Ilka Cordova

K- 5th Grade Spanish

ICordovastmcsnc.org

My name is Ilka Mercedes Romero de Cordova. I was born in Panamá City, Rep. of Panamá. My first language is Spanish, and I learned English in a bilingual school in Panama and Canada. My first career was in the Administration and Finance field since my bachelor’s degree is in Banking and Finance. I worked as an Administrative Assistant and a Financial Analyst for more than 10 years. At the beginning of 2004 my life took an unexpected shift. I came to the US and married my Texan husband, went back to study, and completed a master's degree in Foreign Language-Spanish at West Virginia University. I taught Spanish in West Virginia at WVU, WVSU, and Scott High School. Then we moved to NC, and I worked for the Wake County Public School System.

I was raised catholic and my admiration for Virgin Mary, the mother of God took me to STM. I was hired in 2012 and taught Spanish to Middle school students for my first 3 years, then to preschool and elementary students, who I still currently teach. It was the best experience of my professional life. I joined the STM church and have been part of the Hispanic ministry since then. Besides loving to spend time with my family, travel, and dance, I love teaching in a God centered environment. I feel very blessed with this call. I am a happy Spanish teacher working for a great school, St. Thomas More, helping “reaching minds, touching hearts, and shaping souls”.