“We can learn how little we know by reframing our perceptions of language and culture.”
Edgar Serrano, my guest for Episode 16 and Episode 58, is a man of kindness, generosity, and keen perception–gifts which he uses to lead students and business and educational colleagues along gentle but powerful paths to open our eyes to understanding and to connecting with others and the world for personal and business success.
It was a great pleasure and honor for me to be Edgar’s guest one year at the Mississippi World Language Association, where he “pulled out all the stops” in his quest to make me welcome to the language association, the university, and the lives of his colleagues and students. He personally ensured that I experienced and was able to reflect with others on the multi-cultural history and identity of Mississippi.
As we have continued our relationship, my admiration for Edgar’s expertise, focus, dedication, and collaborative spirit has deepened. Edgar is, quite simply, a wonderful human being, and it is a privilege to learn from him and to watch his leadership in the worlds of education and business.
As you listen to Episode 16 and Episode 58, enjoy his stories and accept his invitation to ponder your own stories, perspectives, experiences, language, culture, and calling. Whether you are in business or education, Edgar knows that life is about language, and he is dedicated to bringing a good word to all.
Edgar Serrano’s bio and resources:
Edgar Serrano is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. He has lived in the United States for more than 25 years. Edgar has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a minor in International Marketing and a Master’s of Arts in Modern Languages from The University of Mississippi. Currently, he teaches Spanish full-time at The University of Mississippi and also part-time at Oxford University School, teaching 3-year-olds to 7th graders. He is a strong advocator for early language teaching.
Edgar’s passion for teaching started while working for a furniture manufacturer as director of international sales. During his business career, he had the opportunity to interact, train, and teach sales personnel in different countries around the world. This experience gave him ample cultural awareness and he saw first-hand that the great advantage of speaking another language helps to create jobs in the USA.
Currently, Edgar serves as Executive Director for the Mississippi Foreign Language Association (MFLA) he is also the Mississippi Representative of the National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) and serves as Mississippi’s Delegate during National Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. His presentation, A Picture is Worth Thousand Words, Really! was voted as the ‘Best of Mississippi’ at the 2014 MFLA conference. In 2015, he was recognized as a ‘Teacher of Excellence’ by the MFLA. In 2018, he was recognized as a ‘National Teacher of the Year’ by AATSP in Salamanca, Spain. Edgar has been a strong force in the implementation of the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy, where he served as co-chair. Edgar Serrano continues to be an active speaker and language learning advocate at different local, regional, and national conferences.
Resources
To learn more about previous guests on It’s About Language or access other episodes of the podcast, visit It’s About Language or click on the Podcast tab above.
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