This year at Central Hardin, the staff and students have gained a new member to join the team. 

Cristina Williams is now occupying the space in room 309, teaching Spanish to students alongside our other three Spanish teachers. 

Though this is her first time teaching in a school system, she has had many accomplishments previous to this school year. 

Williams has a twenty year military background, making teaching her second job. On top of her work in the field, she has gone to college, receiving her bachelor’s in English, master of arts with a focus in elementary education, and is currently obtaining her PHD in adult education at Auburn University.

Shown from her college achievements, she has always had a passion for teaching, but she obviously took an immense detour when joining the military. Central ended up being just the right fit for her when retiring from her first job, because her children attend school within the county.

Within her busy life of school, work, and raising her three girls, she does have her hobbies and interests that she likes to focus on. 

Due to her investment and likeness in reading books, she has joined the book club here at Central along with her employment. Williams reads books that are more of a light and relaxing read including Educated (a memoir) and Where the Crawdads Sing.

Another activity Williams considers light and relaxing is doing any sort of creativity within the art realm, but particular drawing is the most enjoyable for her.

“I’m not really good at it, I just enjoy it as a destresser”, Williams said.

Though she has her favorites outside of school, she does not forget her favorites within the classroom. Even being so early in her job here at Central she has a love for her students, and wants to be able to interact and make connections as much as possible.

“My favorite part is getting to know the kids, and just building relationships with them, and trying to get them passionate about learning Spanish,” she said.

So far in her room they have been learning about the basics of Spanish speaking, and how to say certain schools in the language. She has really enjoyed teaching the culture of the language, and talking about the Latin-American holidays and tradition.

Since there is much uniqueness and difference in the Latin-American culture, Williams knows it is important for students to learn about this culture, and how to interact with different cultures throughout their lifetime. 

“The biggest thing is being able to work with others that are different than you,” she said.

“Even if they [the students] don’t use Spanish, just the fact that they will be aware of other people’s cultures.”