Interview with Mrs. Rhonda Fischer (Secondary/Elementary Spanish & Secondary English Teacher)
Conducted by Cadence Beatty (Class of 2028)
Today, we continue our spotlight series produced in OCS's Journalism & Yearbook independent study with an in-depth interview with Spanish/English teacher Mrs. Rhonda Fischer.
Thank you to Mrs. Fischer for giving such thoughtful and in-depth answers to our questions, and to sophomore student journalist Cadence Beatty for her exceptional effort in producing this interview!
1. Why did you decide to study and teach Spanish and English?
When I went back to school after having my babies, I was planning to teach English and History. One of the teaching requirements was three semesters of a world language, and I chose Spanish because it is so practical.
The professor in my first semester was phenomenal. The class was fun and interactive; watching her, I thought, “I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life.” Driving from Kalkaska to GVSU in Allendale to get the Spanish degree was rough, but I knew it would be worth it. I absolutely love my job!
2. Have you ever been to a Spanish-speaking country? If so, what was the experience like for you?
I spent two weeks in Peru before learning Spanish. Since learning Spanish, I’ve been to Costa Rica three times and Mexico once on service/mission trips. I’ve also been able to spend several months in Spain, hiking two routes of El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. In 2022, I hiked El Camino Primitivo; and in 2025 I got to hike El Camino Frances with my youngest daughter! Each trip was a completely different, amazing experience. Once taxi drivers find out you speak their language, they will share all the helpful insider tips!
3. What was it like to study Spanish in college?
As a non-traditional student, the biggest challenges were the commute and balancing the workload of a full-time student with four kids at home. It was interesting and sometimes amusing to be older than some of my professors.
4. How does teaching Spanish shape how you teach English?
I may point out things that may help them in Spanish. 🙂
5. What is your favorite thing about teaching?
I know this may sound cliché, but it really is “who I share my classroom with”! The crazy workload makes me dread the beginning of school in the fall… UNTIL I get to see “my kids”. I love seeing them and getting to catch up at the beginning of the school year. They are what keeps me energized and loving my job.
6. What techniques have you found work best to help students learn Spanish as non-Spanish speakers?
Ooh, where do I start? I’m a total nerd when it comes to helping students learn!
1) Stories. Stories help all of us remember, and students are acquiring the language naturally as they listen to, read, and tell stories.
2) Change. I try to keep class interesting with different kinds of activities - from skits to finger puppets to drawing illustrations.
3) Culture. Language and culture are intertwined, so we talk a lot about the culture while we’re learning the language. It helps us see citizens of other countries as real people and gives us a broader perspective of how we view our world.
4) Have fun.
7. If you were given the opportunity right now to go on vacation to any country for a week completely free, where would you go?
Dude, this is a hard one. I think, if it’s a week, I would go to Puerto Rico. I know it's a U.S. Territory, but it’s a beautiful island.
8. How often do you like to have your students do a whole group activity?
Every day!
9. Is there a specific Spanish culture that you like to have your students study in class?
I probably talk about Spain and Costa Rica the most, since I have the most lived experience there. In Spanish I, we learn a lot about Cuba and its history as background to our class novel. In Spanish II, we study Guernica and the Spanish Civil War as backdrop to another novel.
¡Muchas gracias, Sra. Fischer!