Teacher Feature: Patricia Laguna Contreras

Patricia has been at ISI for 26 years and has taught at the elementary, Middle Years, and Diploma levels. She is currently the Upper School Spanish Language Coordinator and Spanish Language & Literature Teacher.

Patricia’s background:

I am from Mexico City, and I have dedicated my career to education, teaching at all levels, from elementary to college. I came to ISI with my husband Alfredo Valerio in 1998 when the highest grade level offered was seventh grade. Rosita Navarro shared with us that ISI was looking for teachers, and Mr. Weber decided to hire us after an interview in Mexico City. 

We have seen ISI grow with the implementation of the International Baccalaureate, first the DP with Mr. Buhaly, then the MYP with Mr. Urquhart, and then the PYP. My journey has been quite an adventure in this school thanks to the immersion program in the elementary school to Language and Literature and Language Acquisition courses in the Middle Year and Diploma Programmes. 

Beyond the classroom, I am passionate about sharing the Hispanic culture. I love traveling, reading, and spending time with my family and friends.

Patricia’s favorite memories from her time at ISI:

One of my favorite memories from my time here has been the creation of a humorous video, “The Most Beautiful Class,” by my senior students (Class of 2017). This video playfully captured the essence of our Language A 2 class discussions. That group of students embraced our language and literature class discussions with passion and developed a great connection with Hispanic culture. It is hard to pick one memory; senior classes are unique.

Patricia’s favorite thing about ISI:

Among my favorite things at the International School of Indiana are the intellectually stimulating discussions promoted within my Diploma Language and Literature courses. These exchanges, marked by students' insightful perspectives and analyses of literary and non-literary works, have proven to be an invaluable component of my teaching experience.
 

What makes Patricia proud to be a Gryphon:

A highlight of my time at ISI has been the opportunity to lead student exchange programs to Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, and Spain. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding as students immersed themselves in diverse cultures, lived with host families, and practiced Spanish with native speakers. Traveling to these countries exposed students to a rich tapestry of accents and vocabulary, enhancing their language skills and broadening their worldviews. Also, our students were great ambassadors, sharing their own culture with enthusiasm and their experience in the IB programme.

I'm filled with immense pride as a teacher when I see former students who were part of the Spanish track continue to pursue their language studies beyond high school and embark on careers in Spanish. It's a testament to the dedication and passion these students have for the language, and it's a clear indication that the parents have provided them with an invaluable gift. Bilingualism is a tremendous asset in today's globalized world, opening doors to countless opportunities.