Spencer Reemelin

Spencer Reemelin is an Instructor of Spanish in the Department of Languages & Literatures of Europe & the Americas (LLEA) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He has been teaching Spanish and Portuguese since 2006, after completing his BA in Spanish at the University of California, Berkeley, and beginning his MA at UH Mānoa in 2004. His professional interests include second language acquisition, project-based language learning, and advocacy for Spanish and Portuguese education through organizations like AATSP.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, University of California, Berkeley
• Master of Arts (in progress since 2004), University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Teaching Philosophy: Emphasizes creating relaxed, engaging environments for language learners. Integrates cultural respect into instruction, particularly Hawaiian cultural values like mālama ‘āina. Influenced by Duke Kahanamoku's 'aloha' ethos and mentors from his academic journey.

Professional Roles:

• Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society Advisor
• Member of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)
• Future Board Member of HALT (Hawai‘i Association for Language Teaching)
• Promotes study abroad programs and volunteerism in language education

Labs/Teams: Actively involved in curriculum development for second-year Spanish and Portuguese courses. Collaborates with colleagues on pedagogical innovations in language acquisition.