“Languages are alive because they are constantly changing to incorporate new words related to innovations and social issues arising. I cover a lot of ‘cultural meaning’ of words and phrases according to countries and social situations.”

These are the words of one of the new Upper School Spanish teachers, Corali Sabir.

Sabir has been teaching Spanish since 2001, when she finished her Masters Degree in Communication Studies at New Mexico University. She has worked across the country in places ranging from North Carolina, where she taught Spanish to students at North Carolina University and Cary Academy, to Puerto Rico, where she taught English at the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón.

According to Sabir, all students can learn through different paces and different styles. Sabir tries to use humor in the classroom, but reminds her students to meet her high standards and expectations.

“My students will be challenged, but it will be my task to help them and to give them as many opportunities as possible to achieve those goals,” Sabir said. “We work hard and play hard!”

Sabir understands that learning a second language can be a frustrating process. Her students are hearing her speak in Spanish, trying to internally translate it in English, and then respond in Spanish, according to Sabir. She encourages teachers to support their students so that students can feel comfortable while going through this process.

“That’s why I like to use humor in my classroom,” Sabir said, “as a tool to relax and not be so concerned about how long it is taking you to give an answer.”

Sabir’s interest in teaching started when she was a child. In her hometown of Lares, Puerto Rico, she enjoyed educating her three brothers, her dolls, and her dogs about anything. But Sabir’s relatives dissuaded her from becoming a teacher because of challenging working conditions and poor salary there.

Sabir had dreams of becoming an immigration lawyer. She enjoyed working with families to defend their rights and believed that international law could offer her opportunities to live abroad and become familiar with new languages and cultures.

“I love a good argument,” Sabir said. “I think I’m pretty good when it comes to make a case for something, and I have a hard time dealing with nonsense. Not to say the law always makes sense though.”

Instead, she studied social sciences and public relations at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras.

Sabir moved to Chicago a month after she finished college. According to Sabir, her move went smoothly until she realized that she needed a job. Her job interviews were stressful because her English was not strong enough to keep a conversation and communicate ideas. Her first job was a Pre-K teaching position at Elgin Academy in Elgin, Illinois.

“It was the best job I could have gotten,” Sabir said. “It allowed me to practice my spoken English all day long with an audience that was not judgemental of my accent, who were thrilled to teach me new words, and had fun correcting my pronunciation.”

This job convinced her to pursue teaching instead of law. After Elgin, she searched for job opportunities that would provide her with the close relationships she had with her Elgin students.

Sabir noticed such relationships between Parker students and teachers, and this persuaded her to accept a teaching position. She also valued the freedom students had to express their creativity.

Language and Cultural Studies Department Chair Lorin Pritikin said, “Sabir’s enthusiasm for working with young people and her impressive language skills were evident when she taught several Parker Spanish classes during her working interview.”

The Department looked for two new Spanish teachers last year to fill vacancies in the department. Finding a candidate that had a lot to offer, from rich cultural heritage to experience leading exchange trips to South America, convinced the department to give Sabir one of the spots, according to Pritikin.

Senior and SIRB member Marlee Neff witnessed Sabir’s passion for teaching during Sabir’s SIRB committee interview. Her teaching style reflected many of the current Parker teachers, which made her a viable candidate for the position, according to Neff.

Prior to interviewing at Parker, Sabir had not been back to Chicago since her days of teaching in Elgin. She had been teaching in North Carolina and Puerto Rico during this time, as well as coordinating two exchange trips to Chile and Argentina. Sabir decided to return to Chicago because she admired its diversity.

“My family itself is very diverse,” Sabir said. “I’m Puerto Rican and Mexican. My husband is Moroccan and my kids Mahmoud and Amina need a community that values their diversity. I also think that growing up in a major city like Chicago provides opportunities for you to be more independent and wise about life itself, whereas growing up in a town you tend to be sheltered and not exposed to what life is like in the real world.”

For Sabir, speaking in different languages is beneficial for her when she wants to convey a deeper meaning behind a certain word. According to Sabir, there are words in Spanish that have much more meaning than the equivalent in English because of her life experiences or cultural meaning. She also uses words in Arabic to communicate ideas related to religion or praying.

“This is all part of my identity as an individual, and I’m sure my students have the same,” Sabir said. “I want them to live the language and for it to become part of their identity.”