Mike Baskin

MS Spanish

Mike Baskin is in his 11th year at USJ. He teaches Middle School Spanish. He has received both his bachelor of arts in Spanish and his master's of arts in education degrees (in curriculum and instruction) from Union University. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. He is a member of the Tennessee Foreign Language Teachers Association and an Eagle Scout.

"Education is the key to knowledge," he says. "Knowledge is power. Everyone deserves equal access to education, but also shares equal responsibility to respect the system."

Mr. Baskin and his wife, Judy, have a 6-year-old son, Bryson.

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A fun, ‘hands-on’ approach to learning a language

From “phone an amigo” to eating at a Mexican restaurant, Spanish students in Mike Baskins’ Middle School class find themselves learning a new language through unique activities.

Senor Baskin uses typical methods of learning in the classroom interspersed with new ways to re-enforce the learning process. (Middle School students take two full years of either Spanish or French.) “After learning letters and numbers, for example, we go out to the parking lot where students pick a vehicle and then tell me in Spanish what is on the license plate,” said Baskin. “We draw and label life-size human bodies, design houses and label the rooms and furniture in them, and create and name our own monetary system with bills and coins.”

To keep things fun, Baskin incorporates other unique elements into his teaching style. “I have several Spanish-speaking friends from different countries. I will call them while we are in class and put them on speaker phone. We truly bring the world into the classroom as students hear a real conversation in Spanish,” he said.

Last year, while learning colors, Baskin explained that green (verde) is pronounced like “bear-day.” Students liked the concept so much that a “Bear Day” was established, complete with students wearing green and snacking on gummy bears and teddy grahams.

“Chocoatle Fest” honors the Aztecs and their introduction of chocolate to the world. A favorite activity is going to an authentic Mexican restaurant where they must order in Spanish.

“They are so proud of being able to actually use the language,” said Baskin. “Ultimately, I try to teach and provide avenues to use what they learn in the classroom in ‘real life’ situations.”

“A child’s primary exposure to anything should be positive and fun,” said Baskin. “It helps create a willingness to go on with the material. I want to give my Middle School students a comfort level with the language that they can take into high school.”