Department: World Language

Mr. Matthew Hernandez

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LuHi Role: Teacher (Spanish IB, I, and II), joined the LuHi faculty in 2024

Education: Stony Brook University- B.A – Spanish Language and Literature (2017), Long Island University – M.S Childhood Education (2021), Long Island University – Advanced Certificate – TESOL (2022)

What I love about my role: I love being able to teach students about how they can connect to and compare their cultures with cultures from various other countries and well as developing language skills so that they can effectively communicate and share experiences with other students who speak the language.

Hobbies: Reading, Traveling and Teaching

What I love about LuHi: I am just starting my career at LuHi, but my first impression was how welcoming everyone was. Feeling welcomed and being part of this community is a great feeling.

Ms. Alex Calimopulos ’09

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LuHi Role: Teacher (English, Social Studies, World Language); Director of Transportation for LuHi Summer Programs;  joined the LuHi faculty in 2016

Education: Bachelor of Arts in French literature & language/English literature & language, Minor in European Studies (Summa Cum Laude)

What I love about my role: I teach in many different departments which gives me the ability to connect with students across a multitude of grade levels. I truly enjoy sharing literature with my students. I love when they can connect stories read in class to real world issues or relate to them on a personal level.

Hobbies: I enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures, cooking, and reading.

Family: My sister and many cousins attended LuHi from 6th-12th grade. My sister and I currently live together in Queens with our dog Winnie.

What I love about LuHi: What I love most about teaching at LuHi is the community of students that I am lucky to connect with each day. I value all of the relationships that I have built with my students and the family that we have built in the classroom. They truly inspire me to be my best every single day.

Mrs. Elizabeth Tillinghast ’15

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LuHi Role: Teacher (Religion; World Language); joined the LuHi faculty in January 2020

Education: Gordon College, BA in Education and History

What I love about my role: I love welcoming sixth graders to the LuHi community. I love the opportunity to spark a love of learning in my students and to inspire them to think creatively to solve problems.

Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, ballroom dancing, and reading. I also love volunteering and serving the local and global community. In college, I led the Gordon College Beekeeping Association for 2 years.

What I love most about LuHi: I love being able to equip students with the tools they need to grow academically and spiritually!

 

Mrs. Joanne Zuclich

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LuHi Role: World Language (French) Teacher, joined the LuHi faculty in 1985. I’ve taught all levels of French – my speciality is French 2, 3, 4, and AP. I also was chairperson of the Foreign Language Department for more than 25 years.

Education: Queens College, BA – French major, Spanish and Education minor (Magna Cum Laude / Phi Beta Kappa); Stony Brook University, MA in French (with distinction, Phi Sigma Iota); Licensed in French and Spanish in NY State and 12 credits towards a DA degree

Hobbies: I love playing word games of all kinds, reading both English and French, watching Brit Box mysteries, caring for my two chihuahuas ,and swimming and walking at the beach

Family: My husband is a CPA. We both love traveling and together we have visited many countries in Europe and almost every major city in France. We have three sons and four grandchildren. Additionally, two very important member of the family are our chihuahuas Minette and Chanel .

Awards and other professional experience: I am very proud that I was LSA teacher of the year in 2000 and was able to participate in the Convention in Washington DC with teachers from all over the country. I would also like to highlight my travel experiences each summer to different cities in France. I’ve been to France more than 15 times and lived and studied there during two summers. These experiences were invaluable in my understanding and love of the French culture.

What I love about LuHi: I love the freedom I have to be creative in my teaching. I also love the fact that the character and spiritual development of the students is as important as the academics.

Ms. Paula Oyarce

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LuHi Role: Teacher (Spanish III, Spanish IV and AP Spanish Language and Culture), World Language Department Chair, joined the LuHi faculty in 2015

Education: Stony Brook University, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature and Adolescence Education – Spanish (Cum Laude); SUNY Old Westbury, Masters of Art in Teaching, Adolescence Ed: Spanish.

What I love about my role: What I love most about teaching Spanish is that Spanish class goes beyond learning the language. We are able to learn about the cultures of the various Spanish-speaking countries. Learning about culture provides us with the opportunities to make connections between the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and our own. Students are able to develop intercultural competency and value the language, the cultures, and the diversity that surrounds us. Learning another language is also a powerful tool to have in today’s world.

Hobbies: Being outside, going on bike rides, and reading.

Family: Married to LuHi’s art teacher, Mr. Baumgarn. Also, I was born and raised in Chile. Spanish is my first/native language. I moved here in my late teens.

What I love about LuHi: building relationships with the students. Our students are incredible individuals. I have learned so much from my students and I have had the privilege to get to know them outside the classroom through our service trips, field trips and school events.