Foreign
Language
Departmental
Philosophy: The Foreign Language Department
of Glendale High School believes that foreign
language
is
an integral
component of education. It equips students linguistically
and culturally to communicate and function both
as individuals in a complex society and as part
of the ever-expanding global economy. The study
of foreign language develops an awareness of other
people’s views, an understanding of their
unique way of life, and a recognition and respect
for their contribution to the world at large. Foreign
language study enriches the entire educational
experience of the student by connecting with other
disciplines in the school curriculum, including
their own language and culture.
Mrs. Heather Argaez is in her 6th
year teaching at Glendale. In the past, she taught
Spanish part-time at the Missouri Virtual School,
a program of Missouri State University, while completing
her Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Mrs. Argaez
also has a B.S. degree in Spanish from MSU. She
has had the opportunity to live in and travel to
Spain and Mexico and enjoys being involved in the
Hispanic community here in Springfield. Mrs. Argaez
has been married to her husband, Jose Humberto,
for 3 years, and is expecting their first child
in November. She is also a co-sponsor of Glendale
Cheerleading.
Mrs. Dinamarca is beginning her 3rd
year at Glendale teaching Spanish I and II. She
received her BFA from SMSU and her teaching certification
from MU. She has been married to her husband, Claudio,
for 8 years and has two wonderful children, Matias
and Chloe. Her teaching experiences began at the
International School Nido de Aguilas in Santiago,
Chile. She enjoys traveling, cooking, exercising,
learning about other cultures, and seeing independent
films.
Mrs.
Laura Durnin is beginning her 211st year teaching
French, her 4th year here at
Glendale. She travels every summer to France, either
to study or lead student tours. When she’s
not working, she loves spending time with her two
daughters and husband, reading, running, and traveling.
Mrs. LaShae Eck has taught Spanish
at Glendale for 13 years. A Glendale graduate,
she went on to get B.S. degrees in Spanish and
International Business from Missouri State and
a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Drury
University. Mrs. Eck has traveled extensively through
several Hispanic countries both on her own and
with students. She is married and has two children.
Mrs.
Rebecca Pamperien is a Springfield native and
product of Springfield Public Schools.
She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University
in 1983 with a B.S. in Education, majoring in Latin.
She taught Latin for four years at Parkview High
School, where she met her husband Kelvin. After
staying home to raise their three daughters – Grace,
Ellen, and Mary – Rebecca returned to teaching
in 2007 in a part-time position at Glendale.
Mrs.
Alma Pettenger is originally from Honduras and
is beginning her 21th year at
Glendale. This year she will be teaching Spanish
III, V, and VI. She received her B.A. Degree from
Evangel University and her Master’s degree
from Drury University. Her husband, Wade, works
for Global University of the Assemblies of God
as Director of the IT department. She has a 9 year
old son, Andrew, who just started 4th grade and
a baby boy, Christian, who is 1 year old.
