Persida Cifuentes Teaching Assistant

Persida has worked at Friends School of Minnesota since 2006. She has a B.A. in international and Latin American studies and 19th and 20th century Spanish literature from Macalester College.

Previously, she worked as a Spanish teacher and Spanish and Portuguese translator at a non-profit Latino/Chicano organization and taught pre-kindergarten and 6th grade Spanish at The Blake School. Persy believes that there are many intelligences and ways of learning. “Teachers must recognize those differences to guide students to reach their fullest potentials.”

Persida also volunteers at nonprofit peace events and charities including the International Center at the U of M. She loves dancing, cooking, reading, poetry, playing basketball and volleyball, making jewelry, and doing crossword puzzles. Persy is an FSM parent and loves spending time at the lake with her family.

“The most important thing to remember about teaching is that we must be humble and open to the lessons our students teach us every day. That teaching goes hand-in-hand with learning. Each child is a unique manifestation of wisdom.”