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Five student teachers from Chile complete 20-week immersion practicums in Minnetonka
Summary
Minnetonka hosted five student teachers from the University of Concepción, Chile, who lived with host families and worked in Spanish immersion classrooms through a University of Saint Thomas partnership.
Minnetonka Public Schools showcased five student teachers from Concepción, Chile, during its May 29 meeting, describing a relaunch of an exchange partnership that places Chilean student teachers in the district's Spanish immersion classrooms.
"These wonderful educators are the second group to visit Minnetonka Schools since we relaunched the program last year in 2024," Executive Director of Human Resources and General Counsel Angie Flowers said. She introduced Javiera Vergara (Clear Springs Elementary), Anita Soto (Deep Haven Elementary), Amalia Cabezas (Minnewashita Elementary), Sofia Lagos (Minnetonka Middle School East) and Emilio Chavez (Minnetonka High School). Flowers said the student teachers complete a 20-week in-class practicum, live with volunteer host families in the district and do their practicum through the University of Saint Thomas.
The student teachers each described classroom learnings and differences between Chilean and U.S. elementary teaching styles. Amalia Cabezas, who student-taught in kindergarten, said she learned about differentiation and family participation activities the school uses. Javiera Vergara said she brought songs from Chile to help first-graders connect to Spanish language learning and praised predictable daily structure and morning meetings she observed. Anita Soto described collaborative planning across three third-grade immersion teachers that made differentiation and student supports easier. Sofia Lagos, who taught seventh and eighth grade at the middle school, said she learned to plan lessons for students at three different levels, to communicate with families, and to be more reflective about practice. Emilio Chavez, who worked with high school world-language classes, said technology tools and games helped motivate early-morning classes.
Flowers credited partner institutions, volunteer host families, and cooperating teachers for supporting the program. The five student teachers thanked their cooperating teachers and described the experience as career-expanding; several said they expect the practicum to broaden their job opportunities in Chile.
The presentation was informational. Board members thanked the visitors for their work and wished them safe travel.
