Coach Marisela’s Journey: A Life Shaped by Culture, Art, and Language

Discover the inspiring journey of Coach Marisela, an online Spanish teacher at Spanish55, who seamlessly blends her passions for culture, art, and language into her teaching. With a rich background in dance and communication, Marisela brings a unique, holistic approach to online Spanish lessons, making language learning a deeply personal and cultural experience for her students.

At the heart of every human being lies a passion that shapes the course of their life, a quiet engine that drives every decision, every dream, every obstacle overcome. For Marisela González, that passion found its voice in the art of languages and dance. This unlikely duo has set the tone for her professional and personal life. Serving as Academic Product Leader and online Spanish teacher at Spanish55, Marisela embarks on a journey that transcends the boundaries of language, culture, and art, revealing the transformative power of pursuing what makes us resonate.

From an early age, Marisela found herself caught between two worlds: the solid advice of her parents, who saw English teaching as a secure career, and her undeniable attraction to theater and dance. "My parents decided it was a good idea for me to get certified as an English teacher because, well, you can't live off the arts," she recalls. This duality, far from confusing her, became the first step towards building a bridge between her two great loves. Even as pragmatism dictated her academic path, art never ceased to be the heartbeat in the background.

Marisela's academic life reflects her multifaceted personality and commitment to education and culture. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Communication from Universidad Veracruzana and a degree in Psychology from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, her thirst for knowledge did not stop there. She pursued a Master's in Psychotherapy at Centro Ericksoniano Mexico and another in Dance Anthropology from a collaborative program between various universities around the world, demonstrating an unbreakable dedication to a deep understanding of the human being from multiple perspectives. This academic journey has enriched her personal life and cemented her professional career, allowing her to approach language teaching with a unique understanding of the human psyche and cultural expression.

Her transition from teaching English to Spanish was not so much a decision as a natural career evolution, driven by the need and desire to explore new forms of human connection. Teaching Spanish, in particular, presented itself as an exciting challenge as she started her foray into this world aboard Peace Boat, where she applied to volunteer in response to the company's need for teachers who could teach English, Spanish, or both.

So, Marisela began happily teaching English and Spanish to the diverse group of international students on board. However, she found the latter

"very interesting, because teaching Spanish to Japanese students is a big and rewarding challenge, as they have much less context of our language and culture than other people,"

she shares, highlighting how this experience marked the beginning of her love for teaching this language. Once again, Marisela's adventurous soul comes to light.

Beyond languages, dance remains a constant presence in her life, a refuge and a form of expression that complements her teaching vocation. For Marisela, dance and language are not separate facets but extensions of the same desire to communicate, to touch others' lives through the beauty of movement and word.

Marisela's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. She has shown that it is possible to carve a unique path, merging seemingly disparate interests into a cohesive and fulfilling career. Her experience underscores a universal truth: the possibilities are endless when we follow what we love. She said,

"Both languages and dance remain my hobbies and continue to be the things I do for work."

At this crossroads between teaching and art, Marisela has found her voice and, with it, the ability to inspire others to find theirs.

Coach Marisela enjoying her life in Norway

This confluence of passions and professions has led Marisela to a deep understanding of teaching Spanish as a means of cultural connection.

"Teaching Spanish is definitely very rewarding. Languages open doors to new worlds, allowing people to access cultures and experiences beyond their own limits."

The satisfaction comes not only from the teaching itself but from seeing the tangible impact on her students, who, motivated by various reasons, seek in Spanish a bridge to other lives and realities. Marisela considers Spanish, being a language spoken in many countries around the world, to offer unparalleled cultural richness and the opportunity to learn at any age.

Marisela's journey is also a testament to adaptability and growth. Since joining Spanish55 in 2020, in a time of global uncertainty marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, she has seen how her career and company have evolved. Her ability to adapt and grow within the organization, taking on a more significant role in operations and academics, speaks of her commitment to education and her passion for personal and collective professional development.

Now living in Norway, Marisela continues to expand her personal and professional horizons. This new stage, far from being an exile, has enriched her perspective, allowing her to immerse herself in a different culture and language, thus broadening her understanding of the world's diversity. Her time in Norway and her stays in France, London, and Japan have been more than mere changes in direction; they have been vital chapters in her ongoing education about the human being and its various forms of expression. Each place has left its mark, contributing to her multicultural approach to teaching and life. Her current learning of Norwegian is further proof of her inexhaustible love for languages and her dedication to immersing herself fully in the culture she now calls home.

Through her experience living in various countries, from the vibrant diversity of Veracruz, where she began her teaching career fresh out of High School, to the tranquil shores of Norway, Marisela has embraced the world's complexity with curiosity and openness. Her ability to adapt to new cultures, learn from them, and incorporate those learnings into her life and work underscores an exceptional ability to find a home anywhere in the world, carrying with her a passion for teaching and learning.

Ultimately, Marisela's story celebrates the intersection between passion and profession. Through her journey, she reminds us that vocations need not be confined to a single category or path. At the confluence of dance, languages, communication, teaching, and psychology, she has forged a path that is as unique as inspiring. In doing so, Marisela has found her purpose and opened a world of possibilities for those she teaches, proving that true passion, when pursued with dedication, can lead us to destinations beyond our wildest imagination. Her work at Spanish55 is the perfect stage for this synthesis of vocations, where she can help people learn Spanish online, work with individuals from all over the world, and be part of a company that is in constant growth. Marisela stands as a great example of how a passion for languages and culture can lead to a successful career, inspiring all those considering learning Spanish. Are you one of them?