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Have you ever felt disconnected from your passion for teaching — like you’re doing all the things but nothing seems to spark joy anymore? You’re not alone. 

In this re-released episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, we talk with Spanish teacher Mirna Deakle, who shares her journey of burnout, rediscovery, and finding her authentic voice in the language classroom.

Mirna opens up about how she shifted from survival mode to purpose-driven teaching by centering her curriculum around culturally rich content and student connection. From a unit inspired by Mayan traditions to facilitating real-world interactions through virtual guest speakers, her transformation shows what’s possible when we stop teaching about the language and start using the language to communicate.

Whether you’re teaching through comprehensible input, content-based instruction, or district-mandated curriculum, this episode offers practical ideas to bring back joy, engagement, and meaning — without adding more to your workload.

🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The emotional and physical challenges that lead many language teachers to feel disconnected
• How to define clear goals and stay focused on what matters despite obstacles
• Practical strategies for integrating authentic cultural content into our classes
• Why student identity, representation, and storytelling increase motivation
• How community and collaboration can reduce burnout and support growth

✨ Key takeaways for world language teachers:

• Find your authentic voice: Your personal story matters — and your students benefit when they hear it.
• Set meaningful goals: Teaching feels lighter when you’re guided by purpose rather than perfection.
• Use culturally rich content: Real voices and lived experiences lead to deeper communication and curiosity.
• Create real-world connections: Students engage more when the classroom feels connected to the world.
• Don’t go alone: Community can make this profession sustainable, energizing, and joyful.

📚 Resources mentioned:

• Balún Canán by Rosario Castellanos
• Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy
• Episode 84 — The Power of Reading for Language Acquisition with Dr. Stephen Krashen
• Episode 51 — Before, During, and After Reading Strategies

If this episode speaks to you, share it with a fellow world language teacher and leave a review — we’d love to hear how you’re rediscovering your voice and joy in the classroom.

For more resources, visit growingwithproficiency.com