Otilia O’Brien

Teaching is more than a profession, it’s a calling. When I reflect on my life, I realize that I have always been in school. Learning is a lifelong journey, and I feel privileged to continue that journey every day as a teacher. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student truly understand a concept, watching them grow as individuals, and witnessing the transformations they go through each school year. I genuinely love teaching Spanish at the middle school level. Every day brings new experiences and unique challenges that keep me inspired. I believe a classroom should be a place where kindness and learning go hand in hand. Students should not only master the subject matter but also gain essential life skills, collaboration, respect, integrity, and above all, the importance of being a good person. My hope is that students leave my class with knowledge, character, and memories they’ll carry for a lifetime.

For the past 15 years, I have taught sixth and eighth grade Spanish. Sixth graders take an introductory course, while eighth graders study Spanish 1B Level 1, both designed to prepare them for future success in language learning. Students build vocabulary, understand grammar in context, and apply their knowledge through a variety of assessments and creative projects. These include weather reports, travel journals, and fashion shows. We also celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries, enriching their understanding of the language and the world. Having spent over half a century in education, all of those years at North Broward Prep—I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I love every day.