When sophomore Sophia Espino walks by Margarita Serrano’s classroom, she expects to hear the ringing of laughter and sounds of students eagerly volunteering to speak. During Serrano’s time at the School, she fostered a classroom environment where learning was a joy, not a task. 

“I always looked forward to her class because of her welcoming smile and teaching,” sophomore Jaya Lal who was in her Spanish II class last school year said. “Her lessons have stuck with me through Spanish III.”

Serrano started working at St. John’s in 2016. Since then, she has taught Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, AP Spanish, and select spanish seminars. For the past 3 years, she has also served as the Class 11 Chair, working with Upper School Dean Lori Fryman and other class chairs to coordinate advisory activities. Serrano has also sponsored the Latinos Unidos Affinity Group for seven years. 

Serrano had appreciated the priority St. John’s places on language classes as core classes. With the support of the School, she created the seminar class History of Art in Spain and Latin America (H), a course in which she explores the intersection between her two passions: Spanish and art.

Last year, Serrano gained approval for her seminar class. She even received a grant, which allowed her to travel to Peru and immerse herself in Peruvian art. She gained valuable insight and curated an original “textbook,” which included articles that analyzed various famous Hispanic art pieces. 

“I feel like this class is a part of my legacy because it is new and students still want to take it,” Serrano said. “I am leaving all my textbook and slideshow sources for the next teacher and I hope they enjoy the class as much as I did.” 

In Serrano’s second year, she became a sponsor for LUA, along with World Languages Head Aline Means. Together, they organized Sabores Unidos, an event for LUA students to share their cultural food, and the LUA assembly with Belén Bailey, owner of Sweets by Belen. Over the past few years, Serrano has witnessed the affinity group blossom into a space for cultural transfusion and exploration. 

“LUA has been a wonderful experience where I have had a lot of opportunities to grow,” Serrano said. 

Serrano plans to move to Tampa, Florida at the end of the school year to teach at Berkeley Preparatory School. She will continue to teach Spanish and hopes to stay in contact with all of her students. While excited about what comes next, she feels bittersweet about the transition.

“When I am teaching, I feel fulfilled and enjoy every second,” Serrano said. “It’s like having fun from 7:00 AM to 3:35 PM.”

Serrano believes that the hardest part of leaving will be saying goodbye. She felt immediately welcomed by all the faculty at St. John’s and cherishes the connections she built with them. 

“I really love Señora Serrano’s passion for making her classroom an energetic and safe space,” sophomore Sophia Espino said. “I will miss stopping by to chat and enjoying her delicious coffee candies.”