I have always had a passion for languages. After graduating with a B.A. in Spanish and political science (Dec 1990) at the U of A, I decided to pursue an M.A. in Hispanic applied linguistics (May 1993). I always wanted to try teaching, and this allowed me to do so as a GAT. I found my other passion and went on to teach Spanish at the community college level in Arizona and Maryland for several years. After beginning my career in the social services field, I was offered the opportunity to work as a language analyst for the Department of Defense, which I did for 20 years, until my retirement a few years ago. During that time, I also learned and worked with Portuguese. My educational background in applied linguistics not only helped me develop my language proficiency; it also led me to teaching and developing courses as part of my federal career. My comprehensive humanities education at the U of A also gave me the research, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for a successful career. ¡Viva la Universidad de Arizona!
