What makes the faculty at Cristo Rey Columbus so special is their passion and dedication to our mission. We caught up with Spanish teacher, Mrs. Jackie Liu, to talk about her love for the language and teaching at CRC:
Q: What first drew you to teaching Spanish, and what continues to motivate you in the classroom?
A: I began studying Spanish in sixth grade, and to my surprise, I immediately fell in love with the language. I was fascinated by communicating through sounds different from my own and by the richness of Hispanic culture. I eagerly studied Spanish beyond the classroom for fun, which eventually led to a transformational experience in high school: a mini exchange program. A student from Argentina stayed with my family, and later I traveled to Argentina to live with her family during our summer break. Being fully immersed in another culture was incredibly exciting and quickly became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
In college, I further explored this passion by majoring in Spanish Literature and Culture alongside Public Health. After graduation, I worked in various public health roles and taught elementary-level Spanish. While those experiences were valuable, I realized that my true passion was sharing the joy of cultural connection and helping others discover the beauty of learning about different perspectives. This realization led me to pursue my teaching license, and I have now been teaching for nearly five years.
What continues to motivate me in the classroom is my love for the subject, my students, and my faith. Even on challenging days, I am reminded of the impact that language, culture, and meaningful connection can have on students’ lives.
Q: What do you hope students gain from your Spanish class beyond learning the language?
A: I hope students leave my Spanish class with much more than linguistic skills. My goal is for them to develop cultural awareness, empathy, curiosity, and confidence in connecting with people from different backgrounds. I want students to see language as a powerful tool for building relationships, broadening their worldview, and understanding cultures beyond their own. Ultimately, I hope my class helps students grow into more compassionate, open-minded individuals who feel empowered to engage with the world around them.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being part of the Cristo Rey community?
A: Cristo Rey is a community not just in name, but in practice. Both students and staff are genuine people who value real relationships and shared faith. Students continually inspire me with their kindness, intelligence, faith, and talents, and it is a joy to support their growth.
I am equally grateful for my coworkers, who offer encouragement, understanding, and faith-filled support during both the good and the bad times. One of my coworkers has become one of my closest friends. We truly walk alongside one another and celebrate successes together. Being part of a unified, Christ-centered community where faith is understood, lived out, and shared makes my experience at Cristo Rey really fulfilling.
