Gateway High School teachers Natalie Puhala and Jaclyn Browning make it a priority to advocate for and expand the Monroeville school’s world languages department.

Puhala has been involved with the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association since 2007. Last November, she was the co-chair for the PSMLA conference, which was held at Fallingwater and Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

The annual conference is an event for like-minded people to network and share ideas regarding world languages education. Sessions were held on timely topics, such as social-emotional learning, communicative instructive and technology.

“It’s so important for teachers to stay active and current in their field, so I am honored to work with PSMLA to provide professional development statewide,” Puhala said.

Back in the classroom, in addition to traditional Spanish classes, Gateway offers a “Spanish in the Elementary Schools” program or SPIES, which is in its fifth year.

Students who complete Spanish III has the option to continue with Spanish IV and V, which offer College in High School credits, or they can participate in the SPIES program.

“Students in SPIES courses put their Spanish skills to real-life use in our community by going out into the elementary schools to teach weekly lessons,” said Puhala, who has her master’s degree in education with a concentration on foreign languages.

Puhala attributes the beginning of SPIES to Jennifer Hoffner, University Park Elementary principal, who invited the Spanish class to conduct lessons at the school. Students began going to University Park once a week. Courses changed with the pandemic, when the high schoolers taught virtually.

According to Puhala, upperclassmen become student teachers who design and teach their own lessons.

“The students are then assigned to classrooms of elementary teachers, who graciously volunteer to host them,” Puhala said.

Elise Blash volunteered for SPIES for two years. The senior enjoyed working with younger children and plans to attend college for elementary education.

“I think there needs to be a lot more language taught in elementary schools,” Blash said.

“I appreciate this program because it gets the students started early with learning another language,” said Browning, who – as a teacher and Elise’s mother – sees the positive aspects from both sides.

Students are currently in 15 first- and second-grade classrooms each week at University Park, Dr. Cleveland Student Jr. and Ramsey elementary schools.

Junior Ava Cecere said the elementary students really enjoy the classes.

“It gives them a break in the day,” Cecere said. “It also helps me pick up the language in the real world.”

Senior Noah Colberg began SPIES at the beginning of last year and teaches second grade.

“It’s different than other classes,” Colberg said. “It’s fun and I get to review the basics of Spanish.”

Senior Diego Valentin is originally from Puerto Rico, so Spanish is his first language.

“He has been a huge asset to the SPIES program,” Puhala said.

Gateway grad Jordan Caliari said she has “always loved being in a learning environment. When Mrs. Puhala gave me the opportunity to be a part of SPIES, it was an offer I jumped on.”

Caliari, who is majoring in history education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said the program validated her decision to go into teaching.

“I looked forward to the days that I would be going to the elementary schools. Knowing that I was making a difference in the kids’ education was something that excited me.” Caliari said.

Alumna Addi Comunale, a sophomore at PennWest California, always knew she wanted to go into education.

“Going into the classrooms gave me something exceptional to look forward to every week, and seeing the joy in the kids as they learned Spanish was such an amazing feeling,” Comunale said.

She is in the Rutledge Institute Program on a full scholarship for early education program.

“Not only did SPIES help solidify my love for teaching, but it also helped me achieve this amazing scholarship,” Comunale said.

“SPIES offers the true advantage of starting early, when young minds are best wired for learning a language,” Puhala said.

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