Williston Trinity Christian School offers Spanish to students in prekindergarten though the 12th grade. Mrs. Lorena Haugen teaches the younger students (PreK through 5th grade). Mrs. Laura Abuhl teaches the older students (6th-12th grade).

Mrs. Lorena Haugen
Mrs. Laura Abuhl

¡Hola! My name is Laura Abuhl and I teach Spanish for grades 6-12 at WTCS. Overall, I have taught at WTCS for about 10 years, but not consecutively. Our family moved to Williston from Pennsylvania in 1998, making this the longest time I have lived in one city. Other states in which I have lived include Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. I also went to high school in London, England.

I received both my B.A. and M.A in Spanish from Michigan State University. Go Green! Because I have my Master’s degree, I am able to offer my classes for dual credit. Essentially, this means my students have the option to receive both high school and college credit for being in my class! I am also on the Executive Board of FLAND (Foreign Language Association of North Dakota) and have presented sessions at numerous conferences. 

There are some very exciting things happening in the nation, in our state, and in our school for World Language. First, nationally, teachers are waking up to the best practices for World Language teaching; practices which are backed by years of research. I am dedicated to learning about the best and most innovative ways to deliver instruction and I use an approach called Comprehensible Input. Second, just this year, North Dakota became the 36th state to adopt the Seal of Biliteracy, which will give students who are motivated to work hard an opportunity to apply for this prestigious award. The Seal, when granted, goes on a student’s transcript and their diploma. Additionally, students who take four years of high school Spanish and receive an A for each year will receive a special honor cord to wear at their commencement ceremony. Finally, I could not be more proud of our administration that is committed to World Language. This year, we will be offering Spanish to our littlest scholars, our Pre-K kiddos. Thus, WTCS will have Spanish from Pre-K up to 12th grade. Additionally, pending student interest, we hope to offer a class for Heritage Learners, those students for whom Spanish is their first language. This class will focus on language arts, only in Spanish.  Our Heritage Learners are also fabulous candidates for the Seal of Biliteracy.

I could not imagine teaching anywhere else in Williston, but WTCS. I love the staff, the environment, the students, and especially the ability to talk openly about my faith in Jesus. WTCS is not a perfect school, but it is perfect for ME. Perhaps it will be perfect for YOU too.