Open to opportunities

Valerie Piedra

@valeriepiedra

Message

Experienced bilingual Spanish and English teacher focused on student growth.

Ecuador

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can design curriculum, train teachers, and deliver inclusive, technology-supported language instruction with opportunities for professional growth.

I am a dedicated bilingual Spanish and English teacher with extensive experience teaching learners aged 3 to 40 across K–12, adult, and online environments. I specialize in TESOL/ESL instruction, Spanish as a Second Language, curriculum design, and integrating educational technology.

I have taught in multiple institutional settings including public schools, private units, the Ministry of Education, and online platforms such as Babbel Live. My responsibilities consistently included lesson planning, adapting instruction to diverse learning styles, and implementing classroom management practices.

I was selected as a Fulbright TEA Fellow and completed practicum-based training at California State University, Chico, which strengthened my skills in innovative methodologies, educational leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration. I hold a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature and a master's in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language.

I am committed to fostering inclusive, engaging, and globally minded learning environments, motivating students to speak, and using communicative approaches and assessment tools to promote learner autonomy and measurable progress.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Online Spanish Teacher

Current

Babbel Live

Jan 2021 - Present (4 years 10 months)

Taught Spanish to small adult groups using the Communicative Approach, focused on speaking fluency and corrective feedback for pronunciation and grammar (2021–Present).

Communicative Approach Online Teaching Student Motivation

Current

ESL Teacher

Current

Ministry of Education

Jan 2021 - Present (4 years 10 months)

Teaching English to students aged 6–18 within Ministry programs, designing courses and adapting instruction to diverse learner needs (2021–Present).

English Instruction Curriculum Development Lesson planning

ESL Teacher

Unidad Educativa Carlos Crespi II

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 (1 year)

Taught English to students aged 3–18, prepared courses and adapted instruction to varied learning styles and developmental stages (2020–2021).

English Instruction Multi Age Teaching Lesson planning Classroom Management

ESL Teacher

Unidad Educativa Juan Pablo II

Jan 2019 - Jan 2020 (1 year)

Coordinated the school English annual plan and taught students aged 11–18, aligning curriculum with other ESL teachers and adapting instruction to student needs (2019–2020).

English Instruction Lesson planning Team Collaboration

Spanish Teacher

Unidad Educativa José María Vélaz

Jan 2017 - Jan 2020 (3 years)

Taught Spanish to students aged 15–40, designed courses and strategies to develop autonomous learners, and integrated educational technologies into instruction (2017–2020).

Curriculum Design Lesson planning Educational Technology Classroom Management Student Autonomy

ESL Teacher

Unidad Educativa José María Vélaz

Jan 2010 - Jan 2020 (10 years)

Taught English as a second language to students aged 15–40, planned and delivered curriculum, and adapted instruction to diverse learning styles to improve language proficiency across classes (2010–2020).

English Instruction Curriculum Design Lesson planning Classroom Management Educational Technology

ESL Teacher

Unidad Educativa Del Milenio Garaicoa

Jan 2017 - Dec 2017 (11 months)

Taught English to students aged 7–15, planned courses and adapted instruction to developmental and learning differences during a focused 2017 program.

English Instruction Lesson planning Classroom Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Babbel Live (Cambria International / British Council APTIS)

Professional development / Certification, Teacher Training / English Proficiency

2021 -

Activities and societies: APTIS assessment (CEFR C1); Babbel Live teacher training

Ongoing Babbel Live teacher training and APTIS assessment (CEFR skill profile C1) for professional development in online language instruction.

California State University, Chico

Professional development program, Teacher Training / Educational Leadership

2025 - 2025

Completed the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) program involving seminars, practicum-based co-teaching, and professional development in educational leadership and cross-cultural collaboration.

UNIR (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja)

Master degree, Teaching Spanish as a Second Language

2020 - 2021

Activities and societies: Especialista Universitario en la Transformación Digital del Profesor de ELE (150 hours); Metodologías y Estrategias de Aula (330 hours)

Completed a Master's degree in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language with coursework and specialist training in ELE methodologies.