World Languages Faculty

see also: World Languages Courses, News, and Information

Myrna Acevedo was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While growing up Myrna spent her summers in Spain and had the opportunity to travel to many European countries. She earned a Bachelor in Agriculture from Kansas State University and a Bachelor in Marketing Management from University of Puerto Rico. She is currently working on a Master in Spanish Language and Culture from The University of Salamanca in Spain. Myrna loves traveling, experiencing different cultures, and learning world languages. She has been a student of L'Alliançe Française since she was 15 years old. "I hope that by learning a new language and culture my students are encouraged to see the world from a different perspective, therefore, promoting a better understanding of other ways of life."

  • Department Chair Brian Kane
  • (703) 714-5550 x5418

KaneBrian Kane received a B.A. in History from Virginia Tech and an M.A. in Classical Studies from The University of Kansas. He teaches Latin 1, Latin 2, Latin 3, IB Latin SL 1, IB Latin SL 2, IB Latin HL 2 and IB Theory of Knowledge. He also oversees the Latin Club and "Certamen" (an "It's Academic" contest in Latin). His favorite quote is: "Caelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt". (Horace, Epistles , I.xi.27) "They change their skies, but not their souls, who hasten across the sea."

PiersonMr. Pierson graduated from Mary Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and received a certificate in Foreign Language Education from George Mason University. He lived in Spain, Mexico, Ecuador and Argentina. For 2008-09, Mr. Pierson teaches Spanish 2 and Spanish for Fluent Speakers 1 and 2. He loves to go camping, play tennis, listening to music, read and attend plays. Favorite quote: "I imagine Sisyphus happy" - Albert Camus.

portilloMr. José A. Portillo teaches Spanish level 1 and IB Spanish for fluent speakers A2 HL/SLteaches Spanish level 1 and IB Spanish for fluent speakers A2 HL/SL. He was born and raised in El Salvador, he moved to the USA when he was 9 years of age, he is a 1999 Marshall H.S. graduate. He recently married and now resides in sterling VA. He received a Bachelors of Science in Education from Temple University. He is currently in his second year here at GCM and enjoys being back in his old stomping grounds. In his spare time in the summer and winter, Mr. Portillo enjoys participating in indoor and outdoor track and field games such as the shot put, discus throw, javelin, hammer and weight throws. He is a member of the PVTC (Potomac Valley Track Club) He loves to read and write and is currently working on an autobiography. "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." - Vince Lombardi

shewchukadultshewchuckchildMrs. Shewchuk was born in Beirut, Lebanon and gained her passion for travel and learning languages at a young age. She lived in Madrid, Spain as a little girl and learned Spanish, Swedish and English simultaneously. Her mixed Mexican-American and Swedish heritage has allowed her to appreciate different cultural perspectives and she embraces the Marshall community for its rich ethnic diversity. Mrs. Shewchuk became a Foreign Language teacher because she believes that learning a language is one of the major gateways to understanding a culture different from one’s own and can be the bridge to harmony among all peoples. She majored in Spanish and German at the University of Virginia for a Bachelor of Arts degree along with a Masters in Teaching degree from the Curry School of Education. Subsequently, she earned her M.S. in Linguistics from Georgetown University, where she also studied Portuguese. In addition to teaching Spanish 3, Mrs. Shewchuk is one of the Co-Coordinators for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and is the Spanish Honor Society Sponsor. Outside of work life at Marshall, she treasures the roles of mother and wife, and appreciates the following quote: "Two things fill the mind with ever-increasing wonder and awe, the more often and the more intensely the mind of thought is drawn to them: the starry heaven above me and the moral law within me." - Immanuel Kant

ulzenRaised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and North Carolina. Adwoa Ulzen teaches French 2 and I.B. French I. She double majored and earned a B.A. in Romance Languages: French and International and Area Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After she spent a year working with youth as a French teaching assistant at a boarding school in British Columbia, Canada, she then began serving as a staff member with an international peace and community building program, Transformation For Peace in the Czech Republic and various states in the USA. She then earned an M.A. in Secondary Foreign Language Education from the University of Alabama and taught high school French in Tuscaloosa, AL. A love for music, culture, travel, language, diverse peoples and international experiences are her life-long passions. She strongly believes in the potential of youth and in the importance of education in that if we "regard man (humanity) as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value . . . Education, can alone, cause it to reveal its treasures and enable mankind to benefit therefrom" - Bahá'u'llah

I was born in Managua, Nicaragua but grew up in Washington DC. I went to elementary school in Arlington, Va. I went back to Managua to study Spanish. I came back and my mother had moved to Michigan where my aunt lived. I graduated from high school in Michigan and applied to colleges in Virginia. I attended the College of William and Mary for my undergraduate and George Mason University for my graduate degree. I was married in July of 2008. My wife and I just celebrate the birth of our first daughter, Isabella Uribarri.

de LianasMrs. Walker de Llanas teaches IB Spanish 1. She graduated with a B.S in Biology/High Honors in Spanish from The University of Michigan and a M.Ed. in Multilingual, Multicultural Education from George Mason University. She is a National Board Certified teacher in World Languages Other than English. During 2007-08, she teaches Spanish 3 and IB Spanish, Part One on red days. On blue days, she is working as a Curriculum Resource Teacher in the FCPS foreign language office. Her hobbies include reading, HOT yoga, exercising, gardening, cooking, listening to music and especially playing with her children, Alessandra and Daniel. Motto: "He who keeps trying, will never be a failure."