By Tessa Chilton - August 8, 2024
The recently established Teressa Duffee Scholarship for Spanish Language Educators at the University of Louisville honors the legacy of Teressa Duffee ’98, ’06, whose love for teaching Spanish shaped countless lives. MAT student, Melany Cabello ’21 is the inaugural scholarship recipient.
From a young age, Cabello’s life has been intertwined with teaching, whether she was playing with friends, helping classmates struggling in school or assisting her mother in leading Bible school. After immigrating to the United States from Cuba in 2013, Cabello faced the challenges of learning a new language and adapting to a new country as an English as a Second Language (ESL) student.
“After my first day, my mom told me that I came home crying because I didn’t understand the language,” she said. “Education, something I love, was a barrier.”
Today, as a Spanish teacher at Southern High School, Cabello draws on her own experiences to foster a deep connection with her students. “I want to be there for them to make a positive impact on their lives,” she said. “If I could learn English and become a teacher, they can also be whoever they want to be.”
After graduation next spring, Cabello hopes to pursue additional courses to serve as a school counselor or assistant principal and further support Spanish-speaking students and promote Spanish culture. “There is a need for bilingual people in our community,” she said. There are so many Spanish speakers in the U.S. and it is important for us to respect each other cultures.”
As she continues to make an impact on students, Cabello embodies the passion of Teressa Duffee’s 25-year teaching career.
“When [Melany] spoke about her students, she called them her kids,” said Mark Duffee, Teressa’s husband and the scholarship’s founder. “That’s exactly how my wife talked about her students. I know Teressa would have loved her.”
Mark Duffee’s decision to create this scholarship was driven by a desire to continue his wife’s legacy, ensuring that her impact continued through the lives of future Spanish teachers. By supporting education, you can invest in future generations.
To support the Teressa Duffee Scholarship for Spanish Language Educators, please visit https://give.louisville.edu/TDuffeeSpanish.
SCHOLARSHIPS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Scholarship support is the lifeline for our students, removing financial barriers and enabling them to fully engage in their studies. By establishing a scholarship fund, you can empower aspiring learners to pursue academic excellence here at the University of Louisville.
To learn more about how you can create a legacy for learning contact Rebecca Grau, Director Foundations at 502.852.4530 or at rebecca.grau@louisville.edu.
About the College of Education and Human Development:
Founded in 1968, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is a vibrant community that prepares students for leadership in a variety of metropolitan settings including schools, public and private corporations, and governmental agencies.
CEHD embraces the University's mission to advance the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse communities and citizens. Our commitment to student success is unparalleled as we promote the highest levels of learning and social, emotional, and physical health and well-being for all children, individuals, and families.