Amidon-Bowen has welcomed a new Spanish teacher, Leonimel Martelo. Mr. Martelo is from Colombia and moved to Washington, DC, to “make a great contribution to children’s education by motivating them to learn a foreign language.” He holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching with a focus on language and literature from a renowned university in Colombia. He has 14 years of experience in teaching both English and Spanish. One of his teaching goals is to incorporate the school’s philosophy of learning and academic objectives into lessons while allowing for creativity and flexibility. When asked about his new position at Amidon-Bowen, Mr. Martelo said, “I am proud to be at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School because the school’s goal is to prepare children to become great human beings. Southwest not only has a new teacher, but also a person who is willing to engage in the community.”