Astrid Ochoa Campo

Dr. Ochoa, originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, is an Assistant Professor of Spanish and World Language Education in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages. Currently, in her fourth year at UWL, she is teaching in the First Year Seminar and literature and culture courses in Spanish and World Language Education. With 23 years of teaching experience spanning K -12 education in Colombia and the United States, her teaching is enriched by her research on Contemporary Latin American and Latinx women authors, motherhood studies, Latinx studies, and language pedagogy.

TEACHING AND LEARNING PHILOSOPHY

Teaching is my vocation. As an educator, my philosophy of teaching and learning intertwines languages, cultures, and literature, embodying a commitment to fostering understanding, empathy, and curiosity. Languages serve as bridges between cultures, offering insights into varied worldviews. Cultures, in turn, shape identities and provide the context for literature, which depicts human experiences. My dedication lies in nurturing each student’s intellectual and emotional growth, recognizing that learning is a holistic journey encompassing curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. As a mentor, I guide students to navigate the world’s complexities with wisdom and compassion. Through my role, I aim to foster a thirst for knowledge and inspire a lifelong love of learning, transcending boundaries and modeling a deep global appreciation for people and cultures.