HECTOR “NICK” ÁVILAFLORES A second year teacher at Cumberland International Early College High School, Nick is currently teaching Spanish 1, 2 and Cultural Studies. He was born in Ecuador, and he moved to the United States at age 19. After serving four years in the US Army, he switched to the Army Reserves where he still works as an Instructor in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, near his home. He earned his B.A. with a minor in Sociology from Fayetteville State University, and is presently working on his MEd in Instructional Technology at the University of Maryland University College. Prior to teaching, he worked as a freelance Spanish Medical Interpreter. Nick enjoys traveling worldwide and expanding his knowledge about everything in life, spending time with his wife Amber and son Ian Nicolas, and running occasionally to stay in shape and relieve stress.
CHRIS BAUGHER Originally from Rochester, New York, Chris moved to Maryland shortly after completing his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Technology Education from the State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) and graduating Cum Laude. He moved to Maryland two years ago for a teaching position in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Married last year over Thanksgiving break, Chris and his bride went to Walt Disney World for their honeymoon.
LAUREN GEIER A graduate from East Carolina University with a Bachelors degree in Biology, Lauren started pursuit of a Masters in Education in the fall of 2014. She moved to Maryland in May of 2014 to pursue a job in teaching in Falls Church City Public Schools. She is getting married this August to her fiance who is a college soccer coach. Soccer is their life! She currently teaches Biology, Astronomy, and Geophysics in Falls Church, Virginia.
AMARILYS HEARD A native from Puerto Rico, Amarilys Heard has been a resident in Florida since 1988. She earned a B.S. in Foreign Language Education from the University of Central Florida, and is currently working on her MEd. In Instructional Technology with an emphasis in World Languages with the University of Maryland University College. Teaching experience includes teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages, Spanish for Natives Speakers and Spanish as a Second Language. She has been a presenter at the AP Annual Conference as well as the ACTFL Conference. She currently teaches Honors Spanish 2, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature and Culture at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida.