Published September 25, 2013
Story by Julie Landry
Emily Winkler (B.A. 鈥�13) chose to attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe because
she 鈥渄idn鈥檛 want to go too far鈥� from her hometown of West Monroe. Now, Winkler travels
much farther. On Sept. 12, she left for Madrid, Spain, where she will spend ten months
teaching English as a second language (ESL) at the Virgen del Rosario elementary school.
Emily Winkler stands in front of El Palacio Real de Madrid
(The Royal Palace of Madrid) after arriving in Spain.
鈥淚t means everything to me to have obtained this position,鈥� said Winkler.
鈥淢y dream is to be an ESL teacher and to do mission work in Hispanic countries, so
by getting this position, I guess you could say I have the best of both worlds.鈥�
She applied for the position through the Council for International Education Exchange,
which sends graduates all over the world to teach the English language and culture.
Winkler has traveled abroad in the past 鈥� her favorite memories as a student span
the length of a study abroad program in Merida, Mexico, with 网曝门 Spanish professor
Dr. Charles Holloway.
鈥淏eing in Mexico, living with a local family, being surrounded by the culture, was
the most amazing thing I have ever experienced in my life,鈥� she said.
Winkler鈥檚 professors found that she had an aptitude for language and culture.
鈥淓mily is a very mature and dedicated student whose love for the Spanish language
was evident in every course I had with her,鈥� said Holloway.
鈥淚 believe that her participation in the 网曝门-Mexico Program during the summer of 2012
was a tipping point in her decision to teach English abroad. During her time in Mexico,
she genuinely seemed to appreciate the language, culture, and people of that region.
She expressed regret about having to leave Mexico at the end of the program, and in
fact, she visited the area again earlier this year.鈥�
Dr. Ruth Smith, Director of the School of Humanities and Spanish professor, said,
鈥淓mily was an enthusiastic participant in our outreach program to teach Spanish to
elementary students in local city schools. She will benefit from her experiences in
Spain, especially since she ultimately wants to teach ESL to children. She is very
focused on her goals and will be a wonderful representative for the university and
the United States.鈥�
Ultimately, Winkler sees this new opportunity as a result of great preparation and
nurturing.
鈥淎ll of my Spanish professors have been so supportive and had sort of taken me under
their wings while I was a student,鈥� said Winkler.
鈥淒rs. Smith and Holloway went above and beyond the call of duty in helping me with
letters of recommendation, discussing my options about becoming an ESL teacher, and
just making sure I was given every opportunity they could offer me. I hope one day
I鈥檒l be able to help my students in a way they never expected, just as all of the
Spanish professors have done for me.鈥�
Winkler certainly intends to start toward that day during her time in Madrid. 鈥淲hile
I鈥檓 in Spain, I plan on volunteering in a foster program, working with the kids, helping
in whatever way I can, and getting involved in a local church and participating in
their outreach,鈥� she said.
After the year ends, Winkler plans to obtain her master鈥檚 degree and ESL certifications
before moving to Texas to continue teaching ESL.
鈥淭he advice I would offer to current students,鈥� she said, 鈥渨ould be not to limit yourself
in your dreams. You can go anywhere in the world and make a difference. Leaving is
scary, but know the outcome will be so worth it.
Photo of Emily Winkler courtesy
