Sherwin Tjia

Amparo Garavito

Spanish Language Program

Award for Distinguished Teaching (Continuing Education)

Garavito has taught Spanish in the Continuing Education Centre for ten years. In this capacity, according to the Spanish and Portuguese Program director, Ina Dieguez, "her skills as a diplomat" have served McGill's multicultural students well and drawn "even the shyest students out of their shells" with her genuine concern for each student's particular learning process.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a child. Once, I realized that the woman that helped around my house couldn't read a grocery list. I was very surprised so I committed myself to teach her every day after I came from school. In a couple of months she was able to read and write very well. I was so pleased with myself that I decided to teach whenever I had the opportunity. This happened when I was ten years old. Her name was Carlina.

All classes are my favorite — I have enjoyed most of them with the help of the students.