East Panhandle Times

Martinsburg High School recently hosted the Fin de Semana de Diversión e Inmersión (FISEDI) Conference, bringing together Spanish teachers from across the state to explore Spanish culture and enhance their teaching methods. The two-day event aimed to help educators reconnect and discover new ways to engage students in learning.

Elizabeth Sanchez, a teacher at Martinsburg High School and president of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Association of Spanish and Portuguese Teachers, organized the conference. FISEDI is held annually at a location chosen by the current president. Last year, Sanchez took participants to Washington, D.C., for cultural visits.

This year's theme focused on Spain, with Jesus Cerda from the Embassy of Spain among several speakers who addressed attendees. Cerda emphasized using art as a tool for language instruction, suggesting that it offers an alternative approach that can appeal more to students. "It’s about approaching language in a different way," he stated. "It makes it more appealing to some students."

Cerda's background includes teaching in both Spain and Texas, which fuels his enthusiasm for collaborating with educators globally. He expressed excitement about connecting with West Virginia teachers during this event.

The conference featured workshops where participants learned traditional dances and how to prepare Spanish dishes such as paella and churros. Approximately 28 teachers registered for this opportunity to network with peers.

Sanchez highlighted the importance of these interactions: "It makes us better teachers," she said. She noted that many Spanish teachers have not traveled abroad recently, making events like FISEDI valuable for practicing language skills with native speakers.

Looking ahead, Sanchez expressed her eagerness to continue hosting such gatherings, emphasizing collaboration among educators as key to providing quality education for students.