In the past century, technology has completely altered how students learn in the classroom, with everything they do these days being digital. However, students are not the only ones who have been affected; new Etowah teacher Grace Razo has, as well. 

 Razo recently joined the Etowah staff as its newest Spanish teacher. She is a Kennesaw State University graduate, with a major in modern language and culture. During her time there, she made the President’s List several times. She was able to bring that drive to her teaching, as she has big ideas for her teaching journey here at Etowah. One thing she is very passionate about is technology’s many uses. 

 “The ability [technology] has allows you to communicate with someone that you were not able to communicate with before,” Razo said. 

Technology plays a vital role in learning a new language, such as allowing students to see things that are used in the real world as opposed to materials produced with teaching in mind. Students in Spanish class can look at maps or restaurant menus from Spanish speaking countries, which could help them a lot in understanding the language and the people who speak it. This authentic material from the native country could help a lot of students. 

 “I think that [technology] can give one some realistic world experiences inside of the classroom,” Razo said. 

 Giving students the ability to break the language barrier is a tool that was thought to be impossible in the past, especially with students from other countries. Now, students can get first-hand accounts of how these other places in the world operate, even communicating with kids who are actively living life in these other places around the world no matter the language differences. One day, Razo hopes for direct student contact to be a possibility. 

“I would like to set up some type of pen pal thing digitally, where students can communicate with other students in a foreign or Spanish speaking country,” Razo said. 

 Techniques like these have not caught on yet amongst schools, but they could help students have mutual learning experiences between different countries. Razo has an undeniable passion for integrating the future like this into her teaching, and hopefully as technology continues to evolve, it can be used to help students and teachers alike.