¡Hola! Bienvenidos. My name is Lil. I am a Black/African-American woman committed to supporting and being in joyful community with other Black women. I am also a comfortably fluent, non-native, Spanish speaker!

I do not come from a Spanish speaking family. This is why I am so excited to be here with you. I want you as a non-native, Spanish-speaking Black woman to learn and build your Spanish skills with other BLACK WOMEN! It will be liberating -- and fun!

I have known that I would retire abroad since living in Spain years ago. For now, I am caring for my mother and enjoying my travel breaks. My heart and experience lead me to plan a retirement in México. Stay tuned!

Here are some reasons why I am able to speak Spanish at such a high level:

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Rutgers College, Rutgers University
I lived for one year in Valéncia, Spain during my junior year study abroad. – a long time ago!
I was a bilingual teacher in Los Angeles Unified School district for teaching K-3 students how to read and write in their native, Spanish language.
I currently teach preservice, undergraduate teachers about language, culture, and bilingualism using various literacy strategies.

I am comfortably fluent AND I am also still learning! I am excited as I build full fluency. Some of my many goals are to speak with ease in any and all situations (think of especially complex, emotional situations like immigration offices and emergency room care), write bilingual texts for legal, business, and professional use and develop language learning curricula and programs for the Sistas Talking Spanish community. Finally, since I have now identified Oaxaca as my landing home for when I retire one day - I will have fun learning the colloquial language of Oaxaca. It is important to remember that the Spanish language is a rich and comprehensive language full of opportunities to learn and grow.

In my full-time work, I am an Associate Professor of Literacy. I have a doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. I will use my 30 years of teaching experience to support you and your expansion. I am happy to work with you all in groups and privately.

Dr. Lillian S. Leathers