Faces of Na’atik: Our English Teachers
Talicia, Erick and Patrick in one of Na’atik’s classrooms
Na’atik has had a vibrant start to the new school year with the resumption of in person English classes for almost 200 local students. We have been thrilled to welcome everyone back, reviving the bustling atmosphere that we’ve missed since the beginning of the pandemic. Along with welcoming students new and old, this year’s English teaching team features a mix of fresh and familiar faces. We have three teachers, with Talicia and Erick reprising their roles for another semester, joined by our new teacher Patrick, allowing us to offer more classes than the previous two years.
Talicia grew up here in Felipe Carrillo Puerto and was once a star student at Na’atik. She studied English with us for nine years with a full scholarship funded by generous sponsors. Talicia continued her education at the University of Quintana Roo where she studied English and each weekend she returned to Carrillo to attend her Na’atik English classes on Saturdays. After finishing her studies and using her English skills to work in the tourism industry during university vacations, she decided to return to Carrillo and Na’atik to teach English to our local community, helping to give young students the same opportunities she had. Talicia says her favorite part about her time at Na’atik has been having an amazing group of colleagues that she can work alongside and share ideas with. Talicia describes her main motivation for teaching as being rooted in her ability to share her knowledge with her students, knowing that it can help them in the future. When reflecting on her time at Na’atik Talicia says she is appreciative of the opportunities that became available to her as a result of studying at the school, such as access to careers and travel options she would not otherwise have had.
Similar to Talicia, Erick was also once an English student at Na’atik and was one of our very first Maya Youth Scholarship recipients. Erick hails from a Maya community near Carrillo called X-Pichil, and speaks three languages fluently: Yucatec Maya, Spanish and English. He also graduated from the University of Quintana Roo, where he studied English. After returning to his community, he has used his language skills at Na’atik as both an English teacher for local students, and as a Spanish teacher for immersion and online classes. Erick says his favorite part about working at Na’atik is being able to teach different students and have a variety of interesting situations come up during class. In addition, he loves seeing kids discover how to pronounce words, understand the meaning of English phrases, and develop to the point where they can speak with ease. Erick says that what motivates him to teach is to see the progress that his students make and seeing them practice what they have learned, as well as the overall time he spends with his students. Erick says that Na’atik has benefited him by giving him the opportunity to learn a language that was difficult to learn otherwise, as well as a community in which to share his love of languages.
This past August, we also welcomed our newest teacher, Patrick. A Texas native, he traveled extensively throughout Mexico prior to joining us here in Carrillo. Patrick earned a degree in English Literature and Writing from the University of St. Thomas-Houston and is a firm believer in the power of language studies (English or otherwise) to promote lifelong success in students. His favorite thing about teaching at Na’atik so far has been working with his students. They never fail to impress him with how incredibly dedicated they are to learning English, especially considering that most of them attend their regular schools all day, and then Na’atik classes in the evening. Their desire to learn and seeing their improvements energizes him to teach. Patrick says he is constantly impressed with their knowledge, motivation, and curiosity, finding that his students are constantly engaged and eager to learn when coming to class. He feels he is always learning as much from his students as they are from him. As a native Texan, we asked Patrick what has surprised him thus far in his move to Mexico. He says that the difference in pace of life has been a nice change, he finds that people in Mexico, even in bigger cities, are much more relaxed than in the United States. He also appreciates how kind everyone has been. He finds that local people are always curious to know more about you and what brought you here to Mexico.
We are so thankful to have such a passionate and determined English teaching team working at Na’atik. Their hard work means so much to us and our students!
To read more about our English language program, and how we support local students on their educational journeys, visit our Impact page. Every immersion and online Spanish or Maya course booked with Na’atik helps us to deliver these life changing programs. To find out how you can learn a language while helping us to empower local students, check out our Spanish and Maya pages or contact us say@naatikmexico.org