I have taught at Washburn since 2010. In Minnesota, I have also taught Spanish at Champlin Park High School and Liberty Classical Academy and I taught ESL at Hope Academy. I enjoy helping students increase their language abilities and encounter another culture through language studies.

I received my undergraduate degree in 2001 in Spanish education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During college, I spent a summer in Guadalajara, Mexico. I updated my MN Spanish licensure at Hamline University in 2009. I also have an endorsement from UNL in English as a Second Language. I am currently studying for a Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of North Dakota.

I joined the World Language team at Washburn because I was impressed that they use a language teaching method called TPRS--Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling. I find this method to be creative and interesting because of its emphasis on learning language through stories and making the stories understandable for the level of the student. I believe it is a great way to learn a new language in a large group.

Please contact me if you have any questions about the language program at Washburn or your student's progress.

Lydia.Lutz@mpls.k12.mn.us