Elementary World Languages

Mrs. Tavares teaches Portuguese at Congdon Elementary School, Devalles Elementary School, Taylor Elementary School, Pacheco Elementary School, and Winslow Elementary School.

Born and raised in Espinho, a small coastal town in mainland Portugal, Mrs. Tavares grew up in a family of educators and developed a deep passion for teaching at an early age. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Portugal’s public schools for over ten years before moving to the United States.

Mrs. Tavares has taught Portuguese as a second language in the United States for the past 14 years. She is dedicated to helping students develop not only language proficiency, but also cultural understanding and global awareness. Her classroom emphasizes communication, meaningful connections, and an appreciation for the diverse cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world.

Outside of school, Mrs. Tavares enjoys traveling and returns to Portugal each year to remain connected to her heritage and bring authentic cultural experiences back to her students.

Email: ertavares@newbedfordschools.org

Ms. Cantagallo teaches Potuguese at Rodman, Hathaway, Brooks, Swift, Campbell, and Ashley school.

Scheila M. Cantagallo was born in Brazil and has been an educator for over 18 years. In 2024, she moved to the United States, bringing with her a strong passion for language, culture, and education. She currently teaches at Rodman, Hathaway, Brooks, Swift, Campbell, and Ashley schools, where she is committed to creating a welcoming and engaging learning environment in which students feel valued and inspired. Mrs. Cantagallo believes that education has the power to transform lives and that learning a new language opens doors to new cultures, perspectives, and opportunities.

Email: scantagallo@newbedfordschools.org

José Medina is a dedicated World Language Teacher who believes language learning opens the door to culture, connection, and character formation. With a passion for meaningful instruction, he creates engaging lessons that help students not only develop linguistic skills but also grow in critical thinking and global awareness. Helping students see learning as more than academics, but as preparation for life. He is committed to fostering a classroom environment rooted in respect, curiosity, and excellence, where every student feels challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.

Mr. Medina teaches Spanish as a World Language at Lincoln Elementary and Hayden McFadden Elementary.

Ms. Natalia Gioni teaches Spanish at Gomes Elementary and Carney Academy. Ms. Gioni was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the United States with her family back in 1990. She finished her high school years at Bishop Stang and obtained her bachelor’s degree at UMass Dartmouth. Ms. Gioni has taught Spanish as a second language in Virginia, Louisiana and Massachusetts. She has been teaching in the state of MA since 2005 and began working for NBPS in 2019 as a Dual Language Spanish First Grade teacher. Teaching Spanish at the elementary level is a passion of hers and she loves creating engaging, joyful learning experiences that help students build confidence in communication while developing an appreciation for language and culture. Ms. Gioni looks forward to supporting her students as they grow linguistically and culturally in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.