2025 World Languages Conference

Ustaaza "Caroline" Sibley began her Arabic language learning at UNC Chapel Hill as an Arabic and French major. Completing her master’s in teaching Arabic as a Second Language at the University of Michigan, she then jumped into the fascinating world of Dual Language Immersion programs for Arabic, where she taught both Elementary and High School.  She currently serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor of Arabic at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Through her teaching, she aims to create inclusive and engaging environments for students to explore Arabic language and cultures – to grow their worlds by expanding their abilities to connect with other in multiple languages. She also serves as the coordinator for the North Carolina Arabic Teacher Council supporting K-16 Arabic language programming.

During her undergraduate studies at SUNY Geneseo, Ann-Margaret Recio was encouraged to participate in a summer study abroad program in Cuernavaca, México. This experience had a profound impact on her and ultimately changed the course of her career path. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology, Anthropology and Spanish, she decided to pursue a Master’s of Arts in teaching ESL and Spanish at New York University. In her classroom, students learn to speak and understand Spanish because they are active and involved learners. She strives to create an engaging learning environment where her students are motivated to enhance their communicative skills and feel comfortable taking risks. Her students are then provided with real and practical opportunities to apply their language skills. For example, each year her fourth graders are tasked with interviewing a native Spanish-speaking guest while her fifth graders participate in a video message exchange with students from Perú.

Dr. Diana García began her foreign language learning journey at the University of Puerto Rico where she earned her undergraduate degree in French. She obtained her Master’s Degree in French Studies from Georgia State University and her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from UNC Chapel Hill. Through her teaching, she aims to create a positive and engaging environment in which students can feel empowered while learning a second language. She currently teaches Advanced Spanish classes at the Upper School level at Westchester Country Day School in High Point, NC.  

Dr. Flores Tochihuitl is a fourth-generation educator. Dr. T, as many know her, is a seminary graduate, a veteran, and chaplain. She has experience teaching language, religious studies, humanities, philosophy, and psychology on multiple education levels within the United States and México. Dr. T is the founder of Tochi Bueno Productions which engages in uplifting and uniting people through its multicultural efforts via the arts. She and her band inspire through a unique blend of spoken word, storytelling, and song. Thus, Dr. T delivers information in brain compatible ways, such as the incorporation of music, stories/poetry, mnemonic devices, and movement related to the content. Music is a regular element; it energizes and calms. Stories and spoken word pieces transport listeners and transmit information in memorable ways, painting a picture and organizing ideas fluidly.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Jady Arriaga is an instructional technology specialist, world language educator, and e-learning developer with over 25 years of experience teaching in both Colombia and the United States. As the Upper School World Language Department Chair at Cannon School in Concord, NC, she leads initiatives on proficiency-based learning, intercultural competence, and technology integration. Dr. Arriaga holds a Doctorate in Educational Technology and a Master’s in Applied Linguistics. Beyond the K-12 setting, she has served as a college adjunct professor and mentor to educators, supporting professional growth and innovative teaching practices. A passionate advocate for connecting language learning with real-world applications, she designs learning experiences that engage students of all ages in meaningful, culturally responsive, and technology-enhanced instruction.

Erica Armas was born and raised in New York City and received her Bachelor’s degree in American Literature with a minor in Media from CUNY Hunter College. She moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2010, and received her North Carolina teaching license through Teach Charlotte in 2014. She is currently teaching Spanish at Trinity Episcopal School and is pursuing her Master’s degree from UNC Charlotte in Curriculum and Instruction. She loves being a Middle School Spanish teacher and is always looking for effective and innovative ways to teach language. She is currently taking a course called Advanced Methods for Foreign Languages, and is learning a lot about the importance of mentorship, advocating for languages at school, and best practices. 

Erin Bolden was first introduced to hearing other languages with her father at a young age. A professor of German for over 40 years at Wake Forest University, he was instrumental in showing her the value of learning another language and gaining knowledge of different cultures first hand. Graduating with a French major from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Erin was then introduced to the Master Teaching Fellows program at Wake Forest through Dr. Mary Lynn Redmond, who would then become one of her greatest mentors. The MTF program was geared towards showing students with a particular specialty  how to teach their subject matter to K-12 students. From the moment she was working with younger students in the program, her passion for teaching French to younger children was born! After two years of teaching French at the Newman School in New Orleans, LA, Erin landed at Providence Day School in 2000. In her tenure at Providence Day, she has taught TK-5th grade students French, as well as chaperoned many trips with Middle and Upper School students. She also earned her Global Educator’s Certificate by studying Hebrew and taking part in a study tour to Israel. Although the Lower School World Language program has changed during her 24 years at the school, her commitment to being a life-long learner and honing her craft remains steadfast. 

