Mon Valley Academy for the Arts announced the addition of a new Spanish language class, “Aventuras en Español,” to its curriculum. The classes, facilitated by experienced educator and writer Christina Gabonay, will be hosted at the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center (MVAA South) at 119 Brownsville Ave., Brownsville, PA 15417.

The Elementary Exploratory Spanish class, titled “Aventuras en Español,” is designed to introduce young learners to the exciting world of the Spanish language. The classes aim to make language acquisition enjoyable through interactive and engaging activities.

Class Options:

Based on enrollment, two class options are available:

1. Single Class for Ages 6-12 (10 am on Saturdays):

   If enrollment is 8 or fewer, a unified class open to ages 6-12 will be offered at 10 am on Saturdays.

2. Two Separate Classes for Ages 10-12 (9-9:50 am) and Ages 6-9 (10 am):

   Two separate 50-minute classes of the same title and content will be offered with sufficient enrollment. The first class, for ages 10-12, will run from 9-9:50 am on Saturdays, followed by the second class for ages 6-9 at 10 am.

Enrollment Details:

Each class can accommodate up to 10 children, with a minimum requirement of 4 per class. For the 10 am classes, two students are already pre-enrolled.

Semester Schedule:

The semester is planned for an official duration of 6 weeks, with an additional week built in at the end to accommodate any potential makeup classes due to weather, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Open House Invitation:

As part of the expansion, Mon Valley Academy for the Arts invites the community to an Open House on February 3 at the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center. Christina Gabonay will be available to discuss the new Spanish class, answer questions, and provide insights into the curriculum. We warmly invite the community to explore the diverse offerings during the Open House.

MVAA President Annette Buffer expressed excitement about the new class: “We are delighted to introduce ‘Aventuras en Español’ to our curriculum, offering an enriching language experience for young learners. We encourage families to join us on February 3 to learn more about this exciting program addition. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of expanding this program to our Charleroi location if interest is sufficient.”

For enrollment inquiries or additional information, please contact the MVAA at 724-561-5616 or email info@monvalleyacademyforthearts.org. Further details about Mon Valley Academy for the Arts can be found on their website at www.monvalleyacademyforthearts.org.

About Mon Valley Academy for the Arts:
Mon Valley Academy for the Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization committed to providing affordable, high-quality instruction on musical instruments and fostering a love for the arts in the community. Through various performance groups and events like the EQT/MVAA Free Summer Concert Series, MVAA aims to create a vibrant and inclusive musical experience for all.

About Christina Gabonay:
Christina Gabonay is a versatile educator and writer specializing in Spanish language instruction. Holding a PA Instructional II English 7-12 certification, PA Instructional II Spanish PK-12 certification, and a PA Specialist Certificate in English as a Second Language, Christina is well-equipped to cater to diverse educational needs.

Her educational journey began at Duquesne University, where she earned a BA in K-12 Education and a BS in Spanish. Achieving a notable 3.59 GPA, she made the Dean’s List and was a member of honor societies, including Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Sigma Iota.

Christina’s career spans various roles, including her current position as an educator and writer at Chickadee Education since 2020. Here, she develops PreK-12 educational resources in subjects such as Spanish, English language arts, elementary math, science, and STEAM. As a dedicated writer, Christina has contributed policy and waiver documents for a local non-profit. She provided numerous no-cost activities and workshops to area children, showcasing her commitment to community engagement.

Her involvement with the Penn State Master Gardeners as a volunteer Youth Outreach Program Developer and Social Media moderator further demonstrates her passion for educational outreach.

Christina’s earlier teaching experiences include roles in the Uniontown Area SD and Southmoreland SD as a middle school Spanish teacher and youth sports instructor for the YMCA. Her international experience includes teaching English as a Foreign Language, Italian, and Computer Studies in Ireland.

In addition to her teaching roles, Christina has been actively involved in coaching various sports, including volleyball, soccer, cheerleading, and basketball. Her dedication to education extends beyond the classroom environment, as seen in her roles as a Head Cheerleading Coach at St. Mary and Assistant Volleyball Coach for Southmoreland SD.