Señor Sferes / Tom Sferes
Biddeford Middle School - 25 Tiger Drive - Biddeford Maine 04005
Email:
tsferes@biddschools.org
Phone:
(207) 282-6400 ext. 1004
¡Hola! Me llamo Señor Sferes. You are probably wondering who is "Señor
Sferes?" I grew up in Portland, Maine, and have taught Spanish previously
in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and at Kennebunk High School where I
served as Department Chair for many years. In addition to teaching Spanish
at Biddeford Middle School, I am a Faculty Mentor in the Master of Education
program at the University of New England.
My educational preparation includes both a B.A. and M.A. in Spanish
(University of Connecticut), an Ed.M. in Teaching Methodology (Teachers
College, Columbia University), and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration
(Vanderbilt University). Teaching awards I have received include
an "Outstanding Teacher Award" from the University of Chicago, the Maine
Educator Award from the Maine Department of Education, the National Educator
Award from the Milken Family Foundation, and the "Model Teacher" Award from
the MSAD 71 (Kennebunk-Kennebunkport)Board of School Directors.
In addition to an interest in languages (Spanish, German, Linguistics), I
have an avid interest in architecture and travel. My travels have included
many Spanish-speaking countries (Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and
Chile), as well as England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein,
Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Greece, and Turkey. My last trip abroad
(summer 2005) was a transatlantic crossing to England on the QM2. I have a
son, John, who is a Personal Trainer at the Fletcher Fitness Center at the
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and has recently completed his Master's
Degree in "Health and Wellness" at California University of Pennsylvania.
I also have a three-year old cat named Keelan who is currently napping. On
December 5, 2008, my son John, my cat Keelan and I adopted a mother cat and
her kitten from the Animal Shelter in West Kennebunk. My son John named the
mother "Colby" and the daughter "Sawyer" after the college (Colby-Sawyer)
where he did his undergraduate work.
I very much look forward to working with you this year! ¡Bienvenido!
My mission is to provide opportunities to communicate in Spanish in
meaningful and purposeful activities that simulate real-life situations. In
order to achieve this, I will use the Spanish language extensively and
encourage the students to do so also. My instruction will be student-
centered and reflect both student learning styles and intelligences.
My goal is to enable each student to be successful and develop a positive
attitude toward the Spanish language, Hispanic cultures, and cultural
diversity. I will treat each of my students with respect, and listen to
their thoughts, concerns, and feelings in order to develop an affective
classroom climate in which each student feels comfortable in taking risks.
I will use the textbook as a tool, not as a curriculum. Technology will be
used, as appropriate, to facilitate teaching and learning.
Hopefully, you will find this site to be the world's best Spanish teacher
webpage!
