From Numbers to Languages: Coach Giovanna’s Path to Purpose

Looking for an online Spanish teacher who truly understands the journey of learning and growth? Giovanna Corolla, now an Academic Team Leader at Spanish55, began her career in accounting before following her true passion for teaching. Her story is a testament to how diverse life experiences can lead to a meaningful and impactful role as a Spanish tutor online. In this article, you’ll discover how Giovanna transformed her career path into one filled with purpose, connection, and a love for helping others learn Spanish.

Giovanna's academic journey began with studying accounting, influenced by family advice and the pursuit of a "hassle-free" career—a common assumption. But this was far from Giovanna's future reality. Talking to her, it was clear that her heart was always set on English, a language that intrigued her since childhood. This didn't go unnoticed, as even before finishing her accounting degree, she was tempted by an offer to teach English at her old school. Despite her father's and her own determination ("I'm someone who starts something and finishes it"), this opportunity planted the seed of teaching in her.

After earning her accounting degree and facing the realities of the job market, Giovanna reached a crossroads when her contract as an accountant wasn't renewed. This critical moment was a turning point, where she decided to follow her true calling. She began studying for a degree in English teaching at Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas while already working as an English teacher at a bilingual elementary school. This experience marked the start of her educational journey, blending her academic training with her language passion.

Giovanna's transition from accounting to teaching wasn't just a career change, but a process of rediscovery and aligning with her true interests. Later, she furthered her academic training with a Master's in Education from the same institution, strengthening her commitment to learning. Her educational experience expanded beyond traditional classrooms, embracing the diversity, opportunities, and culture of different cities she lived in for family or professional reasons, like Tampico, Monterrey, Poza Rica, and Tijuana. Each place offered new perspectives and enriched her approach as a person.

Joining Spanish55 in 2018 was a natural and logical step in her career when she started looking for opportunities in Tijuana after a couple of years focused on raising her young daughters. While challenging, her ability to teach English easily translated into helping English speakers learn Spanish online, the mission of Spanish55. This transition involved a shift in her teaching approach, adapting her methods to the specific needs of her English-speaking students. Yet, with dedication and adaptability, Giovanna found great pleasure and satisfaction in this new career aspect, enjoying the opportunity to work from home and balance her professional life with family responsibilities.

Coach Giovanna representing Spanish55 from the comfort of her home office

Interestingly, Giovanna had the chance to visit the physical office of Spanish55 in Tijuana—during the time she lived there—, experiencing the company's organizational culture, which, while primarily virtual, occasionally benefits from a more intimate and personal interaction. She feels fortunate to have had quality time remembering a breakfast at a local restaurant with some of the long-standing members of Spanish55, like Coaches Paula and Alberto, as well as co-founders Álvaro and Abraham, among others.

Although Giovanna describes her life as "ordinary," it's clearly much more than that. It's a life filled with passion, dedication, and a constant pursuit of personal and professional growth. Her love for stability, far from being a limitation, is a testament to her desire to build a balanced and enriching life for herself and her family.

A particularly bright aspect is her family life. As a mother of two daughters, aged 7 and 10, Giovanna emphasizes the balance between her career and dedication to her daughters, who, thanks to their education in a bilingual English-Spanish school, are growing up with the advantage of knowing both languages. Despite her extensive teaching experience, Giovanna chooses not to be her daughters' English teacher, a decision reflecting her understanding of family and educational dynamics.

Coach Giovanna and her daughters visiting the pyramids of Chichén Itzá, Mexico.

Art, in all its forms, is another pillar of her life. Her love for music, ranging from classical violin to the energy of electronic music, reflects an openness and curiosity that goes beyond the everyday. Concerts by artists as diverse as Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, and Marc Anthony bear witness to her musical eclecticism. Not just music but also painting and sculpture hold a special place in her heart, leading her to explore exhibitions, many by local artists, with her daughters.

Coach Giovanna and her daughters enjoying the Van Gogh Immersive Experience.

This passion is reflected in her educational approach. Giovanna not only teaches Spanish to her students but also learns from them, absorbing their stories, travel experiences, and diverse perspectives. In this interaction, there's a rich exchange: while her students learn a new language, she gains from their experiences and viewpoints. As Giovanna humbly and modestly says,

"They've only learned Spanish from me, but I've learned so much more from them."

It's worth noting the types of students she's had the chance to teach, as diverse as her interests and personal experiences. From those studying Spanish for personal reasons, like preparing a wedding speech in Cancún, to others marrying a Spanish speaker, and some learning for sheer pleasure, cultural interest, or work - such as her medical Spanish students. Each one adds a new dimension to her teaching experience, reaffirming the idea that teaching is a two-way street where both teacher and student enrich each other.

What makes Giovanna unique is her ability to merge all these elements —her initial training in accounting, her love for English, her deep connection with culture and art— into her role as online Spanish Teacher and Academic Leader at Spanish55. In this position, she's found a balance, a way to connect her rich, diverse inner world with her professional work. Each class she teaches is a reflection of her journey, a meeting between her knowledge and experiences and the needs and desires of her students.

Giovanna is a professional woman who has woven a life of constant learning, where each experience is a lesson and each lesson an opportunity to grow and share. Her story is a reminder that nonlinear paths, those that deviate and explore unexpected routes, often turn out to be the richest and most rewarding. Having her at Spanish55 is a gift that bears fruit every day. Thank you, Giovanna!


Giovanna’s inspiring journey shows how the right guidance can make all the difference in learning a new language. That’s why we recommend researching before hiring a Spanish tutor online. Watch the video below to gain valuable insights and make an informed decision before taking the big step!