World Language

 

I would like the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Talitha Fain.  I am an elementary school teacher of twenty seven years. A large part of my career focused on teaching Spanish.  I studied elementary and special education at Florida International University.  I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Monmouth University. I have taught elementary school, middle school, high school in New York, North Carolina and New Jersey. In addition I taught adult ESL and Hebrew.

I am Cuban American and have a strong passion for teaching Spanish as well as Latin culture.  In the late 1990’s, I designed and implemented one of the first elementary school programs at that time.  It was a huge success. I am excited to bring that experience to our school and immerse the students in studying Spanish in a creative and authentic way.  I am dedicated to finding unique and innovative ways to teach my students.  

On a personal note I am a dedicated aunt to three wonderful nieces and two nephews. In my spare time I play tennis, read, dance and travel. I am eager to begin teaching at Mendham Township Elementary School.  It is going to be a fabulous year! 

The curriculum focuses on the following units of study: All About Me, Greetings, School and Classroom, Home and Family, Animals and Food and lastly Colors. Cultural content is embedded within the units.

Vocabulary is taught in context.  Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grades focus on listening skills as they are exposed to a new language. Second, third and fourth grades focus on pre-reading and reading skills.  The students will learn songs and rhymes to practice their Spanish.  They will play games and the lesson activities will be mostly in Spanish.  Within a lesson I include circle time, story time and art time.

Students will be practicing conversations with partners and whole groups as well as learning through role play situations.  Students will participate in interactive Smart Board activities, conduct webquests using technology and working hands on within a group on a project. 

I am very excited to be teaching your child this year.  It is going to be a wonderful experience for your child as he or she acquires a new language.