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About EdConnect

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Many Options For Many Styles Of Learning

EdConnect Language Academy currently offers a variety of services for adults and kids to learn and practice Spanish: classes, private lessons, tutoring, conversation groups, corporate classes, and after-school programming. We are continually growing to meet your needs, so please contact us with any questions or inquiries regarding other languages. We have many online classes and in-person classes near in and near Grand Rapids, Michigan and Philadelphia. Just reach out!

Choose A Class

Learning Through Conversation

If you want to learn grammar and conjugate verbs, our classes are NOT for you! (However, if that’s your bag, sign up for one-on-one and we’ll do it!) Our classes focus on learning the most frequently-used vocabulary and grammatical structures in order to communicate. The philosophy is called “Comprehensible Input” (developed by linguist Stephen Krashen). We use the key structures in context in order to build proficiency and fluency. You will be understanding and speaking in no time…and we promise you will have fun doing it!

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Meet The Team

EdConnect About Team 1

Amanda Cisneros

Owner/Spanish Instructor

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“Hola, me llamo Amanda. I started EdConnect in 2019 in order to connect people through language and culture. I have taught preschool through adult Spanish and English for over 20 years (mostly high school). I LOVE teaching, languages, and just getting to know people. I earned a BA in Spanish and K-12 Education master’s degree in Spanish while studying in Madrid. I have traveled to Mexico, Spain, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Costa Rica both for pleasure and leading trips. I lived in Spain for two years where I met my husband (who is actually from Mexico). We speak “mucho español” at home with our two young daughters.”
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Jill Busscher

Spanish/American Sign Instructor

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“Hi, my name is Jill. I am so excited to be teaching for EdConnect. I love languages and, of course, teaching them. Most of my experience teaching is with Spanish, which I taught for eight years. However, I have also assisted in teaching Biblical Hebrew and recently completed my Masters of Education with a field placement at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf in Jamaica. I earned both my Master’s and B.A. in Spanish, K-12 Education at North Park University in Chicago. Whether teaching Spanish, Hebrew, or ASL, I am a firm believer in the philosophy of Comprehensible Input; providing my students with plenty of input at their level so that they begin to communicate from Day 1 with the most-used words in the language. When I am not teaching, I am traveling – I have visited over 30 states and 15 countries, including a semester of study in Argentina. When I’m not traveling, I am adventuring locally on my bike, cross-country skis, or through a good book!”
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Sommer Cain

Spanish Instructor

“¡Saludos! Me llamo Sommer and I love sharing my passion for the Spanish language and various cultures with my students. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Education and my Master’s degree in Spanish Linguistics and Literature from Western Michigan University. During my years of study, I lived in Spain and Mexico for several years and I’ve also traveled to Costa Rica, Bolivia, as well as various countries in Europe. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach ESL classes to teens and adults here in the U.S. and Mexico. I am a high school Spanish teacher of both traditional students and Spanish immersion students and I have nine years of teaching experience in a classroom. I dedicate much of my free time to Latin dancing and spending time with my loved ones. I’m excited to meet you and guide you on your journey to becoming multilingual!”
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Lina Herrera

Spanish Instructor

“¡Hola! Me llamo Lina. I’m originally from Colombia, and I’ve been living in Michigan since 2022. I graduated as a language teacher in 2019 and have four years of experience teaching English and Science in Colombia, Bogotá. I’ve taught students ranging from kindergarten to people over 70 years old, and I’ve learned a lot from these experiences. I have developed a passion for teaching and lifelong learning. I love reading in Spanish and English, and I enjoy peaceful moments at the beach. In my classes, I strive to create an environment where my students feel comfortable and happy to learn. I hope we can connect and learn more about this beautiful language. Nos vemos.”
EdConnect About Team 2

Andie Merkison

Spanish Instructor

“¡Hola a todos! I’m Andrea (Andie) and I’m a K-12 certified Spanish teacher with the state of Michigan. When I’m not teaching for EdConnect, I teach high school in Grandville, Michigan. I have 10+ years of experience teaching K-12, college level and adult learners. I love teaching Spanish using compelling comprehensible input through stories, reading, videos, culture, and fun! I have a master’s degree in Spanish and have lived in Spain, Mexico and Chile. I have traveled quite a bit and have led Spanish immersion student groups to countries like Spain, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. In my free time I like to camp, travel, play volleyball, read and spend time with my three children.”
EdConnect About Team 3

Jane VanderBeek

Spanish Instructor

“¡Hola! I’m Jane and I love helping students develop their confidence and skills in Spanish. I have been a high school Spanish teacher for over 25 years. After getting my secondary education degree in Spanish and English from Calvin University, I studied for three summers in Morelia, Mexico and received my Masters of Arts in Teaching Languages from the University of Southern Mississippi, I met my Canadian husband in Mérida, Mexico and we share a love for traveling and other cultures. I am thankful that my husband and three children are fluent in Spanish. This has allowed us to live and volunteer in Latin America: for a year in Morelia, Mexico and another year in Quepos, Costa Rica. These two experiences have had a profound impact on me personally and professionally. In addition to traveling, I love camping, cooking/baking, and playing and watching sports.”
Lexi

Lexie Zuno

Spanish Instructor

“¡Hola! Me llamo Lexie. As a proud Mexican-American, my love for Spanish goes beyond the classroom–it’s a way of staying connected to my roots and embracing my culture. I have the privilege of sharing this culture and the Spanish language teaching for EdConnect in the Grandville Public After-school Program. I also co-teach at Grandville High School, collaborating with our incredible ELL/MLL students to help them thrive academically and linguistically. I am a student at Calvin University, as well, and have almost completed my degree in Secondary Education. I believe that learning is a journey, and I’m here to help my students enjoy every step of it, while fostering a love for language, culture, and community. When I’m not in the classroom, I love fostering my own community with family and friends.”

Lindsay

Lindsay Hastings

Spanish Instructor

“Hola! Soy Lindsay. I LOVE cultures and the Spanish language! I have spent the last 18 years teaching Spanish, English and literacy in both languages to students in preschool through high school and adults. I earned a Masters degree in Spanish while living in Madrid, Spain. I also studied in Valencia, Spain and have traveled to many Spanish-speaking countries alone and with my family, including Costa Rica, Spain, and Chile. My family and I live in Philadelphia which has a rich Mexican and Central American cultural tradition that we are so grateful to learn from and participate in often. As a teacher I believe that engaging, authentic and comprehensible lessons make the most impact on our language learning and I’m looking forward to sharing those lessons with you!”

Liz Evenson

Liz Evenson

Spanish Instructor

¡Hola! Soy Liz. I am a dedicated educator with a diverse academic background. I grew up in Veracruz, Mexico, and relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1994. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Master’s in Education from Aquinas College. Additionally, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from UANL, and a Master’s in Business from ITESM. My educational journey took me across Mexico and the United States, with opportunities to travel to Central America and Europe. I have extensive experience teaching Spanish to students at various levels, from preschool to college. I am passionate about education and believe in its power to make a difference in people’s lives. My love for art, culture, fashion, and travel is deeply inspired by my educational experiences.

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