Hello! My name is Ms. De Avila, and I work with third, fourth, and fifth grade English Language Learners at Saint Paul Music Academy. This is my tenth year as an ELL teacher in St. Paul, and I'm excited for the 2011-2012 school year. I love my job, and really enjoy seeing all of my students grow and learn with me everyday!

I was born and raised in Minnesota, but I have worked and traveled around the world. Before I became a teacher, I earned a degree from the University of Minnesota in International Relations. For seven years, I worked for an organization that helped immigrants in Minnesota. This experience led me to become an English as a Second Language teacher.

I know what it is like to learn, speak, and live in a second language, and I hope that my personal experience makes me a better teacher of English Language Learners. I started studying Spanish in middle school, and continued to study Spanish all the way through college. Sometimes I get to use Spanish at school, but even more importantly, I use it every day when I go home to my husband from Mexico and our bilingual son.

In addition to teaching, I spend the last half hour of my work day in the cafeteria with students who get picked up rather than taking the bus or walking. I like the opportunity to spend time with students outside the classroom, and enjoy getting to know the important adults in their lives who come to take them home!