Nathan Turner Spanish teacher Nathan Turner was born and raised in Bucks County, and graduated from Central Bucks West High School in 1994. It was during high school when his future came into sharp focus. He was accepted as an international foreign exchange student through the Rotary Exchange program to Venezuela, South America. For 11 months, he stayed with three host families, getting an authentic experience living in a foreign country immersed in its culture. He fell in love with the Spanish language and the path for his studies and career were set. He returned to the U.S. and attended Temple University, where he earned a BA in Spanish, Linguistics and Cultural Anthropology, then continued on to complete a Masters in Foreign Language, Secondary Education and Curriculum Planning. Last year, he finished the first half of a second Masters in Spanish Literature and Language at the University of Solamanca in Spain. Nathan loves to visit Spanish speaking countries. “I have traveled to Spain five times. I’ve been to Costa Rica to do a program for teachers specializing in Foreign Language Methodology. I’ve also traveled to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico three times, and other Spanish speaking countries.” Nathan says it is his own intrinsic motivation for learning the language that motivates him to not only seek out native Spanish speakers, but also his students. Teaching the language and immersing himself in a Spanish speaking country deepens his understanding and makes him feel like he is one with the culture, strengthening his communication skills. “That immersion enhances my skill set in the classroom and also makes me feel like I’m bringing a more authentic experience to my students when I’m bringing something that is native, that is rich, and that is current.” When Nathan realizes his upper level students have reached proficiency, he feels his job is done. More specifically, he knows he has given them a solid foundation upon which to build, grow, and evolve as a Spanish language learner. “I think Solebury does a wonderful job in giving students opportunities to take different languages, and having the different levels of study to differentiate student abilities only strengthens the school curriculum. The foreign exchange trip taken this year to France and the trips that are being developed for next year will definitely enhance the foreign language experience for our students. We’re fortunate to have such a strong group working together to raise the quality of the language department as a whole.” Nathan said, as a man of color, he is pleased to see the wide range of diversity in our students, as well as the organized affinity groups on campus. “I enjoy my participation in the affinity groups, especially Black Friday, a group for students who identify as AfricanAmerican, because I believe it’s a wonderful outlet for students of color to have. They know that they are in a minority group on campus, and this group provides a safe place and a safe haven for them to share questions, concerns, and to share things with someone who looks like them.” Nathan went on to say that independent school culture is unique in that “it is often challenging for people who identify as ‘other.’ This could fall under any category, whether it’s socio-economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other attribute or character trait that makes someone classified as ‘other.’ My involvement in the Black Friday Affinity group really allows these students to feel a great sense of comfort, and a greater sense of camaraderie and direction on campus.” Nathan teaches Spanish I, III, and IV. He lives on campus and is the assistant tennis coach and faculty advisor for the Black Friday and Diversity Affinity groups. Tennis is Nathan’s greatest passion. He plays several times a week in a league and has a United States Tennis Association rating of 4.5. He loves watching professional tennis tournaments and often talks about it and his favorite players, the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova. He uses tennis as a reference point when he’s teaching Spanish grammar. As assistant coach for the school’s tennis team, he takes great joy in helping our student tennis athletes improve their games. Another one of Nathan’s passions is traveling. “I love to see new places and I love delicious food as well, in particular, vegetarian cuisine.” He also loves spending time with family and friends. ❖
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