High school Spanish teachers open new career chapters in move to Brazil

After more than a decade of teaching, laughter and unforgettable moments, the high school is giving a heartfelt farewell to two beloved members of its faculty—Katie Llerena and Don Hernán as they are setting off for an exciting new chapter abroad as they relocate to Curitiba, Brazil, to continue their careers in education.

Katie, whose passion for languages began in high school thanks to a foreign exchange student and encouragement from her brother Greg who studied abroad in Mérida, Mexico, has always seen teaching as more than just a job. “I knew from an early age that I would like to be a teacher,” she said. “When I realized there was a major that combined TESOL and Spanish at UNI, it just felt like the perfect path for me.”

Don Hernán shared his sense of purpose. “Language is more than just words; it’s a bridge between cultures,” he said. “I became a Spanish teacher because I wanted to help build those bridges, especially for students discovering the beauty of other perspectives.”

Over the past 11 years, Lerena and Hernán have left a lasting impression on the CFHS community, both inside and outside the classroom. “The most rewarding part of teaching here has been the relationships I’ve built with my students and colleagues,” Lerena said. “I’m so thankful for the memories and the opportunity to teach AP Spanish. It’s been incredible to watch students grow and achieve in our program.”

Hernán said, “CF has been home for over a decade. The connections I’ve made with students and fellow teachers have been incredibly meaningful. It’s more than a job—it’s a community, a family.”

But now it’s time for new memories. Lerena and Hernán, along with their two dogs, are packing their lives and moving to Curitiba, a city known for its lush parks, proximity to the beach and, yes, capybaras. “It was just voted the third happiest city in Brazil,” Katie said with a smile. “We’ve lived in the place Hernán grew up in, Chile, and the place I grew up in, the U.S. Now we’ll get to discover something new together.”

“It’s a little surreal to start over in a place we’ve never been,” Hernán said, “but that’s part of the adventure. We’re not just moving— we’re growing, learning and stepping into something totally new.”

Llerena will transition into a new role as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher, a field she studied in college but hasn’t had the chance to fully pursue until now. “Professionally, I’m excited to challenge myself in a new subject area. Personally, I can’t wait to explore a new culture and language with my husband.” 

Lerena added, “I expect the environment to be pretty similar as I will still be in a high school setting. Most of the students have a different first language, typically Portuguese, so sometimes we will have to give reminders to stay in English, since that is the language of instruction at the school.”

Preparing for the move has been a whirlwind of paperwork and planning, but also excitement. “It’s been a long process,” Lerena said, “but the International School of Curitiba has been so supportive from helping with visas and housing to introducing us to the school and culture.”

Still, the hardest part has been saying goodbye. “Leaving this community is so difficult,” Lerena said, “but I like to think it’s a good thing—it means we’ve made great memories with amazing people here.” 

Hernán agreed. “The fact that it’s hard to say goodbye means something beautiful happened here. We carry those memories with us.”

Regarding how she hopes students will remember her, Katie’s answer reflects the deep impact she’s had on so many lives. “I hope they remember me as a caring teacher who encouraged them to get out of their comfort zone—get comfortable with the uncomfortable. More importantly, I hope they continue to be open-minded, kind and willing to connect with people who are different from them.”

As for Hernán, he said he hopes students remember the courage to try. “I always wanted my classroom to be a place where students felt safe to make mistakes and explore. That’s how real learning happens—when you’re not afraid to try.”

It’s clear that Señora Lerena and Señor Hernán’s legacy will live on. Buena suerte

Señora Lerena and Señor Hernán. Brazil awaits—and CF will always be cheering you on.