Dr. Real leads Concordia University Chicago’s Spanish program, including the PK–12 Spanish Education Program. She teaches a broad range of courses across the curriculum, including beginning Spanish, composition and conversation, Spanish and Latin American literature, Hispanic linguistics, Latin American cultures, and foreign language teaching methods for PK–12 educators. Dr. Real also serves on the executive board of Little Saints Preschool in Hampshire, Illinois.
Degrees
- PhD, Curriculum and Instruction with Language Education Specialization - Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN (2020)
- MA, Spanish - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (2004)
- BA, Spanish - Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL (2002)
- "Intensive Spanish" / Linguistic and Cultural Immersion - Spain (2001)
Prior Positions
- Foreign Language Program Coordinator, Grades K-8
- Cambridge Lakes Charter School
- NKEC (Pingree Grove, IL) (2019 - 2021)
- Assistant Professor of Spanish, Concordia University Chicago (2006 - 2019)
- Volunteer Teacher in San Andrés Itzapa
- Guatemala (June 2010)
- Co-leader of student travel to Spain
- Convent of the Visitation School (Mendota Heights, MN) in conjunction with International Student Exchange (2007, 2009)
- Transitional Bilingual Elementary Educator, Illinois School District U-46 (Elgin, IL) (2004 - 2006)
Areas of Research
- K-16 Spanish curriculum articulation
- Guided autonomous language learning
- Language advising.