Hola! I’m Elisabeth.
I’m from North Carolina, where I was a teacher for 12 years. We currently live in the Peruvian jungle and have three kids we’re raising bilingually.
I never expected to have a Spanglish family (or even speak Spanish!), so I love offering help wherever I can– for teachers or parents.
You’ll notice I have a little bit of everything. If it feels overwhelming, my start here page is a good place to get oriented.
Back in school, bilingualism seemed to be for a special crowd: people less self-conscious or with a “better ear” for languages. As much as I loved the travel and different cultures, a second language felt out of reach.
I created this little corner of the internet because life surprised me. I did learn Spanish, and later, I discovered resources that gave me confidence as a teacher and parent. I want my readers to feel the same. You can raise little Spanish-speakers; your classroom can be full of living language that sticks!
My Favorites
LiBROS
Spanish book lists to see my top picks.
Plantas
Pandemic hobby that took over my life!
Spanish Classes
My favorite business to recommend.
Luz de Día
In English, I love Brandi Carlile.
More About Me
In 2003, I started my Elementary Ed. major at UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2007, I moved to the high jungle of Peru to teach English. Five months turned into two years, and along the way I met my Peruvian husband. We got married in the U.S. and lived there 8 years, before returning to Peru in 2017.
Even when dating, we talked about raising our kids bilingually. It seemed like a no-brainer when our first baby was born! But when the time came for cooing and baby talk, and then little baby commands, I felt a little lost and unnatural.
I realized that being a bilingual family was going to involve more intentionality than I’d realized. It’s meant building a library of books, music, and poetry in Spanish, making a language plan, and working really hard.
I’ve taught a little bit of everything over the past 10 years: English in Peru, 1st and 2nd grade in the U.S., and Spanish from preschool to high school.
