Without this collaboration and hard work on behalf of everyone, volunteers and participants alike, Mesa de Español would not be the vibrant community that it is today. We would like to express our deepest appreciation for two tutors today in our Tutor Spotlight.
Cole Erickson-Cartaya
Meet Cole Erickson-Cartaya, one of our dedicated tutors at the Turlington Language Studio! He is a Spanish minor and will be graduating in May with majors in International studies, political science, and foreign languages and literatures (French and German).
Cole’s passion for languages doesn’t stop there. After graduation, he plans to teach English using his TESL certificate, pursue a master’s degree in International Relations and continue improving his foreign language skills. Recently, he has been practicing Portuguese, although Spanish remains his first love. Spanish was the first foreign language Cole learned, sparking his interest in culture and learning the language he speaks daily with his husband, Jose. Fun fact: Jose also attends Mesa whenever he can!
Cole has been a part of the Turlington Language Studio since the Fall of his freshman year in 2021, including participating in Mesa when it was run by a rotation of post-grad students. In addition to tutoring, Cole has been actively involved in various organizations and conversation tables. He served as the former secretary for Deutschklub and recently started the language studio’s first-ever English conversation table for visiting scholars, students and faculty interested in improving their English skills.
Cole’s dedication and enthusiasm have significantly contributed to the vibrant community at Mesa. We are incredibly grateful for his hard work and commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all language learners. Thank you, Cole, for everything you do!
Jodi Neely-Ritz
Meet Jodi, one of our enthusiastic tutors at the Turlington Language Studio! Jodi’s 20-year career in IT and Networking as she states “pales in comparison to the positive experiences I have had in the language studio.” She began her Spanish learning journey here and has now become a tutor, sharing her passion for languages with others. Jodi has not only added another language to her list of multiple languages, but has also demonstrated rapid progress in her Spanish!
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jodi enjoys riding her bike every morning and soaking in the natural beauty that Gainesville has to offer. Her time at the language studio has allowed her to make new friends from all over the world, learn about their cultures, and explore new languages. Jodi absolutely loves the vibrant and inclusive community at the studio. When she’s not at the language studio, Jodi works at Shands Hospital, where she continues to make a positive impact on the community.
Her dedication and enthusiasm have made a significant impact on the language studio, and we are incredibly grateful for her contributions. Thank you, Jodi, for bringing your positive energy and love for languages to our community!