166: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage in Virtual Classrooms with Paola Stauffer

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the rich histories and contributions of Hispanic Americans. But in our digital age, how do we make these celebrations truly meaningful? And how do we turn virtual classrooms into spaces of real cultural exchange? In a world where screens often divide us, one teacher has found a way to use them to unite cultures and ignite understanding. Joining Kevin P. Chavous today is Paola Stauffer, a high school Spanish teacher at Florida Cyber Charter Academy. She's transforming online education by turning a bedroom in her home into an interactive cultural exhibit and using family recipes to engage students and their families. Paola is here to share how she creates a vibrant, culturally rich environment in the digital world, fostering empathy, connection, and a deep appreciation for diverse heritage. Key Topics: 00:00: Introduction: Hispanic Heritage Month and virtual education 03:15: From Colombia to the US: Paola's teaching journey 06:30: Innovating online Spanish education 09:45: The virtual museum: Bringing culture to life 13:00: Building belonging in diverse digital classrooms 16:15: Storytelling as a language learning tool 19:30: Top resources for world language teachers —--------------------------------------------------------- Enroll now at K12 for tuition-free, personalized online public schooling. Visit https://go.k12.com/mps/national/podcast/ to learn more about how K12 empowers students to succeed in the digital age. Join the conversation using #WIWTK on social media and be sure to leave a review! WIWTK Twitter – https://x.com/wiwtkpodcast WIWTK Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/wiwtkpodcast WIWTK Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/wiwtkpodcast/ Now Streaming: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-i-want-to-know-with-kevin-p-chavous/id1561682450 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KkzBkzDhmQB8VNrDtP3BF Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01336bdd-f957-4d96-af5a-35538859e65d/what-i-want-to-know-with-kevin-p-chavous