Graduate on Path to Becoming Teacher with Online Spanish Degree

Yasmelin Gonzalez plans to be in a classroom this fall teaching Spanish to high school students with backgrounds like hers.

Gonzalez, 22, spent most of her school years in English as a Second Language classrooms where she connected with teachers who helped her when she struggled and took time to offer advice. Her experience inspired her to enroll in a Spanish education program at the University of Arkansas.

“I want to help students going through similar challenges, especially when it comes to language barriers,” she said. “At the beginning I was kind of lost. I didn’t know what to pursue so I looked at the U of A and what they had. They had a Spanish education program, and I felt like it was a perfect fit for me.”

 

Two Bachelor’s Degrees

Gonzalez walked at commencement May 10 to receive her diploma for a Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Spanish Concentration, plus she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching from the College of Education and Health Professions.

The Spanish degree is delivered online by the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and the teaching degree is offered in person on campus and includes a teaching internship in the spring semester.

Globalization and expanding migration and immigration have increased demand for Spanish-language education and training in the workforce, and one goal of the online BA in Spanish is to help U of A students fill this need. The late professor Steve Bell with Spanish faculty members Brenda Magnetti, Raquel Castro and Hilda Benton developed the online Spanish degree and launched it in the fall of 2023.

 

Ready to Teach

A graduate of De Queen High School in southwest Arkansas, Gonzalez is a first-generation college student from a Spanish-speaking family. She started at community college, earning an Associate of General Studies degree from the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain in Mena.

“Growing up, I had to learn to balance the languages,” she said.

Gonzalez finished an internship at a middle school in the Rogers School District shortly before graduating. She taught eighth-grade students.

As a child and teen, Gonzalez saw new students who felt out of place because of language barriers. She believes, as a Spanish language teacher, she and her students can relate to each other.

“This experience is what inspired me to go into education,” she said. “I feel like students would at the end of the day think, ‘See, she went through the same thing.’ Throughout this internship in middle school, I feel like I made connections … you have to be here for students because you never know what they’re going through. I feel like I’m ready.”

 

Online Courses

Gonzalez, who lives in Fayetteville, said she initially thought taking online courses would give her more free time than going to in-person classes but that was not the case. It’s important to stay focused on getting assignments done by deadlines, she said.

“If you don’t stay on task and study, it can get overwhelming,” she said. “If you’re someone who works ahead and manages time well, online classes are a good option.”

Online courses require discipline, but they also gave her flexibility to work part time, Gonzalez said.

“Be persistent and be yourself,” she said. “There will be a lot of ups and downs through your journey … make a difference and don’t give up on your goals.”

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