Jose Lopez Espinosa

José is the Spanish teacher at Cambridge Friends School. He teaches students from Pre-K/K through 8th grade, and he loves working with such a wide range of ages and abilities.

José joined Cambridge Friends School in July 2018, fulfilling a long-held dream, especially since he often attended Quaker meetings in Amesbury, MA, Henniker, NH, and Cambridge, MA. One of the aspects he values most about teaching at CFS is the school’s commitment to both academic excellence and the social-emotional well-being of the students. He believes that compassion and understanding are essential in education, and he strives to see, hear, and support each child.

José grew up in Yucatán but frequently visited the United States as a child. He previously lived in Delaware and San Francisco, and has now lived in Boston since 1998 which has truly become his home. He currently resides in the Harvard Square area, where he enjoys local restaurants, seasonal festivals, and biking on weekends when the streets are closed to traffic. Outside of teaching, he loves to cook and prepare meals almost every day. He also enjoys reading and watching documentaries about the universe and unexplored places on Earth.

José’s teaching career began in 1993 at a language school in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, where he taught English as a Second Language to young children in kindergarten, first, and second grade. When he first started teaching, he was nervous and sometimes considered changing careers. However, as he gained experience, he discovered that teaching was truly his vocation. In 1994, he transitioned to teaching Spanish to international students who came to Yucatán to experience its rich culture, learn the language, and enjoy the region’s welcoming and safe environment. He holds a degree in Administration of Tourism Business and briefly worked in hotels and travel agencies in Yucatán. But his passion for teaching drew him back to education. He pursued graduate studies in Spanish Literature and Linguistics in Athens, Ohio, which was a deeply rewarding experience for him. Later, he completed a rigorous TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course in Boston, MA, which expanded his understanding of teaching methodologies and the importance of recognizing students’ individual learning styles. After returning to Mérida, he taught both English and Spanish at the Autonomous University of Yucatán and was also hired by the American Embassy to teach weekend classes to children from low-income families. He found this work especially meaningful, as the students were always eager to learn and grow. A highlight of his teaching career was a trip organized by the Embassy to Washington, D.C., where he observed classes at Georgetown University, Edmund Burke School, and Maret School.