“I wake up every morning with joy to go to TFS to do what I love to do: teach Spanish to my extraordinary students at TFS.” This is the passionate spirit of Ms. Mónica Arbeláez, the Spanish teacher for Kindergarten through 4th grade at The Franciscan School for the past six years.

Her journey to the TFS community began thousands of miles away in Cali, Colombia. With a heart for education and a calling to serve children, she first pursued studies in Speech Therapy at Universidad del Valle, completing six semesters before shifting her focus to early childhood and elementary education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from CENDA University, laying the foundation for a career that would span continents.

Ms. Arbeláez continued her academic path in Birmingham, England, where she received her master’s degree in Drama in Education from the University of Central England. Her move to the United States brought exciting opportunities. Ms. Arbeláez pioneered the Spanish Immersion Kindergarten program at Jeffreys Grove Elementary in Wake County, helping young children become bilingual from their very first year of school. After five years in that role, she sought a sponsor to remain in the country. Through Spanish for Fun Preschool, she spent a year there before learning about an opening at TFS.

She applied, interviewed, and was soon welcomed into the TFS family as the Spanish teacher for kindergarten through fourth grade. For Ms. Arbeláez, she says, “I love everything about my job. I love not only planning engaging activities for my students but also sharing wonderful experiences with them. I enjoy seeing how they build upon the Spanish language from kindergarten to 4th grade.”

Ms. Arbeláez’s Spanish classes are built around engaging lessons that bring language to life. Each session begins with a prayer in Spanish. Over the years, she has watched students build confidence and fluency as they progress through the grades. “It is so rewarding when I review the topics I taught them before, and most of them remember many of the vocabulary and expressions. And many of them tell me Spanish is their favorite special.”

This school year, Ms. Arbeláez provided an opportunity for students to participate in Spanish masses. She shares that it was rewarding to prepare students to read in Spanish and to learn how to answer in Spanish to the priest. 

Ms. Arbeláez also enjoys sharing aspects of Hispanic culture with her students by inviting Hispanic speakers during morning prayer and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at TFS. Students have researched facts about these countries and have created artifacts from different Hispanic countries. These artifacts have been exhibited to the community for two days during the Hispanic Art Fair. Students also had the opportunity to enjoy delicious food from Hispanic countries.

As a team leader, Ms. Arbeláez supports her colleagues by encouraging collaboration and designing a Spanish curriculum that enhances students' success when they transition to high school.  

With more than 30 years of teaching experience, Ms. Arbeláez knows what it means to find joy in her vocation. But for her, TFS is more than just a workplace; it’s home. “This is the best teaching environment I’ve ever worked in,” she says. “I feel safe and supported.”