Meet Margarita de León Viera—a vibrant Spanish teacher from Puerto Rico now teaching in Nevada, and one of our 2024 recipients of the AATSP Conference Stipend. This past summer, she joined educators from across the country at the 106th Annual AATSP Conference in Portland, Oregon. With her sister Julimar (also a Spanish teacher!) by her side, Margarita spent four unforgettable days soaking up inspiration, learning new strategies, and celebrating her students’ accomplishments.
Here’s what a conference experience looks like—through Margarita’s eyes.
✈️ A Warm Welcome to Portland
Arriving the day before the first day of the conference, Margarita and Julimar made the most of their time exploring their surroundings in Portland. They visited some of Portland’s must-see spots, including the historic Pioneer Courthouse and Powell’s City of Books. The energy was already building!
📚 Day 1: Ideas, Movement & Meaningful Conversations
The first full day of the conference opened with a Town Hall focused on issues impacting high school Spanish teachers—something that resonated deeply with Margarita. Right away, she found herself surrounded by a community of passionate educators ready to share, listen, and collaborate.
A session on integrating dance fitness into the classroom was an absolute favorite for Margarita. As a lifelong dancer, she was thrilled to discover a way to bring her love of movement into her teaching.
The day also featured the President’s Welcome and a keynote by Dr. Stephen Krashen, who spoke on the power of self-selected reading. Margarita walked away inspired to further ignite a love of reading in her students.
🌍 Day 2: Real-World Issues and Recognition
The next day, Margarita dove into sessions on environmental topics and social justice in the Spanish-speaking world—key themes she plans to incorporate into her AP Spanish curriculum. She also attended a fascinating panel comparing bilingual education practices in the U.S. and Spain.
The day ended on a high note with the AATSP EXAMS Awards and Reception, where Margarita received recognition for her students’ success on the National Spanish Exam. “It was such a proud moment,” she shared. “Their hard work deserved this spotlight.”
🎬 Day 3: Cinema, Creativity & Classroom Strategy
July 1 was all about practical takeaways. Margarita attended sessions on everything from using films to teach culture, to the Global Seal of Biliteracy, to student-led service learning. One especially fun strategy she learned? A “Tea Party” literature activity that includes role-playing, snacks, and discussion. She can’t wait to try it out with her students—cookies and all!
💃 Day 4: Dancing, Dreaming & Looking Ahead
The final day of the conference wrapped up with sessions on gender-inclusive pedagogy and, yes—more dance! Margarita loved the movement-based teaching approach and felt reenergized to bring fresh methods into her classroom.
A standout session by Past-President Parthena Dragget closed things out with stories and strategies for meaningful learning. Margarita left filled with new ideas—including a plan to launch a medical interpreting program at her CTE school, connecting Spanish instruction with students’ future careers.
🏆 Honoring Excellence: SHH Chapter of the Year
One unforgettable highlight? Margarita’s Spanish Honor Society chapter, El Coquí, was named Chapter of the Year! Her dedication to fostering community, service, and language learning through Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH), a program of the AATSP, shined brightly.
🌟 Ready for the Next Chapter? Join Us in Panama!
Margarita’s journey shows just how powerful the AATSP Annual Conference experience can be—for professional growth, creative renewal, and genuine connection. As the 2024 stipend winner, she walked away with more than new strategies—she left with a heart full of inspiration and a vision for the future.
Follow Margarita’s lead: Join us, get inspired, and bring something unforgettable back to your students! 💫
