and Toledo, Spain with students. I was fortunate to work with a colleague for four beautiful – yet incredibly short – years that created a reputable travel program in the district.
When I am not in the classroom, I devote myself wholeheartedly and energetically to my family.
This is my public record of my journey to become part of the online FL teacher community, and to become a better teacher myself.
I’d love to connect and collaborate with you through this blog or one of the following platforms: