High School World Languages

Benjamin Muñoz Rubio is originally from Spain and relocated to the United States ten years ago. He has lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Memphis, Tennessee. It was in Memphis that he began his professional career as a Spanish teacher, where he developed a strong passion for education and language instruction.

Currently in his third year at New Bedford High School, Mr. Muñoz Rubio continues to grow professionally while remaining dedicated to supporting his students in their study of the Spanish language. He is committed to fostering an engaging and supportive classroom environment that promotes both linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding.

email: bmunozrubio@newbedfordschools.org

With over twenty years of teaching experience in Cape Verde, Ms. Semedo Tango has dedicated her career to helping students grow through language and culture. Teaching Portuguese at New Bedford High School has been one of the greatest accomplishments and most rewarding chapters of her professional journey. She is passionate about creating an engaging classroom environment where students build confidence in reading, speaking, and communicating in the target language. Witnessing her students read aloud with confidence and participate in meaningful conversations inspires her each day. She finds great fulfillment in supporting their progress and celebrating their enthusiasm for learning.

email: asemedolimatango@newbedfordschools.org

Gloria Cardoso-Santos has been teaching at New Bedford High School since 2022. She is passionate about language education and dedicated to empowering students through the learning of Portuguese. Ms. Cardoso-Santos believes that acquiring a new language opens doors to cultural understanding, academic growth, and personal confidence. Teaching is not only her profession but also her commitment to helping students succeed and expand their global perspectives.

Ms. Gonzalez Sanchez is originally from Madrid, Spain. Ms. Gonzalez Sanchez has been teaching for nineteenth years. She has taught both in secondary schools and at the University level, specializing in translation studies and linguistics. She is currently part of the Visiting Teachers Program in the United States. Ms. Gonzalez Sanchez has previously taught in Louisiana for three years.

Courtney Hill is a proud graduate of New Bedford High School, where her love for the Spanish language first began. After high school, she continued her studies and, during her junior year of college, studied abroad at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, further strengthening her fluency and deepening her appreciation for Hispanic culture. She earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in Spanish with a minor in Education. She later received her master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Now in her 14th year teaching Spanish, Mrs. Hill brings passion, energy, and cultural appreciation into her classroom each day. She is deeply committed to helping students not only learn the language but also connect with the rich traditions and perspectives of Spanish-speaking cultures. It is both an honor and a source of great pride for her to teach at her alma mater…once a Whaler, always a Whaler!

Ginamarie Alvelo is originally from Puerto Rico. Eleven years ago, she moved to the United States in search of new professional and personal opportunities. Although she earned her degree in Criminal Justice in Puerto Rico, upon completing her studies she discovered that her true calling was in education. It was then that her passion for teaching began, especially for sharing her native language, Spanish. For the past nine years, Ms. Alvelo has been part of the New Bedford Public Schools. During this time, she worked for five years as a paraeducator in an integrated classroom, one year as a Family Engagement Specialist, one year as an Elementary Spanish teacher and is currently serving as a Spanish teacher at NBHS. Throughout this journey, she has confirmed that her greatest motivation is supporting her students’ learning and growth. Being a teacher is not only her profession, but also her vocation. For this reason, she continues to prepare herself and grow professionally, committed to always giving her best and contributing positively to the academic and personal development of each student.

Ms. Castro was born and raised in Ecuador, a country rich in culture, traditions, and diversity that continues to inspire her teaching every day. Her journey in education began there, where she taught middle school for 11 years. During that time, she also had the honor of serving as the principal of her school for 6 years. Those experiences shaped her not only as an educator, but as a leader who believes deeply in the power of education to transform lives. When she moved to the United States, she knew she wanted to continue doing what she loves most, teaching. Ms. Castro earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. That accomplishment reflects her commitment to lifelong learning and to modeling perseverance and excellence for our students. Teaching is more than a profession for Ms. Castro; it is her passion. She loves sharing language and culture in ways that help students see the world from new perspectives. She believes that every student has incredible potential, and is dedicated to supporting them not only academically, but also in their personal growth. Ms. Castro’s goal is to help each student build confidence, develop strong skills, and prepare to become thoughtful, successful professionals in the future.

Noemi G. Del Cid has over 27 years of experience in education, including 20 years at New Bedford High School, and is a dedicated Spanish teacher committed to fostering language learning and cultural understanding. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she arrived in the United States without knowing English. This experience as an English learner has given her a deep appreciation for the challenges students face when learning a new language. She is passionate about teaching Spanish and sharing Hispanic culture, while also valuing the opportunity to learn from her students as they share their own diverse traditions and experiences.

Ivanis Morales was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts at the age of ten. Growing up in a new environment helped shape her perspective and later inspired her passion for education and language. She graduated from New Bedford High School and continued her education at Bridgewater State University. In 2020, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History. After completing her undergraduate studies, she pursued a career in education and went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Education in 2023. Ivanis Morales has been a teacher for five years and currently teaches Spanish at New Bedford High School, the same school she once attended as a student. Teaching at her alma mater is especially meaningful to her because it allows her to give back to the community that played an important role in her academic journey. As an educator, Morales is passionate about helping students develop their language skills while encouraging an appreciation for different cultures. She strives to inspire her students to become confident learners and to recognize the value of bilingualism and cultural understanding.

Sónia Pires Lopes has been teaching Portuguese at New Bedford High School since 2013 and she is also a proud NBHS graduate. She double majored in Portuguese and Political Science at UMass Dartmouth, where she also attained her teaching certification, as well as a MA in Portuguese Studies. Her last year of college, Sónia studied abroad in Lisbon, Portugal, strengthening her passion for the language and its rich culture. She brings a global perspective into the classroom, helping students develop meaningful communication skills while exploring the cultures and traditions of the Portuguese-speaking world. Sónia enjoys teaching Portuguese and supporting students as they grow in their language skills while also connecting with their heritage.