SIOUX CENTER—“Hola. Y bienvenido al Club Español.”
With those words, Abigail Schescke kicked off the two sessions of Spanish Club at Sioux Center Christian School. While this is her first year leading the program as it’s her first year with the school, it’s the fifth year the club has been offered at the school.
Open to second- through fifth-graders, its divided into two sessions with second- and third-grade students meeting for an hour after school on Mondays and the fourth- and fifth-grade students meeting for an hour after school on Wednesdays.
“I’ve always loved the Spanish language,” Schescke said. “I’ve gotten to make new connections through that and I’ve come to see a different way, view of the world. I’m excited to a part of the Spanish Club to be able to inspire that in other kids and help them see a bigger perspective than what they might be used to.”
Schescke, a Kearney, NE, native, personally knows the value of being introduced to a second language in elementary school. She’s began learning Spanish since second grade and has continued building her knowledge of the language through college.
The psychology major would have graduated from Dordt University in May with a double major in Spanish if the coronavirus pandemic had not kept her from studying aboard, as required to officially graduate with a degree in Spanish.
She joined Sioux Center Christian this fall as a one-to-one paraprofessional.
“During that interview I was asked what might be some cool skills I have and Spanish is that skill for me,” Schescke said. “I can carry on a pretty lengthy conversation with patience from native speakers. It’s always my goal to learn more, and now I can share what I know and encourage other students to learn the language and more about Hispanic culture.”
The hour sessions each week include vocabulary review, games and conversation times. Schescke hopes to reincorporate field trips throughout the school year as well as a new pen pal idea, connecting students to native speakers she met through a bilingual church in Kearney.
“I’d love for each side to be able to share pieces of daily life together so they can learn from each other in real world context,” she said.
Schescke looks forward to growing alongside her students.
“I’m excited to have more of a teaching and sharing role with students through this club and get to participate in those activities with the students so that we may grow in appreciation of the language together,” she said. “In the community we’re in with lots of Spanish speakers I feel it’s vital to be able to connect to people. How else are we supposed to love on them and be part of a community with them if we can’t or don’t try to speak to them?”
Schescke said there are spots open for more students. Each of the two sessions are limited to 15 students; there are seven second- and third-graders and 11 fourth- and fifth-graders.
Youth may join throughout the school year.