Welcome to my website! My name is Spencer Virden. I earned my bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education from Central Washington University, from which I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2019. I then worked to earn my master's degree in Applied Linguistics with a focus in Bilingual Studies from the University of Massachusetts Boston, from which I earned Summa Cum Laude in 2021. 

I have had the opportunity to participate in many forms of teaching. When I was still an undergraduate student, I participated in a study abroad program in Ireland, where I worked with inner-city youth to help bridge the opportunity gap. From that experience, I have worked in an Elementary school (Primary), Middle School (Secondary), and High School (Secondary). I worked as an intern student teacher at Newport Hills Elementary in Bellevue, Washington. I have also worked at Kamiakan Middle School in Totem Lake, Washington, Totem Middle School (Now called Evergreen Middle School) in Kent, Washington, and Lindbergh Senior High School in Renton, Washington. 

Since 2022, I have supported and led educational student tours across the world, including Italy, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Portugal, France, England, and Japan! This opportunity has aided in my push to bridge connections between the work I do within the classroom to the real world. Giving students this opportunity and planning these trips not only opens up doors of opportunity for students, allowing them to see various worldly perspectives and beliefs and bring that back with them into their micro and macro systems, it has also taught me valuable leadership qualities that far expand beyond the classroom and the school itself.

I am AVID and PBL trained, and in my first year of teaching, I earned teacher of the month awards within my district. I have been recognized as a protector of SEL practices within the classroom and am actively looking to grow in my pedagogy. 

Currently, I am working toward becoming TESOL/TEFL certified to support students who are learning English as a second language.