The MVSD is pleased to announce that Michaela Query has been selected to serve as the Methow Valley Elementary Spanish teacher and district-wide English Language Learner (ELL) Coordinator.
Michaela served as a special education teacher with Methow Valley Schools during the 20-21 school year. In the words of MVE Principal Paul Gutzler, “Michaela possesses the unique combination of teaching experience in an IB school, Spanish language skills, appreciation for other cultures, and experience designing and implementing interventions to make her the perfect candidate for this position. Additionally, we are super excited to be offering Spanish language instruction to all students at Methow Valley Elementary, including Kindergarteners.”
Prior to living in the Methow this past year, Michaela spent three years teaching English abroad in Doha, Qatar where she was fortunate to live and work with families from a variety of backgrounds and countries – Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Croatia, Macedonia, China, and Switzerland – just to name a few. During their time spent living and working abroad, Micheala and her family were able to travel to several countries and experience the rich culture of each place first-hand. When asked to identify a highlight associated with time spent abroad, Michaela noted that one of their family’s biggest highlights of living and traveling abroad was completing 28 days on the Camino de Santiago del Norte trail in Spain.
Michaela first heard Spanish spoken by her grandmother as a young child and it opened her mind to an amazing new world. While she did not actively learn the language until her semester abroad in Argentina, it opened her heart and mind to understanding how culture and language can provide some valuable and rich life experiences. In her own words Michaela shared, “Creating a safe, fun and supportive environment for kids to find the magic in learning another language and culture is exciting!”
When Michaela is not teaching in the classroom, you can find her on the trails, trying out new recipes, connecting with people or organizing playdates for her children. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages (Spanish) with a focus on Secondary Education from Metropolitan State College of Denver, and a K-8 Special Education Master’s Degree from the University of Washington-Tacoma.
As for this place, Michaela stated, “Being a part of the LBHS and MVE team in the year of Covid has taught me just how important community is. The Methow Valley School District is a pivotal part of this special place that I have been honored to be a part of this year.”
Please join us as we congratulate Michaela Query, MVE Spanish Instructor and MVSD ELL Coordinator!