Viviana Rojas, a brand new face in Spanish classes, starts her journey at West Essex this year, bringing her outside experiences into her classroom. Coming from speaking three different languages and living in four different places throughout her life, she strives to bring her knowledge into her classroom allowing students to feel comfortable while acquiring the language.
Rojas was born in America but later moved to Argentina as a child and spent four years there. She frequently moved around to different places. However, most of her childhood was living and growing up in Puerto Rico. She spent 11 years here, making beautiful memories along the way. Moving back to America, she lived in Wisconsin for one year, then finally settled in New Jersey and has been here for more than 20 years.
“I’m a mom, I’m a wife, so I really enjoy my time here in Jersey. I really love Jersey and everything that it has to offer and the diversity that exists here,” Rojas said.
During her early college years, Rojas began her studies in art at a county school, pursuing her hobby by collecting art pieces. She has been a collector for around 24 years and has curated art for mini galleries and museums. She later transferred to New Jersey City University and decided to take a different path in art therapy. Rojas thought about what she was truly passionate about, and that was her language.
“I recall a commercial that I saw in Puerto Rico when I was a kid,” Rojas said. “The commercial was about a family during the holidays asking their kids what they are doing in college…the son says he wants to be a teacher and glasses drop. Everyone is quiet.”
She realized that her language was her calling and got a degree in Spanish. Coming from a family in Argentina of educators, this made her destined to become one herself. So far at West Essex, she has enjoyed teaching the Spanish III Honors classes.
“Kids are very eager to learn the language, especially here,” Rojas said.
She aims for all her students to feel comfortable inside her classroom to learn and acquire the language so they can use it outside the classroom. She strives for students to use the language when traveling and even making cultural connections while also enjoying the class.
“I just want my students to have fun and enjoy learning,” she said.
