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Our team

Meet the Team Behind Versa Spanish Academy

At Versa Spanish Academy, our team believes that learning Spanish is more than studying grammar and vocabulary—it’s an invitation to explore cultures, connect with people, and open doors to new experiences. Each member of our team is deeply passionate about sharing the language and guiding you through a journey that is immersive and rewarding. Our teaching philosophy is simple: learning should be enjoyable, engaging, and truly transformative.

With a strong emphasis on communicative language teaching and cognitive learning, our approach ensures you’re not just memorizing phrases but genuinely interacting with the language in real, practical ways. Each class is carefully designed to encourage meaningful conversations, build confidence, and develop skills that go beyond the classroom. Gijón is a safe and welcoming city that allows us to fully immerse our students in real-life contexts outside the classroom.

The teachers at Versa team up to offer a level-based curriculum planning. This programme follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Our team is made up of experienced, certified ELE teachers, all with university degrees, and proven expertise in teaching Spanish as a second language. With their extensive backgrounds, they bring both professionalism and warmth to every lesson, creating an atmosphere that is welcoming, supportive and fun.


Cristina
Academic Coordinator and ELE Teacher

Vanessa
ELE Teacher

Claudia
ELE Teacher

Inés
ELE Teacher

Dulce
ELE Teacher

Marta
Student Experience Advisor

JB
Marketing and Partner Relations Coordinator
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Cristina

Academic Coordinator and ELE Teacher

Born and raised in Madrid, Cristina’s roots trace back to the picturesque region of Extremadura. Her passion for Spanish language and culture began early and grew with each step in her academic journey.

She began her teaching journey in the U.S. as a Spanish conversation assistant at Macalester College in Minnesota. Her enthusiasm for sharing her language and culture inspired her to continue her studies, leading to a Master’s degree at Miami University in Ohio, followed by a PhD in Spanish Language and Literature at the University of Cincinnati. These experiences not only deepened her love for the Spanish language but also reinforced her commitment to helping others discover its beauty.

After her years in the U.S., Cristina returned to Spain, choosing Gijón as her new home. With over a decade of experience teaching Spanish as a second language, she sees this work as her true vocation. In 2023, driven by her passion and a desire to create a unique language learning experience, she founded Versa Spanish Academy. Her aim is to provide students with a welcoming, immersive environment where they can learn Spanish in a way that feels both engaging and personal.

Beyond the classroom, she enjoys reading, creating crochet pieces, and spending time outdoors – especially on a sunny terrace with friends, enjoying good food, a fresh beer and endless conversations. Family remains central to her life, and she cherishes visits to Casar de Palomero, her family’s village, where memories with her grandmother and friends keep her grounded in her heritage.

Vanessa

ELE Teacher

With her Basque roots, Vanessa infuses each lesson with warmth, energy, and a contagious smile that makes learning Spanish a joy. Her career has taken her to The Netherlands, the USA and Spain. She has taught at prestigious institutions such as the University of Washington and the Cervantes Institute.

Vanessa’s commitment to language education goes beyond the classroom—she even co-founded a Spanish school in the Netherlands, where she spent four years building a supportive community of language learners. This experience has given her unique insights into both the challenges and rewards of learning Spanish, which she brings into her teaching style, always with patience and a personal touch.

A lifelong learner herself, Vanessa finds joy in discovering new things, and her love for the arts is reflected in her passion for theater. As both an actor and an avid theatergoer, she brings a touch of drama and storytelling into her lessons, making Spanish come alive through cultural insights and real-world connections.

Now settled in the charming coastal town of Colunga, Asturias, Vanessa enjoys spending her free time with her family, exploring the lush woods, swimming in the sea, or getting lost in a good book. Vanessa’s twenty years of teaching experience, inviting personality, zest for life, and dedication to teaching make her an invaluable part of Versa Spanish Academy.

Claudia

ELE Teacher

Claudia, a true Gijón native, combines a wealth of knowledge and a love for language and culture in her teaching.

Her professional journey took her to Krakow, Poland, where she shared her language and culture with students from diverse backgrounds. Back in Spain, she also taught Spanish with the Red Cross, giving back to her community while gaining a broader perspective on the different ways Spanish can open doors for people.

A rocker at heart, she plays electric, bass, and Spanish guitar, adding rhythm and flair to everything she does. Her love of music is matched by her passion for cinema, literature, and gaming, all of which inspire her creative and engaging approach to teaching. Claudia’s students often find that her broad interests make learning Spanish feel relevant and exciting, and she enjoys creating eye-catching material to make her classes interesting.

