About Profe Magnan

I'm Maureen Lothrop Magnan, a Spanish language educator, researcher, author, curriculum designer, and passionate believer in the power of connection, curiosity, and joyful learning.

I started my career as a social worker in Chelsea, Massachusetts, where I quickly realized being able to communicate in another language opens our hearts and minds and allows us to think in new ways, discover new parts of ourselves, and connect deeply with the experiences of others. Language became a bridge for me to meaningfully communicate, understand, trust, belong, and to truly see and hear another's story.

The desire to improve my language skills carried me across the ocean through Middlebury College's Master’s in Spanish Linguistics program, and later to Boston College, where I completed MSW coursework after venturing to the Dominican Republic and Guatemala to teach English. Later, I came back to teaching in the classroom in Massachusetts and went on to earn my Ph.D. in Education, with an interdisciplinary focus on SLA, multicultural education, classroom discourse, and ethnography. Along the way, I deepened my passion for teaching and discovered how to use language skills to learn the stories of others, foster positive change, and open our hearts in ways that go far beyond words.

Fast-forward nearly twenty years, and I’ve had the joy of serving as an elementary, middle, and high school Spanish classroom teacher, a K–5 language facilitator, a 6–12 world language coordinator, a mentor to early-career teachers, an adjunct professor and lecturer, and a presenter at regional and national conferences.

Along the way, I’ve learned that acquisition-driven instruction, compelling stories, retrieval practices, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) have been a magic combination for me to create a joyful, inclusive classroom.

My hope is to create a cozy corner here for brain-based teaching tips, language-learning strategies, reflections, and resources.

A bit more about me

When I’m not teaching or writing, you can usually find me with my husband and three kids, traveling, driving them around to activities, enjoying our Friday night movie ritual, or curled up with tea and a book. Our home also includes a beloved turtle, and a hamster who thinks she runs the place.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope this space brings you ideas, encouragement, and a sense of community. Please reach out, comment, and connect. And if you’d like to stay updated, consider subscribing to get new posts and resources straight to your inbox!

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