McPherson mentors language with culture

Vibrant colors, geometric shapes, and careful strokes all weave together on postcards to form replicas of artists like Frida Kahlo, Joan Miró, and Diego Rivera. Spanish teacher Cruz Alfaro McPherson watches her students draw with pride and content. This is exactly what she had hoped for – a lesson of linguistics taught with culture.

McPherson grew up in the U.S. with contrasting languages and traditions. Her first language is Spanish, her second is English. While her parents retained their Mexican customs, McPherson grew up in a country steeping with countless others. 

“[My] parents came from Mexico and I learned about [my] culture even though I was born [in the U.S.],” McPherson said. “In blending cultures, I realized the importance of not only learning the language but the [traditions].”

In Latin America, different Spanish-speaking countries have minor but significant differences.. These Spanish vocabulary differences between Latin American countries are essential lessons that McPherson teaches. For her, understanding culture and history is a must if someone wants to completely comprehend a country’s dialect. This is the foundation for McPherson’s philosophy when it comes to education

“Each Spanish-speaking country is very unique,” McPherson says. “You need to understand the culture [and] history to understand the language [because they’re all different]. South American countries have a lot of influence [from Spain], but for Mexico and Central America, [the words are influenced by] the Aztecs and Mayans. So there are different words based [on each culture].”

Compounded by the love for traditions and sharing, major Latin American holidays and art are an integral part of McPherson’s Spanish classes. Presentations and lectures about famous Latin American artists and traditions are intended to hone pronunciation, articulation, and comprehension. 

“It’s [about] understanding,” McPherson said. “It’s getting to know a country – not only how to speak [its language] but how to understand their customs, idiomatic expressions, and [know its] people.” 

True to her passion for cultivating knowledge, McPherson learns about her students through their culture. She believes that education is an eternal road, that it is a constant cycle of giving and receiving knowledge. McPherson teaches her students Spanish through Latin American culture, and she learns from them – their values and identity – through their own culture.  This perpetual cycle of give-and-take is what allows her to connect with them.

“[The rotation of teaching with culture and learning from said culture is] a sharing,” McPherson said. “Because everyone has a different story.”