Friday Feature: Ms Urrutia Romero
3rd November 2023
What is your current position at King Edward's Witley, and how long have you worked here?
I am a Graduate Teacher of Spanish and I have worked here since September.
What is your background and where do you live now?
I was born in Spain, in a city near Madrid although my family is from Ecuador. Now I live here in Witley.
What is your favourite thing about working at King Edward's Witley?
I would say the people. Especially, all the teachers and staff members that are particularly happy to help me with any issues or questions that I might have. Also, I love the diversity of students as many come from different cultural backgrounds and it is quite heartwarming to see how they all get along.
What is the funniest thing a pupil has ever said to you?
I’ve had many memorable and humorous moments in the classroom. One of the funniest things a pupil once said to me was during a lesson on Spanish idioms. We were discussing the idiom “estar en las nubes,” which means “to be daydreaming” or “to have your head in the clouds.”
I asked the class to give me an example of when someone might say this idiom, and a student raised their hand and said, “¡Mi hermano siempre está en las nubes cuando está buscando su movil, pero sus nubes son de Google!” (My brother is always in the clouds when he’s searching for his phone, but his clouds are from Google!)
The whole class burst into laughter because the student had humorously combined the literal meaning of “clouds” (as in the sky) with the modern concept of cloud storage. It was a great moment of creativity and humour that lightened up the class while also showcasing how language can be playful and adaptable.
Who is someone you have always admired and why?
I have always admired Rosa Parks for her remarkable courage and pivotal role in the civil rights movement in the United States. What stands out to me about Rosa Parks is her simple yet powerful act of refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus. I believe that her unwavering determination to stand up against racial segregation, despite the risks and consequences she faced, is truly inspiring. Rosa Parks’ legacy continues to remind us of the importance of standing up for what is right and just, even when it comes at a personal cost. She is an icon of resilience and a symbol of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality, and her example has inspired generations to advocate for a more just and inclusive society.
What advice would you give to your tennage self?
If I could give advice to my teenage self, it would be not to stress too much about the future. While it’s essential to have goals and aspirations, I would remind my younger self that life is unpredictable, and it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Embrace the present, enjoy the journey and the experiences that come your way.