Family is important to Claudia, and she treasures her connection to her Cuban heritage. She loves traveling, especially to visit family in La Havana and Varadero, where she connects with the vibrant culture and warmth that have always been a part of her life. These experiences enrich her teaching style, giving her students insight into the Spanish-speaking world beyond Spain.

Inés

ELE Teacher

Inés, a true Asturian born and raised in Gijón, combines academic expertise with a deep enthusiasm for language and cultural exchange. Her career has taken her across Europe, with five years each in the UK and Germany and another two in Portugal, where she taught Spanish to foreign students of all levels. These experiences have allowed her to connect with learners from diverse backgrounds and refine her teaching approach.

A researcher at heart, Inés has conducted multiple studies on language learning, developing insights that enhance her students’ experience in the classroom. Her extensive experience in both teaching and research allows her to offer a unique and effective learning experience, making Spanish accessible, engaging, and rewarding.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Inés is a passionate polyglot who speaks five languages fluently and is currently learning both French and Japanese. Her love for languages keeps her connected to the challenges and joys her students face.

Besides teaching and researching, Inés finds peace and inspiration in the mountains. A true lover of the outdoors, she enjoys hiking and exploring new trails, where she feels a sense of freedom and renewal. Her adventurous spirit and love for nature infuse her lessons with energy and perspective, helping students feel motivated and curious about the world of Spanish.

Dulce

ELE Teacher

Dulce grew up in a village near Ciudad Real, nestled in the beautiful region of Castilla-La Mancha. Before moving to Gijón, Dulce taught Spanish to foreign students at Asilim in Madrid, where she developed her skills and deepened her appreciation for cultural exchange. She loves watching her students progress and find excitement in learning Spanish, and she brings this enthusiasm to every lesson at Versa Spanish Academy.

Dulce’s interests are as diverse as her teaching style. She´s a black belt in taekwondo and a skilled ceramist, often spending her free time creating beautiful pieces that reflect her artistic side. She also loves the contact with nature and finds inspiration in the world around her.

For Dulce, a great book is the perfect companion, and she often finds herself immersed in literature that fuels her imagination and enriches her understanding of language and storytelling. This love for reading also enhances her teaching, as she brings stories and cultural insights into her lessons, making Spanish more accessible and enjoyable for her students.

With her unique blend of academic expertise, artistic talent, and adventurous spirit, Dulce helps create a learning environment that’s both enriching and fun.

Marta

Student Experience Advisor

Born in Caceres and raised in the historic town of Trujillo in Extremadura, Marta lights up Versa Spanish Academy with her welcoming smile and unmistakable southern accent. As the first friendly face you’ll see when you step through our doors, Marta ensures that everyone feels embraced and valued, whether they’re new to the Versa family or have been with us for months.

Marta’s role as Student Experience Adviser is all about creating a sense of belonging. She goes above and beyond to make sure that each student feels right at home and well-supported throughout their learning journey.

Beyond her role, Marta is a passionate advocate for music, culture, and social causes. An activist at heart and a talented bass player, she brings her love for arts and culture into everything she does. Always in the know about Gijón’s best events, Marta is always happy to share tips on local spots and happenings, making it easy for students to dive into the vibrant cultural scene of the city.

Marta’s love for music, her commitment to community, and her lively spirit make her an essential part of the Versa experience. She is here to make sure every student not only learns Spanish but also enjoys the richness of the community around them.

JB

Marketing and Partner Relations Coordinator

Originally from Belgium, JB has spent nearly half his life travelling and living in different countries. After a 12-year career with multinationals in Ireland, he sought a new rhythm of life, choosing Asturias as his home base for a richer life-balance. Now, he’s happily settled between the mountains and the sea, fully immersed in the Asturian lifestyle, where he oversees the general coordination, partner relations, and marketing for Versa Spanish Academy.

JB’s dynamism, his global background and cultural insights bring a distinctive flavour to Versa’s environment. His extensive experience in marketing, international business, language teaching, school management, combined with his understanding of different cultures, helps Versa grow and nurture a collaborative atmosphere as well as a student-centered learning experience.

JB is also a passionate musician who loves playing world music with friends and a social pint. His other interests span the natural and creative worlds – from hiking in wilderness to photographing his travels, JB has a keen eye for the beauty in nature and everyday life.

He’s also a curious mind and a committed advocate for sustainability, always working to “rewild” his own plot of land and bring nature back into his surroundings.