Our Teachers
VALERIA SHUREMAN
Hola! I am Valeria. I come from Chile in South America. I have two children, a boy and a girl, and I love being a mom. I also love teaching children Spanish! I started working as a teacher for Boise Elementary Spanish in 2010. It is so important to expose children to a second language when they are young. My students always impress me by how much they are able to understand even though I am speaking to them fully in Spanish.
RICK BUTLER
When I was 19, I set off to Lima, Peru to live and travel in South America. I spent a year traveling around Peru and Colombia becoming fluent in the language along the way. After returning to the U.S., I began teaching private lessons to eager learners, sharing the unconventional and adventurous methods I had used to learn the language myself. I currently teach and interpret Spanish all around the Boise area and am an active member of the latin dance community here in town. I believe that BES is exactly the kind of fun and engaging exposure to Spanish that kids need to prepare themselves for success learning foreign languages down the road. It’s also an opportunity for many different teachers with unique colorful backgrounds to come together and show kids how much fun it is to experience Español!
AUTUMN LOPEZ
I’m originally from Pocatello, Idaho. After living in Argentina I returned home to pursue my BA in Spanish and International Studies. During that time I went to Study Abroad in Mexico. When I returned home I finished my degrees and received a Fulbright Scholarship to Andorra where I taught English. Their official Language is Catalan, which I learned while I lived there. They also speak Spanish and French. Their school system is multi-lingual and most students spoke 3-4 languages by the time they were out of High school. I love that! I have also traveled extensively in Europe and the Americas. I love to learn other languages and about other cultures. I feel it is something we don’t get to do much here in Idaho and I love the opportunity that I have to share my love for the Spanish language with children. I currently enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Education, curriculum and Instruction program at BSU. I’m also married and have a 4-year-old daughter. We enjoy traveling and being outdoors together.
ARASELI LOPEZ
Hola, my name is Araseli Lopez and I am a first year teacher at Boise Elementary Spanish. I am Mexican-American and a native Spanish speaker, raised in Mexico for the first 7 years of my life. I enjoy working with children and helping them reach their full potential through education. I believe all students have the capacity to learn and go beyond.
My interest in education and helping out children, has led me to seek a career as a bilingual teacher. That's why I am currently enrolled at BSU in their TESOL program. Go Broncos!
I enjoy my work as a Spanish teacher and love getting to know all of you! Hasta luego!
LUPE FONSECA
My name is Lupe Fonseca I study Communications and Spanish at Boise State, in hope to be a sports reporter in the future. My family is from Michoacan, Mexico and have lived in Idaho most their lives. I am native speaker, was taught Spanish since I was born and didn’t learn English till I was in school. I became fluent in my second language when I was in second grade. I love to travel, talk about sports and help others. I am truly excited and blessed with the opportunity BES has given me to teach the language I love so much. Spanish has become much more than a language, it has become part of my culture and identity. The fact that I can share my passion with others is a true blessing. I know learning a language isn’t the easiest, but I hope I can make it fun and less complicated.
KAYLA DOWNS
Hi, I'm Kayla! I'm graduating from Boise State this December with a Bachelor's of Science in Anthropology and a Spanish Minor. I'm planning on returning to BSU to get a teaching certificate, because educating is one of my many passions! I am also an avid reader and writer, and I love to sing. I was fortunate enough to take BES classes when I was in elementary school, and I continued my Spanish-learning through high school and college. Before I became an Anthropology major, I actually was a Spanish major and wanted to be a multilingual interpreter! (I decided digging square holes was a little more fun.) Ultimately, I hope to become a professor to continue my track of education, as well as research and perform archaeological digs in areas of Spain and Italy. In the meantime, I am teaching and learning new things to give students the education they deserve.
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Trabaja Con Nosotros - BES is hiring
We are currently hiring teachers and tutors. The applicant will be fluent in Spanish, have reliable transportation and posses the skills necessary to manage children in a classroom setting. Internship credit is available for university students. The applicant will also not be a registered sex offender. If you are interested in introducing Spanish to Treasure Valley elementary students, please e-mail your CV and credentials to Executive Director Melissa Hassler (melissa@boiseelementaryspanish.org).
