We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cristina Acevedo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cristina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

What did my mom do right? My mother raised me to be an independent woman from a very young age. Growing up, I lived with my two older brothers and my mom in Zacatecas, Mexico, which was a very conservative community at the time. When my mom was pregnant with me, she decided to separate from my dad. She didn’t want to raise us in a hostile environment, so she raised us as a single mother.
Despite the traditional gender roles that were expected of me in our community, my mom always taught me that I deserved as much as my brothers did, and that I was capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. She encouraged me to prepare and educate myself, so that I could create my own opportunities in life.
Whenever my grandma suggested that I should focus on learning house chores because I was a woman, my mom disagreed. She believed that my brothers and I were equals, and that I shouldn’t be limited by my gender. My mom always pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things, like swimming and riding a bike, even though she didn’t know how to do these things herself.
She also advised me to be independent and not be afraid to take risks, because you never know what your luck will be.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey as an educator began in Mexico, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Middle School Education with a specialization in Geography. After moving to Denver with my husband, I was eager to find a job where I could utilize my language skills while also applying my expertise in teaching. I began working as a Spanish teacher, where I gained valuable experience teaching adults, kids, and groups. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I realized the need to further enhance my teaching skills and decided to pursue a specialization in teaching Spanish as a foreign language at the European University Miguel de Cervantes. I earned my second specialization degree in 2021, and this inspired me to start my own business and develop my own curriculum, tailored to meet the specific needs of my clients.
I understand that learning a new language can be challenging, and that’s why I strive to maintain a strong connection with my clients, taking a personal interest in their progress and providing them with the flexibility they need to learn at their own pace. I focus on their particular needs and adapt my classes to suit their unique learning style. As a result, I have maintained a high client retention rate, and I take pride in helping my students overcome the challenges of learning a new language.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’d be happy to share a story that demonstrates my resilience. When I moved to the United States from Mexico at 26 years old, I faced many obstacles, particularly due to language and cultural differences. As someone with little knowledge of English, I often found myself in uncomfortable and awkward situations, and at times, I felt like giving up on learning the language entirely. However, I refused to let this block my progress. Instead, I found the courage to persevere and continue learning, despite the challenges. I learned to embrace my mistakes and even found humor in them, using each error as an opportunity to improve my skills. Despite the laughter and judgment from others, I remained focused on my goals and eventually started my own business. This experience taught me to better understand my students’ struggles with learning Spanish, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to connect with them more deeply as a result. Even today, as I teach my classes, I continue to learn more about the language and culture of the United States, which only strengthens my ability to connect with my students.
Through it all, I’ve come to realize that there is no mistake too big to learn from, and that the key to resilience is staying committed to your goals, even in the face of adversity.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Initially, when I started brainstorming my business ideas, my plan was to create a formal school. I imagined renting out a space and designing a comfortable environment that would promote a positive learning experience for my students. However, my circumstances were such that I frequently felt the urge to visit my family for extended periods of time. With no close family in the USA, it was often difficult for me to balance work and travel. This is when I realized that an online business would be the perfect solution. By switching to an online business model, I could work remotely and maintain my clients while simultaneously traveling to visit my loved ones. As a result, I have been able to continue teaching Spanish from anywhere in the world.
Teaching Spanish online has been incredibly rewarding for me. I find it fulfilling to share my experiences with my students and show them the places I visit in Mexico. It allows me to connect with my students on a deeper level and build a strong, personal relationship with them.
All in all, pivoting to an online business model has allowed me to achieve a greater work-life balance while simultaneously growing my business. I am grateful for the flexibility it has given me, and for the opportunity to pursue my passion for teaching Spanish in a way that suits my personal needs and circumstances.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pinedospanish.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinedospanish/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PinedoSpanish

Image Credits
Soona and Cristina Acevedo.