Jeremy Ruegg received his M.A. in Spanish from SLU in 2018. After graduating, he joined Teach for America and currently teaches high school Spanish in St. Louis.
Q&A
How long were you in the program?
Three years
What have you been doing since receiving your M.A. from SLU?
- Long-term substitute of Spanish 1, 2 and Spanish for Heritage Speakers
- Substitute for English language learners
- Spanish 1 adjunct at St. Louis Community College-Meramec
What is the title and description of your current position?
2019 Teach For America Corps Member at Vashon High School teaching Spanish 1 and 2.
In what ways did the SLU M.A. prepare you for what you do today?
- Improving Spanish skills
- Learning second language acquisition theory
- Teaching experience as an instructor
- Increased resilience
What are some highlights of your time at SLU?
- Studied at SLU Madrid for one semester
- Cultural opportunities to further my academic interests
- Book presentations by current important Spanish writers
- Interviewed writer(s) to work on academic papers
- Plays ranging from classics to movie adaptations to performance art
- Speaking only Spanish every day
What are your career or academic interests?
- High school Spanish teacher
- Second language acquisition
- 20th Century Latin American and Peninsular literature (novel, short story, and theater)
What does a typical day look like?
- Lesson planning, instruction, grading
- Building relationships with students and their families
- Supporting students’ individual needs teaching at comprehensive school in a low-income community
What do you consider the most essential skills for your career?
- Relationship Building
- Resilience/Persistence
- Problem Solving/Identifying Different Perspectives
- Classroom Management
- Knowledge of Second Language Acquisition Theory
- Curriculum Planning and Design