Teaching, Mentoring, Advising

Teaching Philosophy

Central to my teaching philosophy is the belief that language learning cannot be grammar drills or vocabulary memorization; rather it must be a dynamic journey seeking authentic communication and cultural understanding. Following the communicative approach, I prioritize active engagement, meaningful interactions, and experiential learning, while enabling collaborative environments where language acquisition is possible within a classroom. Thanks to modern technology, authentic materials, real-world tasks, and immersive experiences, curious students can navigate linguistic challenges with confidence, while developing cross-cultural competence and global awareness.

In alignment with UF’s mission of educational excellence and societal impact, the primary goals of my teaching program are to cultivate linguistic proficiency, cultural competence, and global citizenship among students. By nurturing communicative competence, fostering intercultural understanding, and promoting inclusive excellence, I seek to empower the next generation of leaders, scholars, and global citizens poised to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with empathy, fluency, and cultural dexterity. Through active learning experiences, collaborative engagement, and innovative pedagogy, I endeavor to help equip our students on their path through a diverse and dynamic global landscape.

Mentoring and Advising

As the Portuguese Undergraduate Coordinator, I personally work with each of our major and minor students to create a study plan.  Third, I serve as the faculty advisor to the Brazilian Portuguese Club, a club dedicated to practicing Portuguese with friends, classmates, and member of the UF community. In this role, I help organize and monitor the students for any help that they need.