By: Flora Wade
Dual credit classes really shape students´ futures at SHS. Many teachers go above and beyond to bring students the education they need to be successful. Dual credit classes allow students to earn college credits while taking a class in high school. Furthermore, they don't have to pay the prices colleges require to take the classes.
Teachers providing Ivy Tech credits are recognized and given an annual award at Salem. Spanish teacher Heather Nale has been a large supporter, helping students get on the right path for college. She has been helping students earn their dual credits, and was recognized for her support by being given this year’s award. She has taught Spanish for seven years, and she has one semester left until she completes her fifth year at the high school. While teaching, she has earned her qualification to teach college Spanish classes, as well as high school students. Underclassmen can take Spanish one and two, and upperclassmen take the dual credit, three and four.
In order to teach these specific classes, teachers must obtain a dual credit license. After she graduated from IU, she taught at Clarksville for two years and, in 2020, she started taking graduate classes to earn her master's degree.
Spanish three and four is taught very differently than the first Spanish classes students take. What people learn, and the activities people do, must be run through Ivy Tech.
¨In order to continue teaching the dual credit courses, I have to create syllabi for my dual credit courses and send them to Ivy Tech to get them approved,” Nale said. ¨My goal in those classes is to have the students read and analyze authentic resources including myths, legends or historical texts. I like to infuse a lot of cultural information in the lessons that helps the students apply their grammatical knowledge in context.¨
Nale´s efforts have been made known through the school and she has been recognized for her hard work by many. SHS Principal Troy Albert said, ¨She has done an outstanding job getting our students to test out of their foreign language requirements.
¨Her balance of her personal life, school, and her own college, had to be rewarded in some way.¨
Senior Natalee Wells has had Señorita Nale as her Spanish teacher for all four years of high school.
¨Ms. Nale has definitely made an impact on my education,” she said. “I am able to hold conversations in Spanish and use it almost everyday. She has also given me a lot of life advice and helped me through my rough days. She is always there for support and encouragement.¨
Nale has motivated and helped multiple people through her years of teaching. She received her motivation from Spanish teachers she had in the past, and the unique culture of Spanish-speaking countries.
¨I had phenomenal Spanish teachers when I was a student at Salem,” she said. ¨Both Mrs. Joanna Schmidt and Mrs. Doris Duffy had a passion for teaching and their subject area. I decided I wanted to be a Spanish teacher during my sophomore year of high school after I went on a trip to Mexico. I enjoyed the culture and thought it was cool that I was able to communicate in a different language. I also have a few friends from Spanish-speaking countries and I love learning about their cultures and sharing that with my students.¨
Señorita Nale has shown compassion toward many students and others around her. This award from Ivy Tech helps recognize her hard work and dedication, by bringing culture to the classroom.