Mónica Alejandra Leyton Cortes

Teacher of Spanish

I love education and teaching. I became a teacher because I believe education helps us think  critically, understand the world around us, and transform our realities. I believe knowledge  should be shared, as learning becomes more meaningful when we share it with others. 

I have experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language and have completed specialised training in teaching Spanish as a second language. This training has enriched my teaching resources and classroom practice, particularly when working with children and teenagers.

For me, being a teacher means not only sharing knowledge, but also creating meaningful learning experiences and supporting students throughout their learning journey. I enjoy creating dynamic, welcoming and motivating environments where students can develop their language skills while enjoying learning Spanish.

I believe a teacher’s role is to guide, motivate and inspire students, helping them become more confident, curious and independent.

In 2008, I completed my secondary education at Colegio Distrital La Amistad in Bogotá,  Colombia. During this stage, I developed an interest in literature and philosophy, which led  me to pursue a degree in Philosophy at Universidad Libre de Colombia. I complemented my  academic background with a Diploma in University Teaching from the Faculty of Philosophy  at the same university. 

Throughout my professional career, I have developed an interest in issues related to the  environment, the rights of nature, and human rights. These areas have shaped my academic  and professional perspective. 

In 2020, I was awarded a scholarship by the Romanian Ministry of Education to pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Bucharest. I completed a one year Romanian language preparatory program, enabling me to undertake my Master’s studies  in Romanian over two years. I completed my Master’s degree in International Relations in  2024. 

Throughout my professional career, I have gained experience in education, supporting people  affected by armed conflict, and collaborating with social and environmental organizations.  During my university studies, I worked as a Philosophy teacher and later participated in social  and environmental projects in Colombia. I also worked with the Unit for Comprehensive  Assistance and Reparation for Victims, providing guidance and support to people affected by  armed conflict. 

Since 2024, I have been a collaborating teacher at the Instituto Cervantes in Bucharest and a  Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) examiner. I have also led workshops organized by the  Instituto Cervantes Library on Spanish language, culture, and the Spanish-speaking world.

I am passionate about art in all its forms, especially folk dance, ballet, and contemporary  dance. I also find inspiration in literature, philosophy, and psychology, which allow me to  explore beauty, sensitivity, and the complexity of the human experience. 

My motivation as a Spanish teacher at Avenor is to help each student discover in the language  a door to new cultures, people, and experiences. I teach my native language drawing on my  experience, with curiosity, confidence, and joy, inspiring students to learn, connect with the  world, and build their future.