Laura Mendoza

I have been an educator for 20 years, having previously taught primary, high school and tertiary settings. I am always very excited to expand my knowledge and culture by teaching my native language, Spanish. I have a Bachelor degree in International Marketing, a certificate III in Education support worker and a  Postgraduate degree in Industrial Education and Training all of these leaving an extensive teaching experience at all levels.

Part of this exciting adventure as a teacher has been in many places bringing the happiest memories in my life and heaps of experience to offer to the biggest dream La Ventana Spanish Language School created in 2015 along with Carolina Hernandez.

Here some of the industries I have worked for…

Integración Moderna Bogotá Colombia Year 7 homeroom teacher, 2001-2006, planning and delivering a range of classroom programs with clear and achievable learning goals.

ECOA Escuela Colombiana de Operaciones Aéreas and Indoamericana Bogotá Colombia 2007 2010 English teacher implementing varied strategies and assessment in order to accommodate diverse needs of students who were transitioning from various feeder schools.

Yarra Library Melbourne Australia 2011 to 2013 Spanish teacher (Volunteer) providing informal sessions of conversational Spanish for  people who wanted to learn, travel or just improve their skills in Spanish as a second language.

Melbourne Polytechnic 2014 English Tutor, Adult English Migrant Program (AMEP), helping newly-arrived migrants and refugees settle successfully in Australia and take up employment, training or further education. 

La Ventana Spanish Language School since 2015 Teaching, directing and  promoting Spanish language and culture through natural and quality teaching to children, getting students speaking as quickly as possible, showing all the grammar and vocabulary, as well as practice, depending on each one’s interest

St Peters primary school currently year 3/4 Learning support officer assisting teacher Facilitating social interaction and promoting independence with the students.

As you can see with this brief profile, my whole world revolves around my passion for teaching, kids, languages, culture, art, crafts,sharing knowledge, helping others to grow, singing out loud, socializing, traveling and contributing in a positive way to the society.

Ana Carolina Hernandez

Hola! My name is Ana Carolina Hernandez. I was born in Argentina and I grew up in Cordoba.  I hold a Bachelor Degree in Social Communication from Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. My academic background in journalism has contributed significantly to my knowledge of Spanish grammar and the development of different communication skill methods including the use of ICT to engage students to learn the Spanish language in an enjoyable and effective manner.

I came to Australia in 2006, when I started to work as a Spanish teacher by offering individual and group lessons to adults at different levels in several language centers. My passion to teach Spanish to children commenced in 2009, when I started to work as a Spanish teacher at Jose Gervasio Argas Community School until 2014. Through that period, I participated in several seminars about raising children bilingually where I gained knowledge and experience in LOTE Methodology. In order to extend my interest and passion in teaching Spanish to children, in 2015 La Ventana Spanish Language School was founded in partnership with my colleague Laura Mendoza.

In 2016, I completed my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care to widen my knowledge and skills in children’s learning and development. Then I worked in several early childhood settings. Providing care and educational programmes for young children where I also included teaching Spanish language to embrace cultural diversity. In 2020, I decided to further my education by completing an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education at La Trobe University. Through my studies and work experience, I gained an insight of the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework and the important role of literacy in the early years of education, including the maintenance of the home language as an essential component of a child’s identity and sense of belonging.

“I believe that every child is a unique, competent and capable learner regardless of their specific circumstances. As an educator and Spanish teacher, my role is to create learning opportunities to extend children’s own interests and strengths and help them to reach their full potential. I also acknowledge that children learn through play, so I strive to create a fun and interactive learning environment to stimulate children’s curiosity and motivation to learn Spanish language.”

In addition to my professional vocation, as a mother of two children born in Australia, I have a strong interest in creating diverse contexts for teaching and learning where all children feel comfortable and confident to learn Spanish language and culture.

In 2021,I continue my passion of sharing my native language and culture by encouraging children to immerse themselves in their learning journey. I look forward to continuing this endeavor to celebrate the Spanish and Latin American heritage, language and culture alongside the children, their families and the wider community.

Ian Alcover

Hi everyone! Mi name is Ian Alcover. I’m 17 years old, and am in year 12 of high school in Eltham High School. I was born and lived in Rosario, Argentina for the first 11 years of my life, and have been in Australia for almost 6 years. I’ve participated in the Spanish school La Ventana, and I consider it a great place for children to learn, through games and stories, the fascinating language that is Spanish. I have completed my VCE Spanish course, and being surrounded by friends and teachers that speak my own language has made me love this language even more.
I am a swimming teacher at Watermarc in Greensborough, and I love working with children. I’ve done volunteer work at The Vine Baptist Church in the Sunday school for children. I have 2 younger sisters and a younger brother. I also love music and play guitar in a music group at Bundoora Presbyterian Church. Im very excited about being able to teach La Ventana students songs from my childhood, and pass down the messages and stories that I grew up with through music.

I hope to be a good Spanish teacher, and that this beautiful language would be preserved through the new generation. You might see me covering Laura whenever she can’t come on a Saturday. Bye!

¡Hola todos! Mi nombre es Ian Alcover. Tengo 17 años y estoy en el decimosegundo grado del bachillerato en Eltham High School. Nací y viví en Rosario, Argentina por los primeros 11 años de mi vida, y he estado en Australia por casi 6 años. He participado en la escuela de español La Ventana, y considero que es un buen lugar para que los niños aprendan con juegos e historias un lenguaje fascinante como el español. He completado el curso de VCE de español, y el estar rodeado de amigos y profesores que hablen mí mismo idioma me ha hecho amar todavía más esta lengua. Soy un profe de natación en Watermarc en Greensborough, y amo trabajar con niños. He hecho trabajo de voluntario en The Vine Baptist Church en las clases dominicales para niños. Tengo 2 hermanas y un hermano menor. También me encanta la música y toco la guitarra en un grupo musical de Bundoora Presbyterian Church. Me entusiasma mucho la idea de poder enseñarles a los estudiantes de La Ventana las canciones de mi infancia, y transmitir los mensajes y cuentos con los que crecí a través de la música.

Espero poder ser un buen profesor de español, y que esta hermosa lengua sea preservada por la nueva generación. Pude ser que me vean remplazando a Laura algún sábado en el que ella esté ocupada. ¡Chau!