Amanda Alonso-Valenteen '07/'08 MAT was awarded the prestigious Louis E. “Doc” Lamborn Distinguished Teaching Chair by the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, at the school's winter faculty and staff meeting in February. The chair recognizes excellent teachers who have been at the school for more than 15 years.
Alonso-Valenteen has taught Spanish at the school for 17 years. After moving to the United States with her parents at the age of 16, Alonso-Valenteen completed her bachelor's degree in international languages and cultures-Spanish and Master of Arts in Teaching at St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) and began her teaching career at McDonogh within the next six years.
"When I came to SMCM in the spring of 2004, I had only lived in the U.S. for roughly two and a half years. I was born in Spain, and my family moved to the U.S. in August 2001. I barely knew anyone, and I knew I needed to get around and start a new life in college," Alonso-Valenteen recalls. "I remember how impressed I was with how nice and friendly everyone was at SMCM. That majorly contributed to my success there. My classes, especially in educational studies, prepared me to work well together with people and kids. I had a very rewarding experience there!"
Photo courtesy of the McDonogh School.
