Photo Creds: Appalachian Today
Carmen Scoggins is currently in her 21st year as a Spanish teacher at Watauga High School, with another 9 years under her belt at Watauga County elementary and middle schools. With 30 years of dedication, she is committed to the students of Watauga County like no other. Additionally, as a member of Appalachian State University's faculty in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, she teaches and empowers college students to explore Spanish and foreign language methodology. During her time at Watauga, many students have made their way through her classroom, fallen in love with Spanish, and expanded their global literacy under her guidance. Scoggins's teaching methods help keep students engaged while having fun learning Spanish in the most efficient way possible. Over the years, Scoggins has helped many students expand their opportunities through biliteracy, teaching her students the culture and language of Spanish-speaking countries.
Although Scoggins now teaches Spanish, she didn't always want to go into teaching. Scoggins loved broadcast journalism and wanted to pursue that. One day after school, recognizing her admiration for her teachers, it dawned on her that teaching students was her passion.
“In high school, I aspired to pursue broadcast journalism,” said Scoggins. “But one day, after school, I was overhearing my teachers discussing a variety of various subjects. By the time I reached the end of the hallway, I had broken down into tears. I think that is when I conceded to the voice in the back of my head and realized that I wanted to emulate their dedication and share my love for Spanish, which I had enjoyed since freshman year.”
In her classroom, Scoggins wants to make sure that her students can learn the way they do best. She tries to incorporate different teaching styles to accommodate different student's needs within the classroom. Scoggins understands that different students learn differently and wants to meet every student's needs throughout a class period.
"I hope that I try to use a variety of different approaches,” Scoggins said. “I think about learning styles when I plan my lessons. I try to have pieces of everything represented each week. I also try to keep my activities shorter, so students want to stay engaged.”
On top of incorporating different learning styles, Scoggins also wants to make every student who walks into her classroom feels comfortable and valued.
"I always want to ensure my students are well-welcomed, accepted, and well-received,” said Scoggins. “I am passionate about Spanish, but I'm even more passionate about building relationships with my students. I want them to know I am in their corner.”
Culture is also an aspect of what is taught in every Spanish teacher's classroom. Scoggins wants students to be able to understand and respect Latin American culture and traditions while learning the language.
“I've only traveled to two Spanish-speaking countries, which is ironic,” Scoggins said. “What I love most about the cultures are the variety and the cultural nuances. The amount and richness of the culture—it's amazing to see and learn about.”
Carmen Scoggins works to make every student feel comfortable, confident, and safe within her classroom. Teaching students culture, language, and social connections, Scoggins is a role model and a mentor within the classroom. In a rapidly-growing Spanish department, Scoggins is an important part of a large puzzle to help students learn the complex language of Spanish.
“We are thrilled to see the amount of students we have taking and being interested in Spanish,” Scoggins said. “It is amazing to see how much the department has grown as a whole, and we are eternally excited to see where the department goes next.”
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