At the annual conference of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) from June 29 - July 2, Upper School Spanish Teacher Laura Mungavin presented two workshops. The theme of the 106th AATSP Annual Conference was “Spanish and Portuguese as Global Languages: Connections and Opportunities in the Classroom and Beyond,” so Ms. Mungavin’s two sessions were aligned with the idea of how educators can broaden the scope of their curriculums to promote deeper study of the Spanish language and culture. 

On June 29, Ms. Mungavin led her first session, “Environmental Issues and Social Justice in the Spanish-Speaking World.” She discussed how Spanish language educators can provide their students with opportunities to think critically about the intersecting issues surrounding climate change. Ms. Mungavin also shared how students can engage in work related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the global efforts being made to achieve them. 

Her second session on June 30, “Incorporating Modern Indigenous, Afro-Latino and Asian-Latino Voices in the Spanish Language Classroom,” addressed the importance of not presenting Spanish-speakers as a monolithic group, as many textbooks do. Ms. Mungavin shared ways in which Spanish language educators can expand their work to elevate  Indigenous, Afro-Latino, and Asian-Latino voices, and help students develop greater cultural competency and a deeper awareness of the diversity of cultures, communities, and perspectives  within the Spanish-speaking world.