Angie Rubin de Celis teaches Spanish to all grade levels at NTCA. She has a different strategy and approach for each age group; she keeps it simple with younger students and exposes the older ones to as much language as possible. At all grade levels, she engages students by bringing them meaningful content. In any given class, students can be found playing games, singing songs, doing hands-on work with worksheets and participating in the occasional project.
Rubin de Celis always considered teaching as a career. As a child, she debated between becoming a teacher and becoming a dentist. She started leaning toward a career in teaching during her junior year of high school. She took education classes and went to elementary schools to observe, then got her CDA certification for early childhood education. She has now been teaching for about three years, including one year of missionary work.
During her early years at Andrews University, Rubin de Celis worked with preschool children. She never thought she would end up working at a place like NTCA. She enjoys having the freedom to use her own curriculum and arrange her lessons to make Spanish relevant to her students. She wants her students to enjoy the learning process and to leave her class with a love for Spanish.
When students take Rubin de Celis’s class, she hopes that they have a sense of belonging. She wants every student to see and understand how much she cares about them. Building connections with students is the most rewarding part of her job.
“When the student is excited to come to class, that’s when it hits deep, and you know you're doing it right,” Rubin de Celis said.
While students are like family to Rubin de Celis, she cherishes her family at home, as well. She spent her early life with her mother in Argentina, then moved to the US with her father. If she won the lottery, she would start by tithing, giving all the money she owes to God. Then, she would support her family in Argentina. She’d take her mother to the best doctors and pay for her treatments. Then, with the rest of the money, she would pay off her own debt.
Biblical figures who love others despite adversity inspire Rubin de Celis. Her favorite Bible verse is Phillippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Her favorite passage is the story of Joseph, one of Jacob’s 12 sons who received a colorful cloak from his father, then went through slavery and prison before working his way up to becoming a compassionate ruler in Egypt.
If you need a recommendation for a coffee shop, Rubin de Celis is happy to help. She loves going to coffee shops to read. She has explored so many of them that she often gives suggestions to others. She also enjoys going on hikes and exploring recreational parks around town. Her favorite movies are the Chronicles of Narnia series, and she loves watching Korean dramas in her downtime.
Get to know Angie Rubin de Celis
What’s a place you would like to travel to in the future? I have traveled to more than 10 countries already, and I would love to go to Turkey some day!
What is your favorite book? “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
If you could have dinner with any three people, who would you choose? I would love to have dinner with King Solomon, Barack Obama, and Jesus, of course!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I will never get tired of soup. I love soups, especially if they have tons of veggies. Sometimes I eat 4-5 bowls even though I’m full.
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? I would love to be able to go back in time and teleport.
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