PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Spanish and world language teacher Yamila Badui has been selected as the December Teacher of the Month. 

 

The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, will run for the next five months and will feature distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here. 

 

Badui has been a teacher for about 20 years, starting as an elementary school teacher while living in Puerto Rico. 

 

When she moved to the United States, she not only adapted to life in a new country but also transitioned into teaching a new age group. 

 

She chose this new path because of her love for her native language, Spanish, and culture. 

 

"Spanish opens the doors to many opportunities. The Spanish language is one of the most spoken languages globally speaking, and it's practical to learn that skill," Badui said. 

 

"It opens doors, teaching students that it is not only about the language, but it's also about building bridges across cultures." 

 

Spanish is more than just grammar and vocabulary. It is about cultural exchange and personal connection, she said. 

 

"Teaching Spanish is about sharing a piece of who I am because of that love that I have for my language. And I feel privileged to introduce this to many people. For me, it's amazing that I can be here teaching so many different kinds of students from Latin America and the United States," Badui said. 

 

"So, I feel very, very lucky and privileged. I love helping them to develop skills that will benefit them for life, whether traveling, or for work, or forming relationships in diverse communities. I love the fact that I can be a piece of that learning experience."

 

Badui strives to create a supportive classroom environment free of judgment. She understands the fear behind talking when you are not using your native language because she has lived it. She emphasized that the students learning and making mistakes is part of that process. 

 

When junior Valentina Chimarro moved to the United States three years ago, she felt alone because she didn't know English but said Badui's classroom makes her feel at home. 

 

"I feel like she helped me feeling, like, comfortable here and seeing all those people that also came here, and they were in the same kind of situation of me," Chimarro said. "I feel really comfortable and really welcome here, and she made me feel really, really happy and special too." 

 

This sentiment was echoed by Cristian Villeda, who also moved here three years ago. 

 

"[Badui's] class makes for you a new family [and] made you feel confident … So, I think it's really helpful to be here, because … they help you to feel confident in your country and new life. So, that help you to process the new change," Villeda said. 

 

Chimarro also said continuing to elevate her native language, Spanish, and learning English will provide her with more opportunities in the future because she will be bilingual. 

 

Badui highlighted how the job can be challenging and stressful as it involves managing the behaviors of many students, however, it's important for teachers to remember why they entered into this career. 

 

"I think that when you are happy in what you do, you are not working; you are living. And this is my life. I am a teacher because I love what I do," Badui said. 

 

"I love the fact that I can change people's perspectives and lives, and I can help them be better person because of what I do, and I take that very seriously. It's my life; it's what I love to do." 

 

Students commented on Badui's engaging and interactive teaching style noting how it is fun and helps them learn. 

 

"I'm not a native Spanish speaker, but since having Mrs. Badui it's gotten a lot better and I've been more comfortable with speaking it," senior Riya Patel said 

 

She also demonstrated how Badui, being a native Spanish speaker, has been helpful. 

 

Unlike other Spanish classrooms where the class is taught in English and the assignments are taught in Spanish, Badui encourages her students to speak and fully immerse themselves in the language, Patel said. 

 

"I think she's a phenomenal teacher. She has humor, she's very friendly, her activities are all qualities that a teacher needs and I think she has these qualities, and I think she definitely deserves teacher of the month," freshman John Stevenson said. 

 

Interim Principal Angela Johansen commented on Badui's ability to immerse her students in the Spanish language and culture and include families and the community in the student's learning. 

 

"Spanish is her native language, and it's apparent in her lessons that she immerses students in authentic learning and cultural experiences," she said. 

 

"Baduí goes out of her way to connect with her students, families, and the community, making her an invaluable part of our school, particularly with families whose home language is not English. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to inspire others truly set her apart."

 

Last year, Badui started the Fiesta de Taconic event as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Johansen said. 

 

The event featured Spanish music, dancing, and food, which Badui and her students prepared. 

 

"We had a lot of parents and siblings come, and this year it was even bigger. We do need to find a new location for next year as it was very popular," Johansen said. 

 

Freshman Louis Daunais said he did not do well in his Spanish class when he took it with a different teacher last year in eighth grade, but Badui's hands-on teaching has helped him learn the language this year. 

 

These remarks were echoed by freshman Ashleigh Timoney, who said she didn't learn much when she took Spanish in eighth grade because the teacher was not a native Spanish speaker. 

 

"I think we all get along, and it's all just like we're all friends, so it's fun. [Having this atmosphere in the classroom is important] because you're not embarrassed to say something," Timoney said. 

 

"You can speak out loud without the worry of anyone judging you or making you embarrassed. I might want to take Spanish again, because of how fun she makes it and how much she makes me want to learn it."