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Meet Our Team

Our team of native-speaking language instructors have more than 30 years of combined experience, and teach according to proven methods, and by inspiring students to reach their full potential while connecting cultures.

Team Spanish Legacy Mara Jacobs 600

Mara Jacobs, Founder

They say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, and that’s true of Mara, who brings her enthusiasm for language and children alive at Spanish Legacy. For Mara, Spanish Legacy is more than a school, it has become a launching pad for helping children reach their full potential and opening the doors for adults to expand their horizons beyond what they thought was possible.

Because of her father’s job, Mara grew up all over the world – South America, Europe, and the United States and became bilingual out of necessity. Learning a second language sparked a genuine love of language and with it came the luxury of global travel, the business advantage of being able to work anywhere, and eventually led her to found Spanish Legacy. With a degree in psychology, Mara is an authority on language education, having taught in both public and private schools. She is a seasoned educator who has been formally trained in both Waldorf, Montessori, International, and classical methods. She developed a proprietary method to teach language from any age.

When Mara isn’t teaching, tutoring or with her schoolchildren, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 26 years, and her children. On the odd occasion that she has some free time, she enjoys sitting down with a good book, seeing an occasional movie, traveling and entertaining friends.

Team Spanish Legacy Lina Rincon 45000

Lina Rincon-Hoover Preschool Director

Lina has been devoted to early childhood education since she moved to USA. Lina is a Colombian artist, photographer and educator.

She moved to the U.S. in 1999. After living in Tampa, Florida for the first 13 years, she relocated to Frisco, Texas in 2012 with her husband and daughter and now she is back in Florida. 

Lina holds a B.A. in Art from Universidad Autonoma del Caribe and certification in Art Instruction from Fundacion Universitaria Bellas Artes, both in Colombia. She also holds a director credential from Texas and Florida, she had her CDA and NAFCA Certification and she has certification in Digital Photography from the University of South Florida. In addition to her formal education, she has taken multiple classes and seminars focused on early childhood. 

She is highly committed to her vocation because she sees a need for children to have a healthy environment and positive guidance. During times when many parents are working as hard as they can to provide necessities for their families, “I love to be there emotionally for children,” she says. “I want parents to be able to leave their children knowing they are in a good situation while they are at work.”

In addition to directing Spanish Legacy Preschool, Lina has an Art Gallery in Downtown Sarasota where she exhibits her artwork and teaches art classes to children and adults.

Team Spanish Legacy Erin Hevern 450

Erin Hevern, English Teacher

Erin is a graduate of Augustana University, where she earned her degree in English. She is a published writer with experience as a general assignment and crime reporter. She works in the office at Spanish Legacy and is the academy´s English teacher.

In her spare time, she likes to be outside with her son.

Career Opportunities

ALWAYS GROWING. ALWAYS LEARNING.

Spanish Teacher

 

Spanish Legacy Language Immersion School is a multifaceted academy that is growing rapidly. We have an immediate opening for a Spanish Teacher that can grow with us! We love our students and strive to bring dynamic educators that help us create exceptional learning outcomes.

We are seeking an energetic Spanish teacher who has strong organization skills, that understands the behavior, emotional, and cognitive needs of elementary-age students. Spanish Teachers are responsible for helping students learn how to communicate and understand the Spanish Language by:

 

  • Encouraging students to practice vocabularies that are taught through the use of role-playing, dialogue, games, literature, and formal exercises.
  • Developing mastery in Spanish literacy in four essential skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing.
  • Customizing Spanish classes based on needs, ages, and ability levels of assigned classes whenever possible.
  • Engaging students to listen carefully and speak Spanish in the classroom
  • Adhering to the rules and regulations of Spanish Legacy Preschool and Language Academy, as well as State Licensing Guidelines

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Literate and fluent in Spanish; native speakers preferred
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Effective communication and classroom management skills
  • Extensive knowledge of various teaching materials and instructional practices
  • Experience working with all ages of children and adults
  • Be able to create engaging lesson plans for individual students and small groups
  • Willingness to work in a collaborative working environment.
  • Open to flexible schedules

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Must be able to sit down on floor to play and interact with children
  • Must be able to attend work as required


WORK ENVIRONMENT

You will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. We have multiple classrooms in close proximity. There can be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and you will have to supervise and provide a safe, encouraging environment for all children at all times. Our teachers foster their classroom structure and experience and have the ability to manage their schedules with flexibility. All of our teachers have the potential to grow and advance with us as we expand as a company. 

This opening is for part-time employment. One year of teaching experience is preferred. This position will report directly to the Academy Director. A valid Florida license is required.

Please fill out the “Join our Team” form on this page and attach your cover letter and resume/CV. 

Spanish Legacy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

Join our team

Are you a dynamic, creative, and motivated educator, passionate about students of all ages and bringing bilingualism to all? Then you might be right for our team. Spanish Legacy is growing and always looking for the right person to join our team.