Meet the teachers at AMIGOS Spanish programs...
CARIE HOLMAN
Meet the teachers at AMIGOS Spanish programs...
CARIE HOLMAN
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CARIE HOLMAN
¡Hola! I’m a Spanish educator with over 16 years of teaching experience and a passion for helping students connect with language and culture. I’ve taught Spanish at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels, and I’ve also worked with adult learners through tutoring and small group classes.
My goal is to help students build real confidence using Spanish through conversation, cultural exploration, and engaging activities that make language feel meaningful and enjoyable.
Spanish Beyond The Classroom
My love for Spanish also comes from my own experiences traveling and living in Spanish-speaking communities. I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain, and in 2019 my family spent a month living there together.
I’ve also traveled to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Argentina. Some of my favorite memories include climbing Machu Picchu in Peru on my birthday and sliding down the waterfalls in El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. These experiences continue to inspire the cultural elements I bring into my programs.
Why I Created AMIGOS
I created the Amigos Summer Program because I wanted kids to experience Spanish as something fun, active, and connected to the real world. It’s also important to me that my own four kids grow up enjoying Spanish and having positive experiences with the language.
Many students may never have the chance to travel outside the United States or visit a Spanish-speaking country, so I wanted to bring those cultural experiences to them. Our days don’t look like a typical classroom—we start the day playing games, spend time outside, cool off with water play on hot days, try foods from different cultures, and dance, craft, and explore together.
Students can visit our “store” with authentic souvenirs and even exchange dollars for Mexican pesos at our pretend bank. Through these experiences, students practice language while building curiosity, confidence, and connections with the world around them.
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe learning another language is an essential skill in today’s world. Language learning helps students develop curiosity, empathy, and a broader understanding of different cultures.
I’m especially passionate about supporting heritage learners—students with cultural or family connections to Spanish—because language can be a powerful way to connect with identity, culture, and family history.
A Few Facts
• 16+ years teaching Spanish
• Experience teaching and tutoring students of all ages; elementary, middle school, high school, and adults
• Founder of the Amigos Summer Program (est. 2022)
• Study abroad experience in Valencia, Spain
• Traveled to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Argentina.
ALBA IRIZARRY
ALBA IRIZARRY
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