Kaza majored in Hispanic Studies with a minor in Theatre at the Virginia Wesleyan University: Batten Honors College.
Immediately after graduation, Kaza began her Masters of Arts in Education at Virginia Wesleyan University; she plans to graduate with her Masters degree in May 2026 and then go teach!
Some Fun Facts About Kaza
- Theme Song: Para Celebrar - Sergio George's Salsa Giants
- Happy Place: Any National Park
- Favorite Word in Another Language: Peregrino is a way to say 'traveler/wanderer' or 'being full of adventure' in Spanish
- Study Abroad: Tarragona, Spain (Universitat Rovira i Virgili) & Mayagüez, Puerto Rico (Recinto Universitario Mayagüez)
- Favorite Phrase*: Language connects hearts and cultures
What are you most excited about when you think of your future classroom?
When I envision my future classroom, I think of a celebration of culture, shared experiences, and identities. I am excited to make learning Spanish a fun experience for all my students, including those who are taking my class just for a graduation requirement. Who knows, they might end up loving it, like I did! It is exciting for me to think about students at the beginning of their Spanish language learning journey and how I get to be a part of that process, helping them grow as Spanish learners.
What advice or message would you like to share with fellow future language educators?
As a non-native speaker of a language, the idea of teaching it can be intimidating. It's easy to fall into impostor syndrome and to tell yourself that you are not capable, but you ARE! It is challenging to learn a language and reach a point where you can teach it to others. Give yourself grace, celebrate little wins, and know that it is okay to not be perfect in your second language. Share your love of learning languages with others, and your students will see the power of language as a tool for spreading inclusivity through you.
What has been the impact of the Teacher Scholarship Program on your experience becoming a language teacher?
The Teacher Scholarship Program has supported me throughout my language learning and teaching journey. Since I earned the scholarship in my senior year of high school, this program has helped me reaffirm each year why I want to be a language educator, whether through guidance on my senior capstone research or with peers who share similar language interests. Language educators play a crucial role in ensuring that diverse perspectives and identities are still taught in schools, despite growing political uncertainty. Through the Teacher Scholarship Program, I feel motivated now more than ever to enter my classroom and help my future students develop a sense of global competence and language skills. By equipping young people with the ability to communicate in another language, we empower them to become compassionate and culturally responsive change-makers.
You’re invited!
- Explore the Teacher Scholarship Program and refer aspiring teachers in your network.
- Hear reflections from Kaza and fellow graduates in a short video!
- Share your #LanguageDream on social media @LangConnectsFdn.