News Detail
The Languages Department Speak Differently but Still Understand Each Other
Get to know the Maranatha teachers in the World Languages Department. They are an amazing group of women who teach different languages but still understand each other.
We are continuing our weekly series to introduce one of our hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff departments. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talented people God has brought to our school, and to give readers a little insight into each department, its members, and the calling the Lord has placed on their lives. We hope this article gives you an even greater appreciation for our staff and the ways they enrich our students' lives and help make Maranatha High School a Christ-centered and welcoming community.
THE WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
Cleonie Harrison, Department Chair
“I personally desire to inspire my students to be passionate about learning a language and getting involved in the culture. I also desire to share Christ daily in every aspect of school life,” says Cleonie. This is Cleonie’s 11th year at Maranatha and her 2nd consecutive year as Department Chair. “What I love about working at Maranatha are the people whom I call my co-laborers in Christ. They inspire me to chase after God. I also love that I can share and live out my faith walk daily. For the overall Languages Department, my goal is to be supportive of the team in whatever way they are seeking to improve, and assist our students in learning a new language.”
Alba Breitenbucher
“I enjoy sharing the same sense of commitment to help our students, not only succeed in the learning of a new language but also to minister to them. I feel academically, emotionally, and spiritually supported by my Maranatha and fellow department colleagues,” says Alba.
Quirky Fact: “I am part of an international family. I speak Spanish, but my father is Italian. Each of my grandchildren calls me ‘grandma’ in three different languages due to their parents’ heritages: nonna, abuela, and babuska. I am in the process of learning Russian.”
Jennie Chang
“My goals for my students and anyone who is learning a new language is to have fun with the journey! Laugh at your mistakes and celebrate your successes, and use the new language as often as you can. We pretend to order boba in class or do other role-playing and competitions all the time in order to make what we learn in the classroom practical in the real world. The more a learner uses a new language, the more that learner will 'own' his/her language,” says Jennie.
Quirky Fact: “I used to be really into Chinese Karaoke and in college, I was one of the top 10 female finalists in San Francisco's version of Chinese American Idol.”
Sharon Chung ‘02
Sharon is a 2002 graduate of Maranatha and recently started her sixth year of teaching for MHS. “The thing I love the most is the relationship that I have developed with my students. I love being a mentor to them and love having the ability to make an impact on their lives. God led me to MHS. I spent a couple years applying and looking for a job and with every application, I would pray that if that is where God wanted me then to let it happen, but if it wasn't then to not let it happen. I heard about the ASL position on a Monday evening, I applied Wednesday morning, and was hired on Friday! It was totally a 'God thing,' ” says Sharon, who also loves that the Languages Department is all women. “The ladies I work with are amazing women of God and we encourage each other on a daily basis.”
Quirky Fact: “I played paintball all through high school and college. My husband and I are both MHS alumni; we graduated in the same class but never really hung out. In college, our love of paintballing brought us together.”
Dianna Fowler
Dianna was lead to Maranatha by her faith and believes her understanding of "failing" opens doors to new ways to learn. That, in turn, could bring change to lives at MHS. “This is my sixth year at MHS. I started here as a substitute teacher. I have a passion for student success in education. What I enjoy most about working within the Languages Department is the easy way we each breathe life into each other's journeys, whether it’s classroom/education related, faith-related, or just support for the struggles of balancing life in this hectic world. We each have time for the other, which creates a dynamic, caring partnership,” says Dianna.
Quirky Fact: “I never wear earrings that are not Mickey Mouse.”
Taylor McBride
“What I enjoy most about Maranatha is the genuine, personal relationships that are built among students, staff, and faculty. I enjoy working in a place where I tangibly feel God's love and presence. I have worked at MHS for two and a half years, starting off as a substitute teacher, and then a part of the faculty. I love working in the Languages Department with a team that helps students realize the multi-faceted benefits of being bilingual, and helps them tap into all of their God-given talents and potential,” says Taylor.
Quirky Fact: “I really, truly dislike to eat fruit.”
THE WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
Cleonie Harrison, Department Chair
“I personally desire to inspire my students to be passionate about learning a language and getting involved in the culture. I also desire to share Christ daily in every aspect of school life,” says Cleonie. This is Cleonie’s 11th year at Maranatha and her 2nd consecutive year as Department Chair. “What I love about working at Maranatha are the people whom I call my co-laborers in Christ. They inspire me to chase after God. I also love that I can share and live out my faith walk daily. For the overall Languages Department, my goal is to be supportive of the team in whatever way they are seeking to improve, and assist our students in learning a new language.”
Alba Breitenbucher
“I enjoy sharing the same sense of commitment to help our students, not only succeed in the learning of a new language but also to minister to them. I feel academically, emotionally, and spiritually supported by my Maranatha and fellow department colleagues,” says Alba.
Quirky Fact: “I am part of an international family. I speak Spanish, but my father is Italian. Each of my grandchildren calls me ‘grandma’ in three different languages due to their parents’ heritages: nonna, abuela, and babuska. I am in the process of learning Russian.”
Jennie Chang
“My goals for my students and anyone who is learning a new language is to have fun with the journey! Laugh at your mistakes and celebrate your successes, and use the new language as often as you can. We pretend to order boba in class or do other role-playing and competitions all the time in order to make what we learn in the classroom practical in the real world. The more a learner uses a new language, the more that learner will 'own' his/her language,” says Jennie.
Quirky Fact: “I used to be really into Chinese Karaoke and in college, I was one of the top 10 female finalists in San Francisco's version of Chinese American Idol.”
Sharon Chung ‘02
Sharon is a 2002 graduate of Maranatha and recently started her sixth year of teaching for MHS. “The thing I love the most is the relationship that I have developed with my students. I love being a mentor to them and love having the ability to make an impact on their lives. God led me to MHS. I spent a couple years applying and looking for a job and with every application, I would pray that if that is where God wanted me then to let it happen, but if it wasn't then to not let it happen. I heard about the ASL position on a Monday evening, I applied Wednesday morning, and was hired on Friday! It was totally a 'God thing,' ” says Sharon, who also loves that the Languages Department is all women. “The ladies I work with are amazing women of God and we encourage each other on a daily basis.”
Quirky Fact: “I played paintball all through high school and college. My husband and I are both MHS alumni; we graduated in the same class but never really hung out. In college, our love of paintballing brought us together.”
Dianna Fowler
Dianna was lead to Maranatha by her faith and believes her understanding of "failing" opens doors to new ways to learn. That, in turn, could bring change to lives at MHS. “This is my sixth year at MHS. I started here as a substitute teacher. I have a passion for student success in education. What I enjoy most about working within the Languages Department is the easy way we each breathe life into each other's journeys, whether it’s classroom/education related, faith-related, or just support for the struggles of balancing life in this hectic world. We each have time for the other, which creates a dynamic, caring partnership,” says Dianna.
Quirky Fact: “I never wear earrings that are not Mickey Mouse.”
Taylor McBride
“What I enjoy most about Maranatha is the genuine, personal relationships that are built among students, staff, and faculty. I enjoy working in a place where I tangibly feel God's love and presence. I have worked at MHS for two and a half years, starting off as a substitute teacher, and then a part of the faculty. I love working in the Languages Department with a team that helps students realize the multi-faceted benefits of being bilingual, and helps them tap into all of their God-given talents and potential,” says Taylor.
Quirky Fact: “I really, truly dislike to eat fruit.”
