Meet Nancy Sierra!

As part of our ongoing series Meet Our GDS Faculty and Staff, we are excited to present: Meet Nancy Sierra!

Read the Q&A below to learn more about Nancy.

Primary Role: LMS World Language Teacher

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Years at GDS: this is year number four

What do you love about GDS?  
Being able to serve the GDS community is something I don't take for granted. GDS is a safe space; a space of freedom in many ways. I love that my students can now understand and write new words in other languages. But the most beautiful thing is that many of those words will be the fundamental pieces in the construction of a global language of tolerance, mediation, and respect for life, a language that encourages deep human development and social progress, a simple language that comes from the “souls of hoppers.”

Why do you do your job? 
Because I am a teacher “to the core.” 

A favorite part of your job? 
I really enjoy listening to my students sing in Spanish. Music is a tool that brings joy, and at the same time, the lyrics are hard to forget.

Your work style in a few words? 
Unique, human, cultural, musical, transcendental.  

A top hope/wish for your students and/or colleagues? 
I hope for them a future of peace in an environment of true social justice and freedom for all. Also, I wish them tons of love and great mental and physical health to enjoy the small and great gifts of existence.

Personal passions/hobbies/pastimes?
I love to read and write poetry, listen to classical music, sing Colombian music, watch a soccer final, and dance salsa. I also like sailing with my sons. 

A few favorites…?

Favorite recipes: Ajiaco Santafereño, typical hot soup to calm the cold of the capital of Colombia.
Favorite movies: A Woman of Substance
Favorite band: Imagine Dragons 
Favorite countries I’ve traveled to: Europe, the Caribbean Islands, Canada, and South America.

Tell us about your family and/or pet(s).
I have a very big family; two lovely sons and my best friends are my seven sisters! I also enjoy the company of my granddogs when they are visiting me!

One thing about yourself your students/colleagues/others probably don't know?
My great grandparent, Jacques Bourdon, was one of the French scientists commissioned by the newly founded Colombian republic to bring development of the sciences in Bogotá. He also was one of the early founders of the School of Mines and Natural Sciences, which is now the National Museum in Bogotá. He loved the country so much, he was the only one of the French scientists that stayed, planted roots, married and had a family.

If you happen to have a bucket list, one thing on your life bucket list you've already accomplished? 
Becoming a published author and presenting my book at historical and cultural venues in France was a dream! I met incredible people, poets, writers, refugees and brave human rights defenders from all over the world! 

(Note from interviewer: Nancy is also a published author as Nancy S. Bourdon, known for her work: Tres Rosas: Versos De Una Extranjera (Spanish Edition)

Something on your life bucket list you have yet to accomplish? 
Travel to Patagonia.