By Brett A. Mejia ’13
THE ROUNDUP

New World Languages teacher Mr. Richard Cordova comes to Brophy with the task of making a difference in the lives of students by getting them to love the language of Spanish.

Mr. Cordova has been teaching for 14 years and he is currently serving his first year as a Brophy teacher, teaching Spanish 2 and Conversational Spanish.

Born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Mr. Cordova attended Universidad Católica Boliviana in La Paz, Bolivia and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations there.

Mr. Cordova has transitioned from the pre-school to eighth grade Summit School of Ahwatukee to Brophy and is grateful and optimistic about being a part of the community.

“(Coming to Brophy) was a great opportunity to be part of this incredible school and so I took a risk to try new things,” Mr. Cordova said.

From transitioning schools Mr. Cordova said he noticed the differences between the two levels of education.

“The differences are that in high school the students are responsible for their learning; responsible about homework, they are more aware of expectations and they are more mature,” Mr. Cordova said.

While being able to teach at a higher level, Mr. Cordova said he looks forward to the challenges Brophy has to offer him.

“I want to become a better teacher and Brophy is going to give me the opportunity to do that,” Mr. Cordova said.

After being a student of Mr. Cordova for several years from Summit, Brophy student Taylor Moorman ’14 said he has found that Mr. Cordova brings the classroom to life.

“He’s really just a great teacher,” Moorman said.  “He makes the class fun and he engages you and asks you tons of questions and it makes it a really fun, lively class.”

Mr. Cordova said he has had a passion for teaching because it’s all about the students when it comes to giving the gift of knowledge.

“I want to make a difference, an impact in the life of the students,” Mr. Cordova said. “I want them to love the language. Whatever you are teaching has to be meaningful.”