Born on a wheat farm in Eastern Washington, Lindsey Morse was introduced to Latin during her sophomore year in college and it was love at first declension. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Civilization with a Minor in Theater Arts from Gonzaga University, a Master’s Degree in Classical Studies from Tulane University, and a second Master’s Degree in Latin from Indiana University. This is her 17th year of teaching Middle School Latin and, despite the daily absurdity that is Middle School, she couldn’t imagine doing anything else in life. In her classes at Trinity Episcopal School in Charlotte, she combines her interests in pop culture, game theory, and silly mnemonic devices to motivate and encourage students to love the language as much as she does. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys rolling dice to battle monsters with math, catching up on the latest from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and snuggling with her dog Bowie.

Maureen Morales was born in Bogota, Colombia, but moved to Pennsylvania when she was five years old to live close to her mother's parents. Traveling annually to Colombia during childhood fostered a love for both the language and culture of Latin America. The opportunity to travel abroad during high school only solidified her interest in learning more Spanish and about the culture. Maureen received her bachelor's degree in Spanish Studies with a concentration in Latin America from the University of Delaware. She had the privilege to work as a teaching assistant at UD while studying for her master's degree in Latin America literature. Maureen was an adjunct professor of Spanish at College- Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield for five years. She transitioned to teaching elementary and middle level Spanish at The O'Neal School in Southern Pines, NC eight years ago. At The O'Neal School, Maureen has taught Spanish for 4th graders to Spanish 5. She tries a variety of activities to keep students engaged in the classroom, ranging from games, music, dance, interactive online resources to tv shows. In her free time, Maureen enjoys spending time with her four kids, art, traveling, and reading. 

Born and educated in Taiwan, Sabrina Huang joined Providence Day School in 2010 to establish the Lower School's Chinese program. Sabrina later taught in the Middle and Upper Schools as the program grew and continued developing the Chinese curriculum. Sabrina was an AP Chinese teacher for seven years and the Chinese Language Team Leader for five years. In 2018, she was invited to be a reviewer for the ACTFL Program Review of Hong Kong International School. In 2018 and 2019, she was a Teacher Trainer, Instructional Lead, and Co-Director for the PDS STARTALK Program. In 2020, she served as the Program & Curriculum consultant for East Voyager Academy (Chinese Immersion). In 2020, she was invited by ACTFL as a co-presenter for the NCLC Workshop "Plan Learning Progression." Between 2021 and 2023, Sabrina was a speaker at a few regional world language conferences online and on-site. 

Teresa Gabbard launched her World Language career in Lima, Peru in 1984, teaching English and developing curricula for English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Following her 1990-91 USAID scholarship in Portland, OR, she began presenting at workshops and conferences, challenging the traditional textbook approach to better serve student needs. Transitioning to the USA, she applied her curriculum design expertise to K-12 Spanish programs, passionately tailoring educational experiences from ages 3 to 80. Her career highlights include creating K-8 programs for independent schools in Cincinnati, developing a two-year intensive Spanish literature program for grades 11-12 in Northern Kentucky, and pioneering a FLES and communicative approach at Cannon School's Lower School in 2011. Her current focus integrates learning differentiation, student-centered approaches, Modern Classroom techniques, and Responsive Classroom strategies to enrich language education.   

Luis Girón is a Colombian-American bilingual educator with a B.A. in Modern Languages (English, Spanish, and French) from Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. He has also received World View Recognition from UNC Chapel Hill and was a Cultural Educator of the Year Award nominee in 2005.

A dedicated member of the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC), Luis was nominated for the 2024 FLANC Teacher of the Year (K-12) award. He has served on the FLANC Board of Directors (2022–present) and has been elected Independent School Representative for two consecutive terms. His expertise in language education has earned him the Best of FLANC Presenter award three times (2015, 2018, and 2024). 2025 WL NCAIS planning Committee member.

Currently, Luis is an Upper School Spanish Teacher at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC, where he also serves as a 10th Grade Advisor, Hispanic/Latino Affinity Group Sponsor, and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) Advisor.

Luis Girón, a passionate educator who believes that learning a language is a fascinating journey and the role of a world language teacher serves as an open door for students to explore diverse cultures, places, and people. Through the use of authentic materials, he creates meaningful, engaging and long lasting lessons that integrate both language and culture.