Testimonials

"Sonja... is so advanced and creative in her lesson preparation.  Her Spanish is that of an advanced native speaker.  Her lessons show how well she understands the process of second language acquisition.  She teaches by example, radiates confidence, and inspires students to do their best.  She is dedicated to her students’ success.  Sonja’s work is imaginative, independent, original, and she recognizes the importance of global thinking."  --   R. DeLeon, Spanish Professor and University Supervisor, NEIU Teacher Certification Program

"Señora Thrush has the unique gift of helping you learn without making you feel like you are stuck in a class.   She has limitless patience and immense care for each of her students."   --  T. Stirrat, student

"Profe Thrush fue mi maestra de español por tres años en el colegio. En todas las clases, Profe Thrush hacía muchas actividades útiles y alentadores. Mis clases con ella me ayudaban a prepararme para las clases de español universitarias. Ahora soy estudiante de universidad, estudiando para ser maestra de español para niños de la escuela primaria. Me siento bien preparada para mis clases de español en la universidad debido a la enseñanza de Profe Thrush que me dio recursos y practica junto con su apoyo. Todavía admiro a la Profe Thrush y doy crédito a ella por enseñarme bien el español y prepararme para la universidad." – JV, student  

"Sonja has an amazing capacity of technology skills, Spanish language fluency and class presence making her an outstanding educator."  --  S. Giacotto, language instructor

"Sonja es una estudiante notablemente disciplinada, con un interés sobresaliente tanto por las grandes estructuras como por las minucias de la lengua española. Fue una alumna que le daba sentido a la clase."  --  R. Maldonado, Graduate Professor of Spanish Linguistics, UCSB

"She is kind, patient and always goes the extra mile for her students and colleagues. Sonja's classroom techniques are highly innovative and effective. Her Spanish students not only learn the language, but are immersed into the culture, as well."  --   K. Schnoebelen, parent of a student

"An outstandingly motivated Spanish teacher who will go the extra mile to teach Spanish to students."  --  L. Coleman, educator

"She brings a lot of talent and ability as well as strong motivation to whatever she is doing, but, above all, she truly enjoys working with her colleagues and students."  --  J. Hadoc, teacher

"I can vouch for her expertise in facilitating effective language acquisition through the use of compelling, comprehensible input strategies, communicative activities, and best teaching practices.  She also has great rapport with and a respect for students.  Sonja goes above and beyond the call of duty and attends professional development conferences to learn new teaching strategies; most recently presenting at regional and national language teaching conferences."  --    G. Schwab, Department Chair

"Language acquisition can be daunting—Sonja holds her students accountable, immersing them in the language with varied instructional strategies while gently correcting them when they falter. Students in her classes are so engaged in reading, listening to, and speaking the language without fear of failure, they hardly recognize their own growing command of the language; it is a delight when they do."  --  J. Burkhalter, parent of a student

"Ms. Thrush has proven herself to be an exemplary teacher. Her classes are well structured and organized and involve a tremendous amount of student interaction and engagement."  --  D. Downing, Assistant Principal

"Her classroom activities are creative, stimulating, and varied, illustrating her awareness of the fact that students learn in different ways.  Ms. Thrush is knowledgeable of best educational practices and her classroom atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and therefore conducive to student achievement."  --  A. Kallwitz, Division Head

"Although there is much that I can positively comment on Ms. Thrush concerning her talent and work ethic, it is her rapport and creativity she fosters with the students that is of great value."  --  J. Chua, Assistant Principal

"She has excellent technology skills, which she integrates in her lessons.  Her questioning techniques demonstrate the ability to address different levels of learning within a language class. She purposely designs lessons to target different learning styles. She actively pursues professional development so that her skills continue to grow."  --  K. Booth,  education administrator