Caroline Tipton to Serve as K-12 Spanish Teacher at SFLS
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to announce that Mrs. Caroline Tipton will serve as our K-12 Spanish teacher beginning in the fall of 2020.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in English/journalism and secondary education certification from the University of Sioux Falls, Mrs. Tipton pursued a Spanish teaching degree and coaching endorsement from Augustana University. She has an eclectic array of experience with the Spanish language, to include serving as an English instructor for the USF Bridges ESL Program, a Spanish interpreter at All Nations Interpreters, a community education Spanish instructor and long-term substitute teacher (Spanish I through AP Spanish) with the Sioux Falls School District, an ELS language instructor at Augustana University, a corporate Spanish and ESL instructor at Southeast Tech, a middle school coordinator for the Collision program, and more.
In addition to serving the community with her passion for Spanish, Mrs. Tipton volunteers with a variety of organizations in Sioux Falls, including LifeLight Ministry/Youth Center, Central Downtown Church, First Priority/Collision, and First Baptist Church/One Youth Ministry.
Check out the Q&A below to learn more about Mrs. Tipton and her passion for Spanish education.
What led you to pursue a Spanish teaching degree?
I've had a fascination with language, and with learning about other cultures, since college, when I first began to do volunteer work with the immigrant population of Sioux Falls. My experience in working with Hispanics, and other ethnic groups, while working at Lutheran Social Services, was especially rewarding, and further piqued my interest in pursuing a Spanish degree. In addition to earning a Spanish degree at Augustana, I also attended Our Lady de Guadalupe church, which, at the time, was the only church whose services were in Spanish. These experiences, along with relationships forged with many “Hispanohablantes” (native Spanish speakers), improved my fluency and understanding of their extraordinary culture, while allowing me to further use this skill as a Spanish and ESL teacher, Spanish interpreter and mentor/job coach to many Hispanics.
Tell me a little bit about your teaching style.
Two of my passions include helping youth find their God-given potential, and teaching them skills necessary for success in life. These desires inspire me to incorporate a teaching style which helps instill confidence in each student, while they accomplish important academic, spiritual, and relational goals. Every lesson I plan has consistently been motivated by my sincere interest in each student, as I guide them to achieve exceptional language objectives.
How do you hope to incorporate your previous professional experiences into K-12 Spanish classes?
I have had the amazing privilege of teaching Spanish to all ages and levels of language learners. My experiences range from teaching Spanish to elementary-aged children during summer language camps, teaching Level I through AP Spanish to middle school and high school students, teaching conversational Spanish to adults in Community Education classes, and teaching corporate Spanish classes to management teams representing several construction companies in Sioux Falls. This teaching background has instilled in me an understanding of what it takes to teach language to students from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. In addition, my involvement in being a Spanish interpreter, and also a job coach and mentor for Hispanics, has provided me with other “real life” experiences, which are valuable in teaching students how they too can use their Spanish ability in choosing or enhancing their career choices, and/or in making a positive difference in our community.
What excites you most about integrating your faith into the classroom?
My Christian faith is an integral part of my life, and it will be an honor to be able to express this more openly at a private Christian school like SFLS. I have taught Spanish in other Christian schools, and I had the students work individually and in groups to learn scripture verses, prayers and Christian songs in Spanish. I plan to continue this practice, since not only were the students gaining fluency in the Spanish language, but they were also maturing in their walk with the Lord. Daily exposure to Biblical lessons reinforces the moral development of growing children. Additionally, students need steady leadership from trusted adults, and I accept this worthy challenge, as a Christian Spanish teacher at SFLS. Also, I would involve the students in outeaches which would not only improve their Spanish speaking and writing ability, but would also provide them with valuable ministry experience in the Sioux Empire. Moreover, praying for my students has always been a priority, and in a school such as SFLS, I can share with them in Spanish the importance of praying for each other. I look forward to learning about even more ways I can incorporate my Christian faith in each Spanish class I teach.
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
At Sioux Falls Lutheran School, our mission is to develop capable, Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, we are committed to partnering with parents and the church to raise lifelong learners who use their gifts and the fruits of the Spirit, in faith, to touch a troubled world with God’s grace.