Spanish Teacher, California
Archaeology, Hispanic artists, Art analysis in Spanish, Ancient civilizations
Hello everyone! My name is Desiree Cheuvront, and I am an art, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language teacher at a private school in California where I also serve as the Special Education Lead. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of California, San Diego, where I also studied education and cognitive science. During my undergraduate studies, I participated in study abroad programs in France and Central America, which broadened my understanding of other cultures and sparked my fascination with ancient civilizations. This interdisciplinary foundation, combined with my love of languages, led to my interest in pedagogy and becoming a teacher. The 2025 Fulbright-Hays program in Peru was a perfect opportunity for me to deepen my cultural knowledge and bring authentic experiences back to my classroom.
My language learning journey began in early high school when I enrolled in Spanish class and got my first part-time job. I spent three years working alongside Spanish-speaking colleagues, which gave me the opportunity to apply my developing language skills in real-life conversations. Over time, I learned their unique stories and formed genuine friendships. This taught me that even a basic understanding of someone else’s language can open doors to meaningful connections and insights that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. This is what I hope to share with my students: how language can connect you to others and broaden your understanding of the wider world.
I participated in the 2025 Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad in Peru because I wanted to gain greater knowledge of ancient Incan civilizations and Peruvian heritage. The six-week immersion gave me the experiences and resources to design meaningful curriculum and understand Peru’s rich cultural landscape. Living with host families, learning from local artisans, and exploring pre-Incan art and ruins helped me understand Peruvian culture in ways I couldn’t from books alone. I am deeply grateful to my host families, local mentors, program organizers, and fellow educators who made my time in Peru so meaningful.
The lessons I’ve developed explore archaeology and Hispanic artists, inspired by my passion for art and ancient history. Students learn to discuss these topics in Spanish while practicing analyzing art and archaeological evidence. I hope fellow educators find these resources valuable.